ripper996

New to the forum, but have been lurking for a while. Had some funds free up and had been looking for an Uber-Saloon. Made the biggest mistake of my motoring life when I sold my '03 E39 M5 last year for a Porsche C4S (What was I thinking...after a V8, the C4S just didn't have it). Luckily, I sold it 6 months later for what I bought it for. I drove a very low mileage RS6 about two months ago and have to say, WOW, what a rocket ship. But I was seriously disappointed by the overall exterior looks, (dated!!!) and a cheap-looking interior. I've never liked the E60 shaped 5 series. It doesn't do it for me. So I thought about a W211 E55. I have never owned a Mercedes. I was initially put off by the horror stories about latter MBZ build and maintenance problems (prove me wrong!). However, the majority of the European magazines raved about the E55 for years, in fact, they preferred it over the E63, (don't want to step on any toes here), so I was on the hunt for a low mileage '05 or '06 one. I found it last weekend at SF MBZ. Immaculate condition, black on black, 13,000 miles, CPO'd, (which is nice, but will be getting an extended warranty), and just about the right amount of whistles and bells. If anyone has any advice/comments regarding ownership, I would appreciated it. I collect it this coming Friday. Can't wait.

Viet_Amg408

Welcome....ripper996


is it this one?

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/ctd/1353309501.html


E55 are problem free...nothing major repair that i recalled...

keep a look out on the forums, search and learn common failures ...

GT40MkI

Welcome to the club. I came from an e39 m5 as well-and was told by a doctor to sell as at 6'4" I am physically too big for the seats... These cars are absolute rockets compared to the m5, and any m5 (v8 or v10) I've driven for that matter.

I *DO* miss my old clutch pedal occasionally, but have an 05 e55 with just over 105k on the clock and no major issues to speak of. Drive it, enjoy it, and take care of her.

Any plans as far as modifications/upgrades? It's easy to spend a bunch of $$ very quickly without a goal in mind. A bigger pulley, tune, and heat exchanger can up the power, but honestly an extra 50-75 wheel horsepower in a 4000lb vehicle won't make or break the driving experience. Also, the upgrades have very little positive effect (if any) on a resale to most buyers, and can actually hurt the value. If you think you might sell her in a few months I'd probably avoid the mods, especially with your CPO/warranty status.

Viet_Amg408

yes it does make a big difference..hp no..but
you forget the torque how about +100lb of torque additional. do you feel it now?
have you see 10sec e55 on youtube?

itsmeek

Nice car- hope you paid at least 10k less then it was advertised. Welcome

tscales

Hey wait a minute. What option code are ****? Mine didn't come with them?

And why would you want them to fall off?

TopEndS62

Wow... it seems as though after the e39 M5 the most logical choice is the W211 e55. After my M5 was gone, I woke up in the middle of the night in cold sweats thinking about it... That all changed once i got the E55....
i've owned the car since May09 no problems yet, just did lowering links, 07-09 headlights and tailights, black grille and gas.... My only gripes are no manual, and No LSD.. other than that car is almost perfect for me...

acb

There must be some affinity between E39 M5's and W211 E55's. I searched 12 months for an E39 before stumping the 30 grand extra for the E55 after stumbling across the model. I still consider the E39 as the purest of the M5's and would buy one over the current model any day of the week. ......if they just didnt have that oh so bad factory mobile phone

ripper996

Yep, it was the one on SF CL and no, I didn't get it for $10K less than advertised...more like $5K. It's the Bay Area man. Local KBB prices for an '06 with that kind of mileage was $45K. I missed out on one in the East Bay about a week ago. Low mileage, great options; but it had been involved an accident, damage unknown, so I walked away from it. I felt pretty good with the deal I got. I don't plan on doing any mods to it, although I haven't really driven it yet. However, like my M5, it feels plenty fast when it comes from from the factory and stock cars are always worth that much more when it comes to resale time. I'll post an update after the first drive.

GT40MkI

They are a free aftermarket item...if you don't believe me just set your keyfob on the table next time you go out for food or drinks in a smaller town

And sometimes - especially with the younger ones - you WANT them to go away/fall off once they start getting chatty.

GT40MkI

Yes, and I typically go out of control with upgrades...my m5 had full exhaust, reprogram, nitrous, etc and finding a buyer who would pay for the upgrades was much harder than selling it as a *bone stock* m5. I do miss that car occasionally, and for the 90 days I had both parked in the garage I think I was in heaven...lol. (Just needed n x50 996 and an SL65 next to them.)

It seems like the OP doesn't own cars forever, he'll put a few thousand miles on it, enjoy it, and "upgrade" in about a year. When I put the nitrous kit and drag radials on my e I made a mental decision to hang on to it for a long time...as well as when I decided to run the miles up over 100k...it's a great car, and much like the e39, I prefer it over the w212 and E63. The 55k driveline is great and close to what I'm used to.

As far as feeling the extra torque...I have run a c6 z06 and a 1000+hp mustang or three so accelleration from ~600 torque in a 4k lb car is far from a thrill ride.

GT40MkI

If you like the car and the price, it's a great deal.
The market is turning around, and used car values are getting up there-at 13k miles CPO you did well.

ripper996

You're right. I walked out of the Dealership feeling pretty good. No complaints.

2BADGN

Congrats.... What options...Pano?

ripper996

Nope. Everything but. Drove one with it and it looked/felt gimmicky. Didn't want it and neither did my 5 year old.

Busta Riles

My 2 yr old & i disagree with you on the pano roof.

baldmike73

welcome. you live in sf or just the bay area.

i love my pano roof - passengers always comment too - even though at 38K the backseat has only been sat in maybe 10-12 times.

the torque puts a smile on my face daily!!!!!!!

ripper996

She said it interfered with her LeapFrog game.