Looking to buy my first Mercedes
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 242
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From: Houston
Mercedes E55
Looking to buy my first Mercedes
So as the title says, I'm looking into buying my first mercedes, and better yet my first amg. My family has been big into mercedes since 2001 and have been hooked since. I was honestly looking into the e39 m5 before I started a longer commute to work and the traffic would be terrible on my knees from the clutch on the m5. So my decision is now the w211 e55. Some main concerns for me are what kind of issues would I be looking at that are common to an 03 with about 68k miles? What kind of issues would I be looking for down the road? Is there an option for auxillary input if its not the command unit? Is there an option for mp3 cds? Early thanks for the input guys!
Just a list of a few cars we've been through
01 S500
03 S500
05 S55
07 S550
08 S63
07 S65
08 CL65
12 CLS63
and now we own
11 S550
13 SL65
Just a list of a few cars we've been through
01 S500
03 S500
05 S55
07 S550
08 S63
07 S65
08 CL65
12 CLS63
and now we own
11 S550
13 SL65
Banned
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 668
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From: Racine, WI
2003 E55 AMG
Some people will tell you stay away from 03's. I have had ZERO issues with mine. I know some had coolant leaking into transmission due to bad design, mine does not, there were two different radiator designs in 03. Most will tell you, get the late model 03 if possible build of 09/2003 and later. The aux input you are looking for you would have to get the newer command unit without the cassette and swap out. Then you buy the cable and run it from back of the command to either the ashtray, or glovebox, that's what I did. Newer unit also plays the burned CD's I beleive the older one did as well dont quite remember. In my opinion, it's all about maintenance on these cars and if they were abused. I would much rather have a well maintained 03 with low miles, than a used and abused, no maintenance history 06 with 100K. But that's just me. 
Thread Starter
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 242
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From: Houston
Mercedes E55
appreciate the info! Car has been maintained meticulously. Changing out the head unit is gonna be a slim chance. I like to keep cars stock for a little while. I guess I can use regular cds for a while haha.
Now another question is I haven't seen too many midnight blue e55s out there, is it a rare color?
Now another question is I haven't seen too many midnight blue e55s out there, is it a rare color?
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 668
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From: Racine, WI
2003 E55 AMG
appreciate the info! Car has been maintained meticulously. Changing out the head unit is gonna be a slim chance. I like to keep cars stock for a little while. I guess I can use regular cds for a while haha.
Now another question is I haven't seen too many midnight blue e55s out there, is it a rare color?
Now another question is I haven't seen too many midnight blue e55s out there, is it a rare color?
Thread Starter
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 242
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From: Houston
Mercedes E55
he's asking $19,500 and I haven't had a chance to go check the car out yet, too busy with work. Airmatic I'm familiar with so I'm not too worried about that. We've replaced way too many to count sadly. Gas issue is definitely something I'll check out
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Joined: Apr 2012
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From: Racine, WI
2003 E55 AMG
Pretty sure you will have to swap the head unit to the newer model, maybe there is a SW update from the dealer for the older unit, you would have to check with the dealer on that though
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From: South Florida
Daily 06 E55, Fun 12 GSXR750, Racing John Deere D110
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From: Lubbock,TX
2006 E55 AMG
If you're talking about Ipod connect ability, I know that my '06 plays mp3's through the audio jack in the glove compartment. Requires a cord for mp3 but nothing else. Plays out of the speakers but you cannot change tracks without doing so through the mp3/Ipod itself. I don't know if that was only cars with navigation, however, as mine is.
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From: Racine, WI
2003 E55 AMG
If you're talking about Ipod connect ability, I know that my '06 plays mp3's through the audio jack in the glove compartment. Requires a cord for mp3 but nothing else. Plays out of the speakers but you cannot change tracks without doing so through the mp3/Ipod itself. I don't know if that was only cars with navigation, however, as mine is.
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Joined: Sep 2013
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From: Houston
Mercedes E55
this is getting worse and worse lol. Anyone know of any aftermarket kits to add an auxiliary, or ipod kit?
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 252
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From: South Florida
Daily 06 E55, Fun 12 GSXR750, Racing John Deere D110
So I mp3 cd is a no go? lol
OP: I don't believe you have any options except swapping to a new head unit. Its worth the money, especially if you would like to add navigation too.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 242
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From: Houston
Mercedes E55
Basically if you have a command unit you can play mp3s, if not you can't. I don't really care for the navigation too much, but seeing how I don't think I can live without music the command system looks like the way to go. Any idea of how much it would run me? Is it plug n play?
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 252
Likes: 1
From: South Florida
Daily 06 E55, Fun 12 GSXR750, Racing John Deere D110
Basically if you have a command unit you can play mp3s, if not you can't. I don't really care for the navigation too much, but seeing how I don't think I can live without music the command system looks like the way to go. Any idea of how much it would run me? Is it plug n play?
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 252
Likes: 1
From: South Florida
Daily 06 E55, Fun 12 GSXR750, Racing John Deere D110
Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 147
Likes: 2
From: Lubbock,TX
2006 E55 AMG
Banned
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 668
Likes: 2
From: Racine, WI
2003 E55 AMG
Basically if you have a command unit you can play mp3s, if not you can't. I don't really care for the navigation too much, but seeing how I don't think I can live without music the command system looks like the way to go. Any idea of how much it would run me? Is it plug n play?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 242
Likes: 3
From: Houston
Mercedes E55
looks like that's my only option. Any DIYs out there?
