benjamin4000

Sorry if this is an annoying post.....but looking for help understanding current market for our cars. I have a late model silver on black 2005 with very low miles (~35K). Modestly equipped doesn't have pano, distronic, parking sensors, active seats, electronic trunk closer, or rear window shade.


Very clean, I'm second owner....bought it w/only 12K miles. I did do the Eurocharged 172 Pulley, Tune, and Cooling package.......and tint on all glass. Also comes with transferable 5 yr/70K mile warranty of which there are still ~3 yrs of coverage left. Fidelity highest level coverage.


Any informed opinions on a price range would be appreciated. A quick search on Autotrader shows only 7 '05 model year cars currently on sale nationwide with <60K miles. Avg price is $29K.

55fanatic

would think $35k... it doesnt have much installed as far as options go... does it have xenons? Nav?

benjamin4000

Yes has xenons and nav. Also edited above to reflect the Fidelity warranty contract included.

Enigma94

I don't know about 35k.... That's 2010 e63 money... Granted they are not the same car and some people only want a e55, I think most people would rather a newer car than pay the same price for an older e55, MOST people. I think 27-30 would be the range I'd shoot for. Obviously only you know what you have into the car and what you would be willing to take so unless you are forced to sell it then put it up for the least amount you'd feel comfortable taking and sit on it.

AKnight55

$30k

shawnoc2003

FWIW-I paid 28k last year for mine which appear to be identical to yours except for keyless-go, metallic black and new tires. Since I bought it at a dealer I'd expect private sale to be a little less but hey I really wanted keyless-go and my Denali was dying.

Clean ones are getting harder to find.

BlownV8

It's worth around $23k assuming it is in very good condition. You may sell for more or less but that's what it's worth if you sell yourself.

patrick_y

$29K for any 2005 E55 is very high. A lot of the cars on Autotrader are listed at a high price but generally don't sell.

In general, a 2005 E55 with your low mileage is probably worth in the low $20K range. Based on location, condition, service history, provenance, etc. That doesn't mean you can't find someone who really likes it to spend $29K for it, but that'd be a poorly informed buyer in that case. They do exist, but they're fairly rare.

MindBend

Lots of other factors play-in: color combo, Autocheck Score (yes, people look), service records/history.

Disagree with above statement...you're very high $20's to low $30's. Forum isn't where you'll get your best sale.

AgSilver

After 8 years of ownership I have to say it is still the finest car I have ever owned (and I have owned quite a few). I am constantly test driving new cars and yes, the new E63 BT which can be brought up 800+ hp for about $16k is impressive, but feels just too slick, too refined. Whereas, even an unmolested E55 has that wonderful rough quality about it which appropriately resulted in it to forever known as the"The Beast." An endearing and most appropriate moniker. That said, the "Beast" will bite you if not properly maintained. Preventative maintenance is not waiting for a component to fail. You cannot "cheap-out" or to be blunt, you best have the financial resources to keep everything in order. The "Beast" does not take kindly to jerry-rigging.

I may not have to have the highest HP "Beast", but it's pretty stout with lots of little upgrades and has proven to be the ultimate Autobahn stealth marauder (as long as my wife is not on board). At the same time it is a wonderful, safe, comfortable long distance high speed cruiser.

Accordingly, I have no intention parting company with "The Beast."

BlownV8

At that price it will sit for a very long time or will not sell at all. The depreciation is very high on these cars. I had a big dose of it not long ago and it was humbling. Just don't confuse what it's worth to you versus what's it worth to a buyer. It will take a very uneducated buyer with lots of cash in their pocket to get anything over mid 20's.

I hope the seller gets as much as they can get. You are probably right with the comment on the forum not being the best place to find a buyer. This group is more educated than the average buyer.

Sir-Boost-a-Lot

iTrader: (1)

Any used car, especially a used car with an enthusiast following ,is only worth what anyone is willing to pay for it. So to say that his 35k mile car isn't worth $29k and anyone who pays that for it is an uneducated buyer is wrong. It's worth $29k if someone will pay $29k for it, although that might not happen overnight.

This doesn't make the buyer uninformed, it's just that there's not exactly one just like it sitting collecting dust on every used car lot across the globe.

55fanatic

this... These aren't some run of the mill car. Some people would still pay top dollar for a low mileage E55. His low option list probably isnt helping the cause though. I think 30-35k all day long

Shadow5501

Are buyers of an '05 paying cash, or do people still take out loans to buy these things? If the latter, then what they can offer is constrained by what the lender will loan. And that is influenced by KBB, NADA, etc. FWIW, a quick glance at the NADA consumer site showed a 35K mile '05 at about $25K retail.

p30amg08

MOST (65%+) people will take out loans. Realistically, depending on what maintenance has been done..(miles are important but age is more important in this case.) Car is still almost 10 yrs old and will need maintenance very close to a 10 yr e55. I think its worth 25k.

I agree, anything is worth anything someone is willing to pay for it.

Look at the Dallas real estate market!...jeeez

BlownV8

To get more than 23 to 25k, it will have to be a cash buyer. True, it's what someone is willing to pay. I don't see someone paying more than full retail but I've been wrong before.

SilverStrk

Let us know what you get as I have an 05 with 51K and basically same options plus my mods and am the original owner with history.. So I am curios.. Location does play a role in price.. Good Luck...

SheriffDep

Honestly, unless an specific buyer wants a low mileage 05' thats likely mint, price is way high. That narrows down the buyers market a ton. Yes a desirable car, but.... those who want specifically a e55 will likely modify it and in a lot of cases a 50-60k car won't matter to them. So that narrows that down even further. So yes there might be a person to work that price down from 29 to 25 or so, but when you can get a 60-70kish E63 for 25k dropping to e55might not make sense to them.

I just let my 07 E63 with 78k on the clock in brand new condition with a 2 year warranty go for 24k. So e55 with 36k on it, a bit over priced in comparison.

Book value (real book value) is around 16k. Loan is 18-24k with retail being 18-24k NADA. However, mark it for a reasonable price and see if someone is interested. It might take a bit of time, but there are a lot of people in this country and someone might take you up on it.

sy1616

I paid cash for my 05 E55 in March, similarly optioned, mines black with black/ blue interior mint, likely oen of nicest in country with 1.5 yr warranty with 27k miles for $27k, only mod is a Eurocharged tune. I'm ok with that. Bit high maybe but again, near perfect, underside of engine is squeaky clean ,no rain ever, etc. your car, I'd say $25-$27k

Quadcammer

Ask $28k, be prepared to accept $24k.

CharlyE500

IMO $25K top.

WIKDWS6

Bank of America was willing to give a loan for $27K on an 04 E55 with 23K miles.

Sir-Boost-a-Lot

iTrader: (1)

Keep in mind that to many enthusiasts, an 05-06 E55 is worth more than an 07-09 E63.

baron.eggelbert

20-24K, but I would think most buyers are looking for the options you lack.

Be prepared to discount $2K or whatever for the guy that shows up with cash/cashier's check in full. Those buyers are very few and far between (and they know it) but they actually get the deal done unlike the tire kickers who have to take out loans -- and always have 500 different stories of why they eventually can't pay.

Critter

There is no bargain at the bank on a 10 year old car, the interest rate will be high and the length of loan will be short, 3 years probably.
Sir boast a lot I would not trade my E for two 55's in any condition, but that is just me.