TCO? Total Cost of Ownership?
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Joined: Oct 2014
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2005 E55 AMG
TCO? Total Cost of Ownership?
I currently own a 2000 Audi A4 and a 2000 Audi S4. Both have had their fair share of maintenance issues and repairs but nothing that caused me cardiac arrest.
How does a 2004-2006 E55 AMG compare? I'm a pretty hardcore DIYer. I have most tools and a lift, but I'm not a mechanic by trade.
Are there mileage-specific issues to watch out for? A CPO is not really an option so there will be no warranty. Does it make sense to spend big money for a low-mileage car? If so, why?
Are modded cars trouble? I found one with 100k miles and a Eurocharged stage 3 kit. Very tempting but not if it's going to be one giant headache.
How does a 2004-2006 E55 AMG compare? I'm a pretty hardcore DIYer. I have most tools and a lift, but I'm not a mechanic by trade.
Are there mileage-specific issues to watch out for? A CPO is not really an option so there will be no warranty. Does it make sense to spend big money for a low-mileage car? If so, why?
Are modded cars trouble? I found one with 100k miles and a Eurocharged stage 3 kit. Very tempting but not if it's going to be one giant headache.
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 242
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From: Houston
Mercedes E55
pretty decent cars to own as long as they're taken care for. I would look out for suspension issues, fuel pump smells, sbc unit replacements, and for the mods, if the car has supporting mods for the stage 3 kit you'll be fine
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2013
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From: 'Merica
'04 E55 (Gone but not forgotten), '13 C63 P31 (RIP), another '13 C63 PP
Get a pre-purchase inspection from a dealership or a respected indie. It will cost you 150-250, but it is well worth it to know exactly what you are looking at.
Thread Starter
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2005 E55 AMG
For the SBC are you saying I want to verify it's already been replaced? Seems like these units have a limited lifespan.
The other car that I found somewhat local is bone stock as far as the engine is concerned but lowered on coilovers with 20s. Looks great but I think I want the air ride and the ability to raise the car with the push of a button.
The other car that I found somewhat local is bone stock as far as the engine is concerned but lowered on coilovers with 20s. Looks great but I think I want the air ride and the ability to raise the car with the push of a button.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 260
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From: Near A-Town,PA
06 E55 AMG
Welcome to the MBWorld FieroGT. We met this past weekend. You will get tons of info here. I personaly would stay away from a high milage beast unless you get all maintenace records or anything that was done after market wise. You just don't know if the car has been beat to hell, there becoming more affordable for some of these young guys to get there hands on and beat the heck out of them. MPO..
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Joined: Sep 2013
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From: Houston
Mercedes E55
For the SBC are you saying I want to verify it's already been replaced? Seems like these units have a limited lifespan.
The other car that I found somewhat local is bone stock as far as the engine is concerned but lowered on coilovers with 20s. Looks great but I think I want the air ride and the ability to raise the car with the push of a button.
The other car that I found somewhat local is bone stock as far as the engine is concerned but lowered on coilovers with 20s. Looks great but I think I want the air ride and the ability to raise the car with the push of a button.
You want coils! Saves you a lot of money and time!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,439
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From: NY
Sold - 05' E55
The MB's are not much different then the Audi's - Meaning if you take care of them and do the necessary maintenance you'll be fine with car.
We have both cars in my household (modded E, & stage 3)
Do yourself a favor and look up the DIY's, you'll find a lot of helpful info.
GL and Welcome
We have both cars in my household (modded E, & stage 3)
Do yourself a favor and look up the DIY's, you'll find a lot of helpful info.
GL and Welcome
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2005 E55 AMG
mobhouse - is your car on coilovers? I initially thought about it that way...that it will be one less complicated failure to worry about it but I'm also a bit concerned about how well it rides and handles with aftermarket coilovers. Sounds like they're the BC Racing coilovers. A quick search shows them for about $1k for the set from Amazon.
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2014
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2005 E55 AMG
Is there anything specific in the necessary maintenance category that I should look out for? The SBC unit was mentioned, but is there a crazy expensive timing belt service at 100k miles or anything like that to be aware of? I don't want to buy a car only to have to spend thousands on maintenance that wasn't done just to get it up to date.
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Joined: May 2014
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From: Silicon Valley
V60 Polestar, Veloster N 6MT
You own a B5 S4 and you're asking if modded cars are trouble? 
Kidding aside (I owned a stg 2+ B5 S4 and a C5 S6), as others have already stated, make sure you get maintenance history/VMI for the car you want to get.
Good luck and welcome!
Kidding aside (I owned a stg 2+ B5 S4 and a C5 S6), as others have already stated, make sure you get maintenance history/VMI for the car you want to get.
Good luck and welcome!
Thread Starter
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2005 E55 AMG
I know that this is an ironic question coming from a modded B5 S4, but I'm not as capable physically as I used to be so I'm looking for an automatic trans car that's seriously fast and that I don't have to work on every week.
I read about the #8 cylinder issue a few times and it doesn't seem overly common, but this doesn't seem like an engine I want to be replacing or rebuilding...probably costs more than the car.
I read about the #8 cylinder issue a few times and it doesn't seem overly common, but this doesn't seem like an engine I want to be replacing or rebuilding...probably costs more than the car.
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Joined: Sep 2013
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From: Houston
Mercedes E55
mobhouse - is your car on coilovers? I initially thought about it that way...that it will be one less complicated failure to worry about it but I'm also a bit concerned about how well it rides and handles with aftermarket coilovers. Sounds like they're the BC Racing coilovers. A quick search shows them for about $1k for the set from Amazon.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2014
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2005 E55 AMG
Anything else?
I haven't gotten too many cautions. Either these are really reliable cars or everyone's just being quiet 
I read about the fuel pumps failing around 90k - 100k. Is that common? Anything else I should be concerned about?
I read about the fuel pumps failing around 90k - 100k. Is that common? Anything else I should be concerned about?
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Joined: Mar 2011
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From: The Granite State
.
A lot of guys have selective memories when it comes to the "costs" to drive an E55.....
I really try to keep mine in perfect cosmetic and operating condition, and that gets expensive. Some guys don't care as much when stuff breaks (like the pano roof)... they just stop using it. Same for interior trim buttons or dynamic seat pumps, or the electric rear sunshade.
The question of "expensive" depends on your point of reference too. If you buy a used E55 these days for $15,000..... then sure, spending $1000 on fuel pumps will seem expensive relative to the purchase price.... and a $2500 pano roof repair will seem downright stupid.
If you want to play the E55 game cheaply, you really need to be a good DIY'er.... almost everything can be fixed yourself assuming you have the time, tools and patience to do it. This also assumes that you place no value on your own time.
Make no mistake, I really love my E55 but when it comes to maintenance costs....this girl knows how to EAT!!!
-G
