cadjak

I've been offered a silver, 2000 E55 AMG with 80K miles on it for $20,000. The car has a 100,000 mi. Mercedes guarantee. The rub is that I won't be able to personally inspect the car. I have seen the Maintenence print out from Mercedes and the service on it has been "religious". The seller is a friend and she says the car is perfect and offered to have me speak to her Mercedes service rep.

What should I be aware of in this purchase? It will need tires in 5-8 thousand miles. I don't know about brakes. And do any people here have recommendations on a "good" auto transporter. My last one was a disaster.

TIA,
-cadjak

moa4r

sounds like an excellent deal, i would say go for it if you don't mind the mileage...is she the first owner?? Also, find out if its ever been wrecked. This should be a very reliable car. Personally, if I knew the service records are excellent and that the car is mechanically perfect, I would also want to see up close pics of the interior to make sure the wear isn't too bad (sometimes black leather can show excessive wear and look abused) good luck

moa4r

also, check the carfax...

cadjak

Yes, she is the original owner. Good suggestion about the interior. I'm embarassed to say I can't remember if she said the interior was black or gray. I will do what is needed to get the car up to 100%. I was with a friend today who needed to replace a key for his Merc. $138!! I'm getting that I may be in for some sticker shock on this car, but driving it will make it worth it.

-cadjak

cschow

If you speak to the service advisor, ask him at what point the next major service scheduled for the car would be (I think maybe 90K miles) and how much it would cost. I believe the next major service is one of the high dollar ones.

Kar don

if u dont want it, let me know!

moa4r

the more i think about it's an amazing deal...
go for it...especially if its starmarked to 100K!!

cadjak

Ya know I've posted this question on a few MB forums. Either got lukewarm or no responses. I found MBWorld today. I'm HOME!!! My kind of people. Knowledgable, helpful, responsive. I could spend the whole day here mining bits of information. I understand why there are a few posts about getting together. I am excited as H@ll about the possibility of landing this car.

I have been told that the timing chain is a 100,000 mile item. Does anyone know if that is correct" Also, that the plastic timing chain guides are a weak point. Opinions?

Quotes so far for transporting it the 2400 miles have been about $1400. It may pay me to rent a flatbed and tow it home myself. Any other suggestions?

-cadjak

moa4r

Arnee

If you want to keep the rocks away from chipping the front of the car, I'd say have in transported in an enclosed container on the top rack, not an open container nor a flatbed......but you could also get a car cover and wrap the thing with it.

$20,000 is pretty good for an AMG model!! ....and $100k miles is nothing for Benz and BMW.

My 540i has 106k miles and is still runs and rides good (knock on wood). Also, my dad's 300E has 190k miles and it runs perfect!

I think being that it's an AMG engine its fidelity is if not the same, better than non-AMG models.

I could sell my 540i now and if I can get the same deal as you're getting, I would fork up the extra couple of grand and use the E55 as a daily driver instead of the 540.


GO FOR IT!

moa4r

why don't you go pick up the car and drive it home???

EDWARD CONROY

Oh, baby. As a friend of mine says about being offered something good...you don't say no and you don't hesitate.

EDWARD CONROY

How about pics? Can she take a bunch of digital pics and send them to you.

W210

Go for it, sounds like a good deal if it hasn't been in accidents. Good luck!

FIXEDupW209

ROAD TRIP!!!! what better way to get familiar with a car then to take a 2400 mile trip!.
dont worry much about the mileage, i was looking through autotrader and found an s600 coupe with 250 thousand miles on it!!!!!!!
price seems excelent and once you plant your foot down, the only miles you will be seeying are the miles per hour and well into triple digits

MadManAboutTown

Heck, I'd even buy that car for my son!