Liquid0623

I am new to the board and live in Philadelphia. I use my 2007 650i when i am in Philly. I also spend 60 percent of the time in a country outside the United States. I am debating between the following : 2005 black E55 With 34k miles for around 16k, a 2005 black E55 with around 60k miles for around 14k! A 2006 E55 white with 42k miles! A 2004 silver E55 for 13k with 90k miles, a 2005 silver CLS500 with unbelievably 15k miles, a silver 2002 Cl500 with the AMG package and rims with 34k miles for around 10k dollars and a 2008 Audi S8 metallic blue fully loaded with every option with 37k miles for between 13 and 14k dollars. I plan on paying for pre purchase inspections. Which one would you guys recommend? I am leaning on the Audi S8 over one of the E55s. Any input would be much appreciated.

hachiroku

S8 is posh...but if you plan to modify go with the AMG.

Liquid0623

I am not sure about mods. I would love to have them both. I have done so much research on the E55 and have watched so many YouTube videos during this pandemic. I know that you can bump the hp by 100 fairly simple. I think a couple of these may have e63 body upgrades as well.

Also is there a machine that you can use to verify the mileage on these.? Some have rediculously low mileage. Not sure i 100% trust the odometers

coupesedan

You’ll regret the S8 the minute you try to turn a wrench or see the first repair bill.

They’re also really really slow

Liquid0623

The S8s have 450 hp. How slow can they be?

By the way my 650i has the valve cover problem and needs a new front headlight module. My e39 never had those problems.

coupesedan

Like high-mid 13s in the quarter and spend 10 grand to get into the 12s slow.

If you want S8 performance with 1/3 of the problems just get an 04-09 XJR.

Liquid0623

Being in a foreign country limits my options

There is a silver 2000 BMW e39 M5 with 86k miles as well for 15k. I want nothing to do with an E60 M5. There was a 2004 CL600 with 39k miles that sold for 7k last week that I missed out on which could be a blessing because of the repairs. There is a 2007 630i convertable with 22k miles for 17k dollars. I am not interested in the 630i.

Also where i am located the hourly labor rate is only $40/hr so parts are more of a concern than labor. I can get parts shipped here.

Does the fact that some of these cars have under 40k miles make it less likely that there will be imminent problems or does the age of the car trump the low mileage?

Liquid0623

I have decided to buy an e55. I am seeing this one next Wednesday. I am getting two PPIs by two separate mechanics. it is a 2005 with 34k miles.

Liquid0623

2004 with 90k miles I will see as well. Although has the old supercharger and panaramic roof which i am not in love with. They both have some mods. The 2005 has a tune and headers. 2005 also has another coolant system. 2004 has e63 front and a couple of small mods

Ls1toAMG

No matter where you are. An E55 with 34k is a solid find. I would buy it. Find a reasonable shop and have them do all recommended maintenance

Liquid0623

I plan on buying it. They have it for 17k. I am going to bring them down some. I am going to get two different pre purchase inspections from two separate mechanics. I do not trust almost anyone down here. Also going to get the computer checked for mileage discrepancies. I think I will see it either Tuesday or Wed. I have not even heard of a 2005 for sale with 34k miles. There is also onenwith 42k miles, but through investigation I found out that it had been in an accident.

it is a euro version with kilometers. I also found the previous owner who is a mb mechanic. He told me that there have never been any major problems and that he bought it at 32k miles. Sold it to his friend who then traded it for a Camaro. Now that guy is selling it.

Liquid0623

more pictures of the e55 with 34k miles

Yuille36

From my perspective, I see that the issue here is not so much on the price of the E55, but the price of future repairs and maintenance.
Please keep that in mind, as AMG's aren't cheap to maintain, unless your a do it yourself person.
But congratulations on your purchase and welcome to the AMG Family.

Liquid0623

The last car that I bought was a 2 year old 650i. I am just looking to get a good car for use in the Dominican Republic for the time that I am down here which lately has been 75%. Insurance is fairly cheap. I have more pics of the car as well. If anyone sees anything.

Yuille36

I would definitely think about shipping that car back to the US, after your time in the Dominican is done. 😁

Liquid0623

are you being serious about bringing it back? Can you bring a european version to the United States?

Yuille36

I’m not sure, I would need to research what the requirements would be, in order to expedite it. 😁

Liquid0623

I'm trying to be serious here

coupesedan

Most cars with an identical US market equivalent can be imported, just costs you an arm and a leg in paperwork and random bs like the speedo and reflector gear. The M5 guys know a lot about it.

03-04 "E-Class 211" is noted as being eligible for import.

Liquid0623

ok. Thanks for the info. I am seeing it tomorrpw

Liquid0623

What about the 05s?