a990dna

Greetings -

I found a 2006 E55, test drove the animal and have a few questions...

1. Is $49K about right for a loaded E55? ... it looks brand new with ~30K miles.

2. After reading a few threads I assume the cold start noises are typical. Please elaborate what is NORMAL for a 2006 E55.

3. During the test drive, I noticed a few things. It definitely is a rocket ship.... the transmission was somewhat different in terms of shift points and throttle control. Mostly up-shifts while on the motor, it wanted to stay in gear longer... maybe too long, forcing me to lift the throttle to prevent over-revving. How does this transmission function?

4. Also during the test drive, when nailing it from low speed or standing start, it appeared to hesitate, find a gear... then take off. Normal or abnormal?

5. Finally, warranty items "replaced"... rack and pinion steering, valve cover gasket, hydraulic control unit, AIR injection pump and battery. Normal or abnormal for a 2.5 year old E55?

Thanks in advance.

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byum

I'm in the same boat with you...looking for a 2006 E55. I can't answer any of the technical questions but I think $49k is kinda high.

I was offered a 2006 CLS55 with 23k miles for $47k.

I think they are going for low-mid 40k from a MB dealer with CPO.

itsmeek

1. That's a high price- the cls55 usually costs more then that and I can find one cheaper in this area as byum mentioned.
2. Normal noises are air pumps, supercharger squeak.
3. Was the car in sports mode? Also you can keep it in higher rpm range if you manual shift it.
4. Yes- every e55 i've had does this "hesitation" thing- two things to ask yourself, were you slipping (a lot of torque and the electronics take over). If you were in sports mode and not nailing it from the get go- the car seems like it has tranny problems. Put it in "c" mode and it's much better composed.
5. For a 2006- that's a lot of replacements. But nothing that looks major. Was the rack and pinion replaced due to an accident- did you look for paintwork?

As a comparison, I just paid about 23k for my '05 w/49k miles. Car is flawless save for the mileage. I have NO WARRANTY.

a990dna

In this economy, I'm thinking that too... however Edmunds indicates Dealer Retail (Certified) $52.3K; Dealer Retail $50.1K; Private Party $46.8K; Trade-in $43.5K. Maybe this is old data?

I'm not sure what the rules are at end of lease... is the present value based on a forecast or actual value at termination? A lot of things have changed since 2006, especially used car value projections.

Who takes the bath.. the prior owner, leasing company or dealer?

If I can get it for $46K it may be an excellent buy...


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bobgodd

Don't go through a dealer. There are plenty of good condition E's out there for sale via private party. At the end of the day whether you go dealer or private party, you'll end up with the same car... However if you go through the dealership, you'll also have 10 grand less in your pockets.

a990dna

The car is Certified... and looks brand new. I can't see any evidence of prior damage, 1-owner, clean CARFAX record.

I don't know if it was in "sports mode" or not... if you mean "slipping," like burning rubber... heavens no. However I would never know if the electronics were taking over -- I'm not used to these modern high powered vehicles. My last car was a '65 Plymouth Race Hemi with 680 HP, 710 ft. torque. My right foot kept me out of trouble.

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itsmeek

KBB has recently been much more accurate then Edmunds- also those numbers are outdated. Manheim numbers are more realistic. CARFAX means nothing, either does Autocheck. Many dealers take their cars to independent shops or do the work themselves so nothing is ever reported. I still don't notice sometimes when the electronics take over but if you came from a car with that much power you'd probably notice if something were taking over, "heavens no" huh?

Wish4_e55Wagon

1. Ignore NADA and Kelly Blue Book pricing.
2. If you use KBB, then use the trade in value as the high starting point for negotiation
3. Private Party, Broker, Small Dealer Lot, MBZ CPO charge different prices
4. Decide on the price you want to pay and stick to it regardless
5. Depreciation curve is accelerating given the economy and $49 is too high
6. I would offer high 30s to low 40s if dealer. If broker, lower but they usually ask for $500 to $1500 commission on auction pricing

As for me, I'm looking for CPO and will purrchase the longest warranty possible for the year - though I may end up moding

Good Luck

aleksandar1099

WOW 23k for an 05!!!!! thats a great deal!!

emoving

Gotta be a story behind that car!!!

itsmeek

No stories- just that dealerships are HURTING right now. They paid $21k at auction for it, I had it checked out at dealership and checked it myself. No issues. I think the mods on the car actually kept it from being sold- rear spoiler, front lip, front headlights, grille.

emoving

Auction Averages For Week Ending Dec 24 AboveAverageBelow Oct 2008Jun 2008Dec 2007Sale Price $36,899$26,821$16,743 $30,463$33,763$45,500Mileage 25,60151,20176,802 44,64943,89326,806Total Sold All 7 10155 Average Auction Mileage Prices are based on more transactions than shown under 'Transactions', above. Dec 29 - Jan 05 2009 AboveAverageBelow Jan 2009 Dec 2009Auction $32,700$26,100$19,550 $26,100 $9,775Est. Retail $35,800$28,700$21,600 $28,700 $11,050Copyright © 1996-2008 Manheim Auctions V 5.3.1These are figures for 03's at auction. One with 49k would never have sold for 21k

C2 Turbo

Manheim prices for an average 05 with 40K+ miles is around 33-35....Warranty or no warranty...There's goota be a story behind the car...

itsmeek

I don't know where you get your information or numbers from but here are numbers for '05 e55's. As you can see- there is a low and a high range. If you can't read the charts don't try to discount my posts.

For Week Ending Dec 24
Above Average Below Oct 2008 Jun 2008 Dec 2007
Sale Price $36,899 $26,821 $16,743 $30,463 $33,763 $45,500
Mileage 25,601 51,201 76,802 44,649 43,893 26,806
Total Sold All 7 10 15 5
Average Auction Mileage restore auction mileage
Prices are based on more transactions than shown under 'Transactions', above.
Dec 29 - Jan 05 2009
Above Average Below Jan 2009 Dec 2009
Auction $32,700 $26,100 $19,550 $26,100 $9,775
Est. Retail $35,800 $28,700 $21,600 $28,700 $11,050

emoving

A serious story obviously that no one knows especially the new owner unfortunatly!

a990dna

I understand that CARFAX can be meaningless when it comes to accidents.

This car is amazingly straight, body panel gaps and paint are perfect... no door dings, not even on the door side moldings. Front spoiler perfect.. no evidence of road kill (bugs), pits, etc. Engine bay is pristine. Doesn't look used.. drives straight, no steering vibrations, etc.

What other source can I find for accident info? maybe DMV...

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itsmeek

Wow, every single post of yours that I have seen on this forum is full of bs, contempt, or just negativity. And when you lose the discussions with hardcore proof- you come up with a brilliant post like above.

Anyhow- a990, good luck buying your car. I wouldn't pay more then 35k for it personally. But if you like it, buy it

emoving

Take it to a dealer that has a paint meter! I would expect it to look perfect, usually a body shop working on this kind of car will do perfect work. The only real way to tell is a paint meter!

itsmeek

Agreed.

Michael_s

49K is waaay too much. I paid 47K for a 2006, loaded with 19,000 miles back in July.... I would not pay more than 42K at this time for the same car. This is just my opinion.

a990dna

Thanks for the benchmark... very helpful.

The salesman thought he had it sold until I walked out. He wasn't listening to my requests... first thing he wanted to do was finance me when I said I didn't need it. I told him I wasn't an impluse buyer and walked out. They've left 4 messages on my phone since yesterday. I told him my credit score was 804 and didn't need their money.

What I wanted to know was the vehicle history and price.. given the fact the Web site indicated $49K and window sticker said $57K.

It's a good time to buy a vehicle, one would think playing games like this turns people off..

I probably should just pursue a new Grand Cherokee SRT for $43K... MSRP is $49K. I can install a Vortech SC and have some fun as well -- the E55 seems more respectable.


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Michael_s

No problem. I just did a quick ebay search and there are plenty of 2006 55's around from mid 30's to mid 40's and higher. Take your time. You are in the drivers seat. Don't be afraid to buy a car out of State. A quick flight and a nice ride home is well worth it to find the right car at the right price. You could always arange for an inspection anywhere in the US.

Broker

49k seems WAY too high, I turned down one for $38k 4 months ago, it was an 05, fully loaded, designo and everything, 23k miles

E55_GT3wheels

49K is high but not that far off for a CPO car. These cars go higher by about $4K at least. But you don't have to worry about anything - CPO cars usually have new or near new brakes, tires etc. That being said, I bet you can get it for $46K even though it is a CPO car.

NDF55

I paid 42k for my 06' with 30,000 miles just this past september, not a cpo car but 49k still seems a little high to me. These cars aren't selling right now, make the dealer sweat a little you'll get it for a better price. Good Luck