bcapp

I was at my dealer yesterday for service.

They still have a 2002 E 55 - Black/Charcoal - on the showroom floor. Salesman said they've had it for at least eight months and that "someone is going to get a great deal on it".

They also have a 2003 E55 allocated to the dealership - that is not claimed - with a build date of between April 10th to 20th.

My question is with the 211 model arriving now with a price pushing $80K with typical options - what would you pay for a brand new 210 model.

Sticker is $72K, invoice around $65K - with MB incentives shouldn't they be willing to let this go for around $60K?

E55 KEV

Sure, that car may sell in the low $60k. I bet they have had it for longer than 8 months. You trading up?

bcapp

Thinking about it............especially as Spring is right around the corner.

Problem is I know that the trade in value on my E430 is pathetic given the glut of used cars out there now and the economy in general.

So, I'm thinking if I can keep the spread to no more than $30k ($60k for the E55, $30k for my 2000 E430), I'd consider it.
Still I think that's being a little optimistic. We'll see.

///MB

If that's the deal you want, you should approach them with it and walk if they don't. They'll probably end up calling you back saying you got the deal if they really want to get rid of it.

On the other hand, even tho the new E55 is a lot more expensive, if you sacrifice some options, it might still be in the mid-high 70s, and you'll have a new/fresh car that won't look similar to your E430.

kaneman

If you're going to go for an E55, realize that even though you may pay $60k new which is a SMOKIN' deal compared to sticker, you're going to lose $8-12k the moment you drive it off the lot and that's only going to go down from there. Why not look for a low mileage '02 (as the '03s begin delivery I'd imagine there'll be even more on the market) at $48-$52k and possibly sell yours privately for $32-35k? I realize the tax issue eats away at some of the benefit but it doesn't completely negate it.

M6toE55

kaneman has outlined my strategy very succinctly: $52 +/-$2 for a very low milage '02 - avoid the depreciation, and get a phenomenal car [I'm just hoping you won't be bidding against me when the right '02 comes along!].

keep us posted on your dealer's response.

mikE55

If it was me, I'd go for the new 2002 over a used one. You should be able to get a fantastic deal, and any car will depreciate anyway. AND, you have a "new" car, not a used one. For me that means something. I like to be the original owner and baby it from day 1, and there's nothing like that new car smell. Also, the warranty starts when you buy the car, with a used one you've lost a year or more.

(BUT, it all depends on the deal, if the dealer doesn't go low 60's forget it.)

E55 KEV

I ditto and agree with mikE55! Cars depreciate regardless. Now if the car is Starmarked I might consider, however, at this stage in the game the difference may be close to only $6k - assuming the new 2002 sells for low $60k and the used one sells for $54k. I might prefer the new '02 with no miles versus the used '02 with 5k or 8k miles on it. Good Luck.

M6toE55

Given that my strategy is to buy a low milage '02, my responses on this board should primarily be geared to dissuade others from doing the same... so in that vein, I too "ditto and agree with mikE55"!!

To anyone looking: buy only new '02's and pay no attention to the used ones (at least until I've got mine)!

On a serious note: has anybody had recent experience negotiating either a new or (slightly) used w210?

Dr Chill

The choice really depends on how much you want to spend. Either car should be in excellent condition and last a while. Both are excellent values and an extended warranty is available for either car if the plan is to keep it past a few years. It all boils down to whether you want to save a few thousand dollars for that new car smell.

E55 KEV

bcapp, a New Jersey dealer also has a New 2002 E55 in Silver:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...405984154&rd=1

Richandall

Can't speak for the US market but in the UK I bought an 18 month old E55 at a 45% discount from list, plus it had sensible extras, like switchable suspension, comfort seats, bose upgrade...

There are some great deals out there on lightly used AMGs and guesswhat - the top end of the trade is having problems shifting good used examples. Older examples are moving around between dealersites and going sidewards, not toward the customer. Pity, cos they're still great buys - get better fuel economy from mine than the E320 before it, plus the fun factor. Best kept a secret or everyone'll want one.

- Rich

If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you

E55 KEV

Rich, can you shed some light, information and pictures on the "switchable suspension"? Not avaialbe in the US version of the W210 E55. Thank.s

Richandall

E55 KEV - found some diagrams for you (see MB Spy site, below)

W210 system is derived from the 1998 S-class adaptive suspension technology. Seems there's a lot of S-class technology in the E55 (eg. engine, gearbox, suspension, brakes...) which I find reassuring. The only published info I've found is about the W211 system, called airmatic dual control which dynamically adjusts both springing and damping and is derived from the earlier 'single control' ADS.

The W210 Adaptive Damping System controls the damping, which is continuously adjusted according to driving style although the driver can over-ride normal operation by selecting 'sports' mode on a standard two-position console switch (in the W210 model). This gives a very 'hard' ride, but I've recently re-discovered a driving style its suited to trying to beat my own motorbike times over a favourite 3 mile stretch of bends (I'm getting close ).
This is an extract from the description of the W211 system taken from the M-B Spy site.

'For the damping Mercedes-Benz uses the familiar Adaptive Damping System (ADS II), which constantly regulates the force of the shock absorbers according to needs, taking into account the state of the road surface, the style of driving and the loading of the Saloon.'

More at:
http://mbspy.bacosys.be/w211chassis.htm

There's another discussion thread on this subject at:

http://194.154.162.24/forums/showthr...&threadid=1152

- Rich

E55 KEV

Rich, when you get some time maybe take some pics of the interior switch and the hardware when the wheel is off. Thanks.