WTB 2005 E55 opinions
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12 Golf R
WTB 2005 E55 opinions
I've been casually looking for a while for a 211 E55(or cheaper C63). I'm leaning towards an 05/06 55 and found an 05 locally.
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/5482937856.html
Guy has owned it a short time and claims it's not suitable for the family.. Says the airmatic hasn't had any components replaced and doesn't know about the SBC or fuel pumps being replaced. He's asking roughly $3,000 over what blue book says, and I want to get him down to a more realistic price(if it's even worth it).
I'd value your guys' thoughts on this deal!
Cheers
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/5482937856.html
5.5 liter factory supercharged V8. Clean title. 119K miles. Silver with black leather interior. 5 speed automatic transmission with 3 modes(sport, manual, and comfort) with steering wheel mounted shifting buttons. Power: windows, door locks, and mirrors. Power front heated/cooled memory seats. Keyless entry. Navigation. Rear sunshade. AM/FM stereo with 6 disc in-dash CD changer. A/C with dual front and rear cabin climate controls. Cruise control. Moonroof. Push button trunk close(on trunk lid). 4 wheel disc brakes with ABS. New rear tires. Fronts still have plenty of tread with a recent rotation and balance. Recent "D" service. Recent transmission service. Fuel tank was recently replaced by Stevens Creek Mercedes under extended warranty. Driver's side exhaust manifold replaced. Very clean. Runs well. $14,500 O.B.O. . No trades. Serious inquires only please.
I'd value your guys' thoughts on this deal!
Cheers
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Joined: Jan 2014
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From: Republic of Texas
'99 and '05 E55 AMG
If no proof(!) of fuel filter and fuel pumps and fuel pump relay replacement (should have occurred with fuel tank replacement but maybe not), budget $1000 if you perform the work yourself.
Air springs will be approaching failure point after 100K miles. Budget $1900 for new aftermarket air springs if you perform the work yourself.
Ball joints and bushings will be worn or about to pass failure points if original; budget $520 for the rear control arms and $400 for the front control arms if you perform the work yourself.
Don't forget a set of tires. Add $800 to $1200.
Check the inside walls of the wheels for cracks. $400 to $1000 per wheel if cracked. If previously repaired, toss it. It'll crack again.
SBC you need to find someone with a diagnostic system who can read the brake actuation count. Instructions are here in the forum. Routine maintenance.
Spark plugs, wires, belts, pulleys, budget $1200 if you perform the work yourself. Search because you can rebuild the supercharger idler pulley for $27 or you can purchase a new one for $540.
Budget about $800 for a diagnostic system. You'll need it and want it to reduce frustration.
I learned all of the above with my '05 E55. Bought it with 77K miles and replaced the above within 25,000 miles. Expensive car to maintain. Fun car but go into it with your eyes open as to how much of your income it will consume (picture barbarian hordes descending upon your keg of beer).
FWIW: if I were to sell my '05 E55 for his asking price, it would cost me $14,000 to own my car for 18 months. I'm going to hang onto mine for a few more years to amortize the cost. Be sure you aren't picking up the expenses the current owner did not want to accept.
Best to you. It's a good but expensive car to maintain properly.
Air springs will be approaching failure point after 100K miles. Budget $1900 for new aftermarket air springs if you perform the work yourself.
Ball joints and bushings will be worn or about to pass failure points if original; budget $520 for the rear control arms and $400 for the front control arms if you perform the work yourself.
Don't forget a set of tires. Add $800 to $1200.
Check the inside walls of the wheels for cracks. $400 to $1000 per wheel if cracked. If previously repaired, toss it. It'll crack again.
SBC you need to find someone with a diagnostic system who can read the brake actuation count. Instructions are here in the forum. Routine maintenance.
Spark plugs, wires, belts, pulleys, budget $1200 if you perform the work yourself. Search because you can rebuild the supercharger idler pulley for $27 or you can purchase a new one for $540.
Budget about $800 for a diagnostic system. You'll need it and want it to reduce frustration.
I learned all of the above with my '05 E55. Bought it with 77K miles and replaced the above within 25,000 miles. Expensive car to maintain. Fun car but go into it with your eyes open as to how much of your income it will consume (picture barbarian hordes descending upon your keg of beer).
FWIW: if I were to sell my '05 E55 for his asking price, it would cost me $14,000 to own my car for 18 months. I'm going to hang onto mine for a few more years to amortize the cost. Be sure you aren't picking up the expenses the current owner did not want to accept.
Best to you. It's a good but expensive car to maintain properly.
Last edited by bbirdwell; Mar 10, 2016 at 10:53 PM.
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12 Golf R
If no proof(!) of fuel filter and fuel pumps and fuel pump relay replacement (should have occurred with fuel tank replacement but maybe not), budget $1000 if you perform the work yourself.
Air springs will be approaching failure point after 100K miles. Budget $1900 for new aftermarket air springs if you perform the work yourself.
Ball joints and bushings will be worn or about to pass failure points if original; budget $520 for the rear control arms and $400 for the front control arms if you perform the work yourself.
Don't forget a set of tires. Add $800 to $1200.
Check the inside walls of the wheels for cracks. $400 to $1000 per wheel if cracked. If previously repaired, toss it. It'll crack again.
SBC you need to find someone with a diagnostic system who can read the brake actuation count. Instructions are here in the forum. Routine maintenance.
Spark plugs, wires, belts, pulleys, budget $1200 if you perform the work yourself. Search because you can rebuild the supercharger idler pulley for $27 or you can purchase a new one for $540.
Budget about $800 for a diagnostic system. You'll need it and want it to reduce frustration.
I learned all of the above with my '05 E55. Bought it with 77K miles and replaced the above within 25,000 miles. Expensive car to maintain. Fun car but go into it with your eyes open as to how much of your income it will consume (picture barbarian hordes descending upon your keg of beer).
FWIW: if I were to sell my '05 E55 for his asking price, it would cost me $14,000 to own my car for 18 months. I'm going to hang onto mine for a few more years to amortize the cost. Be sure you aren't picking up the expenses the current owner did not want to accept.
Best to you. It's a good but expensive car to maintain properly.
Air springs will be approaching failure point after 100K miles. Budget $1900 for new aftermarket air springs if you perform the work yourself.
Ball joints and bushings will be worn or about to pass failure points if original; budget $520 for the rear control arms and $400 for the front control arms if you perform the work yourself.
Don't forget a set of tires. Add $800 to $1200.
Check the inside walls of the wheels for cracks. $400 to $1000 per wheel if cracked. If previously repaired, toss it. It'll crack again.
SBC you need to find someone with a diagnostic system who can read the brake actuation count. Instructions are here in the forum. Routine maintenance.
Spark plugs, wires, belts, pulleys, budget $1200 if you perform the work yourself. Search because you can rebuild the supercharger idler pulley for $27 or you can purchase a new one for $540.
Budget about $800 for a diagnostic system. You'll need it and want it to reduce frustration.
I learned all of the above with my '05 E55. Bought it with 77K miles and replaced the above within 25,000 miles. Expensive car to maintain. Fun car but go into it with your eyes open as to how much of your income it will consume (picture barbarian hordes descending upon your keg of beer).
FWIW: if I were to sell my '05 E55 for his asking price, it would cost me $14,000 to own my car for 18 months. I'm going to hang onto mine for a few more years to amortize the cost. Be sure you aren't picking up the expenses the current owner did not want to accept.
Best to you. It's a good but expensive car to maintain properly.
Yes I realize there is a lot of maintenance items on these cars. My last Benz was an 01 E55, all I did was valve cover gaskets and motor mounts. Oh and a trans fluid replacement. All pretty easy stuff and it had 142k when I got rid of it. The 211 is a much more demanding car to maintain so I hope I can find one that has already had lots replaced. I'll probably hold out because this guy doesn't seem keen to let it go for what it's worth. I'm not paying over book for it when there's really no reason I should. Thank again!
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12 Golf R
Talked to this guy over email.
Explained to him with no proof of known items being replaced his asking price is preposterous. Sent him a picture of the kbb value(11,324) and he just said "i'm sorry you think my car is worth that much without seeing it". It's become more and more common for people to just value their car at a number of their choice and wonder why its not selling.
Back to the search!
Explained to him with no proof of known items being replaced his asking price is preposterous. Sent him a picture of the kbb value(11,324) and he just said "i'm sorry you think my car is worth that much without seeing it". It's become more and more common for people to just value their car at a number of their choice and wonder why its not selling.
Back to the search!
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 386
Likes: 22
From: Tx
04 55
i dont think his car is to to far over priced for a 500hp sedan ... can **** go wrong ? absolutely and have it inspected --- but what else can you get for the money with that kind of fun -- sure find an 05 for 10k - good luck with that -- or buy a new e63 biturbo for 100k... if you called me and said my car was way over priced i would gave told you to fu&^k yourself -- he was nice to you
Thread Starter
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Joined: Mar 2016
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12 Golf R
i dont think his car is to to far over priced for a 500hp sedan ... can **** go wrong ? absolutely and have it inspected --- but what else can you get for the money with that kind of fun -- sure find an 05 for 10k - good luck with that -- or buy a new e63 biturbo for 100k... if you called me and said my car was way over priced i would gave told you to fu&^k yourself -- he was nice to you
KBB is the only source dealers in the whole country use to value cars. Collectible cars and toyota trucks are maybe the exception. I'll still keep it in mind but I just don't have the money to drop on airmatic springs if they took a s%$t right after I bought it.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 1,236
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From: Indianapolis
2004 E55.98 SS Camaro.Jetta TDI. Expedition
You can find a lower mileage car for the price with a history for 14-15.
Here is a local 03
http://www.cargurus.com/Cars/invento...ting=138178313
Here is a local 03
http://www.cargurus.com/Cars/invento...ting=138178313
Last edited by Ls1toAMG; Mar 11, 2016 at 09:14 PM.
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Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 241
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From: Houston, TX
2006 E55 AMG, 2018 Audi Q7, 2005 Porsche Boxster S, 1930 Model A Hot Rod, 744HP 1965 Shelby Cobra
I don't know that his price is so far out of line. I just bought a '06 E55 with 81,000 miles for $16,500. That included shipping from Denver to me here in Houston. The service history of the car showed the front air springs had been replaced about 3 years and 25,000 miles ago. The dealer I bought it from replaced the rear air springs with factory replacements at the time I bought it. It's more than likely a while until I have to deal with any of them (hopefully).
I've never seen KBB closely parallel real world pricing on most cars. I think the values in there are more often than not lowball dealer trade in values rather than real world retail owner to owner pricing.
Just my FNG $.02.
I've never seen KBB closely parallel real world pricing on most cars. I think the values in there are more often than not lowball dealer trade in values rather than real world retail owner to owner pricing.
Just my FNG $.02.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,046
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From: SOCAL
2004 E55
This is not a car to "Look casually" for. While you are buying it for ~$14K it's still a $100,000 car to maintain things don't happen in multiples of $100 they happen in multiples of $1000.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2014
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E55
If you don't have the money for an air spring then this is not the car for you. And I don't think his price is unfair for not even seeing it in person. Some of these multiple owner cars are really beat up in person.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 1,236
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From: Indianapolis
2004 E55.98 SS Camaro.Jetta TDI. Expedition
Yea when I was looking there were ALOT of 4+ owner cars and some 4-8 month owners. I don't like it at all. They run the **** out of them don't even change the oil and sell them. No thanks. 1 or 2 owner cars only. They need love
Member
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 109
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2004 E55 AMG
IMO that's a decent price. Could you find one cheaper? Probably. It all really depends on how well the car was taken care of. Try to get it on a lift and look at the bushings, shocks for residue from hydraulic fluid, look for oil leaks (rear main seal is common $900+ fix), etc.
In most cases, the e55s don't really go for KBB. I'd suggest purchasing a well-maintained car instead of buying based on price. Buy one with problems and you'll make up the difference fast in repair shops/parts.
In most cases, the e55s don't really go for KBB. I'd suggest purchasing a well-maintained car instead of buying based on price. Buy one with problems and you'll make up the difference fast in repair shops/parts.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 397
Likes: 21
2005 E55 AMG
I bought the cleanest one I could find at the time and overpaid, $20k+ for 05 with 59K and 2 previous owners 7/15. I have $15k into it over the past 8 month and 3k miles. Some by choice like Kleemann K2. Most suspension and brake components new, all pulleys and fluids. 3 of 4 airbags.........etc. I want to be confident I can drive it hard and take road trips.....to sea level.
We've been to the local road course and drag strip. 2 road course days killed the tires, this car's not for that.
I almost purchased 06 S55 that had $15k in repair/maintenance receipts from just the previous year but wanted a more compact car.
I think unless you plan to do the maintenance yourself(wish I had the knowledge and time) or have a friend with a shop I would not only be concerned with what you pay for the car but also with are you prepared to maintain it.
I now have to drive the wheels off of mine, but that's not such a bad thing.
548 ft-lbs at the wheel!
Wish I had wheels/lowered/more mods..........never ends.
Good Luck with your search.
We've been to the local road course and drag strip. 2 road course days killed the tires, this car's not for that.
I almost purchased 06 S55 that had $15k in repair/maintenance receipts from just the previous year but wanted a more compact car.
I think unless you plan to do the maintenance yourself(wish I had the knowledge and time) or have a friend with a shop I would not only be concerned with what you pay for the car but also with are you prepared to maintain it.
I now have to drive the wheels off of mine, but that's not such a bad thing.
548 ft-lbs at the wheel!
Wish I had wheels/lowered/more mods..........never ends.
Good Luck with your search.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 1,236
Likes: 72
From: Indianapolis
2004 E55.98 SS Camaro.Jetta TDI. Expedition
I bought the cleanest one I could find at the time and overpaid, $20k+ for 05 with 59K and 2 previous owners 7/15. I have $15k into it over the past 8 month and 3k miles. Some by choice like Kleemann K2. Most suspension and brake components new, all pulleys and fluids. 3 of 4 airbags.........etc. I want to be confident I can drive it hard and take road trips.....to sea level.
We've been to the local road course and drag strip. 2 road course days killed the tires, this car's not for that.
I almost purchased 06 S55 that had $15k in repair/maintenance receipts from just the previous year but wanted a more compact car.
I think unless you plan to do the maintenance yourself(wish I had the knowledge and time) or have a friend with a shop I would not only be concerned with what you pay for the car but also with are you prepared to maintain it.
I now have to drive the wheels off of mine, but that's not such a bad thing.
548 ft-lbs at the wheel!
Wish I had wheels/lowered/more mods..........never ends.
Good Luck with your search.
We've been to the local road course and drag strip. 2 road course days killed the tires, this car's not for that.
I almost purchased 06 S55 that had $15k in repair/maintenance receipts from just the previous year but wanted a more compact car.
I think unless you plan to do the maintenance yourself(wish I had the knowledge and time) or have a friend with a shop I would not only be concerned with what you pay for the car but also with are you prepared to maintain it.
I now have to drive the wheels off of mine, but that's not such a bad thing.
548 ft-lbs at the wheel!
Wish I had wheels/lowered/more mods..........never ends.
Good Luck with your search.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 397
Likes: 21
2005 E55 AMG
1700 mounts and header install
5900 all pulleys/water pump/IC pump/belts/tensioner/rear air bags/headers
2100 tune/rear brakes
300 resonator delete
2900 alignment/trans service/brake flush/new door handles
600 alignment/battery
200 tint
etc......
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 397
Likes: 21
2005 E55 AMG
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Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 453
Likes: 50
From: East Coast, USA
Mercedes CLS 55 AMG
I've been casually looking for a while for a 211 E55(or cheaper C63). I'm leaning towards an 05/06 55 and found an 05 locally.
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/5482937856.html
Guy has owned it a short time and claims it's not suitable for the family.. Says the airmatic hasn't had any components replaced and doesn't know about the SBC or fuel pumps being replaced. He's asking roughly $3,000 over what blue book says, and I want to get him down to a more realistic price(if it's even worth it).
I'd value your guys' thoughts on this deal!
Cheers
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/5482937856.html
Guy has owned it a short time and claims it's not suitable for the family.. Says the airmatic hasn't had any components replaced and doesn't know about the SBC or fuel pumps being replaced. He's asking roughly $3,000 over what blue book says, and I want to get him down to a more realistic price(if it's even worth it).
I'd value your guys' thoughts on this deal!
Cheers
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 328
Likes: 41
From: DC Burbs
2016 E63s
I dont think his price is that out of line. I'd compare the price to others in your area. You may be able to find one for less if you're willing to travel. But keep in mind, if you pay less for the car, you may have to pay more up front for maint costs.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 845
Likes: 45
From: ATL
2017 GLS 550
Depends on what way you look at it.
KBB is the only source dealers in the whole country use to value cars. Collectible cars and toyota trucks are maybe the exception. I'll still keep it in mind but I just don't have the money to drop on airmatic springs if they took a s%$t right after I bought it.
KBB is the only source dealers in the whole country use to value cars. Collectible cars and toyota trucks are maybe the exception. I'll still keep it in mind but I just don't have the money to drop on airmatic springs if they took a s%$t right after I bought it.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,046
Likes: 28
From: SOCAL
2004 E55
Depends on what way you look at it.
KBB is the only source dealers in the whole country use to value cars. Collectible cars and toyota trucks are maybe the exception. I'll still keep it in mind but I just don't have the money to drop on airmatic springs if they took a s%$t right after I bought it.
KBB is the only source dealers in the whole country use to value cars. Collectible cars and toyota trucks are maybe the exception. I'll still keep it in mind but I just don't have the money to drop on airmatic springs if they took a s%$t right after I bought it.
KBB is not the only source of values. FAR from it.
and honestly if you can't afford a set of Arnots (~$1100 per axle) then you really can't afford the car
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 1,236
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From: Indianapolis
2004 E55.98 SS Camaro.Jetta TDI. Expedition
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: NY
Sold - 05' E55
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 270
Likes: 30
From: Northeast
2005 E55 | 1968 Road Runner
I snagged mine for under $17k. It's a 2005 with 58k on it, totally stock. 2 owner, highly optioned. Certainly not bragging, just sharing my experience that you can find decent deals if you have all your feelers out. I found mine on Cars.com which I NEVER used to look at. 
