daniel3ooo

Guys I went to a local dealer today and looked at a 2004 E55 Silver with Panorama roof and 64,000 miles and 1-owner vehicle. Car actually drove well and felt faster than my previous E55 for some reason


Asking price was $27,500 and got it down to $25,000.


Options included: Panoramo Roof, Lighting Package, Keyless Go, Parktronic, Ventilated Seats, Trunk Closer


Problems:
-The car has about an 8 inch long "key mark" on the passenger side rear quarter panel (this will require repaint)

-small scratch on the edge of passenger rear door

-dent on the front lower mesh grill

-dash says that "HOOD NOT CLOSED" or something to that extent and dealer said it was a sensor?

-missing Navigation DVD (DVD drive is present in the trunk however)

-autocheck reports damage and or accident 2 weeks after it was originally purchased it


How much do you guys think this car is worth? The car obviously needs some work...what would you guys pay?


I did a quick vin search on google and the car looks like it actually was offered as a CPO car before the local benz dealer sent it to auction.

rrich49132

Why would they of not fixed the sensor for the hood or deal with the navigation before offering it for sale? I would be very reluctant to pay anything close to 25K with these issues.

Would you be OK owning this with these issues?

To me it seems like they picked it up at auction and have done nothing to it.

daniel3ooo

Exactly my thoughts as far as not having done anything to it. I don't even think they washed it! I believe this car was purchased at auction for $22,500.

rrich49132

I am very **** when it comes to my cars. I like a deal like the next person but a car such as this was obviously neglected and probably not taken good care of. I find a number of cars like this at these low end car lots around my area. When I find my e55 it will come from a private owner or someone that deals with off lease purchases of Mercedes or may just bite it and get a CPO from a Mercedes lot.

I get a scratch on my 10 yr old CLK and I freak out and end up trying to buff out or will pay to take it somewhere to get it out.

Hotrod-Realtor

Sounds like 25k would be good if the dealer would take care of the problems. The only thing that would concern me would be the accident 2 weeks into the ownership. I would want to know the extent of that and if there was any frame damage. If it was just a minor tap that showed up, it would not concern me. Some other items I would want to check would be tires, brakes and services i.e. fluid changes and such.
Best of luck and let us know if you buy it.

daniel3ooo

Thanks for the advice guys. I am not totally writing off the car because it is a silver w/ pano which is one of my top choices. I will do my research on the hood problem. Anyone reading this have any idea how much this might cost?

X2Board

You can do better than that, just have some patience.

mikeevo

Have the dealer repair those and offer you a good deal on an extended warranty, sounds like a nice car otherwise. you should have the dealer you all the reports of dealer work or service , if no service records then i agree you may want to stay away. there are other good deals out there.

daniel3ooo

Guys, I was thinking $24,000 and I can have my buddy's shop do all the body work. Does that sound fair?

Should I be worried about the "hood open" warning light on the dash? I did a quick search on the forum and this problem doesn't seem to be too common. If I do proceed on the car I'm definitely getting a pre purchase inspection at the local benz dealer..

Peter_02AMG

I would pass on any car that have an accident history, its never the same car once it get fixed. There are plenty of nice E55 out there, why bother with one that already show sign of problems.

Hotrod-Realtor

Some accidents show up on reports that don't impact the reliability of the vehicle. The car I bought had a "minor front end accident" reported on the carfax. The bumper cover was the only thing damaged in the accident and was repaired expertly. Like I said in my earlier post, find out what was involved with the accident. If it was a major accident then I agree to avoid it.

$24,000 would be a great buy. Make the offer!

prodigymb

I'd probably skip that car just because I am never get anything that has damage history. You will never get the true story of what it was, how it was fixed etc. I think 25k can get you a cleaner car without the handful of silly issues like hood sensor etc...

daniel3ooo

Followed up with the dealer looks like they might be willing to take.24 and will fix the sensor...funny thing is I checked carfax and it is clean. I will get the car checked by my local dealer if I decide to move forward. Going to definitely make sure I feel comfortable with the car.

shockra

I would pass on any car that have an accident history, its never the same car once it get fixed. There are plenty of nice E55 out there, why bother with one that already show sign of problems.


+1

prodigymb

measure paint. pay attention to gaps between hood and fender (same on both sides). also gaps between fenders and doors.

Hotrod-Realtor

Prodigy is all over this one. Get a paint meter (most dealers have one) and measure the paint on the car. You will get a clear picture of which, if any, panels have been painted. You should be looking around 4 mils of paint on the factory painted panels with the painted parts being over 5.5 mils.

rluvsbenz

daniel300, Try this for measure. Price out all that’s wrong with the car. From its paint scratch to missing DVD etc... Subtract that from the asking 27K then you have arrived on the right price. Remember these cars a expensive to repair unless you can do all the work. Also get the car inspected so you don’t get surprise with other hidden problems. Buy a warranty.

bigswin

The hood sensor is about 12 bucks. I just replaced one about 2 months ago. I don't necessarily agree with some of the comments above. If the car was in a major accident I would probably steer clear but if it was in a small fender bender i wouldn't worry about it. As far as the scratch goes, get it fixed. That could have come from anywhere, the previous owner or from some clown at an auction. I've said it before, there is nothing wrong with an auction car. You can pick up a single owner car from a private seller just like you can pick up a single owner trade in from an auction. The bottom line is to do your research and check everything out.

IMPORTIMAGE

you should buy mine

its $22,500 04 with 38000 miles. silver with black/red interior
has upgraded pulley, heat exchanger, ugpraded pump, tune.
clear bra + windows tinted, new tires as well. picking up a supercharged new viper...got to get it moving

rluvsbenz

Pictures?

IMPORTIMAGE

im weak in the photos dept.



i will have to take some as i havent posted it anywhere for sale yet. my girlfriends mom might buy it