zirotti

First off, just wanted to say this forum is a great resource. With that being said, I wanted to get some constructive feedback from all of you.

A local private seller near me has for sale his 2003 E55. It has 68k miles on it and he is asking $29,000. First, is this a realistic price? Looks like to be pretty spot-on to what KBB/NADA has them appraised at but is that what the market is valuing them at?

Second, at 68k miles, is this going to be a reliable daily driver? I am looking for this to replace my current DD and don't want to be spending thousands of dollars in out-of-warranty repairs every year. What is a realistic expectation for out-of-pocket maintenance on a yearly basis?

I've never owned a MB before, but for someone driving around 25k miles a year I am hoping regular maintenance isn't going to be outrageous.

Ideas/thoughts/comments?

AMGfan

I'd be patient and pay a little more for one under 50K miles and get an extended warranty...The market is pretty much a buyer's market so you should find one that fits the bill...Good luck.

allenjdmb

you want to spend. I have an 05 Wagon, still in factory warranty, with great equpment, in the low 40's. Good luck in your search, although I have to agree with others here, getting one in warranty--even if it's only a little (so you can get a reasonable quote on an extended)--is paramount.

alphanumeric

if u want a daily driver why not buy an eco box? and keep the c5 or e55 as a toy.. thats what I do =)

AMGfan

+1...for a long time I was driving a Honda Civic and then a Ford Focus as a DD when I had my CLK430. The above advise is pretty good.

DRTYLNDY

Hey I see you drive a C5. I use to have a MY 2001 Z06 (4 Vettes total) she was fun but nothing so far compares to my S55 for me! If you want the car get it. You can always wait a bit longer and the prices will come down further and will never stop either! These cars are by no means an investment in cash just fun. Get the car and have fun if you can afford it. I drive my S55 all the time and don't care about the miles. I even plan to drive it in Maine this winter. I bought the car to enjoy it!
Johan

CWW

The 2003's are now all in the $20k's or low $30k's, with a lot less miles than that. That car is overpriced for having 70k miles. It should be more like <$26k. That's a lotta miles.

You should keep your eyes peeled for one with less than 50k miles, since once it hits 50k you can't get an extended warranty anymore.

Qmax03

Im in the same boat as you, ive seen a number of 03-05 E55's with under 50k going for Under $30k... There is one right by me... Its a silver on black, 05 E55, with 51k miles... The person is looking for i belive 27k... i checked it out and it was in Very good shape, all dealer reciepts etc...

E55AMGGG04

I agree with you. Just last night I was looking at a few cars for sale and I came across a 2003 E55 silver with 40k miles for $29,995. I'm not sure where exaclty it was but I can find out.

wrxin17

I have an 03 E55 Brilliant silver black interior. 29k miles CPO car with warranty for sale....

CWW

OP: There you go, this is what you need. Send this guy a PM. It has good miles, and a warranty. That one you're looking at with 70k is way overpriced.

zirotti

Thanks for the advice fellas. I had a feeling it was overpriced given the current market.

I will keep looking!

Jakpro1

Bout the biggest thing you need to be looking for in a used 55 IS THAT SERVICE RECORD. Not all dealers do it for you, but if you take the VIN into a cool dealer, they can pull up all service records and let you know if she has had major or minor problems.

Although quality wise, this car gets destroyed by JD Powers etc, many of the guys here will attest to that fact that they drive their cars hard with very few problems.

Only thing you HAVE to keep in mind is that AMG repairs are expensive. The parts are marked up hundreds and hundreds of percent over what you would pay for that C5.

Examples.
New supercharger lists at 5k
Brake job (Benz requires new rotors at brake job while not all guys do it) can run you obvious massive $$$$
Battery......think bout 2-3 bills

Then the atomic bomb. In the even of catastrophic engine failure. New motor is 44K. Used one on Ebay is 15K. Bottom end (have to buy all pistons and crank as a kit) is roughly 20-25K

Long as you know what you are in for, party on and join the club!!!!

It's a great car!!

W211 BEAST

I just popped in and I didnt read any of the posts after the OP but I have this to say: If you want an E55 buy it now. The market for these cars is Fing depressing. Get on eBay (the site that depressed the s*** out of me last night) and start looking. They have 06s going for very low prices.

Good luck :crying like a little girl who's barbie's head just fell off:

W211 BEAST

^Oh, there's no emoticon for that emotion?

alphanumeric

did you buy gap insurance? bwahaha

zirotti

I would think that since the market is depressing, they would continue to drop in price?