rrich49132

I am so lusting after a 2003+ e55.

Right now I have a 2000 CLK 430 convertible that I love and is in great shape that I have had for about 5 years. I cant see trading it in and getting like 12K or so which is about 1/3 what I bought it for. My first question is what a good price is for a 2003 with under 50K miles? Also what do you think I could get for my CLK as it has just 52K miles and is in great shape?

These Mercedes seem to take a huge hit with depreciation which is why I buy all of mine used.

emoving

[qucte=rrich49132;3925998]I am so lusting after a 2003+ e55.

Right now I have a 2000 CLK 430 convertible that I love and is in great shape that I have had for about 5 years. I cant see trading it in and getting like 12K or so which is about 1/3 what I bought it for. My first question is what a good price is for a 2003 with under 50K miles? Also what do you think I could get for my CLK as it has just 52K miles and is in great shape?

These Mercedes seem to take a huge hit with depreciation which is why I buy all of mine used.[/quote]

Smart man for buing used! It makes an AMG a smoking deal. The 03 with under 50k will probally be @$25000 not sure on your car.

pun1sh3rz

Search ebay/autotrader/cars.com for both the E55 and your clk, this will provide an adequate market analysis for your next purchase. Good luck.

CharlyE500

You should try to sell your CLK in Ebay, Forum, Craightlist, autotrader...
I dont think they will take $12K for trade in. If private sale you might get better price IMO.
Good luck with your upgrade !

rrich49132

It would be hard to part ways with my clk430 convertible as I paid 33K for it 5 years ago and it is in excellent condition and I still love the car just am lusting after the e55.

Benz-O-Rama

Personally, I'd stay away from 2003s. They don't have NAV and have been the most problematic, historically. The 2004-05 are a bit better, but they really started getting it right in 2006. If you're stretching funds for a 2003, you're gonna be in a world of hurt. Prepare to spend another 3000.00 or so on a warranty, and if you roll the dice and drive without a net, expect 1000-1500 a year in maintenance and repairs.

Blacksport350

I disagree, I have had my '03 for quite a while and have no more warranty issues than any other year. Same goes for friends with their '03 SL55 and E55s v. later years. There were certainly refinements over the years but also consider that some of the strongest running cars down the quarter mile have been '03 cars.

I may be lucky but I also bought my SLK32 and C32 the first year they came out and had no issues with them either.

Lack of Nav is the only real downside but the factory US spec Nav is so bad that I certainly don't miss it!

My advice to the OP...buy the best car you can afford with the lowest miles. In other words, I would take a much lower mile '03 over an '04 with higher miles for the same price any day of the week. Buying a low mile car (30K) will also pay serious dividends down the road.

Benz-O-Rama

Of course there will be exceptions, but historically, the 2003s have been the problem child.

Vic55

Concur, the first generation of any model is almost always the most prone to repairs. I always wait at least one year for the kinks to be ironed out. Plus the next year usually gets minor tweaks which are cool or in the E55's case pretty enormous- NAV!!!.

I did get the first 997TT generation but the production date was one of the latest of the 2007's and I got mine in 2008.

mikeevo

any other benefits for the 04 or even an 05 or 06 over an 04, I am looking at an 04 low miles car now. thanks for the info.

wizos6

Well I will say modified cars will have more issues too.. I have spent 3k in one month of owning a 05 and have full warranty. I plan on doing a few more things to my mod list that will push 2k in the next month... But u also know that u can dominate newer cars and still drive a piece of nostalgia and class.. 2cents

dr_brains510

I just purchased my 03 E55 w/ 50K miles for $22K w/o Navi and couldn't be any happier. Look on yahoo autos and ebay for some good prices. I saw an 05 Fully Loaded E55 w/ 21K miles for $30K on ebay. So these are becoming very affordable nowadays. Good luck and hope you find one that you like.

Eddie 500

Thats a great deal. Congrats

rrich49132

wow where did you find your 2003 for 22K.

People on here think I am crazy for thinking I can find one for that but am going to keep looking.

Point2Point

The only thing I would be worried about with the MY03 is the early build Valeo radiator. If the car does have the original Valeo, I'd recommend a glycol test.

dr_brains510

I was surprised too. When I saw the listing on yahoo autos I had to go check it out immediately. Of course it had to be pouring and I mean pouring rain on that day. Even w/ the rain, I was determined to go and see it atleast. I had been constantly keeping an eye out for the prices to go down since 07 when I really wanted one but it was too expensive at the time. So after I checked out the car and got the record of the car I decided that I had to go for it. By the afternoon, the rain had stopped and the sun was out and I was driving home w/ my E55. They had initially had listed it for $24995 but I talked it down to $22995 then I put a down of $1000 so total was $21995.

Eddie 500

deals are out there.

two months ago a guy was sellin an 03 w/80k on the clock for $20,500.

its sold, but it was in good shape.

keep lookin' and you'll find ur car

pimpjuice

i paid 18k for mine with headers, independent intercooler and pump for supercharger, upgraded S-tube and rear cats deleted

mikeevo

are there any options on the 05 0r 06 model , that would preclude you from getting an early 03 or 04 model. I am still digging thru all the reviews on the 04 but all the article seem to be spent on how this car is a beast and well refined yada yada. I need specs and option detail. i was on ebay and mostly they list the pano roof, bi xenon lights , keyless go, 6 cd changer as the only type options. is this correct. I wish MB would keep old model on there webpage for review.

mikeevo

did find this ,

cut and pasted for others.

Optional Equipment:
E55 AMG

(A) Leather Upholstery Standard (A)=Refer to paint and upholstery matrix for individual codes
(A) Metallic Paint No Cost/No Credit
050 Integrated Digital Motorola V60i Telephone Optional
051 Integrated Digital Motorola V60i Telephone with Voice Control System Optional
219 Distronic Optional
220 Parktronic Optional Parking assist device with front and rear sensors to notify driver how close he/she is to object.
297 Rear Side Door Sun Blinds Optional
401 Active Ventilated Front Seats Optional
406 Multicontour Front Seats Standard
413 Panorama Sunroof Optional
419 Solar Panel Optional (Only available with Panorama Sunroof) Three rows of 8 silicon solar cells that are positioned at the wind deflector and rear edge of the glass sunroof panel. These solar cells convert natural light into electric energy. When the engine is switched off, the energy generated automatically switches on the ventilation fan. The constant air flow creates a cooler temperature for cars parked in sunlight.
432 Drive Dynamic Seats Optional Contain multicontour seatbacks with adjustable air bladders for back support. These seats also have a massage function, whereby the bladders are inflated/deflated in a "massaging" sequence. Cannot be ordered with code 406.
475 Tire-Pressure Monitoring System Optional
530 COMAND System with DVD Navigation Optional
540 Power Rear Window Sunshade Optional
581 4-Zone Climate Control Standard
810 harman kardon Logic 7 Digital Surround Sound System Standard
819 6-Disc CD Changer Optional
873 Heated Front Seats Standard
881 Electronic Trunk Closer Optional
889 Keyless Go Optional
W60 Burl Walnut Wood Trim Optional


Option Packages:
E55 AMG

317 Comfort Package: E-Class Optional Active Ventilated Front Seats, Drive-Dynamic Seats
319 Lighting Package Optional Bi-Xenon Headlamps (offer both low and high beam Xenon illumination), Headlamp Washers

emoving

The only thing 03s did not come with was Nav unless you got one of 5 presidential series. You can add nave to an 03 but the MB nav sucks *** anyways.

dr_brains510

Well before I bought my 03, I test drove an 06 and I remember that the front seats had a massager so when I was driving it on the freeway I was going over 90 mph and getting a massage at the same time.

Point2Point

The 05-06 cars also had a new, quicker steering rack.

mikeevo

Thanks, I wonder how difficult it would be to upgrade to the new steering rack. would like to keep as much handling as possible. I jumping from an EVO and love the short steering ratio almost 1 turn lock to lock.