Martin A.

Decided to change my 2001 BMW E39 Dinan M5.
Recently looked at a beautiful 2004 E55,Designo Graphite Package, Nov 03 build date, All options except SAT radio. 8K miles, new condition. I can get it for $77K and am seriously considering closing the deal tomorrow
Seems reasonable considering the original sticker was $102K.

Hows the price at $77K?
Any things I should know about the build date and production changes?
Recomendations on extended warranties.

Thanks for your help, and I'm looking forward to having annother beast, this time an E55.

Martin A.

medici78

The price sounds fair if it is certified w/ 100k warranty. However, I've learned that options dont really add all that much value. I'd shoot for a lower price. I would take $70k for mine if I were to sell right now, so there are better deals out there.

DJE55

Someone was posting on another board with an 05 new/never titled for 77k. It was black on black and had every option. The price you're getting for an 03 seems high to me?

ajf1

That price is not that great, the designo has no value in the aftermarket, matter of fact it is a negative so knock off $5,500 from the msrp. For the price they are asking you can get a new 2005. Check this out
https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/129710-sweet-ebay-deal-05-2400-miles-77k.html

Martin A.

Why is the Designo Package a negative?

DarkStar

Designo is not a negative. It's just that the expensive options only return 20% or so on resale. A designo e55 will always be special, and will have unique value to the right buyer.

I also went from a 2001 e39 M5 and Dinan S/C 540 to the e55. The 04's come with factory service which is nice.

I say if it has the options you like, offer them 75 and go for it! (which designo color is it?)

DarkStar

sorry...saw that it's graphite. I almost bought the same car before I got my silver one.

Martin A.

Thanks for everyones help so far.
I haven't seen many cars here that are optioned like this one.The panorama roof, cruise,nav, active seats, parktronic,xenons etc are all options I want, and it seems all the cars available here are silver or black,few options, one pewter silver 05 with most of the options I want is available. Buyng long distance will most likely be difficult as I'll have to sell my car privately, and that is never easy.The other issue is the trade amount on the Dinan M5 is reasonable and I am hoping that the E55 won't depreciate as badly as the M has, though I do understand that these cars do drop fast.

Today I will be searching for extended warranties, and as the car's warranty was activated on Jan, 04, I am seemingly out of luck on the MB coverage. I have searched the posts, and any additional help would be appreciated.
Thanks again
Martin A.

DarkStar

If the car is at an MB dealer they should be able to certify it. If it is not at an MB dealer, why buy a 3rd party extended warranty now? You can always wait and buy it later if you still own the car.

My e55 has all options too, and I had to really search for it. Prior to purchase, most of the cars I looked at had 8/10 of the options I wanted....so there are those of us out there who find the options important.

medici78

I bought my car long distance from a reputable seller and shipped him the trade-in. However, I did have to eat the cost of shipping.

Hardrivr

it seems the avg depreciation of these cars is around $750 to $1,000 a month... OUCH!

J

!!!!!NJ Drive

OUCH...indeed

Martin A.

Yes,the math make the deprecation costs parallel the lease prices. The higher the price the bigger the hit......the E 55 loss is no worse than my M5 was, and when it's time for trade, many mods will scare away most dealer's as well.
The market right now is seemingly flooded with E39 M5s comming off leases My M5 had 20K worth of Dinan mods (including install) putting the car's out the door price when new at 98K. I avoided the biggest hit because I got it used1yr old with 9K miles, for the cost of a 1yr old stock M5 (traded on a new Caddy Escalade!!!!). Lastly, I saw myself comming and going. I live near Seattle, on a small island where there are 7 (!) M5's, two of which are Dinan modded cars. I haven't seen any W211 E55s , though when I get mine, everyone will, or so it will seem........

The 04 E 55 I will most likely get was registered in Jan 04, has only 8000mi, part of a small car collection, and sat covered in the prior owners garage.It had a sticker of 102K ( Panno roof and all other options, except for SAT radio) , I'll get it for 75K,out the door, showing your depreciation math works.
I have also found in my search that the majority of the lower cost cars have had few options, are the 2 popular colors, black and silver,or have been "already sold, and I've got something similar for a little more....." or have unusual stories as to their mileage,condition or why they are on the market....though I agree there are a few great finds out there.

For me the Designo Graphite color combo ( I like it a lot) is something that I did not find in a nationwide search, don't see often,and with the options I want, for me the right car. I can still get a 100K warranty for a "reasonable amount"( I'll know tomorrow) considering what repairs will cost. Many E39 M5 owners are finding the repair costs after warranty can be huge, as are the E55 repair costs. I still enjoyed the M5 greatly,and hope I enjoy the E55 as much.

ClayJ

Buy it, drive it, love it.

DarkStar

This car is not a short-term investment....it's only money.

Martin A.

Pulled the trigger on the 04 today.
Drove the other E55 I was looking at, a new 05, and other than the spare tire,all I could see all the "decontenting" between 04 and 05, not counting the missing options, and this one felt right, like it was already mine from the moment I first sat in it.
I'll be picking it up tomorrow morning!
Looking forward to driving my graphite beast, love that supercharger whine....( funny, on the M5 board, they call 'em beasts too!)
Thanks for everyone's comments,
Martin A.

Hardrivr

Congrads on your car, post some pictures!

J

DarkStar

nice work!!!! Pics when you can, please...

Martin A.

I'll try to get to posting pics of it tomorrow.
The Graphite color is my new favorite!

medici78

Welcome aboard!!!

baldmike73

Deals are out there. Just got mine delivered last sunday. Bought it out of state and the car is immaculate. has everything execept sat radio, ventilated seats, and parktronic - all of which don't interest me anyways. Car is an 04 with 16K on it paid $65K with original sticker right around $90K. These big ticket cars unfortunately take a huge hit the first 2 years then tend to plateau in price. Car arrived on Sunday night and monday treated it to a full detail inside/out and the beast looks better used than when i picked it up my S4 new at the lot. The car was listed high on the national MB Search page, saw it on ebay - had no action then called and made a lowball offer and they took it. Shipping was $575 which took 2 days to arrive. Car had clear armor installed at the dealership and tint already done which were both things that i was going to do anyways - so saved me another $1000.


LOVE IT!