Need advice buy a 03/04/or 05 E55?
03-19-2005, 04:26 PM
#1
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 1,728
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
CTSV/6sp Grocery Getter
Need advice buy a 03/04/or 05 E55?
I am looking at buying an E55 and would like your comments. I test drove a 05 E55 and loved it, what a great car. What are the differences between the 03 to 05 cars? Should I buy a used 03 with low miles or pay for a new 05. Thanks in advance looking forward to owning one soon!
03-19-2005, 07:41 PM
#2
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Maryland
Posts: 947
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
04E55AMG, 05Dodge RAM 1500 Quad Cab, 02Montero Limited
Originally Posted by FASN8N
I am looking at buying an E55 and would like your comments. I test drove a 05 E55 and loved it, what a great car. What are the differences between the 03 to 05 cars? Should I buy a used 03 with low miles or pay for a new 05. Thanks in advance looking forward to owning one soon!
If you can find a used one configured the way you want buy it! You will save yourself over $10K. You should be able to buy a low mile 03 in the low $70K's and a new 05 will cost you in the high $80K's. No performance difference at all
03-20-2005, 10:21 PM
#3
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 1,728
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
CTSV/6sp Grocery Getter
Any must have options or things to be concerned about between model years?
I can get a 10-15k mile 03 car for mid/upper $70k's or buy new for $85-90k
What would you do if this is a car you plan to keep and drive to 100k miles
Also, dealer wants $1,895 for factory chrome wheels. Any other sources for less?
I also read that the factory included maint. ended in 2004?
Is the panoramic sunroof worth the money?
I can get a 10-15k mile 03 car for mid/upper $70k's or buy new for $85-90k
What would you do if this is a car you plan to keep and drive to 100k miles
Also, dealer wants $1,895 for factory chrome wheels. Any other sources for less?
I also read that the factory included maint. ended in 2004?
Is the panoramic sunroof worth the money?
03-20-2005, 10:34 PM
#4
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Irvine, CA
Posts: 2,399
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
07 M6, 05 Noble, 01 S4, Smart ForTwo
Thats because you should never put chrome on your baby!!! Thats for E320s. You should just get some nice aftermarket wheels, with a polished finish. Or sell your wheels and buy some MB wheels from someone else other than the dealership. 2K for chrome.. c'mon. Or take the wheels in yourself for a couple hundred and get them chromed.
Any 03 you find won't have navi, if thats a concern. 05s have new center consol, updated seats, steering rack, and some deletions. Do a search there are many topics covering the various years.
Any 03 you find won't have navi, if thats a concern. 05s have new center consol, updated seats, steering rack, and some deletions. Do a search there are many topics covering the various years.
03-20-2005, 10:35 PM
#5
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Maryland
Posts: 947
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
04E55AMG, 05Dodge RAM 1500 Quad Cab, 02Montero Limited
Originally Posted by FASN8N
Any must have options or things to be concerned about between model years?
Make sure you have Bi-Xenons. Late 04 & 05 have Active Curving(Bending) Bi-Xenons. 03 model did not have DVD/Comand Navi
I can get a 10-15k mile 03 car for mid/upper $70k's or buy new for $85-90k
I would think a 03 with those miles could be closer to low $70K's.
What would you do if this is a car you plan to keep and drive to 100k miles
If you are paying upper $70K's then buying a new 05 makes more sense since you are keeping it.
Also, dealer wants $1,895 for factory chrome wheels. Any other sources for less? Tell the dealer to "bite rocks". Have them put on a set of stock 18" rims or sell you the car with chrome wheels.
I also read that the factory included maint. ended in 2004? Yes, this is true.
Is the panoramic sunroof worth the money?
Make sure you have Bi-Xenons. Late 04 & 05 have Active Curving(Bending) Bi-Xenons. 03 model did not have DVD/Comand Navi
I can get a 10-15k mile 03 car for mid/upper $70k's or buy new for $85-90k
I would think a 03 with those miles could be closer to low $70K's.
What would you do if this is a car you plan to keep and drive to 100k miles
If you are paying upper $70K's then buying a new 05 makes more sense since you are keeping it.
Also, dealer wants $1,895 for factory chrome wheels. Any other sources for less? Tell the dealer to "bite rocks". Have them put on a set of stock 18" rims or sell you the car with chrome wheels.
I also read that the factory included maint. ended in 2004? Yes, this is true.
Is the panoramic sunroof worth the money?
Last edited by 04E55 AMG; 03-20-2005 at 10:39 PM.
03-21-2005, 08:51 AM
#6
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 1,728
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
CTSV/6sp Grocery Getter
This car is for my dad (currently has a 00 XJR), otherwise I would have a set of 19in HRE's on order for the car! He seemed to like the factory wheels in chrome on the black car (I am normally not a chrome fan, but they did look good on a black E55 I saw).
From what I am reading sounds like I should get a low mile 04
From what I am reading sounds like I should get a low mile 04
03-21-2005, 11:09 AM
#7
Newbie
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Central New Jersey
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2003 E - 55
03 or 04
I would steer clear of '03 models. My experience can be summed up by the fact that MBUSA & Ray Catena took the damn thing back and replaced it with CLS. There were no 55's at the time, and I will probably will go for a 63 when available. The difference in steering, and handling almost makes up for the loss of torque. These improvements are on the E-55 made since Nov. I would go for new, with few options to keep the price down. And look for the most recent build date.
Trending Topics
03-21-2005, 10:20 PM
#8
Super Member
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Monroe, Louisiana
Posts: 791
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
SL 65 AMG and E63s AMG
Originally Posted by Howard Bromwich
I would steer clear of '03 models. My experience can be summed up by the fact that MBUSA & Ray Catena took the damn thing back and replaced it with CLS. There were no 55's at the time, and I will probably will go for a 63 when available. The difference in steering, and handling almost makes up for the loss of torque. These improvements are on the E-55 made since Nov. I would go for new, with few options to keep the price down. And look for the most recent build date.
I agree. I had a 03 E500 and my 05 E55 is improved in many ways, primarily in the steering and brakes. Get a brand new one. The smell is worth 10 grand in my opinion> 
