aquasition

simple question.....how much more a , say 2000 E55, should be worth if only 40k miles on it, vc say 100k miles same year car? Or, some may say it is worth less due to lack of driving? Opinnions?

ESTJ

That's a loaded question! The same car, same mileage from CA or the desert states or even from the southern states, if garaged well, is worth a lot more than a rust bucket from the northern or northeastern states. That being said the 2000 E55 has a range of $8,500 to $18,500, a solid 10k spread based upon a lot of factors, mileage being one of them.

Keep in mind that if those 40k miles were put on by someone with their pedal to the metal all the time and left it out in the elements, or has had four owners or worse yet, has been wrecked; it might be worth less than the 100K car that had a one owner weekly driver that kept it garaged and well maintained. You never know without the complete history and without checking out the car fully.

Kelly Blue Book gives a $5K difference on mileage alone, but you have to have the full story and a thorough background of both maintenance and usage. Not to mention a thorough pre-purchase inspection before you buy!

I paid top dollar for my 2001 E55 because I wanted an immaculate pristine car with low mileage as a potential show car. I was willing to pay for what I wanted. Did it have some issues associated with being a low mileage fairly unused vehicle, yes!

Were they catastrophic issues, no. Nothing that couldn't be cured with some newer seals and a complete drain and flush of all the old fluids.

Good luck in your search. I love my car and its history!

aquasition

I agree. it was a loded question. I plan on investigating a particular car deeply. If the PPi checks out fine, and the history is nice I may consider paying top dollar because the car is in nice condition. Like people say...."buy the best example you can afford"....thanks.

tsquare

Before I purchased my 2002 E55 (33K miles), I was also looking at 2002 - 2005 Porsche 911's. The Porsches typically in the 35K to 50K mileage range sold for $27K to $35K.

I know we are talking different types of cars, but maintence costs and reliability are very similar. It just depends - if speed and comfort is more important than speed and handling, the E55's that typically sell for $14K to $20K for the same mileage range above are quite a bargin. That is why I would not split hairs on a low milage well maintained E55.

Swim Wagon

Which one do you have in mind?

Are you still looking in Cali?

aquasition

rigth now I am looking at a 2000 not in cali. low miles. getting a PPI done this Monday.

Swim Wagon

Good luck Man!

I too am looking at a 2000 in SD, Ca. So.. my mojo was a little spooked.

Blood pressure is subsiding. Back to business.

Hugh

jtbeche

I guess I'm one of the few that doesn't value low mileage...especially when it comes to these kinds of cars (cars of a supposed higher quality that should run for a long time). I just can't see paying $18K for a low mileage 2000 when you're starting to see W211's with higher mileage drop below $20K. I love the W210's, but no way would I buy one for about the same price as a newer model. You'd never get your money back out of it. Now, if you planned on keeping this as a complete weekend car and planned on keeping it "forever", then I guess that's a little different.

aquasition

I really don't know enough about these cars to make an inteligent statement about prices, value and whether to get a w210 or a w211.
What I really care about is the "uniqueness" (if such word exists...) of the car. What appealed to me on the W210 was the hand built aspect of it, normally aspirated power, and a little more traditional looks. I think after 03 all cars became a little too equal...too "Japanesy" to me.
The w211 may very well be a much superior car in power, confort, electronics, etc...but I like "icon" cars...and the w210 migth be a little bit more of an icon in my mind than the following models. Having said all that I will look into the available w211 and see how they appeal to me. Thanks!

Bellefonte

When I was looking, I found that 10k miles = $1k from an avg mileage E55.

Swim Wagon

I am currently looking. NADA guides resemble about 10K miles = $1K for the 2000 E55

A 55K mile car is listed as $14.5K for Trade in and $18.8K for Retail.

A 95K mile car is listed for $11,075 for Trade and $14,325 for retail.

Of course, this is only a guide and conditions are subjective.

mysticblu999

I paid over retail for my 99 with 8k on it in 06. It was a brand new old car. It even smelled brand new. If you love the w210 E55 like I do, pay more for a low mile car, you won't regret it.

aquasition

well......I can give you more details....the "low miles" car I am looking at is a 00 model, with 38k miles on the odo, but PPI revealed it needs front rotors as they are 3mm below min., needs fresh service (all fluids), has a small leak on the rear main seal, needs rear brake pads, and some other minor stuff. The owner is asking very top dollar for it (above $18,5k), and I didn't think the car was worth anything above $15k...before the PPI. Now that I know it needs at least $1,500 worth of repairs, I think the low milleage is not a plus...and the car is worth (IMHO) maybe $13k. What you think?? Thanks.

mysticblu999

You think a 2000 e55 with 38k is worth 13k because it needs fluids and brakes?

aquasition

Well, that's the key reason I posted this in the first place, isn't it?
You know these cars are selling between $8k and $13k. The owner is asking more than $18k on the car, and I think he is dreaming...
I feel like the car being worth $15k due to low miles, but it does need at least $1,500 worth of repairs...so...now we reach the point were each has an oppinion. So, based on your question I take it that you think the car is worth the $18k asking price, or is it worth $15k...or what?

Shadow5501

How do you get rotors below min. thickness in only 38K miles? Has the car spent significant time on the track, or did the PO use some aftermarket super-aggressive compound brake pads?

The rear main seal leak requires removing the transmission to repair. Accordingly, labor cost is non-trivial.

aquasition

I know...the car needs some work done to it. I don't know how can the front rotors wear so fast on this car. I doubt if the car has been tracked ever, based on the current owner, who they are, and age group, etc. Brakes, + rear seal, + other items can add up to $2k+ in needed work. I still have to add transportation accross country...so I am afraid the search continues. Thanks.

JamE55

This is not always the case! There are certain W210's out there that can hang if not out run stock or lightly moded W211's.

This man's last name is No-lie!

tsquare

Determining value is a very personal and subjective thing. I spent time finding a low-mile W210 E55 and had no problem paying up for it. I like the feel of a low milage car- the interior is fresher, the ride feels more composed, the mechanicals feel crisper. I have experienced the aging of an E class Mercedes with my 1997, E320 - going from 40,000 miles to 210,000 miles over 8 years, these cars as in all cars loose a step along the way. My 1997 E320 is very solid car for its age and mileage, but it still does not compare to the feel of my 2002 E55 with 36K on the clock. As far as depreciation goes, a car that goes from 85K to 170K will depreciate as much (percentage wise) as a car that goes from 30K to 60K, or 100K to 200K - I experienced this first hand with my 1997 E320 - it is for this reason I will not sell my 1997 E320, no one will pay me more than $2K to 3K for this car, but I know how well it has been maintained and the car is worth much more than that to me - so I keep it as an extra car for visiting friends or to keep mileage low on my E55. (I paid 19K for this one owner E320, after 8 years, even if I spent $1K per year to maintain the car - which I doubt I did - I still only paid $3,000.00 per year to drive my E Classs Mercedes - thats a good deal). So here I am again, 20K invested into a low mileage - 1 owner Mercedes - hoping this experience will be as good as my last .

No matter what you pay for an W210 E55 today, whether it is $20K for a mint condition, low milage E55 or $9K for high mileage, E55 runner. I still feel these cars are tremendous values when compared to other used performance cars .

In doing my research, the idea of finding a low priced ($20K ) 2003 or newer W211 E55 is a bit scary. The maintence costs for the newer models are substantially higher and IMHO the build quality lower. Add to that all the new technology gadgets in these cars and ownership costs get even more unpredictable. In doing my research on the W211's - everyone whose opinions I respected - strongly recommended to get an extended warranty (cost $3K -$4K) and normally you have to buy at least a 2005 or newer model to get a aftermarket extended warranty today. Now your all-in costs go to $30K to $35K - if not more. After my research, I had no problem getting a well maintained, low mileage, mint W210 E55 (without a extended warranty) and paying $15K to $20K thats a good performance deal.

Lastly, about my car - I searched out a 2002 E55, feeling the end of the W210 production run should be the most trouble-free and of course lower in miles, my 1 owner car was purchased new by the previous owner in November 2002, so it is actuallity more like a 2003 than a 2002. Good luck on your search.

Shadow5501

I've owned a couple of 210 cars (no E55 though), and a 211 E55.

The 211 E55 is a much more complex and electronic-intensive car than the 210. It is astounding the degree to which Benz upped the complexity (and cost) in one generation. I wouldn't say the 211 is unreliable at all. But there are just so many more possible failures, so many of which don't even exist on the 210. For example, the 211 has a supercharger clutch ($1K), airmatic struts ($1K/corner), intercooler pump, SBC brakes, 8 piston Brembo calipers ($$$), pnaoramic roof, two batteries - the list goes on. In comparison the 210 seems like a nice, simple, plain automobile.

In terms of overall build quality, I really like the 211 much better. The interior materials look and feel of higher quality. The ceramic paint is quite scratch resistant. I've not heard of any corrosion issues with the 211, unlike the 210. I've not heard of dashboards cracking on the 211.

So yes, a 211 is more complex, and hence more expensive to own than a 210. But in many ways it is a more satisfying automobile as well. I do like the 210 - it is more attractive, in my opinion, wonderful to drive, and mine were reliable as well. But I also think it represents something of a low point in the subjective "Mercedes-ness" character of the car. The corrosion issues, the interior materials quality, mine were more creaky/rattly than any of the 123/124 cars I owned before or the 211 after, etc.

My $.01 (opinons not worth 2 cents...)

mysticblu999

Jam, you're crazy man.

aquasition

Many thanks to all comments to my question.
My search continues as the 2000 low miles car needs more work than I anticipated, and owner did not reduce price enough to entice me. I know some of you will say I am crazy for passing a 38k miles car...but at the end of the day it would cost me (All included...) near $20k.

anyways, the search continues. I went see another 2000 model today, this time not to far from my house, this time with about 86k miles.
I will drive it to my "AMG expert" in town for a detailed inspection tomorrow AM. I cranked it up, and messed with the tranny, kicked tires, pushed it around a little, checked the A/C, etc.....and everything seems to work well. Except one concern. I did hear a clear "ticking" sound coming from the driver side of the engine, probably just about where the valve covers are....so could it be timing chains, valves, ??? will see what Mike tells me tommorrw.
One more thing.....this car is a b s o l u t e l y BEATIFUL!!!!
The Silver color + bluish window glass + AMG wheels makes it irresitible to me.....I am hoocked.....forget 911...!!!
If interested, I will post results of the PPI here tomorrow, and get your advise.
Thanks again...

CharlyE500

Whats the asking price ?

aquasition

The window sign says....$12,995
what you think?

mfletch69

One year ago, I paid $17k for a 1999 with 15k miles on it. It was owned by a old man in West Palm Beach and I was happy to fork over a few extra grand for a pristine example with a perfect interior. I do not plan on hot rodding it up. If I did, i would probably have bought one with higher miles. I love the car and it old school MB looks and I will probably keep it forever. Reminds me of my '98 S Class. Also, with no warranty, I prefer the simple design of the W210. No air suspension. etc to malfunction and cost an arm and a leg.

I do not drool over the W211. I had an '07 E class and the interior felt nothing like the W210. You could tell the car was made during the Chrysler days. More like a Honda IMO.