XYB_AMG

I'm finally ready to pull the trigger on a 55! Thanks to everyone on this forum for the invaluable info which I've been using quite a bit lately. So here are my options:

2003 w/28K miles at Merc dealer. They are asking 29999. Locally owned,1-owner. Autocheck shows no records for maintenance. Couple of questions:

1. What do you think is a fair price? NADA has it ~ $30k and KBB at ~ 25K.
2. Do the Merc dealers usually do an inspection prior to selling if the car isn't CPO?

I'd buy the Chrysler warranty for this one.

OR

2004 w/63K miles. CPO car with 4 previous owners. Asking price is $27.9. I'd extend the warranty for the extra 2 years.

Some background: I'm not really "handy," so I won't be doing much on my own. I'm going to use her as a DD. I don't plan on doing mods (for now).

Well, one of these is coming likely coming home with me today, so which one would you guys go for? I'm leaning towards the 2003 with lower miles...

TIA!

emoving

Uhhhhhhhhh 2003.

motorkas

2003 - DEFINITELY get the warranty.

XYB_AMG

I know, I know it's obvious, right? Overnight the lure of the CPO warranty was starting to mess with my brain.

emoving and motorkas, what do you think is a good price for the 2003?

emoving

I would not pay much more then $26 to 27k IMO. Other wise, you can find a 2006 with @50k for $27000.

emoving

And without a doubt, I am pretty sure they would have ran it through their shop prior to selling it. I am also sure they would have fixed any major problems.

cocainewhiteE63

GEt the car that has the better history 3 owners is a lot who knows what each person did.
Just buy the 2 yr extended MB warranty from MB and u good. Over a couple 1000 go with the cleaner and less miles no brainer. Its a rare car to find one near u with low miles and at MB go for it.

CharlyE500

I still think go for 05 or 06 to be safe.

novae500

+1

220S

+100

Esp since the OP said, "I'm not really "handy," so I won't be doing much on my own. I'm going to use her as a DD."

Or maybe the OP has several spare cars as back up.....

Busta Riles

I'd pick the 03.

I paid more for my car because i knew the history.

A 1 owner car is worth the extra dough.

I'd assume you'll be paying somewhere between 27 & 28.

reitmeid

If the 03 has a build date before 9/30, I would insist on a brand new radiator and tranny fluid flush as part of the deal. You don't want to get stuck with one of the leaky Valeo's warranty or not.

XYB_AMG

Thanks to everyone for their input. They wouldn't move even $1 off the 29995. I have to say though, it was in SUPERB condition. Apparently it was an older guy's who has a large fleet of vehicles and is selling them off due to health problems.

So apparently 2004 models are not eligible for CPO. I called the dealership and it was an "error."

Oh well. As I said, I won't be doing much work on the car on my own, so I think I'll look for on 05 or 06 and pay a little more.

ryan b

If you go for an 05/06 you'll see some subtle upgrades compared to the 03/04. Suspension and Instrument cluster just to name a few. Good luck

MB_Forever

If you were only considering two choices and nothing else, then I would pick the 2003 hands down. The lower mileage is a big benefit on these cars.

If you can find a 2005 or 2006, with a bit more mileage, I would go for that since later models are usually more updated and more stable.

mikey33

30k for a 2003 is too much! Remember you are going to have to pay taxes and dealer fees and it will probably end up being 33k.

XYB_AMG

Definitely. I couldn't believe they wouldn't move on the price, but whatever, I walked.

I have to say, it's tough finding these cars with low miles and minimal number of owners. Just gotta be patient I guess.

mikey33

The thing is the dealer knows sooner or later they will find a sucker who will not only buy the car, but buy other crap that is overpriced to go with it!

mikekuriger

I've been looking also. it's not easy!

JDUBGT3

Hey everyone,

I just purchased the 03' that XYB AMG was looking at. I'm learning a lot about the E55 reading these posts. It's worth it to me to pay a little more money for a super low mileage 1 owner car with a perfect history record. I am thinking about purchasing the Chrysler warranty for the car. Do any of you have this warranty?

Thanks for your suggestions!

XYB_AMG

Congrats on the purchase! It's in beautiful condition that one had to actually see in person. I don't think anyone had ever sat in the backseat. Let us know how the warranty goes, since Mike Case isn't offering it anymore at the reduced price.

Still looking for mine. I'm negotiating with a guy with a 2005 that has 50K miles on it. He's taken great care of it and it looks fantastic.

JDUBGT3

Thanks for the reply!

I ended up going with the JM&A Platinum 4 year 48,000 mile warranty with a $100 deductible. I paid $2750.00 for it here in Seattle through a good friend of mine who works for a dealership. I got the buddy hook up!

I'm looking forward to picking the car up on Thursday afternoon and having a nice road trip back to Seattle.

Thanks again for the info on the car, it's nice to hear good things about it from someone other than the dealer. I'll let you know how it goes.

And good luck with the search for your E55!

Justin Wilson