desired_speeds

I was browsing craigslist and came across this E55 which apparears to be in below average condition. The mileage seems reasonable for its age, but I was wondering if it the car is worth the asking price. I understand that it isn't in great condition, not exactly than that condition I was originally looking for. I'm not a huge fan of the black painted roof, but I'm considering it because of its options (navi and parktronic). What do you guys think of it?

Here's the link: http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/ctd/1269671709.html

saintz

Have you seen it in person? Other than the mileage, is there anything else that makes it "below average"? I notice the steering wheel is torn and it's missing the roof antenna cover. The antenna cover is $120 or so. The steering wheel would be harder to fix. Maybe get a quote from a leather shop to redo it. Also, the white leather appears to need a good cleaning, but looks ok otherwise (at least in the photo). I wouldn't be too worried that it's over $100k miles if the price is under $10k.

The blacked roof can look good in pictures, in my opinion, but I've never seen a painted one in person.

I see it has aftermarket Navi (Pioneer AVIC). Bear in mind that probably means the steering wheel radio controls don't work, although that can be fixed with a PAC audio kit.

It looks like it would need some work, but it might be worth it, unless you find other problems.

KL2DC

Damn, what happened to the wheel? It looks like it got parts of it bitten off.

Cosmetically, the car looks ok. Nice, its got parktronic.

The best thing you can do (if you're serious), is pay for a good PPI so you'll know how much you need to budget over the asking price, to bring the car up to a standard.

bzliteyear

if mechanically it's solid, then that's a pretty good price. i really enjoyed my 01 E55...in many ways more than my current 02 S55. it drove solid/nimble and was much quicker than S55. also, it drove more like a sports car.
good luck.
Patrick

xlr8tin

Looks, good to me. Get a PPI and if all's good get it. I would...under $10K is great for a 350HP car

xlr8tin

This is what you should get....

https://mbworld.org/forums/mercedes-...ml#post3623245

MR888

Not bad for the price..

desired_speeds

Thanks for the everybody! I think I'll hold off for it for the time being as I still have time to find a better one as I don't absolutely need another car yet. The car's location is close to a 12 hour drive from me and the more I look at it, the more little pieces I find are missing or in bad shape. I'll keep you guys updated on my search.

Esh

I'm in Portland

Eurosport

if interior was neglected like that i can only imagine the neglect under the hood...

MR888

The interior does not look that bad aside from the steering wheel peeling off and dirty leather seats, but the steering wheel on my 55 also peeled like that when I bought it, and I seen that problem on many other 55's, its just poorly made.

saintz

I agree, it really doesn't look that neglected. White perforated leather is going to get really dirty. It probably just needs a good cleaning.

desired_speeds

Some other things I noticed include the SRS plastic piece missing on the rear passenger door, the seat bottom of the passenger side rear has a gap, and the wood seems scratched up. I still have time to think about it though.

Lawrence1

that might be a salvage title. the same dealership was selling salvage one w/50k miles last month.

MR888

This may be another forum member's car, he got into an accident and upgraded to a W211 E55, some may know who im talking about? his car had a black roof too and I believe he was from that region of the country?

desired_speeds

I know who you're talking about. You may be right about it, but if the old owner could confirm the head unit, it would make it obvious if it is a salvage title.

desired_speeds

just found it: https://mbworld.org/forums/w210-amg/...my-02-e55.html

Here are the after pictures from the auction site: http://www.qcsa.com/index.php?fuseac...carid=2614822#

Its not the same one.

rennwerkes

If the car checks out mechanically I think that's a pretty decent deal. Who knows? You might be able to get the price to go down a bit more.
One thing about PPI's. Make sure you get it from someone that takes doing PPI's seriously.
I had a PPI done on one of my cars and it was a total waste of time and money. Just be careful.

E55_GT3wheels

Who bit the steering wheel?!

Other than that, it looks good in the pictures. I would need to see in person though. Price wise, I think its a good deal. I loved my W210 E55. Very solid and reliable cars.

As someone else said, aftermarket navi means no steering wheel controls.

luiscalpa

For me its the same one, they change the steering wheel, the owner keep the brabus wheels, and someone open the hood. thats it.

saintz

The biggest giveaway should be the title. If the insurance company totaled it and sold it at auction, it would have to be salvage title.

The wrecked car doesn't have parktronic (based on front and rear bumpers). The Craigslist car does. Even if they swapped the front bumper, the back bumper still shows parktronic.

The stereos don't match.

The wrecked car had 60k miles, the Craigslist car has 90k. That's a lot of miles to put on in 2 months.

Wrecked car has no tint. Craiglist car has tint.

Certainly looks like a different car, although it is an interesting coincidence.