Going to test drive maybe buy 03 e55 with 135k what to watch out for
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From: SD
00 e55
Going to test drive maybe buy 03 e55 with 135k what to watch out for
Found an 03 e55 with 135k miles for 15k on Craigslist
From talking to the guy on the phone sounds like car has no issues at all
I own a w210 e55 so know my way around this car but not much on w211
What are obvious and major things to pay attention to on this car?
Are superchargerz prone to failure at this mileage ? Maybe air suspension?
Thanks for any input guys
From talking to the guy on the phone sounds like car has no issues at all
I own a w210 e55 so know my way around this car but not much on w211
What are obvious and major things to pay attention to on this car?
Are superchargerz prone to failure at this mileage ? Maybe air suspension?
Thanks for any input guys
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From: Florida
03SL55
Good luck.
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From: Georgia
E 63S Wagon Renntech, E55 Renntech, SL65, SL 55 030, ML, bunch of old ones--they come, they go...
Not saying to toss it....
but an 03 with 135 at 15k is no bargain. Contrary to what the vested owners think here, the cars are not exactly burning up the marketplace. Yes, suspensions, superchargers, window regulators, "audio gateway" on 03's (faulty radios). You should be one of the few prospects he will have, so be aggressive.
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From: Chicago
03 E55 AMG, 06 Harley Road King Custom 06 Ram 2500 Cummins, 97 Firebird Race Car, 88 Cutlass Supreme
I'd be looking to get that car for around 12 with those kinds of miles and an 03. If its an early 03 apparently the pistons are somewhat different as well and some believe they may not be as good for performance modifications. I believe if it was manufactured before 05/03 or 06/03 it has the older design. Bargaining tool for you if it is.
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From: Bay Area, CA
2007 SL55 AMG
yea honestly it should be fine. Just mostly suspension joints get kinda worn so the car doesn't feel as tight as it once was. My friend bought one with 140k and it felt slow. We did the plugs, wires, and air filters then changed the fluids and it pulls hard as hell now.
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AMG
All you guys make me feel better! i have almost 75,000 miles and I keep asking my self, How much longer you going to go before a meltdown? Apparently much further, plus im stock and rarely ever go over 120mph (only do this maybe 1 time every two months, maybe) , let alone 4K RPMS, I think im in great shape
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Joined: Oct 2008
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From: SD
00 e55
ok so did the test drive...
i Have never drove w211 e55 so just have my w210 e55 to compare this too
first thing noticed , it is kinda loud, and a little rough, reminds me of my e55, has that muscle car sound to the engine, it definitely does not run as smooth as my old v8 lexus not that im looking for that but just making sure that this is normal for these cars, it is especially noticeable at light acceleration. Exhaust on my w210 was quiet stock when I got it, had to get rid of rear cats and resonator to make it sound decent, this one seems like it already sounds good stock. When i stepped on it def felt more powerful than my car so i assume its running how it should. Suspension felt stiffer and a bit firmer compared to my current e55,
overall no previous damage noticed , clean title, scratches here and there, front end shows signs of highway usage( lots of tiny chips) this is a good sign i would think , less wear on components. No check engine or warning lights, no mods noticed, engine bay clean, no oil leaks noticed..
Owner mentioned something about and upgraded stereo, has a sub on the floor where the spare would go , flush in the floor(is this factory?) and has extra tweeters in door panels. He also mentioned that it needs audio gateway ,, what exactly is this?
Also how to check air suspension for issues? Owner told me car does go down after sitting and goes back up after starting it
o and ovg MPG for last 2500mi showed 17.6 mpg
ok thanks for your input guys
i Have never drove w211 e55 so just have my w210 e55 to compare this too
first thing noticed , it is kinda loud, and a little rough, reminds me of my e55, has that muscle car sound to the engine, it definitely does not run as smooth as my old v8 lexus not that im looking for that but just making sure that this is normal for these cars, it is especially noticeable at light acceleration. Exhaust on my w210 was quiet stock when I got it, had to get rid of rear cats and resonator to make it sound decent, this one seems like it already sounds good stock. When i stepped on it def felt more powerful than my car so i assume its running how it should. Suspension felt stiffer and a bit firmer compared to my current e55,
overall no previous damage noticed , clean title, scratches here and there, front end shows signs of highway usage( lots of tiny chips) this is a good sign i would think , less wear on components. No check engine or warning lights, no mods noticed, engine bay clean, no oil leaks noticed..
Owner mentioned something about and upgraded stereo, has a sub on the floor where the spare would go , flush in the floor(is this factory?) and has extra tweeters in door panels. He also mentioned that it needs audio gateway ,, what exactly is this?
Also how to check air suspension for issues? Owner told me car does go down after sitting and goes back up after starting it
o and ovg MPG for last 2500mi showed 17.6 mpg
ok thanks for your input guys
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From: Houston
2003 W211 E55, 2003 W220 S600
ok so did the test drive...
i Have never drove w211 e55 so just have my w210 e55 to compare this too
first thing noticed , it is kinda loud, and a little rough, reminds me of my e55, has that muscle car sound to the engine, it definitely does not run as smooth as my old v8 lexus not that im looking for that but just making sure that this is normal for these cars, it is especially noticeable at light acceleration. Exhaust on my w210 was quiet stock when I got it, had to get rid of rear cats and resonator to make it sound decent, this one seems like it already sounds good stock. When i stepped on it def felt more powerful than my car so i assume its running how it should. Suspension felt stiffer and a bit firmer compared to my current e55,
overall no previous damage noticed , clean title, scratches here and there, front end shows signs of highway usage( lots of tiny chips) this is a good sign i would think , less wear on components. No check engine or warning lights, no mods noticed, engine bay clean, no oil leaks noticed..
Owner mentioned something about and upgraded stereo, has a sub on the floor where the spare would go , flush in the floor(is this factory?) and has extra tweeters in door panels. He also mentioned that it needs audio gateway ,, what exactly is this?
Also how to check air suspension for issues? Owner told me car does go down after sitting and goes back up after starting it
o and ovg MPG for last 2500mi showed 17.6 mpg
ok thanks for your input guys
i Have never drove w211 e55 so just have my w210 e55 to compare this too
first thing noticed , it is kinda loud, and a little rough, reminds me of my e55, has that muscle car sound to the engine, it definitely does not run as smooth as my old v8 lexus not that im looking for that but just making sure that this is normal for these cars, it is especially noticeable at light acceleration. Exhaust on my w210 was quiet stock when I got it, had to get rid of rear cats and resonator to make it sound decent, this one seems like it already sounds good stock. When i stepped on it def felt more powerful than my car so i assume its running how it should. Suspension felt stiffer and a bit firmer compared to my current e55,
overall no previous damage noticed , clean title, scratches here and there, front end shows signs of highway usage( lots of tiny chips) this is a good sign i would think , less wear on components. No check engine or warning lights, no mods noticed, engine bay clean, no oil leaks noticed..
Owner mentioned something about and upgraded stereo, has a sub on the floor where the spare would go , flush in the floor(is this factory?) and has extra tweeters in door panels. He also mentioned that it needs audio gateway ,, what exactly is this?
Also how to check air suspension for issues? Owner told me car does go down after sitting and goes back up after starting it
o and ovg MPG for last 2500mi showed 17.6 mpg
ok thanks for your input guys
Find a Indy and run a diag test via star. If you were in Houston I would do it for you
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From: Bay Area, CA
2007 SL55 AMG
the going down part with the suspension. it depends if its dipping down on one side. its normal for the whole car to drop evenly when you park then it rises again when you start the car and drive. If it dips down on one side when you park it, it means the suspension is leaking.
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From: Houston
2003 W211 E55, 2003 W220 S600
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E55 2006 / CLS55 / S450 / Jag XKR2011
Make sure you have extra budget like $3K to start. Any service record ? tranny service done ? if not, this car can be a timing bomb. $15K is cheap but future repair will cost you High. Make sure the radiator Valero issue was fixed. It can damage your transmission. Few minors things about 03 you should consider. Good luck ! Try to get $13K extra budget for you to fix up.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 400
Likes: 1
From: SD
00 e55
Make sure you have extra budget like $3K to start. Any service record ? tranny service done ? if not, this car can be a timing bomb. $15K is cheap but future repair will cost you High. Make sure the radiator Valero issue was fixed. It can damage your transmission. Few minors things about 03 you should consider. Good luck ! Try to get $13K extra budget for you to fix up.
