Horror Stories About Buying the Wrong E55?
11-18-2011, 11:27 PM
#26
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2001 e55
this is the lights I put in mine ,,,
http://www.ebay.com/itm/130461120616...ht_4624wt_1037
http://www.ebay.com/itm/130461120616...ht_4624wt_1037
11-18-2011, 11:32 PM
#27
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2001 e55
here is a low mile car,
There is no escaping that these are machines, and machines wear. I'm certainly not saying that these cars are near the end of their life approaching 200k. Just saying that lower miles are better, and worth a premium. How much of a premium? Not sure if I know until I have a few options laid out in front of me and I have to decide.
The 100K mark is a pretty important one as things like the tranny need to be serviced. I'd prefer to get into a car that is at the most not too far past that mark so I can be sure all the proper stuff is done.
And I think we'd all prefer to get the car that was NOT a daily driver for a good chunk of time for someone. Some people will pay a huge premium for that. I'll try to get that at a more reasonable premium. I just may luck out and get one at auction with low miles and there the premium would probably be negligible. I'm going to be patient for the right car at a great price.
The 100K mark is a pretty important one as things like the tranny need to be serviced. I'd prefer to get into a car that is at the most not too far past that mark so I can be sure all the proper stuff is done.
And I think we'd all prefer to get the car that was NOT a daily driver for a good chunk of time for someone. Some people will pay a huge premium for that. I'll try to get that at a more reasonable premium. I just may luck out and get one at auction with low miles and there the premium would probably be negligible. I'm going to be patient for the right car at a great price.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...t_23221wt_1165
Last edited by Jacko2011; 11-18-2011 at 11:33 PM. Reason: forgot link
11-19-2011, 12:11 AM
#28
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Thread Starter
Max is right -- if you do the upgrade, there is no substitute for the zam method for BEST results. Otherwise, I think there are places that do sell "plug and play" housings but (without looking into the details to know for sure) I think they maybe more of a quickie setup. The zam method uses high quality projector optics, not the cheap depo stock projectors that are not optimized for xenon.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqJ8T-GLayI
And here is a related thread talking about the options for W210 cars with factory xenon... a couple of posters say that depo/projector housings + even the "zam" method of xenon retrofit is a downgrade from factory xenon.
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...onversion.html
Last edited by CA_Tallguy; 11-19-2011 at 01:32 AM.
11-19-2011, 10:06 AM
#30
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2001 E55 - 2008 CLS63 -2016 F-150
was thinkign same thing but now after reading post before yours im guessing its where they take a set of aftermarket headlights with projectors and swap the jap crap out for a set of better OEM projectors and hopefully using oem ballast and bulbs compared to the cheap xenon kits that most are using if they didnt have stock xenons
11-19-2011, 10:21 AM
#31
Project cars are great. specially if you like to shop, are mechanically inclined, know how to find used parts, etc. You can save yourself tons of money and wind up with a really nice car.
The one thing I would stay clear of is accident repair cars, especially if the damage was significant. You mentioned in your original post that the car was in an accident and was not repaired properly. That's a potential nightmare.
Not so much from price, or resale value, or redoing paint and body. But if inferior parts were used, welds not done right or using the wrong materials, repairs not done right, etc it literally could cost you your life. I'm not talking about a door being repainted badly of course.
But when the structural integrity of the car has been affected in an accident, it needs to be restored. If it's not, the car can crumple up if you are ever in another accident and things can go very badly for the occupants. And it's much more difficult to verify proper accident repair work than it is to do a PPI.
Be careful!
Bruce
The one thing I would stay clear of is accident repair cars, especially if the damage was significant. You mentioned in your original post that the car was in an accident and was not repaired properly. That's a potential nightmare.
Not so much from price, or resale value, or redoing paint and body. But if inferior parts were used, welds not done right or using the wrong materials, repairs not done right, etc it literally could cost you your life. I'm not talking about a door being repainted badly of course.
But when the structural integrity of the car has been affected in an accident, it needs to be restored. If it's not, the car can crumple up if you are ever in another accident and things can go very badly for the occupants. And it's much more difficult to verify proper accident repair work than it is to do a PPI.
Be careful!
Bruce
11-19-2011, 12:54 PM
#32
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Thread Starter
was thinkign same thing but now after reading post before yours im guessing its where they take a set of aftermarket headlights with projectors and swap the jap crap out for a set of better OEM projectors and hopefully using oem ballast and bulbs compared to the cheap xenon kits that most are using if they didnt have stock xenons
https://mbworld.org/forums/s-class-w...n-upgrade.html
11-19-2011, 01:04 PM
#33
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Thread Starter
But I've been thinking long and hard about what to go after now that I didn't get that auction car and I think you are right -- buying an accident car is probably the biggest gamble you can take on a W210. As discussed earlier in the thread, these cars are pretty "bomb proof" otherwise. Buying a car with existing collision damage may still be an option for me as I'd be able to ensure it was fixed properly.
The ideal car would be something where damage seems pretty obviously to be superficial, like a side swipe in a parking lot or something. (My existing E420 was side swiped in a parking lot and all the damage is on the doors -- and I picked up clean, perfect doors at the pick n pull for $39/ea).
12-01-2011, 12:06 AM
#35
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2010 E63, 2008 Range Rover Sport, 2010 GLK350
I do not know if this car sold but they will take just over 13k ...65k mile car
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...t_23221wt_1165
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...t_23221wt_1165
12-01-2011, 02:54 PM
#36
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I'd think twice before buying this one. It has been in an accident. Not only that but apparently the engine cover is not the right piece! Not even sure how they got that cover to fit on the motor. It's from a 550 non-AMG benz. Makes you think... How bad was the accident? It's cheaply priced and low miles. There is a reason
12-01-2011, 03:39 PM
#37
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12-01-2011, 03:40 PM
#38
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I've driven a 2002 E55 that was a bit "rough." 145K miles but still fast. He had trouble selling it for $8K. I think he finally did after about a year. Clean title.
12-02-2011, 02:20 PM
#41
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12-02-2011, 02:22 PM
#42
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Thanks Bruce! With that one, I was going to check the repair thoroughly and was factoring in the chance it was doing to need to be fixed further. Since the car wasn't totaled, but the accident did show up on AutoCheck, I was thinking it may not have been too bad.
But I've been thinking long and hard about what to go after now that I didn't get that auction car and I think you are right -- buying an accident car is probably the biggest gamble you can take on a W210. As discussed earlier in the thread, these cars are pretty "bomb proof" otherwise. Buying a car with existing collision damage may still be an option for me as I'd be able to ensure it was fixed properly.
The ideal car would be something where damage seems pretty obviously to be superficial, like a side swipe in a parking lot or something. (My existing E420 was side swiped in a parking lot and all the damage is on the doors -- and I picked up clean, perfect doors at the pick n pull for $39/ea).
But I've been thinking long and hard about what to go after now that I didn't get that auction car and I think you are right -- buying an accident car is probably the biggest gamble you can take on a W210. As discussed earlier in the thread, these cars are pretty "bomb proof" otherwise. Buying a car with existing collision damage may still be an option for me as I'd be able to ensure it was fixed properly.
The ideal car would be something where damage seems pretty obviously to be superficial, like a side swipe in a parking lot or something. (My existing E420 was side swiped in a parking lot and all the damage is on the doors -- and I picked up clean, perfect doors at the pick n pull for $39/ea).
Found you a good deal here !
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac...728779845.html
If you are good in DIY, this might be a good one. I think you might able to get it for $3500. Test it and if the repair cost more than $1k still not bad.
12-03-2011, 05:43 PM
#43
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2007 SL55 AMG
yea it was listed for a whole year. I'm 100% sure it was an 02, at least the one I'm talking about. I was about to go check it out last year when I was searching for a W210 until I saw the higher quality pics.
