drjay71

Hello everyone!

I am posting this across a few of the AMG forums on MB world so please forgive me. I need some advice.

I am a former E92 BMW M3 owner. I recently traded in that car for a new 2012 E350 coupe which I love. I think I have now become I Benz guy. I love everything about MB and really appreciate how much better it is to be a MB owner compared to a BMW owner, IMO.

Problem is, I miss the power and performance of the M3. I now regret to some degree, not getting the E550. In every other way, the E coupe is much better than my M3. I only have 1000 miles on my E coupe but can't even think what kind of depreciation I will face if I try to trade it in for let's say a new C63. I am sure we are talking somewhere of at least $5-10K.

I thought I had was to get a older AMG for somewhere around $20-25K so that I can have my performance car on weekends or for joy rides. For a daily driver, the E coupe is perfect.

So, with that in mind, what should I do? Try to trade the E coupe back in or find a nice used AMG. If the latter, then which one do you guys suggest? I would be the only one driving. I am basically looking for something comparable to the M3. Any other suggestions are appreciated. If you want to call me crazy, then that's fine as well

Thanks,
Jay

e500slr

Well how much can you afford? Personally the CLS63 TT for me at least would be a perfect car right now, the looks, the engine, the comfort and interior it's easily the best 4 door out there now. If you want a torquey brute that's cheap now and relatively easy to modify then get an E55, preferably 05-06 with good mileage, a clean report and warranty if you can get it. The new E550 is a great car, the fact that they TT'd it gives it alot of potential that non-AMGs never had before, it just depends on your budget and which one you prefer. I would have to agree with you that the E350 was a mistake especially coming from an M3 so yes I think you should get rid of it ASAP because you're always going to have a slant eye for AMGs

drjay71

I guess if I keep the E350, then I can't spend more than $25K. If I can get a decent trade in on the E coupe then I can spend up to $65K

RedBullJnky

Keep it for daily use and find an E55 for the "power" your looking for. It's in your price range. Just make sure it's what you want.

drjay71

That's what I was thinking as well. Which year model do you think I should look at?

RedBullJnky

Which ever soots your budget and mileage.

outrun

There are lots of low mileage E55's out there for 25k or so. Get whatever you want. Mine is stripped down, but I don't care one bit....less stuff to break. It's still nice as hell and is just as fast as the optioned ones.

Wait until this summer and mine will be for sale. 2004, black on black. 24,000 on it right now. Will have under 30,000 when I sell it.

e500slr

Don't keep the E350, just replace it with another car instead of having an older AMG and the E350 because it's not like an AMG can't be a daily after all this is what they do. I've been driving my E55 every single day since purchase and even though it's stock I've been very lucky to not have any issues with it (except a TCU coding issue and battery problems which the dealer took care of at the time) especially not like Airmatic dump like some have had. The point is if you wanna keep the E350 I'd say get an E55 as well but personally I would get rid of the Coupe.

jayjmuir

You said you are the only driver, if that means you don't have passengers very often, have you thought about an SL55 or SL65?

If I were in that position, that is what I would have gotten. I have kids though so I need the backseat of the E63.

Here is an 2007 SL65 ($140,000 depreciation in 5 years, wow!):

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SL65-...ht_6403wt_1052

I can't imagine that thing depreciating much over the next few years.

Here is a 2007 Renntech SL600:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2007-...ht_1006wt_1052

Not sure what this thing will bid up to but it would be a steal at anything under 50k and you would never have to think about mods! I might actually bid on this thing for a weekend cruiser.

Here is are two SL55's, one is 2007 and one is 2008:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2007-...t_31378wt_1052

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/GARAG...t_19990wt_1052

Both of these look to be pretty nice cars.

e500slr

Also great suggestions if you can go without the back seats but I'd say go with the V12s in the SL because the SL is heavy and the 55 might not do it for you. The 600s are very good, crazy torque.

drjay71

Thanks for the feedback guys. I went out and test drove a C63 AMG today and difference in power and performance from the E350 is night and day. I am hoping to find an AMG about 1-3 years old for under $65K since I think it makes the most sense to just eat the loss and turn the e350 back in. I would rather have one car as a daily driver and performance beast rather than separate.

I really like the new generation E63 sedans so that would be my first choice. If not then I would look into a new C63

e500slr

Well at least now you'll have more money to play with and not have to worry about having an E350 that will depreciate and is redundant because believe me when you get an AMG you just don't wanna drive the E350. I gave my E500 to my wife after getting the 55 because I just couldn't drive it anymore. The C63 is a beast, not the car I'd go for but a beast regardless.

infantry

I used to have a 2007 E350, and sold it for my 2007 E63.

I wish I could've kept them both.

drjay71

May I ask why?

infantry

Great gas mileage for a four door saloon on the highway. I make a lot of trips to california and would rather depreciate a sub $20k car than my AMG which has so far been equivalent to $10k a year driving 15k miles a year

drjay71

bump

Rafiki

Hmmmm 65K budget , I ll save up 20 more and get a GTR can't go wrong

AKnight55

For $65k and 1-3 years old, I would look into a 2012+ E550.. You will get all the new features and TT engine.. It would be a comfortable DD and have some power (400hp and 440tq).. Plus they offer a coupe version if thats what your interested in.

newlyAMG

you haven't bought anyhing yet I assume?

you've got a world of options at this point. with mileage in mind, are there any of the TT E550s coming up used yet? you could get one of those that's already taken the initial depreciation hit, and a simple 1-2k tune will get it over 500hp, and still have relatively good mileage im sure.

And like someone mentioned, you can get it in a coupe, which on those bodies I think looks way better than the sedan.

AKnight55

Exactly, a simple tune and you can see around 450-475 whp.. Not sure where the OP is located, but just for reference, hes one for $55k

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2012-...t_12674wt_1010