Buy a '05 E55?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 40
Likes: 1
Ford F250 CC Harley Davidson (stolen), Porsche 911 996, SL55 AMG, Ducati 996S
Buy a '05 E55?
I am looking at a two owner 2005 E55 with 90K miles for sale and would love feedback on:
What to look for. (Any specifics?)
What you think its worth.
What is maintenance cost?
What known reliability problems are there? etc.
This would be a DD. I would drive it about 15K miles a year. I'm in North Texas (mild weather). This is a low option E55. No panoramic roof, no parking senors, etc. Just navigation and moon roof. Asking price is $20K. I think that is a little high.
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Brian
What to look for. (Any specifics?)
What you think its worth.
What is maintenance cost?
What known reliability problems are there? etc.
This would be a DD. I would drive it about 15K miles a year. I'm in North Texas (mild weather). This is a low option E55. No panoramic roof, no parking senors, etc. Just navigation and moon roof. Asking price is $20K. I think that is a little high.
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Brian
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 40
Likes: 1
Ford F250 CC Harley Davidson (stolen), Porsche 911 996, SL55 AMG, Ducati 996S
The mileage is very much on my mind. That being said, my suburban had 300K miles before I got rid of it. My truck now has 180K. My car had 155K and I was going to keep it but it someone just plowed into me the other day and it got totaled (the whole reason I am shopping). I wrench on my cars and keep them in good shape and I get the most out of them (miles wise).
Am I headed down a dangerous road with a higher mile AMG? With manuals and forums I can work on anything I just don't want too for 50K miles. What, if anything, commonly goes wrong with these cars?
Am I headed down a dangerous road with a higher mile AMG? With manuals and forums I can work on anything I just don't want too for 50K miles. What, if anything, commonly goes wrong with these cars?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 40
Likes: 1
Ford F250 CC Harley Davidson (stolen), Porsche 911 996, SL55 AMG, Ducati 996S
Searching around I see the below are concerns. Any others? Common issues or hit and miss?
Fuel sending units can leak.
Supercharger bearing can go out.
IC pump failure
Battery control module
Alternator
Idler pulley
Fuel sending units can leak.
Supercharger bearing can go out.
IC pump failure
Battery control module
Alternator
Idler pulley
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,841
Likes: 202
From: miami / delray beach
2014 E63s amg 4matic, 2009 C63, 2006 E55 AMG , 2001.5 AUDI S4 stg 3+ w/meth
Airmatic suspension... common and costly... i have had 3 of the 4 replaced to the tune of about $4500
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,728
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta
CTSV/6sp Grocery Getter
Add crankshaft position sensor to the list
Motor and transmission mounts
Airmatic at $4,500, must have been a stealer rape job?
You can get a pair of rear bags from Arnott for $800 and a pair of fronts for $1k?
Motor and transmission mounts
Airmatic at $4,500, must have been a stealer rape job?
You can get a pair of rear bags from Arnott for $800 and a pair of fronts for $1k?
Trending Topics
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,841
Likes: 202
From: miami / delray beach
2014 E63s amg 4matic, 2009 C63, 2006 E55 AMG , 2001.5 AUDI S4 stg 3+ w/meth
when the front one went out i had to have the car towed and dealership could get it done same day while i was at work or i could wait a week to save a few hundred bucks on arnotts to arrive... prefered to have my car back same day and delivered to me while i was at work
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
8 Oddball Mercedes Ideas That Actually Made it to Production
Verdad Gallardo
Dubai Tuner Gives the Mercedes G-Class An Entirely New Look
Verdad Gallardo
Six Gift Ideas Your AMG Loving Dad or Grad Will Cherish
7 Craziest Things AMG Gas Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,619
Likes: 53
From: Georgia
E 63S Wagon Renntech, E55 Renntech, SL65, SL 55 030, ML, bunch of old ones--they come, they go...
You can look...
at it two ways. (1) 120k ain't nowhere near what is used to be. But...(2) Benz cars aren't put together like they used to be either. They aren't built with the idea that they can run for 200+k miles. On the other hand, if it appears to be well cared for, then you could probably ride it to 145 or so and only lose a few grand. Assuming the tranny doesn't quit, that is....
MBWorld Fanatic!
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 2,092
Likes: 29
From: Orlando
1967 Pro Touring turbo LSX Camaro
It sounds like a solid buy if you can get it for under $20k. While 90k isn't high miles for a 2005, the context might make it seem so. You may be better off with a low option model such as this if you plan to keep it for some time and drive it, more complex nature might equal more to repair.
How does the rest of it look? Was it garaged? Is it from a dealer or an individual?
I've had mine a year and taken it from 66k miles to 76k miles and only changed the oil other than discretionary upgrades. I was aware that air suspension components were a common failure and have been prepared to replace those components when they go. I would have expected those same failures whether I was buying a 40k mile car or a 90k mile one as they're still 6-9 years old regardless of the mileage. Now that they're available from Arnott I would probably do all 4 should one fail.
Good luck!
How does the rest of it look? Was it garaged? Is it from a dealer or an individual?
I've had mine a year and taken it from 66k miles to 76k miles and only changed the oil other than discretionary upgrades. I was aware that air suspension components were a common failure and have been prepared to replace those components when they go. I would have expected those same failures whether I was buying a 40k mile car or a 90k mile one as they're still 6-9 years old regardless of the mileage. Now that they're available from Arnott I would probably do all 4 should one fail.
Good luck!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,619
Likes: 53
From: Georgia
E 63S Wagon Renntech, E55 Renntech, SL65, SL 55 030, ML, bunch of old ones--they come, they go...
Not badly priced...
but depends totally on the condition and service history. Dont be fooled by the crazy asking prices on this board, they are not what's really happening in the marketplace.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,879
Likes: 22
From: Orange County, CA.
one car at a time
I would expect a price a tad higher than some would deem "market price", but I also have a binder with every service record from day 1 for all my cars. Each is detailed regularly and well maintained. I have never had a problem selling any of my cars either. So I guess it just depends on what you are looking to get...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,619
Likes: 53
From: Georgia
E 63S Wagon Renntech, E55 Renntech, SL65, SL 55 030, ML, bunch of old ones--they come, they go...
I would tend...
to agree about the cars on many dealer lots. You have to take each one on its own merit. I was more speaking about the cars for sale here at mbw that are thousands of dollars away from reality. Absolutely, an exceptional example will bring more money. But not 25-30% more. Thus, a good many of these cars are still sitting, and will continue to. As far as selling your own car, I guess it depends on where you are and the availablity of financing. If you haven't done it in the last year or so, it's a different world out there now.
Last edited by allenjdmb; Jan 8, 2013 at 02:09 PM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 40
Likes: 1
Ford F250 CC Harley Davidson (stolen), Porsche 911 996, SL55 AMG, Ducati 996S
Thanks for all the replies. The car "looks" clean. If I get serious I will pull a carfax and a report from the local MB dealer (Star report?). The lack of options is a bummer. Bramage's 04" E55 he is selling is beautiful. Just he is in CA and the car is not black. For the right price I have flown across the country to buy a car, just don't have the time to right now.
Honestly, the possible repairs scare me. I could afford one or two things but not a handful of major ones right now. I'll have my truck paid off in a year and then it's game on.
Honestly, the possible repairs scare me. I could afford one or two things but not a handful of major ones right now. I'll have my truck paid off in a year and then it's game on.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,619
Likes: 53
From: Georgia
E 63S Wagon Renntech, E55 Renntech, SL65, SL 55 030, ML, bunch of old ones--they come, they go...
And...
there you have it. This is a forum member who has access lots of info, but is still concerned about fixing these things. Generally, it's not that bad, but the perception....one more time it's harder to...well you know by now.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 40
Likes: 1
Ford F250 CC Harley Davidson (stolen), Porsche 911 996, SL55 AMG, Ducati 996S
I worked for MB Finance for 10 years and unfortunately they don't make them like they use too.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 40
Likes: 1
Ford F250 CC Harley Davidson (stolen), Porsche 911 996, SL55 AMG, Ducati 996S
emoving,
Yeah, this car might not be the one for me. If repairs are going to get stupid then I might as well just save up for the exotic.
Don't get me wrong. I'm dropping about $9K into my truck this winter but it is mostly goodies and because I want to. Not for things that didn't hold up from the factory.
Yeah, this car might not be the one for me. If repairs are going to get stupid then I might as well just save up for the exotic.
Don't get me wrong. I'm dropping about $9K into my truck this winter but it is mostly goodies and because I want to. Not for things that didn't hold up from the factory.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 7,217
Likes: 6
3-five-five/ TUNDRA/ 07 997 cab
emoving,
Yeah, this car might not be the one for me. If repairs are going to get stupid then I might as well just save up for the exotic.
Don't get me wrong. I'm dropping about $9K into my truck this winter but it is mostly goodies and because I want to. Not for things that didn't hold up from the factory.
Yeah, this car might not be the one for me. If repairs are going to get stupid then I might as well just save up for the exotic.
Don't get me wrong. I'm dropping about $9K into my truck this winter but it is mostly goodies and because I want to. Not for things that didn't hold up from the factory.
