june82000

I'm looking around for E55 (W211) vehicles on the east coast. Some are really high - over 20k; most in the 16k range.

I want Black; no more than 125k miles, clean condition, clean carfax, with some dealer service history including ABC replacement and no mechanical issues (at least nothing major).

I'm not worried about Distronic (not sure if that was an option in '05) but I'd like everything else.

What's a fair price?

What's a really good fair price?

Thanks!

june82000

Those are dumb questions! Er, wait, I was the one asking it. Oh well, if you feel so inclined...

stockC43

No matter what you buy or where you buy it make sure you get a pre purchase inspection. It will save your a$$ later. If your looking at higher mile cars I wouldn't pay over 20 ( unless its a wagon) you should be able to find a good well maintained car in the mid/upper teens. My 04 with 125k was less than 13 for reference. It was from a friend and it needs a few little things here or there but overall a nice car. A coworker bought a clean 07 e63 with 100k for 24k last year.

sy1616

I just bought a mint, like new 05 with 27k miles for $27k. Includes a warranty too for 14 months. Car needs nothing. I think it was fair. Currently I know of 3 05s with less than 32k miles for $30-$33k.

urbamworm

My 05 I wouldn't sell for less than about $23-24k and it has 90k miles now. Mine is special though, white with pano roof and the extras. Oh and black interior, not the ugly black with redish (merlot?) inserts. Black is just well, black, so you can find those everywhere and probably cheap.

Quicksilv3r

Clean higher-mileage examples with documented history bring high teens. Some brave individuals are asking a bit more, but they may or may not be getting it.

black06c230

Hey now don't hate on Designo Merlot!!! jk it's exactly how I wanted mine.

Yacht Master

I have seen 13-25, on a 9 year old car it is all about condition, obviously the low mile, garage kept beauties that are one of many cars owned by a person will always bring top dollar, because they have the $$ to own and maintain and are never in a position to have to sell.
PPI is a must, the cost of parts alone on these cars is brutal, if buying from a dealer it might be possible get a warranty.

turbo97se

If you think $20K is high for this type of car then think again about owning one. Repair bills will be high unless you are a keen DIYer with good knowledge of these cars. Even warranty on these cars is not all that cheap.

211.070

I paid 18K for mine last year. It had 90K on it. Clean carfax, impeccable service history, and a near perfect interior. The exterior has rock chips, and minor scratches. Normal exterior wear for a vehicle of this age/ mileage.

Tremek

One comment, ABC is on the S-class, SLs, etc. but I'm pretty sure our E-class' Airmatic system isn't ABC, which is a VERY good thing from a replacement (cost) standpoint. Staring at my car now, which needs rear air shocks... At least Arnott is reasonable and has a lifetime warranty!

Last comment, my '05 last July was 17k, 99k, clean one-owner carfax and very clean overall. There's a little bit of wiggle room on these but not much.

Quicksilv3r

Yea like others have mentioned, repair costs are insane. Without a warranty I've probably put about $7500 into mine in just the first year of ownership, but then again I'm OCD about having it perfect.

Rallyboy383

Dang man! What did you have to have fixed?

Tremek

Mine is not perfect, but I'm at about +$10k in mods, preventative maintenance, and repairs, and mine is very tame on the mods so far (split cooling, trunk tank, pump, upgraded HE, belt wrap kit, SC pulley, tune.)

That should be a strong indicator that the cars you're aiming at will be a little needy.

Hsg08

Low mileage e55s without service history dont mean anything compare with high mileage e55s with stacks of service history.

BlownV8

Exactly, ABC is a pain in the *** and a total budget killer. Airmatic is a dream compared to ABC.

june82000

Thanks for all the input. Looking at a clean, well sorted '05 w/112k and M-B dealer service records with recent items such as new brakes, reconditioned wheels, all fluids flushed, oil chg, all filters, professional detail, a couple of small door dings were removed, overall very clean car. Clean carfax and autocheck, 1 owner adult owned vehicle. Only thing is the auto trunk close feature is inop. We're talking numbers at $13,500 which is about $1,500 less than he is asking.

june82000

So the '05 is Airmatic vice ABC? What's the difference?

Yacht Master

All w211 E55 are AirMatic here is some info on standard issue, the AMG's have an up graded version.

219 HO SAS (ACB-ICC) 07-31-02.pdf

ABC=Active Body Control only came on S class and SL you don't even want to know about it.

june82000

Thanks, I was actually considering the S for a while but decided against it for a couple of reasons. Good news about the airmatic - I'll check it out - Thanks!

BlownV8

Airmatic uses an air compressor and airbags. ABC uses a tandem pump for the steering and hydraulic suspension. ABC has many parts, hoses, and sensors that can and do fail. It is at least 10x more expensive to maintain an ABC equipped car than Airmatic.

biggking

What did you pay for the car? What did you change? I just bought mine and a full tune-up, fluids, brakes only cost me $3000. Seems like a lot of money put into the car (unless you have high miles).

june82000

$3000 for a tune up, fluids and brakes? How much was parts and how much was labor?

06E55

I have that ugly black with reddish (merlot) insert.... All black is the ugly one!

G_Money

Oh yeah? Well I got the blue inserts