Tampa E55

Im new to the MB world but not new to cars lol...

I am looking for a 2005/2006 E55 in the (27k-35k) Price range with less than 45k miles.

I have a modified 2006 G35 Sedan that I currently drive daily and am looking for a replacement.

Other cars in the Garage:
I have an 89 Jeep Cherokee that is modified and Restored
I have an all original 91 Final Edition Jeep Grand Wagoneer with 45k miles
I have an all original 92 Cadillac Fleetwood
Wife has a 97 Jeep Wrangler and will not part with it lol

Anyway, I have spent some time looking here on the forums and have gathered much needed information.

I now have a few questions.

1: Is there any known problems with these E55's that i need to look out for?

2: I am very handy and do all my own maintenance to all of my cars. I know this is no Jeep but would i be able to do regular maintenance myself? Stuff like Breaks (pads and rotors), Oil changes, other fluid changes, and when stuff fails, how easy is it to work on?

3: Do you recommend spending the money on a warranty or should I keep some money aside for the not if but when something breaks.

4: I have a friend with a 2004 CLK 55 and he knows a great guy that works on AMG's and other MB's and is reasonable with repairs. (he charged 150 to fix the two back windows on the CLK that would not work, and i know the cable in one of the windows was broken) Is this a fair price?

5: I really like the light blue color but it is very hard to find. Other Colors I like are Black and Silver (light Silver) Is there any other colors that are really nice in person?

6: The most important thing i need to know is what options should i get that are a must have on an e55?

My Must haves are:
Keyless Go
Navigation
A/C Seats
xenon

Things i can live without but really want:
Pano
Dynamic Seats
19's (I can add wheels that I like later)

Things I don't care about:
park assist
power trunk

What are your thoughts about the options that you use the most each day and is there any options i am missing that i should look for?

Thanks for all your input and I look forward to joining the E55 family

Fernando

mikey33

To answer question #3 - Yes you need the warranty for these cars because dealers will rape you over the coals for any fix.

#5 - Tectite Gray is a beautiful color

#6 - Pano was a must for me but than again I knew I wanted a silver car. If you get a light colored car I would make it a must because you will wish you had that extra visual appeal. Dynamic seats I would also say are a must with ventilation and heat. Navigation is standard on 04' and up.

Tampa E55

Is there any options that I am missing?

What kind of things go wrong with these cars?

Fernando

MB_Forever

Warranty is always recommended on these high performance cars because sometimes major repairs just pop-up out of no where and get you. For example, if your Airmatic failed and had to be replaced or your COMMAND Navi unit stopped working or supercharger clutch gave up, etc.... you would be in for high repair costs. I know in your case warranty would be less valuable because you'd work on your car yourself, but it's still a good insurance just in case. Most of the time, these big repairs probably won't come up, but one small repair that you will find annoying is the stock IC pump. It is notorious for failing early and often. There is a couple of great fixes for that here on the forum though

Options you may have missed in your posts are Distronic (adaptive cruise control), heated/ventilated front seats, and designo colors. They are not too important but nice to have

Esh

A simple search of the forum will answer your questions. These are by far and away the two most common questions. They come up a few times a week.

MB_Forever

+1 a search always helps as well

Tampa E55

Thanks Guys!

Ok I would really like to have the Distronic. How can you detect if the car has it or not....

I know on toyota/lexus and on infiniti's there is a glass square on the front grill area that is for the lazer/radar

Fernando

Juice1979

I agree with everyone above that a warranty is a must. I purchased an aftermarket warranty from Easy Care (Total Care Package). Basically mirrors an MB warranty. 3yrs/36000 miles for $3200 and I've had about $12,000 in repairs to date in 1 year. I would say its worth it! I would just like to add that only about $2000 of that was really required, but while the car was at the dealership we figured mind as well have the whole car looked over to see what else can be replaced. So luckily for me I had another $10,000 in work done which basically made the car drive like new.

pullejo

Easy Care just upped their prices significantly on May 1.

$4900 for 3/36 on an '06 with 39000 miles was what I was quoted.

Tampa E55

See that is just way to much...

Are you going to go with the chrysler warranty?

Bramage

Front grille is different (There is a solid part that is easy to see in any picture - Center) and there is a wheel / button to the left of the shifter. Those will tell you it has distronic

Tampa E55

Thanks for the really good pictures!

That really helps...

I am also considering spending 3000-3500 for the extended warranty!

Thanks a lot guys

Fernando

CostaRica

Good too see a Tampa guy on here. My mother and 2 of my sisters live there, great city.

Cheers,
T. Marsoni

Tampa E55

It is a great city.... I love it here, Born and raised in this city.

So i started looking for an e55 with the distronic and i am yet to find one of them. I guess it wasn't a very popular option.

Again thanks for everyones great post!

Fernando

pullejo

It's more "gadgety" than useful to me. How often am I driving with cruise control on where I want to stay a set distance from other vehicles?

Ummmm...never.

Especially since I live in Atlanta.

Jakpro1

I love LOVE my pano roof. She adds weight to the car but I just can't get enough of that black glass on top.

You are coming from Infiniti so parts price rape won't be such a shock to you....buuuttttt, Benz takes it to a whole new level on just hammering us on parts.

Long as you know that going in, your cool.

Example.
Supercharger clutch replacement, which if your car has not had done, will most likely need to be done at sometime during your ownership.....1200$ just for the part. If they cut you a price break, then a couple hundred less.
Brakes...Benz recommends brand new rotors with brake service. Imagine how much that costs. We've had some guys slap on new pads and I think one guy turned the rotors but I have no idea of long term effects from that.
Under the hood, there is a piece of fabric that I believe dampens noise, but I broke off a few of the plastic pins that just snap in place and Benz charged me 5$ a piece for them. Grrr
Fuel filters....couple bucks at your local Slapa Auto Parts. Nope, wonder Benz make you buy the entire fuel pump/filter at a jaw dropping 800 Beans. Thank God it only comes up once up to 100K of driving.

Don't mean to scare you off, just giving you a heads up. It's a great car but just like my wife, high maintenance.

C43AMG

EGADS !

Tampa E55

Yea I think the "everything Warranty" has to be purchased.

I am going to be getting serious about getting one in the next few months!

The thing is that i have done all maintenance to my Infiniti. Brakes, Rotors, Oil changes, Fluid Flushes.... And everything else was done by the dealer under warranty!

I have had 2 transmissions, 1 Long Block, 1 Clutch and Flywheel (mine is a 6Speed and I upgraded when they did the long block and the new transmission), 1 radio head unit and cd changer combo, 1 sunroof glass and motor, 1 headlight, 1 power seat motor, 1 new leather cover for the drive seat....

I think that is everything that was done under warranty.

I have also spent money on tires 1 set of brakes and rotors on all 4 corners

And countless oil changes.

I guess the best thing is to have the extended warranty lol

I am also going to buy an 06 E55 that is in the 30-40k mile range and that is still under factory warranty!

????? So if i am under warranty and spend the money on the extra one then besides, brakes, tires and oil changes (maintenance) I am covered?

Fernando

grantwoodtx

WARRANTY, WARRANTY, WARRANTY...

Mine has paid out in excess of $9000 for fuel pump, ESP Module, SC Clutch, engine mounts, rear main seal, alternator, keyless go issue and others I can't even remember right now.

BenzHawaii

+1 On the pano roof! Especially on a light color(white,silver etc) E55.
I love my white E55. The body lines stand out so beautiful. Best of luck to finding your first E55. It will blow the doors off that G35!

grantwoodtx

I am biased WHITE with PANO +1

Tampa E55

I love the white.... i am just such a sucker for black and chrome LOL

I really want a lighter color car because it is so much cooler here in Florida. I really like the silver since it is a metallic.

The light blue is also nice but really hard to find....

I am more going for one that has all the options that I want....

I found a DESIGNO Dark Grey, NOT PEWTER that has every option except the 19's and the PANO.... But he is asking 40k but im not ready to pay 5-7K more for the only few extras that i can't find (distronic and the color) and its still missing my favorite option the Pano roof!

Here is the one i am really leaning towards even though it is an 05... I think i can get this one for about 32k

http://www.ecarlist.com/showroom/154.../419535#02.jpg

Tell me what you guys think

Tampa E55

Yea that is what i want... a car that will blow the doors off of my G35... Then There will be very little on the road that can blow the doors off of the benz...

I have to say that my G is a very fun car to drive... It is very playful and handles very well! And when you build the revs on it she will run.... I have done a 13.1 in the 1/4th with it 75 degrees outside! It isn't stock but then it isn't an E55 LOL



Fernando