mpw32

I currently have an BMW 02 540i. It is a great car especially with the 6 speed. I want to move into something with more power. I'm looking at an 04 E55 AMG with 73k miles, but 2 years remaining on factory warranty for $23k. I know from reading through posts its best to get something with lower mileage, but the critical thing is having the warranty for the expensive repairs. The car is for sale by a private owner that has taken good care of the car and done the maintenance on a regular basis. There are 04 and 05s going for $32k with 48k miles, but I am trying to save extra cash for a down on a house. What do you guys think, should I just spend the extra, or is this car worth considering with the extra 2 years of factory warranty.

P.S. This would be a daily driver, but I take the train to work, so I average 5k miles a year on my car.

aleksandar1099

if it is an extended warranty, which it has to be, then it will usually cover only until 100,000 miles. In your case that is only 30,000 miles away...I dont know how much you drive in two years, but if its more than 15,000 a year, just stay away from it

Look for a lower milage car...

tscales

If you're trying to save for a house, keep the 540i (a fine car -- former owner) and focus on the house first.

I wouldn't buy an E55 with that much mleage.

squidj

Whatever you do, don't drive the 55. If you do you will buy it, and be madly in love with it.... I'm sorry. I love my freaking 55. Priorities, priorities....

LADY_AMG

My E63 had me from, "Hello".

shardul

iTrader: (1)

well if you plan on modding the car then the E55 is more mod friendly than the E63.

ThisFlyGuy

your E said hello, but your money said goodbye

LADY_AMG

But it was worth it!

I can't wait to see you lose when we race cause then you're gonna have to strip for me.

shardul

iTrader: (1)

hahahah that is funny

mpw32

Thanks for all the feedback fortunately I haven't driven one yet

Is it better to consider an 05 vs an 04, was the supercharger heat issue better addressed with the 05 along with the upgraded clutch.

Is it best to consider one with around 40k to 50k miles.

MJ50

+1

LADY_AMG

If you get one within that mileage, look into an extended warranty as well.

AZIPOD

The E39 540i 6-speed is plenty fast already. You'll lose to a E55 in a drag, but when driving lawfully on the street either car will satisfy since you can only go so fast.

You have big plans, you're moving into the next stage of your life and you want to buy a house. So save yourself some money. You already have a nice car.

E55_GT3wheels

Dont drive it. I had a 2000 E55 and drove the 2005 about 1.5 years ago and pulled the trigger in 2 days! I wasnt even looking for a new car. Just after driving it HAD to have it.

squidj

That's exactly what i'm trying to tell you.

mdre55amg

Look for an '05 or '06 with extended warranty or a CPO 100k warranty. It also depends on how much you drive the car. If you don't drive much, 5000 miles per year as you said, and you're looking to buy the house then the '04 might be a good compromise. I don't think the '05s have the supercharger "chirp" either when you accelerate. Although I hear there's a new service bulletin out (as of February 2009-incidentally when most of the affected cars ('03s and '04s) are out of warranty! That's my two cents. Just keep in the back of your mind that the house is more important than the cars.

bevalaqua kid

I have a '98 540i with 6-speed which I've owned for 8yrs... I have been seriously considering an E55/63 which I agree blows the doors off a 540 in a straight line. But honesty, my 540 handles better. Right now, I am stuck trying to decide between the AMG or waiting a year for the new 5 series to come out with TT V-8 and AWD (since I live where it snows). Right now my plan is to keep driving the 540 with 108K miles and hope it makes it until the new 5 comes out. But if it breaks, gets totalled or stolen, I will jump on a CPO AMG.

Anton653

sorry for the noob question but what is CPO?

rockjock

Certified Pre-Owned-adds 1 year and 12k miles coverage on the car-I'm with most everyone else-keep the 540 and save on the house-