jpnye06

New member here, Just wanted to say hello and get some input from other 211 owners. I've probably read and about 3 months worth of posts here and have gotten a majority of my Questions answered. Great info in the Stickies and the DIY Thread about common problems / solutions. A++

Okay so there are a few 2004 E55 AMG with roughly ~110 - 130K mi in that are going for 17K - 19K in the Portland Oregon Area. Some are 1 Owner, 2 owner and 4 owner cars all with good service history that have had the issues mentioned in the stickies addressed (Engine Mounts, Intercooler pump, SC Bearing, Airmatic shocks, etc... replaced at some point)

At first i was really hesitant about Mercedes as they have the rep for having frequent and expensive shop repairs but if you DIY or buy the parts and have a indy mechanic do the work it shouldn't be to bad. About the same as a normal Car.

So 2004 E55 AMG with 120Kish miles be good for a daily driver? Pull the trigger and get one.

Any owners have any regrets having one as a DD?

I've seen 2004 S55 AMG for 15K, clean title, 120K mi, but I read that parts are 2x - 3x the price because it is an S series?

I currently have a 2005 G35 Coupe with 84K as my DD and an 06 F150 as my weekend driver / tow rig.

dbworld4k

You are already aware of the issues so that's good. Make sure the usual stuff has been addressed or expect to do it soon. The only "issue" with daily driving is fuel consumption, lol.

I bought mine with stacks of maintenance receipts two months ago with 135K miles and she looks like a 50k mile car because the previous two owners pampered her. Zero regrets. I have set aside about $2k for unexpected repairs, just to be safe. Like any high performance European car, they're fairly robust when taken care of - neglect them, and they'll hammer your wallet!

jpnye06

LOL yeah I thought about MPG too.. My G35 says 17/25 I mostly get 16 - 18 as I drive city and have my foot in it all the time. Fun little car! E55 AMG is 15 in the City?

I don't mind a few hundred bucks ~$400ish here and there every 20K - 30K miles (Engine mount, Arnott Airmatic shock)

Its the $1,000+ Bills that I worry about. Engine, transmission. which sounds like they hold up.

I'll search the forums and look up where to get the STAR diagnostics stuff. Seen some china stuff for $400ish when doing a google search.

black06c230

131k on mine but I don't daily drive mine.

MAN55LE

I think 400 is a very light ......and check on the fuel pumps and you'll filters, and as for MPG's 15 city is high, if you got a heavy foot already, plan on getting eight......IMO.....regarding the DAS contact member Shardul he is the man especially when Modding these beasts

jpnye06

Yeah I could see the $400ish being higher when you factor in brakes, tires oil changes. I'm basically thinking non-wear items repairs every 20K - 30K (year or two) miles expect to spend XXX engine mount, or Airmatic shock, or something else. (I'm excluding oil changes)

Uww... 8 MPG ehh... Can't imagine Id have my foot in that much with Daily commute traffic... But then again ya never know. I mostly drive it pretty sane. Just not grandma speed.

eljefe7070

I love my 2004 E55 AMG I just hit 120K a few days ago. No big issues so far, getting ready to change the super charger oil, dropped in the K&N filters. Airmatic is good to go. I need to check out the brakes, it makes a rapid clicking sound when I use the Keyless Go and hold down the brake.

I paid 14K for mine when it had 114K miles. Fuel pumps were replaced and ball joints as well. I'm planning to redo the seal on the valve covers and change out the plugs and wires. I use mine as a DD and also drive it as it should be driven.

jpnye06

Awesome info, One of the ones I looked at had the valve cover gaskets done and also the plugs replaced + The Ball joints, a control arm, an engine mount etc... So what are you getting for MPG on average 8, 11, 13, 15....

eljefe7070

roughly 11-12 city...14 - 16 highway. I do have a heavy foot and I'm not 100% accurate on my numbers. I have to run it for a bit and record the data to get you a better answer.

sufyaanahmed

I have 108,000 miles mine is a daily driver as long as they are maintained they will last. Get ppi before you buy. There's also a couple of e55 on the fourms in your price range look in the classifieds section I know there was one for 17k with only 80k miles

eljefe7070

There is one here in Virginia that is for sale. It is basically stock except the 20 inch Niche wheels on it. Seller is asking 12500 for it. Had I not bought mine I would have jumped on this one. 128K miles...I would buy it if there was work done and receipts to confirm it.

http://richmond.craigslist.org/cto/4246888518.html

sufyaanahmed

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...57#post5891957

jpnye06

These numbers are good enough I was just looking for a ball park figure. I'm sure elevation and also driving style play a factor. Thx for the info!

jpnye06

That is a pretty sick deal at 12.5.. almost too good? Hmm Defiantly will add that to the list. I like the black.

jpnye06

Yep seen this one last night, Basically have the same car down the road from me (Portland OR) for the same price. (118K mi vs the 86K) I'd rather have one in black vs the silver though.

I do like that this one is 2 owners and 86K miles. (other one I was looking at was 4 owners and 118K miles / FS by a local MB dealer)

eljefe7070

As you stated before JPNYE there is a vast amount of knowledge here on the forums. I have had 99% of my questions answered on here without much digging. These guys on here are enthusiast professionals!

eljefe7070

Good luck with your purchase

Quicksilv3r

I have an '05 w/ 117.5K miles . Honestly love the car aside from it's bi-monthly dealer service needs. I daily mine and have a couple of good friends among my dealer's technicians who "take care of me" so-to-speak when I bring it in so the costs of maintaining it isn't quite the shock of otherwise paying full retail for the same quality work. That alone tells me much of the car is DIY friendly, so if you're up for it, I say pull the trigger. Parts are stupid pricey at the dealer. I once thought the BMW parts counter was the best place in town to get fked, I was wrong.

black06c230

Wouldn't mind the Blk one for a DD myself.

Also does that silver one has the blue Designo seats? Pics were kinda hard to really tell 100%.

RedBullJnky

I daily drive mine.

But I don't have half the mileage you do.

black06c230

C230 does the dirty work, I would get in trouble daily if I drove the 55, plus with the power and in the rain I don't even think I would make it 2mi without wrecking. Which is why I don't even drive it with the threat of ran. Now a stock one I would drive in the rain.

RedBullJnky

I drive mine in the rain all the time.

black06c230

Braver man than I!!

RedBullJnky

I tried to race a 600 bike on a wet road once.......once.

Didn't work out to well for me.

turbo97se

The common bigger ticket items are - fuel senders/pumps, Airmatic and brakes.

If you make sure engine and trans are good, usually everything else stays in good shape … at least on mine (2005). I would expect a car of this age/mileage to have had the above work done already.

What needs bi-monthly service? Just oil due to mileage? (I assume you mean every 2 months). Mine can go for months at a time without any issues at all. I actually actively look for stuff to change out before it fails. Besides regular oil changes, there's not much else needed really within a 6 month period. Please correct me if I am wrong … I always look to improve