Test driving e55. What to look for?
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From: Indianapolis
2004 E55.98 SS Camaro.Jetta TDI. Expedition
Test driving e55. What to look for?
In the next few weeks I will be hunting down an e55 to buy. They are really scarce around Indiana. What are some things I should pay attention to while driving and inspecting? I have never driven one. I have been deep in the LS1 world for 14 years. I'm looking for a low mileage clean car fax car. looking in the 18k range..Thanks, Tony
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Joined: Jun 2008
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From: San Diego
2012 CLS63 AMG Performace - Obsidian Black
They're actually pretty scarce everywhere. 
Critical items:
1. Engine mounts- Bad ones will clunk on hard acceleration and make the shifter look like it wants to jump out of its socket. $1000 job to replace both, so be careful on this- These cars have 516 LB/FT of torque, and eat them up.
2. Transmission mount- Same concept as above, but you'll get a grinding/vibrating on acceleration. Common failure, but cheap to fix.
3. Intercooler pump failed or failing- Assuming the seller will let you, do about 3 hard 20 to 80 pulls, and then try another. If the car feels sluggish, the pump that runs fresh coolant through the air-water exchanger is bad. Fairly inexpensive (very inexpensive DIY) replacement.
4. Service records. Make sure that the car has had basic attention (oil changes, inspections, etc). Make sure to review CarFax and take the car to a dealer if you can. Most SAs will run the Vehicle Master Inquiry (VMI) if you ask nicely and assure them (
) you'll be doing all of your maintenance with him.
5. Make sure that the AC is cold and doesn't blow hot air from the rear vents (common heat valve failure, fairly cheap to fix)
6. Make sure the heater/AC fan works at all speeds
7. In all reality you should pay $100-$200 to have a PPI done- Things like rear main seal leaks and XSMN leaks are common on this car, but can only be seen on a lift.
8. Airmatic- Make sure that the car rises to the fully elevated position and then back down without drama. Switch the shocks between Comfort and Sport I/II.
9. Check for error messages in the dash.
Good luck!
Critical items:
1. Engine mounts- Bad ones will clunk on hard acceleration and make the shifter look like it wants to jump out of its socket. $1000 job to replace both, so be careful on this- These cars have 516 LB/FT of torque, and eat them up.
2. Transmission mount- Same concept as above, but you'll get a grinding/vibrating on acceleration. Common failure, but cheap to fix.
3. Intercooler pump failed or failing- Assuming the seller will let you, do about 3 hard 20 to 80 pulls, and then try another. If the car feels sluggish, the pump that runs fresh coolant through the air-water exchanger is bad. Fairly inexpensive (very inexpensive DIY) replacement.
4. Service records. Make sure that the car has had basic attention (oil changes, inspections, etc). Make sure to review CarFax and take the car to a dealer if you can. Most SAs will run the Vehicle Master Inquiry (VMI) if you ask nicely and assure them (
) you'll be doing all of your maintenance with him.5. Make sure that the AC is cold and doesn't blow hot air from the rear vents (common heat valve failure, fairly cheap to fix)
6. Make sure the heater/AC fan works at all speeds
7. In all reality you should pay $100-$200 to have a PPI done- Things like rear main seal leaks and XSMN leaks are common on this car, but can only be seen on a lift.
8. Airmatic- Make sure that the car rises to the fully elevated position and then back down without drama. Switch the shocks between Comfort and Sport I/II.
9. Check for error messages in the dash.
Good luck!
Last edited by socalsounds; Jan 4, 2015 at 08:45 PM.
Thread Starter
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From: Indianapolis
2004 E55.98 SS Camaro.Jetta TDI. Expedition
Thanks for the detailed reply
I test drove an S55 today. I was extremely impressed with the handling . Told the wife to grab the oh S@@t handle and I started cornering . No roll or lean. Feels like a 3000lb car. Inside was perfect. Ran pretty good. A little delay when I mashed into it. After it warmed up it was less. High of 15f today. Wife loved it. A little high priced. It's an 04 60k miles for 19.9k. Body had one scuff on skirt under driver side rear door.
Can't find an E55!without making a 2 day trip to Chicago . Off next week
I do plan on a pulley and tune on whatever model I buy
I test drove an S55 today. I was extremely impressed with the handling . Told the wife to grab the oh S@@t handle and I started cornering . No roll or lean. Feels like a 3000lb car. Inside was perfect. Ran pretty good. A little delay when I mashed into it. After it warmed up it was less. High of 15f today. Wife loved it. A little high priced. It's an 04 60k miles for 19.9k. Body had one scuff on skirt under driver side rear door.
Can't find an E55!without making a 2 day trip to Chicago . Off next week
I do plan on a pulley and tune on whatever model I buy
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From: NY
Sold - 05' E55
If you want an E55 just keep looking. Lately a few have been posted in the classifieds (you may have to take a little ride)
The last few days a member posted one that has mods done already, and it has warranty?
GL
The last few days a member posted one that has mods done already, and it has warranty?
GL
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 215
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From: San Diego
2012 CLS63 AMG Performace - Obsidian Black
Avoid the W220 S55. The ABC system (Active Body Control) is the source of that perceived good handling (although the W211 E55 is significantly more nimble in the right hands) is fraught with problems, like pump failures (BANG BANG BANG BANG), strut leaks, reservoir leaks and more. It is an incredibly expensive system to repair, and one that is almost guaranteed at some point to cause you heartache. The problem is that it has very high system pressure, and if it hasn't failed, it's going to at some point. Thousands upon thousands to fix.
If it's an E55 you really want, check out eBay and AutoTrader- There are usually a few, and try a wide three or four state Craigslist search as well.
If it's an E55 you really want, check out eBay and AutoTrader- There are usually a few, and try a wide three or four state Craigslist search as well.
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2004 E55.98 SS Camaro.Jetta TDI. Expedition
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From: Folsom, CA
2005 E55 AMG
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From: L.I. NY
2011 CTSV auto, 06 E55 white pano, 87 Grand national, 63 split window
Thanks for the detailed reply
I test drove an S55 today. I was extremely impressed with the handling . Told the wife to grab the oh S@@t handle and I started cornering . No roll or lean. Feels like a 3000lb car. Inside was perfect. Ran pretty good. A little delay when I mashed into it. After it warmed up it was less. High of 15f today. Wife loved it. A little high priced. It's an 04 60k miles for 19.9k. Body had one scuff on skirt under driver side rear door.
Can't find an E55!without making a 2 day trip to Chicago . Off next week
I do plan on a pulley and tune on whatever model I buy
I test drove an S55 today. I was extremely impressed with the handling . Told the wife to grab the oh S@@t handle and I started cornering . No roll or lean. Feels like a 3000lb car. Inside was perfect. Ran pretty good. A little delay when I mashed into it. After it warmed up it was less. High of 15f today. Wife loved it. A little high priced. It's an 04 60k miles for 19.9k. Body had one scuff on skirt under driver side rear door.
Can't find an E55!without making a 2 day trip to Chicago . Off next week
I do plan on a pulley and tune on whatever model I buy
Although the S55 cost more new, the resale of E55's is generally higher in these models because they are more desirable. Depending on options, it will not be easy to find one in the $18k range with 'low' mileage. I was recently hunting for one and well maintained cars demand a premium even if they have 90k-100k miles. A great example is the one I bought which had 92k miles and was decently maintained and in need of a few things but the original paint was in incredible condition and the interior was like new. I did go over the maintenance pretty well and with new batteries, tires, oil change, belts and fix some of the options so they all now work...so I put $2k into the car and it is now nearly perfect. To have done what I did would have cost the average guy $4k. (I am in the car biz). The point I am trying to make is that when I sell my car, it will have over 100k miles but it will need absolutely nothing and be in better condition then most 40k-70k mile cars. Lesson learned, look at the owner closer then the car!
Good luck in your search!
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From: Canada
07 E63 + 07 CLK63CAB
19.9 for the car, make them an offer 18.2K, I never let the price on the windshield reflect the price I am willing to pay. I am not in the dealership to make friends with the salesman because as soon as the deal is done he could not give a rats patuie of who I am, the commission is already spent.
Went with my son in law to buy a mint 1 owner 70 year old doctors car, never seen winter,04 645ci 6 speed BMW 51,000 km black,black asking 20,100, two offers 18000 out the door, refused, 2nd offer 18200 accepted fluids changed 2 new Bridgestone runflats on the front end as they were original tires 1200 plus alignment thrown in as well as full detail. Car has 17 pages of BMW documented service from brand new.
This was meticulously maintained. Never smoked in. Now that is a deal.
Went with my son in law to buy a mint 1 owner 70 year old doctors car, never seen winter,04 645ci 6 speed BMW 51,000 km black,black asking 20,100, two offers 18000 out the door, refused, 2nd offer 18200 accepted fluids changed 2 new Bridgestone runflats on the front end as they were original tires
1200 plus alignment thrown in as well as full detail. Car has 17 pages of BMW documented service from brand new.This was meticulously maintained. Never smoked in. Now that is a deal.
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From: Sandy-Eggo, Kali
Your Mom Krazy
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From: L.I. NY
2011 CTSV auto, 06 E55 white pano, 87 Grand national, 63 split window
For me...I would have purchased a CLS55 but being 6' 5" tall...the CLS is NOT an option for me! lol...It is the best looking of them all...no doubt in my mind!
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From: Sandy-Eggo, Kali
Your Mom Krazy
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From: NOMAD
EQS AMG, E53 AMG, GLE63s
I personally like the CLS55, it seems it handles a lot better than the E and that car is A LOT more noticed than E55. E looks like a grandma's car but I still wouldn't mind driving it. I love the big body look
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2004 E55.98 SS Camaro.Jetta TDI. Expedition
Well we are going to Chicago wed-Friday . Wife has upped the budget to 25k. We are also going to look at an E63 and a S65. And a bunch of E55. The S65 is breath taking. Don't think I can afford a tune up.. Unless it's the performance tune. I like all of them. The e63 is an 07 and the S65 is an 06. The E55 are all 04's
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From: San Diego
2012 CLS63 AMG Performace - Obsidian Black
You do realize your answering questions on the E55 forum, correct? Thanks for your uninspired (at best) opinion that our cars look like "grandma's car".
This thread was started by someone looking for information regarding maintenance points on the E55, not your CLS. I've driven both, and the CLS is too big to drive aggressively and I would never track it. I bought my E55 cash in hand, and could have easily bought a CLS. I didn't. I drove both. And the E55 drives better, period. There's also a significant "baller on a budget" factor when you drive your (now old as well) CLS.
If you simply can't wait for someone to post questions about your ever-so-cool CLS, why don't you post one and answer it yourself- On the CLS side.
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E55
Well we are going to Chicago wed-Friday . Wife has upped the budget to 25k. We are also going to look at an E63 and a S65. And a bunch of E55. The S65 is breath taking. Don't think I can afford a tune up.. Unless it's the performance tune. I like all of them. The e63 is an 07 and the S65 is an 06. The E55 are all 04's
Same with the first year of the m156 engine there are many issues and you will possibly be spending thousands on those but the actual chassis by 2007 was pretty good.
With 25k you can find a perfect looking 2006 e55 and have money left for repairs and a couple mods. Good luck and have fun!
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From: DownEast Maine
CLS 55 AMG E500 ML320
You should buy a car off this board and pay a grand for shipping. Better car, less surprises. The common issues can easily run you a few thousand if they haven't been dealt with yet. Especially if you can't do it yourself.
