Still True?
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Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 127
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From: San Juan PR
SL55 CL600 and 335D (rip flood) 325ci
Still True?
Does the old adage of "you buy a Mercedes on condition, not mileage?" I have my eye on a 2007 144K mile E63 that has been meticulously dealer maintained (extensive records) and garaged (loved). It really looks incredible. I want it for my DD and will probably continue the 15K per year that it had been maintaining since new.Probably do plenty of road trips in it as well. Would love some thoughts about the idea. it's this car or something sort of "bucket listish". My self imposed (wife/life) budget limit of 12K is in place. Thinking about a drop top as well.
In this case I like the NA 6.3 better than forced induction for reliability.
In this case I like the NA 6.3 better than forced induction for reliability.
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Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 9
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From: MD/DC/VA
2003 211 E55, 2016 W222 S550V
It could go either way... I just purchased an 03 with 230k, that has a 13 page service history, this car was maintained with an open checkbook... I had been looking for a 55 for 9 months, and this was the cleanest one I found... regardless of mileage.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,249
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From: Richmond, CA
2001 E320 Wagon, 2006 LBZ Silverado, 2007 E63 (sold), 2001 E55 (sold)
If it's been well maintained and passes a PPI without any issues I wouldn't worry about the mileage too much. Can you work on the car yourself? When things need replacing or go wrong it can be very expensive when going through a dealer or shop. Just rotors/pads will run you around $2400 if you have the dealership do them (otherwise around $1200ish in parts). If you're going to be driving it a lot, plan on at least one set of tires a year (staggered, can't rotate them). Remember, these were $100,000 cars when new and still have the maintenance and parts cost to match that. If you can DIY, maintenance/repairs aren't that big of a deal.
I paid twice that for my 2007 with half the miles almost a year ago. The car was super clean, all original paint, newish brakes and only needed engine mounts.
Put your location in your profile as well. It can help if you have questions or someone might know of a better one for sale.
I paid twice that for my 2007 with half the miles almost a year ago. The car was super clean, all original paint, newish brakes and only needed engine mounts.
Put your location in your profile as well. It can help if you have questions or someone might know of a better one for sale.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 127
Likes: 14
From: San Juan PR
SL55 CL600 and 335D (rip flood) 325ci
I have tools and a 2 Ton Jack
Thanks guys. I updated my profile.
I can swing a wrench but not certified by any means. I did swap you the pads and rotors on my 2013 BMW X5D, which I found to be much easier than I thought it would be. My most recent practice wrenching is on my shifter kart. The germans seem to make these intuitive to repair, at least in the regular service items like brakes and oil. Love the filter on top. Great idea. I don't have a lift, yearning for one tho. I went car shopping and a freakng 80K mile Honda accord was 10K. Sure it was clean but it was depressing to think about that being my DD. The seller states the previous owner just spent 6K and that he picked it up from the dealer.
The car is in Boca FL. Can anyone recommend a shop for the PPI?
I can swing a wrench but not certified by any means. I did swap you the pads and rotors on my 2013 BMW X5D, which I found to be much easier than I thought it would be. My most recent practice wrenching is on my shifter kart. The germans seem to make these intuitive to repair, at least in the regular service items like brakes and oil. Love the filter on top. Great idea. I don't have a lift, yearning for one tho. I went car shopping and a freakng 80K mile Honda accord was 10K. Sure it was clean but it was depressing to think about that being my DD. The seller states the previous owner just spent 6K and that he picked it up from the dealer.
The car is in Boca FL. Can anyone recommend a shop for the PPI?
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Joined: Feb 2014
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From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
Well the PPI is usually best at a local MB dealership as they can hook it up to Xentry and scan the car for faults in other subsystems that aren't part of the standard engine/emissions system. Also if you do it in person, you can ask for the VMI which the previous owner might have. You normally don't have much luck getting it over the phone but usually they'll print it out and give it to you if you're there in person getting service. Just check the reviews of your MB dealers. Some are considered better than others.
Let's see E63, only scary thing would be head bolts and airmatic. Brakes can be pretty expensive, practically every move up the line from an E350 to E550 to E63 gets more expensive on the brakes. I seem to recall someone saying they used C63 brakes which were cheaper. An E550 is pretty fast too and after 2007, it doesn't have head bolt issues like the E63, I think that went away after 2011, just some engine issues in early 2007.
Let's see E63, only scary thing would be head bolts and airmatic. Brakes can be pretty expensive, practically every move up the line from an E350 to E550 to E63 gets more expensive on the brakes. I seem to recall someone saying they used C63 brakes which were cheaper. An E550 is pretty fast too and after 2007, it doesn't have head bolt issues like the E63, I think that went away after 2011, just some engine issues in early 2007.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 127
Likes: 14
From: San Juan PR
SL55 CL600 and 335D (rip flood) 325ci
Head bolts replaced as per seller
Thanks again. I did read about the head bolts and asked the seller if they have been replaced. He said yes. If I do this I'll go down and get the car to a dealer for a PPI for sure. Good tip on asking for the VMI. Like the look of the AMG. Sexy. I'm a fan of the old school two front lights and feel it will remain cool. Do these cars just "die" or do they give enough warning before, in general. I have an 06 4 Runner with 170K miles on it and that thing is rock solid. I would think MB can keep up with that level of usage and then some
Hope to join the MB side after 4 BMWs. I can see if the car has been hacked t by knuckleheads it will be a disaster. Just like any car but worse because of the high end nature of the beast.
I saw a 6. something on an old 70's vintage sedan with a manual trans when I was washing cars in the neighborhood as a kid. I thought ok one day I'm gong to get one of those they have to be super fast
Hope to join the MB side after 4 BMWs. I can see if the car has been hacked t by knuckleheads it will be a disaster. Just like any car but worse because of the high end nature of the beast. I saw a 6. something on an old 70's vintage sedan with a manual trans when I was washing cars in the neighborhood as a kid. I thought ok one day I'm gong to get one of those they have to be super fast
Last edited by HopefullyE63; Jul 22, 2017 at 09:59 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 941
Likes: 74
From: Orlando FL
a unicorn tuned p30 e63
Mileage really means squat on an amg or mercedes especially if it's been maintained. If the bolts are done and the car was maintained I would say go for it. Like others have said brakes,air ride, and little dumb misc stuff. If you aren't prepared to spend 2-3k on it in the next couple years than this is not your car. Anything that breaks somehow adds up to 1k LOL.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,249
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From: Richmond, CA
2001 E320 Wagon, 2006 LBZ Silverado, 2007 E63 (sold), 2001 E55 (sold)
You may want to shoot Jon2007E63P30 a PM and ask him about any issues or scan through his posts. I think he has the highest mileage E63 on here with over 200,000 on it. I don't believe it's needed any major work.
You can also get rid of the Airmatic system and swap in an aftermarket coil over setup as well. Quite a few people have gone that route after having issues with it.
You can also get rid of the Airmatic system and swap in an aftermarket coil over setup as well. Quite a few people have gone that route after having issues with it.
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Super Member
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 638
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From: Dublin,OH. Ft Myers, FLA
E63 AMG 2007
If it's been well maintained and passes a PPI without any issues I wouldn't worry about the mileage too much. Can you work on the car yourself? When things need replacing or go wrong it can be very expensive when going through a dealer or shop. Just rotors/pads will run you around $2400 if you have the dealership do them (otherwise around $1200ish in parts). If you're going to be driving it a lot, plan on at least one set of tires a year (staggered, can't rotate them). Remember, these were $100,000 cars when new and still have the maintenance and parts cost to match that. If you can DIY, maintenance/repairs aren't that big of a deal.
I paid twice that for my 2007 with half the miles almost a year ago. The car was super clean, all original paint, newish brakes and only needed engine mounts.
Put your location in your profile as well. It can help if you have questions or someone might know of a better one for sale.
I paid twice that for my 2007 with half the miles almost a year ago. The car was super clean, all original paint, newish brakes and only needed engine mounts.
Put your location in your profile as well. It can help if you have questions or someone might know of a better one for sale.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 127
Likes: 14
From: San Juan PR
SL55 CL600 and 335D (rip flood) 325ci
Code Reader
OK looked over some code reader options. What is the best under $500 option for a shade tree guy like me. I'll do the regular oil and brake work and light skill stuff. Don't have a lift but do have a good sized floor jack. Not too devoid of tools and have no aversion to buying the right ones.
Appreciate everyones replies.
Appreciate everyones replies.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 955
Likes: 127
From: Kansas
2003 E55, 2003 SL55, 2014 CLS63, 2018 q50 Redsport, 1968 Camaro SS, 1999 Trans am Firehawk
OK looked over some code reader options. What is the best under $500 option for a shade tree guy like me. I'll do the regular oil and brake work and light skill stuff. Don't have a lift but do have a good sized floor jack. Not too devoid of tools and have no aversion to buying the right ones.
Appreciate everyones replies.
Appreciate everyones replies.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 6,190
Likes: 1,550
From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
Yeah, the knock off Star C3 or C4 systems start at the $400-$500 range depending on what you get. The basics might just be the hardware without the laptop. They can go up to $700-$1000. The factory service manual is basically just WIS. You can get a knock off of that just on eBay, the DVD's are about $10 and they also include EPC which is the parts lookup. There are some cheaper alternatives in the $50-$200 range, those just scan MB codes, they don't let you make modifications which a full MB Star Xentry system will let you do.
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 9
Likes: 4
From: MD/DC/VA
2003 211 E55, 2016 W222 S550V
I just noticed that you updated your sig, and you live in new tampa. I lived in Arbor Green for 2 years.. I was also the sales manager @ MB of Wesley Chapel while I lived in FL. Unfortunately, I would not recommend the service dept there though. There are a few good tech's there, and if you could get one of them to do side work that would be the way to go for anything you could not do yourself. Let me know what the VIN # is and I can take a look at the VMI.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 127
Likes: 14
From: San Juan PR
SL55 CL600 and 335D (rip flood) 325ci
Sweet Bharrigan! I'm in Wesley Chapel/Zhills area. This is the car I'm most seriously considering. WDBUF77X87B024071 It's in miami. As you see I can't just run down to look at it so I want to make sure I'm not wasting time. There seems to be a wide array of conditions with these cars. My pref is Black on Black with the pano roof. This one is truly minty. I love the silver too. I can't believe I am considering one of these for the price they are trading!
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Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,120
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From: Tampa Bay, FL
05 E55, 98 CLK320
The 63 will be more of a pleasure to drive stock esp for touring the country
The E55 has a bit more kinks but its easily modable and an even better pleasure to drive if acceleration is your thing
Honestly, I think you're right to think mileage won't make much of a difference. I'd rather have a 2005 with 150k mi and maintained like a Ferrari than a 2005 with 90k maintained by a lazy childish man.
The E55 has a bit more kinks but its easily modable and an even better pleasure to drive if acceleration is your thing
Honestly, I think you're right to think mileage won't make much of a difference. I'd rather have a 2005 with 150k mi and maintained like a Ferrari than a 2005 with 90k maintained by a lazy childish man.
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 9
Likes: 4
From: MD/DC/VA
2003 211 E55, 2016 W222 S550V
Sweet Bharrigan! I'm in Wesley Chapel/Zhills area. This is the car I'm most seriously considering. WDBUF77X87B024071 It's in miami. As you see I can't just run down to look at it so I want to make sure I'm not wasting time. There seems to be a wide array of conditions with these cars. My pref is Black on Black with the pano roof. This one is truly minty. I love the silver too. I can't believe I am considering one of these for the price they are trading!
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