Critter

No sir I have not seen the car personally, just on the website.
You sound like you can be a good negotiator, just remember the salesman is not your best buddy.
Rule 1 never trust a used car salesman.
Rule 2 never be ashamed of a low ball offer, even if the guy says he cannot "do it for that", just tell him to present the offer to the head salesman, for sure he will come back with his offer and so the fun begins, go up 3-500 on your offer then send it back to him, make sure all requests are written on the purchase agreement like new tires, oil change, fluids changed etc.
Rule 3 never be afraid to get up and head for the door, of course take the test ride with Jackie first


Good Hunting

mkiv_tdi

Hey guys, a few more pics to look at. Again, I'm not all that familiar with the E55 intricacies, so let me know if anything stands out.







Front brakes:





The sales man has been super thorough, and he's sent me pics of everything I've asked (considering going to see this car is a 5hr drive for me). But he also seems new to the car industry. When I asked him to tell me what tires the car had on it, it took him forever to pronounce "Hankook" and "Pirelli", as if he had never heard of those names in his life. Also, I asked him to do 5 pulls back to back. He said by the 4th the car seemed to be falling on its face, so I guess it's also due for a new intercooler pump.

VegasHruby

Looks dirty as hell. If my engine bay looked like that..... but that is probably par for the course living in areas of rain and snow.

Critter

rotor is shot as well as the pads, running on borrowed time.
Cracks coming from the vent hole in first rotor pic.
Would be wise to ask for complete brake job/rotors and pads, included with offer as well as the new front same brand tires.
Car would be sketchy to pass safety requirements in Canada with those brakes. You can see just how far the pistons are out and the chamfer is gone that will be on a new pad on the leading edges.

mkiv_tdi

See, this is all awesome stuff. Will pass Thanks guys.

Critter

No Mkvi tdi this is bargaining power, if they will not do these things and whatever else the ppi finds then walk away.
In Canada this would be a "as is sale" ( private) and the buyer would have to assume all responsibility for making the car safe.
Some dealerships sell the car first then go through the car to make it right. In the US though things are different.
Talk to the salesman and request those items to be included in the sale, just because they ask 20K for the car, well you know!

mkiv_tdi

You're right. But there are too many "little issues" that need to be addressed, and the fact that it's a 5 owner, and I just don't want too many huge surprised down the road.

And these are all issues I've seen without even looking at the car in person. I've still got to make the 10hr round trip, pay to take it to the PPI, and who knows what else might get uncovered... I don't know if it's worth the hassle.

Critter

Understood, could you contact the sales guy and ask if the car would be certified, like with new brakes and tires, just to see what he says. Yes 5 hour trip is no game either especially if the car cannot be driven back the same day.

Lookn4E55

Im also looking for an e55 and was wondering if you evwr checked the one in the bronx out because that one caught my eye also but unfortunately im in Ohio so its some drive

mkiv_tdi

I did. My girlfriend lives about 10 minutes away, so I thought I'd swing by for curiosity's sake a few weeks ago.

First of all, I had just come back from a bike ride in the city, so when I walked in, the sales manager immediately goes, "what, you plan on trading in your bicycle today?" in front of some of his sales staff. It wasn't funny, and close to 88* out, I wasn't much in the mood for 4th grade jokes.

I asked him about the E55 for sale, and he had no idea what I was talking about. Another sales rep overheard, so she piped up and goes, "yea, it's a mercedes, right? Come this way...."


She then takes me to a different sales rep sitting in his cubicle scrolling through facebook on his phone.

Me: Hey, I'd like to check out the E55 you've got for sale on Craigslist/Autotrader/Cars.com.

Him: "Nah, it's not for sale."

Me: "Oh, you guys already sold it? Cool, thanks for your time."

Him: "Nah, we ain't sell it yet."

Me: "Oh, you guys have it off site or something? When can I see it?"

Him: "You can't see it. It isn't."

Me: "It isn't what? You know what, never mind..."

I don't know if it's because I'm in my early twenties, or because I pulled up in a $3,000 bicycle, but they were trying to hide this car.

**** that dealer. I called back when I got to my GF's apartment, to try and rule out my appearance for the way I was treated. I got the same exact runaround. Initially the sales rep that answered said it WAS for sale. Then I was transferred to another sales rep that said it WASN'T available. I asked if it had sold, and they just asked if I was interested in another car in their lot and dodged the question....

I hung up.

**** that place. It was a dump of an area, their sales staff was all sitting around killing time. Nobody seemed to give a damn about selling cars.

Lookn4E55

Thx for your prompt response, the area surrounding the car seemed dirty in the pics but I wasnt sure if they were remodeling or not and ill stay away from this car.

mkiv_tdi

No problem. It wasn't worth the 5 minutes out of my day to swing by there on my way to the GF's house. Let alone hours worth of a drive.

mkiv_tdi

Bump with new potential car!

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...85689999&Log=0

2000UZJ

I'm not too far away. Let me know if you need to put a second set of eyes on it.

mkiv_tdi

Thanks!

Mods list from owner:

1) Mod phase 1 - EUROCHARGED S/C Pulley and Tune
Johnson intercooler pump, resonator & 2nd cat delete, added x pipe.
2) Carbon front lip spoiler and rear deck spoiler
3) K&N Air Filters
4) FTP Polished aluminum beast intake tubes
5) Mercedes Benz fuel sender repair - 1,100
6) TSW 18” Wheels
7) Rear Tires - 47,250 on 2/15/14 Michelin Pilot Super Sport
8) Front Tires - 47,300 on 2/17/14 Michelin Pilot Super Sport
9) Custom Painted Badges to match wheels
10) Oil change& rear diff change 47,300 on 2/17/14
11) Mercedes Motor mounts & Trans Mount replaced 06/14 (not needed but labor was free because of header install)
12) Klemmann Short Tube Stainless Headers 06/14
13) Akebono Front Ceramic brakes & Mercedes AMG rotors 5/23/14
14) Buckhead Performance Split Supercharger Cooling System 06/14
15) Oil Change 10-17-14

2000UZJ

Sounds like a great car! Much better than the one from the sketchy dealer ha!

60nomad

I considered that car but he is asking ALL the money! Seems like a great car though! I probably would have bought it in the $23k range...that's $5500 more then I paid for a loaded white car with 35k more miles. So, I would have paid considerably more but I think he was pretty firm on price! Either way, if it is what he says then at like $25k then it is probably worth it. He was 600 miles from me...if he were local then I def would have looked at it.


P.S. I must add, you are one patient guy! You have been looking for 9 months!

mkiv_tdi

I am :/ My friends and family are getting sick of me. lol.

So he's firm on the $27,5?
I was considering offering $25 even...

2000UZJ

If you don't buy it I may sell mine and purchase this one. Stupid clean and only 56K!

60nomad

I honestly don't recall what the story was...I think I emailed him, don't think I spoke to him. Give him a call let me know what he says about price.