bzliteyear

Hi all,

I've been looking at getting another used car for my wife and then passing her E320 wagon to our nanny. We've considered many cars and I think her favorite is currently a 2001-2003 BMW 530i Sport automatic.

From my research, the BMWs are going tor $20k +/- for 75k miles and they were $45k-50k MSRP when new. Dang - that's the same price that I'm seeing 2000-2001 E55's with similar mileage and much more options. In fact, I think even clean E430 Sports are going for the same price.

What happened to the exclusivity of the AMG? From a buyer's perspective that's great, but man it sure doesn't feel very good if one's trying to unload one...especially when the resale value/residual of 25% in 5-6 years is worse than the mass produced 5-seriers plain vanilla 6 cylinder.

Anywas, just curious what everyone's thinking on this topic.

ProV1

yes, as you mention E39 5 series are commanding MUCH higher prices than W210 E-class. Same year E39 M5 is >$10k more expensive than a E55.

jeff.bisonett

Doesn't bother me... as a buyer I got a good deal on a nice ride!...

xxaarraa

VERY true. An E430 would be the same price as an E55, same model year. Which basically means the market doesn't see value in W210 AMGs. Understandable, they are 7 years old and bad gas guzzlers.

From a buyer's perspective, its great, you cant get a 350 HP car with similar options for 20k period.

bzliteyear

gas guzzler? on my 2001 E55, i'm driving 1/2 hwy and 1/2 streets and averaging 19 mpg+ over the past 3k miles. perhaps i'm driving like a grandpa, LOL.

ProV1

same here. on the highway cruising at 75, i can get 23.5mpg.

Tacjam

You know, the prices of the 2000-02 BMW M5's are dropping just like the E55 prices have dropped in the last year. A year ago you couldn't find 00-02 M5 for under $35K, today you can find them all day on Ebay from $24k to $28K. I think seeing how MB only exported 500 E55's a year from 99-02 to the USA, these cars are indeed rare and will hit bottom and then start going up. The 500E did the same thing. Case in point..this car has 122K on the clock! I think this is a buying opportunity for the E55.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1993-...QQcmdZViewItem













4

xxaarraa

Then you dont need to be driving an E55 in the first place. You will do fine in an E320 or E430. No offense, but if you are getting 19 mpg mixed driving, you are not driving the car like its intended.

Im not saying you should not be driving an E55, just saying you dont need it. Since most benz buyers think like that or are simply unaware of AMG, their prices are low.

bzliteyear

i totally agree w/ you that i would do fine driving E320 or E430...and that I do not need the E55. by my estimate, 98% of the time i drive like an old lady (though my wife would disagree). however, on those 2%...the E55 brings big smile to my face. and now, given the minimum price bump to get the AMG vs. non-AMG...it's a no brainer in my book...just a bit sad watching the price fade...that's all.

SleepersRock

I am looking to buy one and these prices are great for me! I plan on having it for 2 years then upgrading to the W211 when the prices on those do the same thing.

Since we are on the topic...2001 Tectite Gray w/60K at $28k. Is this a good deal or can I reasonably expect to get it for $20k-$24k? This car has been sitting on a dealer lot for months now. I never really checked it out because I initially wanted an W211.

bzliteyear

not sure prices in your area, but from the board it seems like CA prices are higher. that being said, there was a 2-owner white 2000 E55 w/ Navi and 54k miles that just sold for $19k in SF area. it needed about $2k for bumper repair, but still that only takes it up to $21k.

ProV1

I completely disagree. He can do whatever he wants with his car. If he's happy squeezing out 19MPG out of his car, more power to him.

Just b/c you have a E55 does not mean you have to be hitting redline every gear and driving like you're on a GP circuit everyday. Beauty of owning a E55 is that it can serve as a comfortable commuter car much like a E320 would in everyday driving, but when the need arises it can turn into a beast.

Ryan c230

I just sold my c230 and got this 00 E55, with only 24K miles on it for $25,500. I have no complaints. I actually never thought I could afford to drive anything with AMG on it. I had the car shipped to Socal and couldn't be happier!!!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...5947822&rd=1,1

bzliteyear

congrats - that's a great price for a super low mileage cherry E55.
perhaps i should consider FL for my next car.
btw, i have the same color combo and i'm very pleased.
enjoy your new ride and be sure to smile whenever you drive it.

xlr8tin

Exactly! When I do mixed I usually get 13-16 mpg. I can get better mpg city mind you, but why? On the highway, however, I have been able to get from 24-26mpg. That's avg. at 75mph, with times at 120-130mph....woohoo!!!

--phill--

my two pence. based on the resale of USED AMG`s 211,210 along with used B6 S4 V8`s etc..

someday America will need to and i belive is starting to take a long hard look at its future economy and the environment. 19mpg is good for the type of vehicle but the bubble is bursting. Most our euro diesel and small CC petrol are combined 40-65mpg

no large V8,V12,V10`s in the future and by that i mean the nxt 5 years will be holding there value as much as bioethanol, diesel, electric.

let alone an old looking used W210 with average handling, Thirsty high tax, low mpg.

in the UK we have now fuel prices at £1.03 a liter
( USD currency conversion = $2.05 per liter )

our Carbon emission regs are tightening almost any V6 or V8 is nxt year at $800 road tax and rising

we have mandatory insurance also dont forget and on a AMG V8 merc it would for most over 25yrs of age be about $1600 a year.

also mandatory MOT every year unless you buy a new car then its 3 yrs free from MOT.

the point is these cars are not sensible, they will not hold value much as they have competitors in the face of their own other models.. i.e the new Mercedes ML400 is a V8 4.0 CDI has 512lbft 300+ bhp and is lower emissions, better economy than the V8 petrol and over here is only £1k more to buy, also sounds alright and is faster !

the only people who should be buying heavy powerfull V8`s, V10`s, V12`s etc.. now are either a.) the rich and careless b.) the punter who has only a few miles to travel to work and uses the car as a weekend bit of fun.

now to look at the W210 in isolation, its not great looking, its not got a great modern interior, its powerfull and not as heavy as some newer saloons but its easy to exctract 300_ bhp from any 1.8T 20v , 2.0T 16v, and there are plenty of other cars out there with same pace at same price. its not the safest car compared to a new small saloon, its thirsty, high tax etc.. the list goes on.

its not an amazing car so they depreciaton on these should be massive to the point of it being cheaper used than a 220CDI diesel varaint. it should only be about £5-6k for one of these.

i must add the W211 E55 will fall the same although the only differences are its got REAL power ! its easliy tunable, its good looking and upmarket, sounds great, have good interior and is a new safe car design.. having said that it will still suffer.

currently in the uk there are a few years old E55 AMG`s going for £22k when the intial price paid was £70k

xlr8tin

This may be quite the true statement, but over here...most people don't know the difference between a W210 & W211 let alone know what it is. A E55 is a great car no matter the year and will stay this way for years to come.

jimmydagreek

I had a 97 E420 Carlsson'd out before and now have an 01 E55, still kinda stock for now, hehe. I love the crap out of this car whether I'm driving slow or eating BMW's on occassion. I spoke to one of the techs at RennTech the other day and he said that he highly recommends this car because of the way it is so well built and also that it's much easier to work on. The prices dropped because the W211 E55 came out and now the W211 E55's are leveling out as the W211 E63 came out. Of course, as someone mentioned the gas prices aren't funny but unless you like driving a Prius, IMO I would rather pay the extra gas to drive my 55 (no offense to green car drivers).

Bottom line, if I had to choose between an E430 and an E55 and the money was close, go with the 55; you won't regret it. Ask JamE55 who is eating up almost everything on the street with his Kleemann monster yet can drive it everyday if he wants without any problems. Good luck on your choice and post some pics when you done.

zoink

James driving his car? I heard he only got like 10-15K on that 5-6 yr. old car

Anyway, back to the topic.

I think W210 E55 got hammered because:
1. Not a lot of people know about AMG, let alone E55.
2. Due to #1, people won't see the difference between E55 and E430/E320. And don't feel the need to spend extra couple grands (which IMO is a friggin deal given a huge bump in terms of performance).
3. Benz in general is seen as an "old people's" car, while BMW is more seen as young people's car.
4. W211 gave a huge jump in terms of engine power (120hp & tq), newer exterior & interior... so a lot of people who know about AMG made a jump and abandon W210's ship.
5. People are nervous w/ high performance engine w/o any warranty - even though I believe this M113 N/A engine is bulletproof.
6. People are nervous w/ prior abuse

At least that's what I feel given my experience selling W210 E55 couple months ago.

jimmydagreek

All good points and especially #3; that's what keeps the cops distracted and one of the many reasons of why I own a Benz, hehe...

whoover

A small point -- certainly when compared with the destruction of the planet and the demise of civilization -- to note is that our gallons are 20% smaller than the Imperial gallon you are probably converting to. This knowledge would be even more critical if you were somehow transported to this side of the Pond just prior to the bang or whimper of the aforementioned demise. Lest that last pint you find solace in be a 16-ounce final disappointment, order two.

JamE55

You watch your mouth young man before i put some soap in it.

zoink

JamE55

bzliteyear

This is one of the main reasons why my wife would rather get a 540i sport for her next car when she could get an E55(what i consider better) for similar price.