fitler

Skip to bottom for summary.

Looking for some from people in the know. I have been a fan of these cars since they came out but were out of my price range until lately. Found this deal on a salvaged title. I know the cons of owning cars with salvaged title so save me the long lechtures. I actually own a salvaged title M3 currently and it has not given me any problems and no one can tell. Just can't sell it unless i tear off and sell mods for months.
Anyway i don't really know all that much about these cars and the cost of parts and such so i was hoping someone could hit me with some knowledge. Spotted this gem on ebay and would love to pick it up for the price but wanted to get some idea about price to fix. i spoke with the seller and he said the ecu and control box need to be replaced from fire damage. So just let me know what you think.

what intake is that?
How did he get it that low?
How much to fix?
Not looking to make money from fixing, just want a sweet car.
Questions you would ask before buying.
I know the cons of salvaged/rebuilt

Damage to ECU and control box. I'm not concerned with body damage that is easy

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2004-...QQcmdZViewItem

Thanks a million

CharlyE500

The original owner must modify the car a lot..... Renntech upgrade etc....
You just dont know what mod was done and also involved in a electrical fire....... European car with electrical problem could cost $$$
The both bumpers could cost $1500 plus other repairs....... not showing the actual millege also its not registered...... it will cost at $3k to $5k to fix...... asking $18k + 3k/5k = $21k - $23k with Salvage title.
In my opinion, not worth it but its a risk ......

Good Luck !

abhatti55

Better have access to a Star Diag computer. I doubt there is any other way to see what modules are working or not. It would suck to change ecu's and harnesses and still not get anywhere. I am pretty sure everything has to be working in various systems to give the car the go ahead to start (smart key, keyless go, ecu, tcu, etc...)

Thericker

Highly doubt the suspension is set that low, looks like the Airmatic suspension totally failed add that to repair list (Not cheap) there are struts & pump involved plus elect..Bumper damage looks like bad towing experience...

Looks like very minimal fire damage, run the Vin to see exactly what went down. Otherwise owning a late model E55k w/out warranty is a nightmare, infact owning ANY late model MB OUT of warranty is $$$$ high maintenance 2nd girlfriend/wife...

sack5000

Run away from this vehicle as fast as you can (best option). Remember, the only reason the car is cheap is because it needs a huge amount of work. That is not counting the work that is needed when you find out the real story. Try to talk to the "real" previous owner and find out what happened. If you really want the car, offer 1/2 of the price and they will jump on that like lunch meat.

LADY_AMG

allenjdmb

on keeping it forever....
Run. Fast.
Hurry.

Quadcammer

by the time you are done fixing it, you'll have EASILY come to the cost of a pristine 05 or 06, and you'll have an older model with a sketchy history and a salvage title.

there are no positives to this vehicle.

fitler

Thanks for the responses.

It did concern me that if they didn't fix the problems and sell it them selves. I mean if it was cost effective to fix and sell then they would be pretty crappy business owners not to. The suspension is another issue all together. I just figured it was on air bags or had a lowering module again i'm new to MB plenty of bmw riding that low.

So i guess i'll do the smart thing. I'll offer up to 12k and call it a day

aleksandar1099

run away from it!

....but take that group m intake with you, its like $4000!!!!!

Lawrence1

that car just sold in copart(auto auction) ~2 weeks ago for around ~$11k. i wanna say $11,700 but might be off by a few hundred. I watched it for a while just out of curiosity to see how much it'll sell for.

someone got taken to the cleaners at $17k. hope it wasn't someone on this forum.

NMT

kinda crazy cause the car had some serious $$$ into it at some point. I cant tell if the AMG wheels are factory but if they are then its got great wheels, a renntech steering wheel, gruppe m intake...id say for 10k this car is a go!

fitler

I never would have offerd 17k. wow. Thanks for all the responses you really talked me out of it. jerks. no just kidding i just wanted to be cheep but if i couldn't get a extended warranty i wouldn't want to own an E55.

Thanks

Blacksport350

Wow, whoever bought that is nuts!!!!!!!!!!