E55 Rising in Price?
03-16-2021, 09:19 AM
#26
Senior Member
I was really interested in the M3 around 2015/2016 and considered buying one and just street parking it. I recall on the forums back then the feeling was that you needed $10k for a good one. that meant either buying one ready to rock for that price or finding what you thought was a deal for $7k and end up putting $3k into it. The knock against the car was that it really wasn't that special compared to the regular 3-series. They were mass produced and only received a slightly tweaked 325i engine that produced 240 hp. the interiors held up like garbage as did the cooling system. but in 2021 you won't even touch a decent one for anything close to $10k
The M5 has really taken off in the last 5 years or so. I love the 6-speed and exhaust note but my wife's sq5 could probably handle it on a straightaway. I realize comparing old vs new cars doesn't make sense and an rs3 would hurt most of our feelings, but the fact remains that in 2021 an e39 M5 isn't that fast anymore while the e55 is.
Don't get me wrong, i'm not a bmw hater at all. I think both of the cars are sharp as hell and i'd love to have one some day....just not at the current valuation. Maybe it's just time. The M3 is 7 years older than the W211 and the M5 is 3. only time will tell
The M5 has really taken off in the last 5 years or so. I love the 6-speed and exhaust note but my wife's sq5 could probably handle it on a straightaway. I realize comparing old vs new cars doesn't make sense and an rs3 would hurt most of our feelings, but the fact remains that in 2021 an e39 M5 isn't that fast anymore while the e55 is.
Don't get me wrong, i'm not a bmw hater at all. I think both of the cars are sharp as hell and i'd love to have one some day....just not at the current valuation. Maybe it's just time. The M3 is 7 years older than the W211 and the M5 is 3. only time will tell
08-01-2021, 06:19 PM
#27
I've been keeping a very close watch on this market for several years now. I wish one of the deals I was working on some sedans a couple of years ago had panned out, in the end I'm glad my wagon deal worked out the way it did. Things are definitely on the rise and I think if you bought an E55 in 2019 or 2020 then you likely managed to buy one at the bottom of the market.
I think that these cars are going to do nothing except become more special. I think we all know that they days of big V8's are coming to a close, and so are the days of factory supercharged motors. Dodge is going to ride the "Hellcat everything" train until it stops and I'm sure that will be the end of it. Obviously AMG will never build another supercharged motor again, and probably not anything bigger than a 4.0l. Not that the other motors and the new turbo motors are not amazing, we just happen to have something particularly special with what we have, and I think its representative of an interesting niche in a now over forever era.
As much as the engine is special, the whole platform is. Newer cars with too many screens and an excessive amount of complexity and electronics are going to be very difficult to keep online, and some of these interiors are going to look VERY dated in a couple of years. I think the W211 platform fits into a nice Goldilocks zone where you have modern features, but the style will hold up well. Its also a very repairable and durable platform that will be relatively easy to keep on the road.
Also, people (many on this forum) looooooooooove to modify and beat on these cars. I wholeheartedly support this. These cars are fun to tinker with, the mods yield excellent results and they are a total blast to drive with your foot on the floor (assuming you have the space lol). But, for every car that's modified and driven hard, the mostly stock and pampered cars become increasingly more rare and valuable. Personally I'm going to keep my wagon pretty much stock and pamper it. she's currently jackstanded in the garage getting a whole winter full of love, detailing and preventive maintenance.
I'm kinda shopping for an under 10k sedan. If I find one I'm going to modify that car, and beat it senseless. its going to be fun.
Also, as so many of these cars got cheap, I'm sure they also got purchased by a lot of 20 somethings. I used to be a 20 something, and I also have a 23 year old son. I know what they do to cars, its not pretty but all part of youth. My kiddo has windowed two blocks so far already. Its been fun teaching him engine building. I'm sure many of these inexpensive cars were taken out of the market pretty quickly due to catastrophic mechanical, financial or collision events.
I'm also going to say we should throw Mr. Demuro a bone here. he's been a real advocate for this market, for the E55 and the W211 platform, and in particular a big advocate for the wagons. he's provided press, enthusiasm and an excellent sale platform targeted specifically at our sort of car. I think its clear he has propped up the market. Average sale price on carsandbids comes out at 14,868.50, but the two most recent cars were over 17,000 and another auction ends today. its bid over 15,000 with two hours left. These cars are nice, mostly stock, but far from perfect.
Cool stuff, glad I bought when I did.
I think that these cars are going to do nothing except become more special. I think we all know that they days of big V8's are coming to a close, and so are the days of factory supercharged motors. Dodge is going to ride the "Hellcat everything" train until it stops and I'm sure that will be the end of it. Obviously AMG will never build another supercharged motor again, and probably not anything bigger than a 4.0l. Not that the other motors and the new turbo motors are not amazing, we just happen to have something particularly special with what we have, and I think its representative of an interesting niche in a now over forever era.
As much as the engine is special, the whole platform is. Newer cars with too many screens and an excessive amount of complexity and electronics are going to be very difficult to keep online, and some of these interiors are going to look VERY dated in a couple of years. I think the W211 platform fits into a nice Goldilocks zone where you have modern features, but the style will hold up well. Its also a very repairable and durable platform that will be relatively easy to keep on the road.
Also, people (many on this forum) looooooooooove to modify and beat on these cars. I wholeheartedly support this. These cars are fun to tinker with, the mods yield excellent results and they are a total blast to drive with your foot on the floor (assuming you have the space lol). But, for every car that's modified and driven hard, the mostly stock and pampered cars become increasingly more rare and valuable. Personally I'm going to keep my wagon pretty much stock and pamper it. she's currently jackstanded in the garage getting a whole winter full of love, detailing and preventive maintenance.
I'm kinda shopping for an under 10k sedan. If I find one I'm going to modify that car, and beat it senseless. its going to be fun.
Also, as so many of these cars got cheap, I'm sure they also got purchased by a lot of 20 somethings. I used to be a 20 something, and I also have a 23 year old son. I know what they do to cars, its not pretty but all part of youth. My kiddo has windowed two blocks so far already. Its been fun teaching him engine building. I'm sure many of these inexpensive cars were taken out of the market pretty quickly due to catastrophic mechanical, financial or collision events.
I'm also going to say we should throw Mr. Demuro a bone here. he's been a real advocate for this market, for the E55 and the W211 platform, and in particular a big advocate for the wagons. he's provided press, enthusiasm and an excellent sale platform targeted specifically at our sort of car. I think its clear he has propped up the market. Average sale price on carsandbids comes out at 14,868.50, but the two most recent cars were over 17,000 and another auction ends today. its bid over 15,000 with two hours left. These cars are nice, mostly stock, but far from perfect.
Cool stuff, glad I bought when I did.
08-05-2021, 11:03 PM
#29
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'06 MB S55 AMG; '04 Audi Allroad 4.2; '05 BMW M3 Conv.; '92 MB 500E
Yep, I think that's why the e55s tend to have more miles as well, as many are daily driven. Since the CL is a coupe, a lot of people will keep them stored during the winter, which is why a lot of them are sub 100k miles. And due to the S-Class original MSRP, I'm guessing that a lot of people who could afford them over the past 15 years have been older and would hold onto them longer, hence fewer miles and owners.
maw
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08-24-2021, 04:30 PM
#32
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'06 MB S55 AMG; '04 Audi Allroad 4.2; '05 BMW M3 Conv.; '92 MB 500E
08-24-2021, 08:06 PM
#33
08-24-2021, 09:30 PM
#34
I posted this in the "E55 on BaT" thread ...I can't say it enough. These cars are DEFINITELY going up. In 5 years, the low mileage and well optioned cars are gonna double or triple in price. Mark my words.
""FWIW, I bought my 2006 w 37K miles in Oct 2020 (one owner that bought brand new), same color as the BaT one and most major options except pano for $30K even. Worth every penny for a well taken care of car, serviced and babied. I'm all about paying a slight premium for a mint example (of any car). The interior still smells brand new in my car. Everyone loves the V8 blown AMG cars, one of the best motors/machines AMG has made to date (that's why I'm on my third one haha, and NOT selling this time).
Low mileage, rare examples w good options are definitely creeping up in price... I had someone offer me $38K in the spring for mine. I bet they will only go up from here.
Heck, even other makes. Look at the older BMW M cars. I owned a 28K miles 2000 M5 in Avus Blue, BIGGEST regret of my life selling that thing!!! 2000-2003 M5s are going for $60/$70+ nowadays for clean examples and are becoming very rare, I bet those prices are going to continue to rise - 5 years, watch clean examples be basically non-existent and fetch $100+. Hell, E36 M3s manuals are going ridiculous $$ too.
Cars nowadays are too prissy for me. Too much comfort. The rawness factor, the driver experience factor, has to be there for me and unfortunately, most cars have fallen flat in the last decade. That's why I don't pick up the newer cars, just not for me. Fast, sure, but doesn't offer the same experience - to me, anyway. Manufacturers are starting to bring that rawness/driver feel back, trying at least..........
""FWIW, I bought my 2006 w 37K miles in Oct 2020 (one owner that bought brand new), same color as the BaT one and most major options except pano for $30K even. Worth every penny for a well taken care of car, serviced and babied. I'm all about paying a slight premium for a mint example (of any car). The interior still smells brand new in my car. Everyone loves the V8 blown AMG cars, one of the best motors/machines AMG has made to date (that's why I'm on my third one haha, and NOT selling this time).
Low mileage, rare examples w good options are definitely creeping up in price... I had someone offer me $38K in the spring for mine. I bet they will only go up from here.
Heck, even other makes. Look at the older BMW M cars. I owned a 28K miles 2000 M5 in Avus Blue, BIGGEST regret of my life selling that thing!!! 2000-2003 M5s are going for $60/$70+ nowadays for clean examples and are becoming very rare, I bet those prices are going to continue to rise - 5 years, watch clean examples be basically non-existent and fetch $100+. Hell, E36 M3s manuals are going ridiculous $$ too.
Cars nowadays are too prissy for me. Too much comfort. The rawness factor, the driver experience factor, has to be there for me and unfortunately, most cars have fallen flat in the last decade. That's why I don't pick up the newer cars, just not for me. Fast, sure, but doesn't offer the same experience - to me, anyway. Manufacturers are starting to bring that rawness/driver feel back, trying at least..........
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08-25-2021, 01:58 AM
#35
There's no question they're on the rise in value. There's not much out there that isn't to be honest...if it's special and in good condition, it's in demand.
I credit access to reviews on YouTube and sites like BaT for bringing attention to specific cars. DIY'ability of the older generation of cars is also nice.
I credit access to reviews on YouTube and sites like BaT for bringing attention to specific cars. DIY'ability of the older generation of cars is also nice.
09-02-2021, 11:17 PM
#37
Junior Member
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10-03-2021, 07:05 PM
#39
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1999 C43 AMG, 2005 E55 Wagon
2005 Estate with 70k miles
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/20...-amg-wagon-25/
Sold for $50,280 USD with buyers fees.
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/20...-amg-wagon-25/
Sold for $50,280 USD with buyers fees.
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Saurabh914 (10-03-2021)
10-03-2021, 09:19 PM
#40
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This place is a joke.
2005 Estate with 70k miles
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/20...-amg-wagon-25/
Sold for $50,280 USD with buyers fees.
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/20...-amg-wagon-25/
Sold for $50,280 USD with buyers fees.
10-03-2021, 10:01 PM
#41
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'99 and '05 E55 AMG
Just assisted a new owner who purchased a 2003 E55 w/138,000 miles. He paid $10K for it. I estimated it needed approximately $4500 in parts (no labor) to bring it up to reliable status. He was excited and enthusiastic about his first AMG. FWIW.
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CQHall (10-15-2021)
10-13-2021, 09:48 PM
#42
MBWorld Fanatic!
BAT is registered, identified and CC listed buyers. It pulls your fees upon end of auction. It’s a very high percentage of successful sales, and a great community. I’ll probably list my 928GT there and if this market continues the e55 when it’s done.
10-13-2021, 10:36 PM
#44
MBWorld Fanatic!
Hey! Life moves! Literally moved homes and jobs.
Need the car back! Swapped a lease while the market is hot. Want to sell most of the cars.
so IC circuit is this next few weeks and may get car back by end of year. Nothing much has changed on it for a year.
