twowheelmarc

I am about to make the plunge into a 2003 E55 with 38k miles and all the options.

I have not owned a benz before, can anyone tell me where the good service shops are in North NJ (independent or dealer).

Also, from what I read on here a warranty is a must. Can anyone recommend a reputable warranty provider.

Thanks,

sack5000

Start by looking for a later model ride, say an 05 or 06. Find a deal at a Mercedes Benz stealer, if possible. At a stealer, you will be able to get a Certified Preowned (CPO) warranty that will extend the years and miles up to a maximum of 7 years or 100,000 miles whichever comes first. If you can't afford a later model look for a car that already has a CPO warranty that will transfer from the previous owner. If you can't get a CPO warranty, ask the local MB stealer for the name of a company that will sell you an after-market warranty.

Try to get, at least, an '05 ride. Improvements have been made since the '03 model year and available options are better. Be sure and get keyless go.

Good luck finding the right car. Be patient.

BlackHammer

I see in your profile "none yet" on what you drive. Is this your first car? If so, be very careful (4 youngsters dead recently in a BMW 5-Series with the "M" option)...

Great car/miles. Get a warrantee for sure. Keyless go is neat but a bit over-rated. I like the Parktronic, some here swear by distronic.

What color and options?

T

OzE55

Guys, get real. You're buying a big MFer engine surrounded by a car.

The options are the candles on the icing on the cake!

Open the doors yourself.
Use the criuse control and your eyes.
Look in the mirrors when parking.
DON'T turn off the ESP - be safe.

twowheelmarc

I am looking at a 2003 with 38k miles. I have been looking for a while. This not my first car, I am 34 and most recently had a Lexus LS400. The car is silver with charcoal interior. Options include:

-Factory Navigation System
-Panoramic Roof (Sunroof in front, moonroof in rear)
-Solar Panels with Interior Ventilation System (Ventilated/Cooled Front Seats)
-Keyless Go w/ SmartKey
-Front and Rear Parking Sensors (Parktronic)
-Distronic Cruise Control
-Electronic Trunk Closer
-Dynamic Seats w/ Side Lumbar Air Bladders (Driver and Front Passenger seats)
-Massage Seats (Driver and Front Passenger seats)
-Rain-Sensing Wiper blades
-Headlamp Washers
-Tiptronic Shifting via Paddle Gear shifters on Steering wheel
-6-Disc In-Dash CD Player
-Memory Seats
-Electronically Adjustable Shocks (Sport or Comfort Modes)
-Suede Headliner
-Tire Pressure Monitors
-Heated Front Seats
-Front Dual Climate and Rear Climate Control
-Rear Window Electronic Roll-Up Screen
-Bi-Xenon Headlamps & Factory Foglights

I just had the car inspected and it is in great shape. What do you think its worth?

Jakpro1

Something is fishy. 03's did not come with factory Nav. Believe me, I have researched the crap out of it. Perhaps a late LATE model 03 but most did not come with factory Nav as an option.

Perhaps previous owner retro'd it in. That can be done no prob.

You could take a chance a try no warranty but know that supercharger alone on this car is 10K so purchase without warranty at your own risk.

The warranty issue is hard outside of Benz. We have had a lot of guys get burned by companies that came and went under a year later.

Just spend some time searching the forum on warrantys. Course ask the stealer if they have any connections to after market warranty.

Sounds like a nice car. I would snag it if I were you.....price being right of course.

twowheelmarc

It's not with a stealership, buying from a guy that needs the money for other things.

Have been researching warranty companies, haven't found the right one yet.

I think i'm getting a decent deal on the car.

NMT

Whats the number on the car?

twowheelmarc

$41k

MRAMG1

You can get a 04 or 05 for that.

LOOK carfully around, they are there as I am looking too.

See yeah

I wouldn't go over 35k without a warrenty

twowheelmarc

I am already in this deal, I had been looking for a while too but couldn't find anything that had the options I wanted and the color I wanted without it being high mileage.

Good or bad this is the deal i made.

MRAMG1

No sweat, if options are REALLY important than GET WHAT YOU WANT my friend. Somethings in life are worth paying for IMHO.

Enjoy the ride!!!

See yeah

Yacht Master

For most people a warranty is a make or break item.
Even an 03 with less than 75,000 mi. can still be CPO but $$$
I won't go in to that now.
My point here is, that after 2 years with my E55, I have had 1 problem and that problem was probably caused by me, the radio did not come on. I was at the post office and did a quick start off start and the radio did not play. I turned the car off gave it a minute or two restarted it and no problem.
I think these cars are pretty well built and hold up quite well, given the level of performance they deliver.
I am a hands on DIY guy with a decent shop and have built and rebuilt a few cars. Is a warranty important to me? Not really cause a failed part to me needs to be upgraded and not just replaced with OEM, as far as the labor, I always prefer to do it myself anyway. My E55 is not my primary daily driver so down time is not an issue. It has in fact replaced my P car as the "TOY".
So if you are like me, fear not the warranty get the best price you can.
Read on here at MBWorld you will see that the dealers charge silly numbers for the work they do, and that (robbery) is a case in point for a warranty.
If you depend on the car and it is your daily driver get a warranty with the loaner car package.

DarkStar

Try Mercury for the warranty, that's what I got for my 03

LOVEMYBS

My 05 factory warranty runs out in Aug 08 so I purchased an extended warranty for $3K from HBL of Tysons Corner (a large MB dealer owned by Penske Automotive) here in VA. I am now covered from bumper to bumper (including supercharger) for the next 4 years (08/08-08/12) and 75K miles (98K miles total). The only difference between the OEM, CPO and my extended warranty is the $50 deductible that is waived if I have my warranty work performed by HBL. I could not get a CPO because I'm not the original owner. The warranty is good at any MB dealer in the US.