E55 test drive - what to look for?
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Super Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 888
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From: Atlanta
'12 E63, E55(sold), C32 (sold), '65 Skylark GS 445 convertible, '12 ML350
E55 test drive - what to look for?
Hey gang - I'm finally moving from my C32 to an E55 and have found one local to me that appears worth considering. Carfax is clean...miles are low (it's and '06 with 37k)...looks good.
Any clear giveaways I should look for? Because I'm more familiar with the supercharger on mine I semi-know what to look for there on the pulley & bearings.
I'm test driving it this afternoon so any help would be appreciated.
Here's to having another migrant from the C32 board to the E55 board.
-John
Any clear giveaways I should look for? Because I'm more familiar with the supercharger on mine I semi-know what to look for there on the pulley & bearings.
I'm test driving it this afternoon so any help would be appreciated.
Here's to having another migrant from the C32 board to the E55 board.
-John
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From: NoVa
2004 S55 (SOLD, miss it every day), 2009 GL550
among other things:
get it up on a lift and check the struts for leaks
check the motor mounts
while you're at it, get a thorough PPI. I paid $125 for mine, took an hour, got a tour under the car, blah blah blah. I would never have bought an AMG without it passing an inspection
get it up on a lift and check the struts for leaks
check the motor mounts
while you're at it, get a thorough PPI. I paid $125 for mine, took an hour, got a tour under the car, blah blah blah. I would never have bought an AMG without it passing an inspection
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 112
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From: North Carolina...home of the Tarheels
2008 E63 AMG
it's not about the car, it's about the seller.... if he's a 70 y/o old doctor, buy it!...
If the seller is a 20 something, 30 something with tats... run for cover!!!
My latest came from a retired urologist... guarantee it never got over 75 mph.......until, of course my maiden voyage...
If the seller is a 20 something, 30 something with tats... run for cover!!!
My latest came from a retired urologist... guarantee it never got over 75 mph.......until, of course my maiden voyage...
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 255
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From: Tustin, CA
2003 E55 AMG
I would recommend driving it with the windows down...I wish I had. I missed the very small squeaks coming from the front suspension, which turned out to be the ball joints and a couple other bushings.
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Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Philly
997TT, C192 GT63, W464 G550, MS Plaid
couple things to pay attention to
-check for body work, check gaps between fenders doors
-lift for leaks
-pay attention to control arms, ball joints, rear axle CV boots spewing grease, leak from transmission connector, check air struts for signs of leaks as well
interior
-check to make sure the seat bolsters inflate
-check tops of both A-pillars for moisture
-check heater and ac one set to cold air and one set to hot air to make sure proportioning valve is working
-check for body work, check gaps between fenders doors
-lift for leaks
-pay attention to control arms, ball joints, rear axle CV boots spewing grease, leak from transmission connector, check air struts for signs of leaks as well
interior
-check to make sure the seat bolsters inflate
-check tops of both A-pillars for moisture
-check heater and ac one set to cold air and one set to hot air to make sure proportioning valve is working
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 888
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From: Atlanta
'12 E63, E55(sold), C32 (sold), '65 Skylark GS 445 convertible, '12 ML350
Stealership wants $250 for PPI...but...my service manager there did run the VIN and pulled all MB service for it - everything matched up fine, no current recalls (all performed)) and all services were performed in a correct timeline at auth MB dealerships. No major services.
Carfax is clean as well. Car was leased. '06 with 38K on the clock.
Heading out to drive it here in about an hour with my list...thanks guys!!!
Carfax is clean as well. Car was leased. '06 with 38K on the clock.
Heading out to drive it here in about an hour with my list...thanks guys!!!
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 888
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From: Atlanta
'12 E63, E55(sold), C32 (sold), '65 Skylark GS 445 convertible, '12 ML350
And I sort of resent...er...resemble that comment about the 30 something year old with tats. ;-) Nothing visible when my suit is on and I'm slinging enterprise software though. ;-)
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Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 13,394
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From: San Diego
2015 S212
The only thing to look for is a warranty. If it is a CPO, then you are TIGHT. If not, make sure it has an extended (I have only used MB's) warranty and that there is no body damage.
Depending on your area, there must be a tech that would spend an hour (max) looking over the car Take it to most anyone on this board and it can be done in 20 minutes with a lift
Depending on your area, there must be a tech that would spend an hour (max) looking over the car Take it to most anyone on this board and it can be done in 20 minutes with a lift
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Joined: May 2009
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'91 964 Turbo, '02 E55's & '14 E63s-w
1)- Check the navigation screen while it's turned off and look for the scratches
2)-Turn on the A/C,run it for few minutes ( 10 mts) then turn it off but leave the fan running.You want to see if the system has a bad smell or not...might need a new evaporator ?
2)-Turn on the A/C,run it for few minutes ( 10 mts) then turn it off but leave the fan running.You want to see if the system has a bad smell or not...might need a new evaporator ?
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,174
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From: London, UK
No longer stock '06 E55, A3 3.2 Quattro, GLE 400d, R107 280SL, Golf Polo
check for signs of mods / mod reversals / drive it hard a few runs in a row and see if she lets up (s/c shutdown) - if so ask for new S/C pump.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 888
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From: Atlanta
'12 E63, E55(sold), C32 (sold), '65 Skylark GS 445 convertible, '12 ML350
Did a hand shake and wrote it up...just waiting on funds to clear and get the title lined up on Monday and it's mine.
I spent two hours digging into it and checked everything on this list...and a few other things. Everything checked out. Checked out friggin' great actually.
Bladders in the seats (Dynamic seats), hot cold a/c on both sides, ipod connector, pulled off the shroud on the engine and felt for any choppiness on the sc pulley (bearings), dug around under the car looking at the joints...
The only thing that I found wrong was the power trunk...needs adjusting so they're taking care of that as well as Service A on Monday with a detail here at RBM in Atlanta.
And, quite frankly, it scares the s*&^ out of me. My C32 was fast...it's a 12 second car (barely)...but this thing is gross fast. Should be illegal kind of fast.
2006, 38000 miles, $33,800. Very happy with that - I talked them down a little. I'm financing part of it through Wells Fargo and they were skeptical as to whether or not it's salvaged because I'm getting such a good deal.
I spent two hours digging into it and checked everything on this list...and a few other things. Everything checked out. Checked out friggin' great actually.
Bladders in the seats (Dynamic seats), hot cold a/c on both sides, ipod connector, pulled off the shroud on the engine and felt for any choppiness on the sc pulley (bearings), dug around under the car looking at the joints...
The only thing that I found wrong was the power trunk...needs adjusting so they're taking care of that as well as Service A on Monday with a detail here at RBM in Atlanta.
And, quite frankly, it scares the s*&^ out of me. My C32 was fast...it's a 12 second car (barely)...but this thing is gross fast. Should be illegal kind of fast.
2006, 38000 miles, $33,800. Very happy with that - I talked them down a little. I'm financing part of it through Wells Fargo and they were skeptical as to whether or not it's salvaged because I'm getting such a good deal.
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 7,217
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3-five-five/ TUNDRA/ 07 997 cab
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 7,092
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From: Salt Lake City (but not Morm)
2003 E55 & 2014 GL550
I'll be praying for you that the modding addition doesn't set in right away.
It can be a long hard road once you do your first mod. Always trying to catch that first mod high. Always trying to score another mod.
Enjoy the car for awhile before you jump into mod addiction.
Here is me before modding.
And after....
Congrats on the car bro! Enjoy and be safe
It can be a long hard road once you do your first mod. Always trying to catch that first mod high. Always trying to score another mod.
Enjoy the car for awhile before you jump into mod addiction.
Here is me before modding.
And after....
Congrats on the car bro! Enjoy and be safe
