Need your honest opinion. 99 540i 6speed or 01 E55 AMG
Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 131
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Oh thanks for clarify. This is a Super clean car for a salvage title. If anyone is looking in budget and want to keep it for long long time, this is the one. Sorry, I already have 2 E55........ if i get 1 more...... wife will eventually kill me. I am looking W140 99 Grand Edition if you can find.
pm with what your looking for and ill do my best to find you one.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,803
Likes: 12
From: Charleston, SC
GL450
If the car is questionable (it sounds like the ones you are considering all are) then get an inspection to find exactly what is wrong. The seller might say it needs an O2 sensor only. That costs $100, maybe $200 with labor at an indy. If it was such an easy fix, why not do it and sell the car at full price instead of selling at a discount broken. Something to beware when considering.
I'm surprised to hear so many negative comments about the 540. I have driven a 2003 E39 540ti wagon a decent bit. It's a nice car. I prefer the E55, but you could make a case for the 540. Sounds like maintenance wise, though, the E55 wins.
In regards to a salvage E55, the car is basically bullet proof. But there are lots of gizmos, and some parts are very expensive. So if it has a cracked bumper and bent hood, missing fog light, etc., and you want to fix it with new OEM parts, you're looking at thousands in parts. But if there are no body issues or missing/broken stuff, the car is generally very reliable. The tranny, engine, and other major parts like that are very stout. So if it's salvaged and put together properly, it will likely stay put together. But if you're buying a project, be aware that it will be hard and expensive to source parts.
I'm surprised to hear so many negative comments about the 540. I have driven a 2003 E39 540ti wagon a decent bit. It's a nice car. I prefer the E55, but you could make a case for the 540. Sounds like maintenance wise, though, the E55 wins.
In regards to a salvage E55, the car is basically bullet proof. But there are lots of gizmos, and some parts are very expensive. So if it has a cracked bumper and bent hood, missing fog light, etc., and you want to fix it with new OEM parts, you're looking at thousands in parts. But if there are no body issues or missing/broken stuff, the car is generally very reliable. The tranny, engine, and other major parts like that are very stout. So if it's salvaged and put together properly, it will likely stay put together. But if you're buying a project, be aware that it will be hard and expensive to source parts.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 553
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From: Los Angeles
W210 E55
yeah thats what i do. i was looking to get 6900.00 obo. if your interested you can reach me at 626 380 6726 john
ohh and here the link
http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/2852027207.html
ohh and here the link
http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/2852027207.html
Any idea what is was salvaged for? Frame damage? Body work?
turbonawd,
IMHO, you should take a good look at this W210 E55 with the salvage title. It looks super clean. I agree with CharlyE500, this looks very good.
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 553
Likes: 3
From: Los Angeles
W210 E55
Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 131
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1. hood "scratched at the corners
2. popped front tire
3. popped rear tire
4. grill broken
5. emblem flew off
6. fog light broken
7. minor dent in driver fender "still there"
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 553
Likes: 3
From: Los Angeles
W210 E55
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: LA
2001 e55 (Sold). 2006 E55 Flint Grey, 2003 330 CIC
I feel I have to chime in as well because I've owned a 98 540i sport and a 2003 540i-6 MSport before I got my 2001 e55. For what it's worth, wholeheartedly agree with MBFLO. Would not purchase either car unless you have a couple grand in reserve. Deferred maintenance could easily kill you. On the BMWs, radiator, valve cover gaskets, fuel filters, tires, brakes, vapor barriers, etc can set you back quickly. If you get a 540, also make sure you get the sport or don't waste your money. To put my BMW history in perspective, previously owned two 2002, 95 M3, prior to the 98 (bought at 56k and sold at 89k miles) and great condition. MSport was also immaculate and sold at 86k miles so point being that they were low miles and still had slot of maintenance. That said, I'm very happy with the E55 and now a MB fan. Bought at 49k and now has 55k. Flew to Utah and drove it 11 hours back. Had an oil leak covered under warranty and seat cushion air bag leak which caused the air pump to pump unnecessarily but other than that, awesome. Take away, these are $65k to $90k cars and parts are expensive so have reserves or buy something like a used lexus sc300-400. Also with high milage cars, suspensions also wear out. Just my humble opinion.
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