lane_change

I am looking to pick up a 2005 E55 in the next few days/week...and I found one locally here in Houston. It is a Silver/Black 05 E55 w/ 44k miles. It is a lease return, 1 owner, probably no warranty (have to check to see if there is anything left). It has the pano, nav, dynamic heated/ac seats, xenon, harmon kardon, no keyless go, it is in extremely clean condition inside and out, good tread on the tires, fresh oil change (not sure on the other maintenance), it has a clear bra over the front and mirrors, and appears to be well kept. Tires still have good tread. Now, I am new to this arena, coming from a background in 2 door, 2 seat, sports cars. I have searched on here for some time regarding maintenance, cpo's, etc...but is there anything special I should look for in this car that could tell me more about it? I am planning to run a carfax on it and everything to verify what I am being told by the dealership, but do the massage seats, air suspension, etc..have any gremlin issues that I can look for to make sure there is no unseen issues with the car?

They are asking $34k for the car.

Does anyone live in Houston who knows a thing or two about these cars who would be available to look at it with me, test drive, etc...to make sure that it seems solid?

lane_change

After test driving the car, looking it over, looking at market values, trade in values from KBB, NADA, and Edmunds...the average trade in price for this car was $34,060. I went ahead and picked it up for $33,500.

The car so far is doing great...rides nice, no noises, almost flawless condition...so I am pretty happy with it. This is the first auto I have ever owned, so that is taking some getting used to. I always have my damn hand on the shift lever. Anyways, just wanted to say hi to the community now that I have picked one up. I hope all goes well and as time marches on, I should begin getting some upgrades done....first things first though is some new wheels.

The car was a CPO at 31k miles at the Mercedes dealership and did have the 10/100k warranty on it, but I purchased it from the 2nd owner. Can I take the car to Merc and have them inspect it again, and see if I can maintain the CPO status or warranty?

dlav06

Congratulations on your E55! I know you are going to enjoy it. Post some pics when you get a chance!

Meeyatch1

I am going through the same thing with warranties right now looking for a nice E55. I have received conflicting stories on if the CPO warranties are transferable or not. I know that if the car only has the standard new car warranty that you have to buy the car from a Mercedes dealer who will certify it and sell you the warranty from there. You cannot buy it from a person or non-Mercedes dealer and then take it to Mercedes for their warranty. Mercedes must sell you the car for those extensions.

hakaida442

sounds like a great deal. i believe last year they were at least 10 to 15k more. i was thinking about looking for an amg e-class when the new model gets released but there might be too much good deals going on right now.

sack5000

good buy. 2 years ago I almost pulled the trigger on '05 for 60K. Whatever warranty was on the existing car will carryover.

AMS Performance

Take your car to Motorwerks of Houston, They are one of the best shops in town and are authorized dealer for VRP as well as AMS products, they should be able to help you inspect the car & etc.

http://www.mwhouston.com/

hope that helps.

lane_change

I took the car up to Motorwerks today and had them do all the basic maintenance services, oil change, filters, tranny flush, etc...real nice guys up there. I was very pleased with the service and look forward to doing more business there as my time moves on with the E. Thanks for the recommendation.

Now that she is serviced, I will start looking at pulleys, wheels, and possibly some new brakes.

shardul

iTrader: (1)

I got the vrp550 from motorwerks. It is worth the money.

lane_change

Shardul - Would you ever be willing to meet up at some time so that I could check it out, possibly feel the difference? It would also be nice to know other owners here locally for questions, or possibly just to meet up from time to time.

Thanks,
Scott

shardul

iTrader: (1)

yes no problem. i was also looking for a local e55 owner. i live in sugarland. where are you located.

M-bENZ

pics please

lane_change

I live in Pearland, so not too far...another south guy at least.

Here are some pics from the dealership....have not taken any myself.

shardul

iTrader: (1)

nice are you going to be free on saturday. we can meet up

newton22

How was your experience with Expo? I see their cars listed everywhere on the internet, and sometimes they have killer deals, but I wanted to make sure they weren't a shady group like many Texas auto groups.

lane_change

I had a real simple transaction with them...they are absolutely impossible to negotiate with, I had to leave the showroom, bid on the car on ebay, hit the reserve, and then call them to ask why they couldn't lower the price in person, when I was able to bid on it, and hit the reserve for less...plus they would then lose ebay fees? Not like I saved a bunch, but paying exactly what someone is asking seems wrong, even if it is priced right.

There prices are hard to match, and they moved 4 cars from the showroom to let me test drive it since it was indoors...so I was satisfied with their service. I would however look at the cars in person, because they have a black 05 w/ less mileage for the same price...but you can tell it has lived a harder life. In the pics it looks fine...but the feel of it was just not as good. They have two showrooms...one by the Galleria off 59 S, and one up by N 45 and the beltway (Ferraris, Lambos, etc.. at the north location).

As far as meeting up, I am available Saturday. Just shoot me a PM w/ your info and we can find a good place/time to meet. I am going to a local meet Friday night on the SE side of town...not sure what will be there, but we'll see. There is a meet over in Sugarland as well on the weekends at Otto's, that I have been to as well.

blando

Interesting. I was curious about the black one. I see it continually re-listed on eBay for lower $ each time and couldn't understand why no one was bidding it. It did look very good in the pictures.

shardul

iTrader: (1)

Lane_change
Do you want to meet at ottos on sat evening.

AMS Performance

Just be careful with Expo, Have the car checked out and looked over with a fine-tooth comb to make sure everything is legit. Used to deal with them long time ago but no more... you would not believe some of the stories I heard, lol. Btw... Motorwerks is only few doors down before Expo on 59 south, In case anyone was wondering where it was in the area.

itsmeek

I"m glad you're happy with the car but IMHO you paid about too much for it. I got an '05 w/49k recently for $23k and today my friend at work got an '05 w/44k for $26k. Both cars are FLAWLESS. Granted- neither have the xenons, nav, or self adjusting seats, and no pano sunroof. Both 1 owner, both checked w/paint thickness meters, and engines are in great condition w/all service records.

sack5000

Expo=Luxury Motors=Avoid. There are good cars at both places, you just have to do the work to find them. Both are absolute masters at reconditioning vehicles, so you have to be careful if you go there.....

C2 Turbo

Yeah you aright..prices are droppping like crazy...My friend just picked up his '06 with 42K for $20...
I guess you guys paid too much for your cars...

sack5000

Air Marshall Eldritch

Sounds suspicious, unless 20k got him what was left after the wreck.

emoving

For sure a salvage title on that one!