Potential buyer - 2005 E55 with super low miles
04-04-2016, 10:33 PM
#1
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Potential buyer - 2005 E55 with super low miles
Looking at getting a one owner absolutely mind 2005 E55 with 21k miles, curious if 24.5k is a decent price. I can see others going for way less, but this is super clean, flawless really, one owner car, with brand new Michelin tires and clear bra since new. Maintenance wise it has everything done, as an ML350 owner I am familiar with service intervals. This seems to have been babied, owner is 70 year old and it seems like it needs nothing.
Any thoughts?
Any thoughts?
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cdumitru (04-05-2016)
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cdumitru (04-05-2016)
04-05-2016, 01:38 AM
#4
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Yeah, I have no doubt about that, and I have been looking around for a while trying to learn as much as I can. These are complex cars, and maintenance will cost more, but more than willing to take care of the car. Besides the suspension and a few other known issues, these seem to be fairly sturdy for you get... is suspension something that fails with age or with mileage, there seems to be opinions going both ways.
04-05-2016, 11:18 AM
#5
Member
It fails with age as well, its rubber and rubber dries and cracks. I bought my '04 with 42k miles this summer and the next morning I heard the compressor airing up, so I knew my time was coming. Six months later (last week) one of them failed completely
never the less, the less miles the better.. I paid 20K for mine in So-Cal
never the less, the less miles the better.. I paid 20K for mine in So-Cal
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cdumitru (04-06-2016)
04-05-2016, 12:27 PM
#6
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It fails with age as well, its rubber and rubber dries and cracks. I bought my '04 with 42k miles this summer and the next morning I heard the compressor airing up, so I knew my time was coming. Six months later (last week) one of them failed completely
never the less, the less miles the better.. I paid 20K for mine in So-Cal
never the less, the less miles the better.. I paid 20K for mine in So-Cal
04-05-2016, 01:23 PM
#7
Member
I'm replacing it myself right now, although this job is in of sucky to do with a floor jack, I should have done it at a shop (I am a mech). I factored this in when buying the car so it was expected. Struts are 500 each new Arnotts from FCP, lifetime warranty. One time cost and you took care of the biggest problem this car has.
Love the car, the best ride I could have gotten with 20 grand. Power is downright silly, looks discreet, comfortable, I hope to keep this one for 10 years if all works out. I looked at e63s before this, but as you will find out they have head bolt issues until about 2011, so I did not want to buy a car and have to worry about head gaskets, that's a pretty big job
e55s are pretty tough, I see many of them for sale with 150-200k miles, which shows the cars can go the distance
Try to talk him down a couple grand by mentioning things you will need to do immediately that are age dependent and not mileage dependent, and pick it up. My previous owner was in his late 60s :p
Love the car, the best ride I could have gotten with 20 grand. Power is downright silly, looks discreet, comfortable, I hope to keep this one for 10 years if all works out. I looked at e63s before this, but as you will find out they have head bolt issues until about 2011, so I did not want to buy a car and have to worry about head gaskets, that's a pretty big job
e55s are pretty tough, I see many of them for sale with 150-200k miles, which shows the cars can go the distance
Try to talk him down a couple grand by mentioning things you will need to do immediately that are age dependent and not mileage dependent, and pick it up. My previous owner was in his late 60s :p
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cdumitru (04-06-2016)
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04-05-2016, 01:34 PM
#8
Senior Member
How much was the one owner white 05 with 11k miles selling for? I saw a dealer bought it and recently re-listed it. IIRC, it was around $20k when originally listed on ebay by the owner.
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cdumitru (04-06-2016)
04-05-2016, 01:53 PM
#9
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Thread Starter
I'm replacing it myself right now, although this job is in of sucky to do with a floor jack, I should have done it at a shop (I am a mech). I factored this in when buying the car so it was expected. Struts are 500 each new Arnotts from FCP, lifetime warranty. One time cost and you took care of the biggest problem this car has.
Love the car, the best ride I could have gotten with 20 grand. Power is downright silly, looks discreet, comfortable, I hope to keep this one for 10 years if all works out. I looked at e63s before this, but as you will find out they have head bolt issues until about 2011, so I did not want to buy a car and have to worry about head gaskets, that's a pretty big job
e55s are pretty tough, I see many of them for sale with 150-200k miles, which shows the cars can go the distance
Try to talk him down a couple grand by mentioning things you will need to do immediately that are age dependent and not mileage dependent, and pick it up. My previous owner was in his late 60s :p
Love the car, the best ride I could have gotten with 20 grand. Power is downright silly, looks discreet, comfortable, I hope to keep this one for 10 years if all works out. I looked at e63s before this, but as you will find out they have head bolt issues until about 2011, so I did not want to buy a car and have to worry about head gaskets, that's a pretty big job
e55s are pretty tough, I see many of them for sale with 150-200k miles, which shows the cars can go the distance
Try to talk him down a couple grand by mentioning things you will need to do immediately that are age dependent and not mileage dependent, and pick it up. My previous owner was in his late 60s :p
04-05-2016, 01:55 PM
#10
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Thread Starter
04-05-2016, 02:01 PM
#11
Member
Wow, thank you for taking the time to help me! Called the shop where the car was maintained, guy was meticulous and thorough, needs nothing. He wanted 27k, 24k is his bottom line and he's not budging. Given that this is flawless I am inclined to pay it. I wasn't even able to find a chip in the paint, and I've bought a car or two before.
I paid 20k with 42k miles, so 24K for yours is reasonable IMO
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cdumitru (04-06-2016)
04-05-2016, 02:05 PM
#12
Senior Member
I was considering it but didn't like the interior. I am like you, I like to find low mileage examples. They are only "like new" once. And I like to drive a low mileage car, not worrying about racking up some miles. When I bought my E63, it was the lowest mileage example I could find with 34k miles.
Agree about time affecting airmatics as much as miles (if not more).
Agree about time affecting airmatics as much as miles (if not more).
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cdumitru (04-06-2016)
04-05-2016, 02:09 PM
#13
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Luckily I have a trusted mechanic that works on our ML and should help with this too. Many thanks again!
04-05-2016, 02:18 PM
#14
Junior Member
Thread Starter
One last question, what is the best way to test that currently they work? I read up on it, but seems a bit confusing...
04-05-2016, 02:24 PM
#15
Senior Member
I am new to this but from my research, without checking for codes you can listen to how long the pump stays on, pay attention to whether the rear has the dead body thump over bumps, listen for any leaks when filled, hit the raise suspension button to make sure that works and lastly, check to see if it droops after sitting (but tough when you don't have access to the car for several hours)
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cdumitru (04-06-2016)
04-05-2016, 04:03 PM
#16
Member
The best way to tell is to observe the car in the morning after its been sitting. If there's a leak, then you will hear the compressor go on once you open the door or turn on the ignition.
My compressor would turn on at stop-lights and at random times, but that's because my leaks were getting worse.
My advice would be - it IS an item that WILL fail. Just replace them as soon as budget allows after buying the car, and not worry about it. The last thing you want to do is come out in the morning from a hotel at Las Vegas or something and see your car on the ground. You'll most definitely damage a few things just getting it on a tow truck (bumper, exhaust?), so I would NOT wait until it fails completely.
Its not horribly expensive. Buy them at 500 bucks each at FCP euro, and pay a shop couple hours labor to replace, and you are set. You are spending 24K on a vehicle, do not try to save 1500 bucks on this, do it as soon as you get the car
My educated and experienced opinion
My compressor would turn on at stop-lights and at random times, but that's because my leaks were getting worse.
My advice would be - it IS an item that WILL fail. Just replace them as soon as budget allows after buying the car, and not worry about it. The last thing you want to do is come out in the morning from a hotel at Las Vegas or something and see your car on the ground. You'll most definitely damage a few things just getting it on a tow truck (bumper, exhaust?), so I would NOT wait until it fails completely.
Its not horribly expensive. Buy them at 500 bucks each at FCP euro, and pay a shop couple hours labor to replace, and you are set. You are spending 24K on a vehicle, do not try to save 1500 bucks on this, do it as soon as you get the car
My educated and experienced opinion
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cdumitru (04-06-2016)
04-05-2016, 04:42 PM
#17
I think it is a good buy so buy it. I recently spent $22,900 on a 2006 with 41K miles with a pulley, ECU, and headers. When I am done with all mods, tax, title, license, and shipping I will be in it around $30K. The bang for the buck on this is huge; especially if I can run mid-11's and give F10 M5's, 662 HP GT500's, and maybe a bad 6-speed Hellcat driver a good run from a roll!
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cdumitru (04-06-2016)
04-05-2016, 05:16 PM
#19
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Thread Starter
Romanian indeed!!! Gonna do it, we got PPI in the afternoon then hopefully I get my beast. Super cool forum here, looking forward to spending more time here, this thread has certainly helped me make a somewhat informed decision.
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cdumitru (04-06-2016)
04-05-2016, 11:01 PM
#21
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04-07-2016, 10:00 AM
#23
Member
Not trying to brag, just offering some perspective on airmatic. I bought this 03 because of the service history, how well loved it was, and, well, Brabus... but near as I can tell by perusing the paperwork, the struts are original. It may be that Brabus played with them when they did all the other work to the car in 06, but I bet they only messed with the valve coding (C mode is stiffer than my pals' 06 in sport 2) but in any case they do not leak. I can go away on business for a week and come back and not car has not settled even a tiny bit. Just broke 100k mi. This babied car you are looking at seems to me to be a candidate for for not needing much babysitting. I look for cars that have been driven rather than a garage queen. This one has some miles, enough to keep it limber I hope.
That 06 I mentioned has 130k and just had the fronts replaced but the rears are original and still holding up. I have an Arnott fund set aside for whenever it's needed on my car.
That 06 I mentioned has 130k and just had the fronts replaced but the rears are original and still holding up. I have an Arnott fund set aside for whenever it's needed on my car.
04-07-2016, 01:42 PM
#24
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Not trying to brag, just offering some perspective on airmatic. I bought this 03 because of the service history, how well loved it was, and, well, Brabus... but near as I can tell by perusing the paperwork, the struts are original. It may be that Brabus played with them when they did all the other work to the car in 06, but I bet they only messed with the valve coding (C mode is stiffer than my pals' 06 in sport 2) but in any case they do not leak. I can go away on business for a week and come back and not car has not settled even a tiny bit. Just broke 100k mi. This babied car you are looking at seems to me to be a candidate for for not needing much babysitting. I look for cars that have been driven rather than a garage queen. This one has some miles, enough to keep it limber I hope.
That 06 I mentioned has 130k and just had the fronts replaced but the rears are original and still holding up. I have an Arnott fund set aside for whenever it's needed on my car.
That 06 I mentioned has 130k and just had the fronts replaced but the rears are original and still holding up. I have an Arnott fund set aside for whenever it's needed on my car.
04-07-2016, 01:43 PM
#25
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Thread Starter
