I currently have an E46 M3 that is supercharged and has around 465WHP. but im bored with it now. I have a buyer for my m3 and want to buy an E55. Ive never had a mercedes before and i want to know if there is anything i should look out for when buying this car. Also is there any common problems i should be aware of that would make me regret my decision reliability wise?

Here is the ad for the vehicle:

For sale:
2005 Mercedes E55 AMG
Clean title, Clean Carfax
123,000 miles (majority highway miles)
Brilliant Silver with black interior

Comfort package: driver and passenger heated seats; Drive-Dynamic Seats

Lighting Package: Projector beam lens Bi-Xenon headlines; Headlight control active; High pressure headlight cleaners

Premium package: includes comfort package and 6-disc CD changer and DVD navigation

Panorama Roof
Quad zone climate control, Rear A/C with rear individual temperature controls
Keyless Go
Satellite radio
Tire pressure warning system

All maintenance performed. Absolutely no leaks, paint and body is MINT, interior is MINT. Everything's works flawlessly.

Complete tune up done at 100K miles (spark plugs, coil packs, wires, coolant flush, belts)

PERFORMANCE OPTIONS I HAVE HAD DONE:
19" AMG Replica wheels: Brand new rear tires 275/30/19; Front tires at approximately 60% (245/30/19)
K&N air filters
High flow Johnson intercooler pump
Eurocharged Upgraded heat exchanger
Eurocharged 172mm pulley
Eurocharged stage 1 tune (reliable tune)
Dyno tuned: 542hp 590tq (dyno sheet available)

Car has been garage kept, meticulously maintained, and is a great combination of luxury and performance. This is a private party sale so serious buyers only please. Only looking to sale, no trades, I have Carfax and all books and paperwork.
Asking price is $20,995 OBO

 

i'd skip this due to high mileage. What is the price range you are looking at? There are a few over in the for sale forum that 1/2 the miles and probably better purchase.

 

I would not, high mileage in my opinion.

 

The miles are definitely high, 05s did fix alot of the earlier issues but you're still at a higher risk of Airmatic failure and there's alot of other things. Problems cost ALOT to fix on this car, not all problems are expensive but some will really make you think twice about that listed price. I thought it was in KMs when I read the miles and thought it's high but not that bad but in miles that's crazy high. Everyone says highway miles but this is a tuned car, this guy isn't exactly 80 years old and probably doesn't drive like one.

 

Im looking to stay under 25k. and yeah the mileage was the only thing that scared me. should i still pass on it if i can get him to take 19k? the car is really as clean as he says it is and the motor/tranny feel strong.

 

If you're looking to stay under $25k, stay away from $100k cars.

 

I agree, unless that car is like $10K LOL and even then prob cost more in short run.

But I love my E55, I think I was lucky - I picked up my 06 E55 with 42K miles on it with all the options I wanted in and in Flint Gray to boot for 30K (and then added the 4yr whats not covered warr. for another $4K).

I love it cuz its an luxury but a beast too, and you can have 600whp for reasonable $$$ and still have a streetable car and class.

My only down side is - where do I go after this? (hummmm - is there an E84 coming out? LOL)

Regardless - a pre-purchase inspection at rep. shop is always well spent.

Good luck.

JP

 

@cylinderhead:
well look at the blue book value of these cars. staying at 25k or under isnt that hard. there are alot of e55s for sale for 26-28k that are low mileage. i think if im patient and a little flexible on my price range i will be able to find an 05-06 model i like with low miles in good condition. im not in a rush to buy.
@quattrodude:
yeah the car is a beast. my m3 is faster than a stock e55 but i want more luxury and i want a 4 door. so i think ill pass on this one and wait for a better one to come around. thank you.

 

Also, those are probably crank numbers, not at the wheels. Those mods will not net 542 at the wheels. Your M3 at 465 rwhp is making more power than the E55.

 

Sorry if I came off negative there. I am an ******* in general. These cars are finicky. Your best bet is to go after a late '05-'06 to get the updated steering rack that helps it handle better than a hippo in 20 feet of mud.

Low mileage is a huge plus because it is a DEFINITE that you will be replacing the Airmatic at some point, and a likelihood you will be looking for a new IC pump.

Aftermarket warranties are your friend, the motors alone on these things run for ridiculous money. Transmissions are bulletproof however. If you're going to mod you need to primarily concern yourself with cooling and fuel, once those are taken care of she will handle everything you can throw at her.

You can guarantee that if it's a two+ owner car, someone has beaten the hell out of it. Make sure to inspect everything.

 

If you mean where to go after the E55 you do realize there's an E63.....

 

I just saw the 4 door comment, otherwise I was going to say pull your SC and put an HPF turbo on that should cure boredom for a little while...

 

@ cylinder head:
What should i address on cooling and fuel? which parts? when i buy the car i want i will get an extended bumper 2 bumper warranty with it, but i want it to be as reliable as possible. it will not be my DD so itll prolly only see 5k miles per year at the most
thanks.

 

i'm looking to buy the exact car you got. 2006 with <50k for between $30k-$35k. nice to see they're being sold for that cheap.

 

Cooling is the M113's acchilles heel. The intercooler is sandwiched between the blower and the motor, terrible design. Heat from the blower above, heat from the motor below, it should be called an interheater.

You can find SO MUCH on cooling mods here it will make your head explode. Most guys get away with upgraded IC pumps but if you want to go wild there are options for trunk mounted reservoirs etc. Just don't listen to any douchebag meatheads from Paterson who want to fab you a setup for $4k (inside joke).

As for the fuel issue, starvation and later explosion of the #8 cylinder has been the primary cause of engine failure here. There are several companies here that make a fuel rail upgrade (feel free to search that) to alleviate this issue.

There is so much information on these motors on this board, if you buy one, you never have to ask us a question, because ten of us have already answered it. Search function works wonders.

 

Oh yeah - I know there is an E63..But looking for the next bigger Forced induction - not NA - that's why we all bought E55's right?

Because swapping cams and pistons for gains is not as much fun as bigger coolers and chips right?

Cheers
JP

 

With that many miles logged, I'd be amazed if you can even find a company willing to write a 3rd-party warranty.... Maybe for $10K but not at any reasonable price.


-G

 

Do you really care what a bunch of people on a public forum think as to weather or not you should buy a car. Dont you know your finances, personal likes, avenues for repairs and so on better then some stranger you dont know. You should ask your parents, your wife, your GF, your brother, or someone that knows your situation. These threads are so stupid.

On a side note, I was gonna order a pizza tonight, should I get mushroom and onion or Musroom and peppers?

 

I think he was just soliciting opinions in a price vs. reliability manner, in which I agree with polling the forum. Not to mention with the mods, we might know better than the average person.

I agree these threads have been popping up all too often, but it doesn't takea lot of time out of our day to yay/nay someone.

 

Mushroom and peppers definitely but I'd add at least one carnivore topping...

-G

 

Ok, ok, ok......I will throw on some pep!

 

Ya I know, but wouldnt people be dissapointed if I didnt say something.

 

Anchovies!

 

Ok, I just called back and added those.

 

and some extra sausage, we all know you like sausage