Looking for advice on a potential buy
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 33
Likes: 5
'18 E43
Looking for advice on a potential buy
Here's the ad:
http://newyork.craigslist.org/lgi/ctd/1610995210.html
I'm told it has 38K, an aftermarket pulley, some nice options (only things missing are distronic and pano). The seller is currently reflashing it to raise the suspension, and looking to get $21,000 after that is done.
Main problem is the car has been through a flood; seller says it holds a NJ lemon flood title, but can be registered in NJ without any problems. Any one familiar with this? I have the VIN if it helps any. The VIN is as follows:
WDBUF 76JX5A673953
Just wondering what the lemon flood title means, and what to look for in regards to electronics being damaged by flooding.
http://newyork.craigslist.org/lgi/ctd/1610995210.html
I'm told it has 38K, an aftermarket pulley, some nice options (only things missing are distronic and pano). The seller is currently reflashing it to raise the suspension, and looking to get $21,000 after that is done.
Main problem is the car has been through a flood; seller says it holds a NJ lemon flood title, but can be registered in NJ without any problems. Any one familiar with this? I have the VIN if it helps any. The VIN is as follows:
WDBUF 76JX5A673953
Just wondering what the lemon flood title means, and what to look for in regards to electronics being damaged by flooding.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 7,217
Likes: 6
3-five-five/ TUNDRA/ 07 997 cab
I wouldnt touch that car with a 10ft pole! First of all it is a salvage flood title. Second it was originally a MB lemon buy back! You are asking for a serious money pit! Not to mention the interior is a mess!
P.S. Salvage means an insurance company said that the damage was so bad the car was not worth fixing even at its then current value.
Lemon means MB tired to fix some issues and was unable to do so, which in turn means they bought the car back and it forever wilbe labeled as a lemon.
P.S. Salvage means an insurance company said that the damage was so bad the car was not worth fixing even at its then current value.
Lemon means MB tired to fix some issues and was unable to do so, which in turn means they bought the car back and it forever wilbe labeled as a lemon.
Last edited by emoving; Feb 26, 2010 at 07:11 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 6,020
Likes: 532
From: Alexandria, VA
07 E63 AMG, 10 C63 AMG, 07 E63 Designo, 07 E350, 09 C300, 07 C230
Don't do it, or you will be so sorry afterwards. This car is probably plague with electrical issues. If not now, then in the future. The gremlins will show their ugly head, when least expected. Do yourself a big favor find another E55, to buy. Do not get this one!!!!!!!!!!!!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 7,217
Likes: 6
3-five-five/ TUNDRA/ 07 997 cab
Another reason to run! The dealer is lying! Once a car is salvaged and leomon lawed, the title is branded for ever. Plus like I said it has had an accident. I wouldnt want my worst enemy to buy this pig!
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Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 389
Likes: 2
From: Texas
2005 Silver E55
all these guys are Right. I am not sure I would take the car if you gave it to me. you can find a nice car for about 6-7,000 more and never worry you have a lemon. flood damage is the worst, corrosion and rotting interior modules/ wiring is hard to find and with the new cars having so much electronics its a disaster. in the good old days you could just take everything out of your car and let it dry then you were good as gold not any more. I had a friend learn the hard way. 1 year old ford probe great looking car flooded in houston , paid 1/2 price but spent thousands replacing modules and the interior smelled forever. I still think he lost money when he sold it 1 year later. he was lucky he is an auto mechanic and had the ability to fix it. 
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Joined: Nov 2005
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'19 G63 Ed 1,'18 M5, '16 G63,'12 458 , '11 E63, Brabus SL55-K8, '10 S63, '94 E500 "Wolf", '91 560SEC
I think I remember seeing this thing on Copart a while back just playing around. What does that make it strike 5, ha. Stay away far far away from this car, unless its free.
I'm sure the flood killed the airmatic pump, so that might fix it. No telling what codes it would pull on a StarDiagnostic, guess it would be interesting to see anyway.
I'm sure the flood killed the airmatic pump, so that might fix it. No telling what codes it would pull on a StarDiagnostic, guess it would be interesting to see anyway.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 33
Likes: 5
'18 E43
Yep, I've already decided to avoid it since post #2 in which emoving mentioned MB attempted to repair it already. I'm no MB tech, so if they couldn't do it I'm not even going to try. Sad to see a pulley'd beast go to waste like that, but I don't need a headache.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 389
Likes: 2
From: Texas
2005 Silver E55
maybe someone can gut it and turn it into a drag queen, then all the comfort issues are mute and you can part out the good stuff. light , lights , seasts . dash parts. and the others. just maybe.
.
