I had an 2003 E55 that I liked. I recently sold it to pick up a E63. I have been looking at several 2018-2019 E63. I found one that I like and fits my budget. I am up north of Boston, in New Hampshire. The car is far away and will require me to fly in, or have the car shipped to me. I negotiated the price to $50k down from $53k before getting the Lemon Squad inspection and before learning of a leak.

It is a 2018 E63s with 57,500 miles. All stock.

I had lemon squad take a look at it. Most everything was marked good on the inspection report. Tires will need replacement probably the end of next year. It has had some repair work done to the front. Front RT fender was replaced. Front doors, hood and bumper was repainted due to a minor accident. The accident is reported on the carfax as minor. The lemon squad reports the paint and body repair as up to industry standards. There is no visible signs the car was in an accident. No frame damage. Car drove fine and shifts fine. No noises were noted. No codes were present and monitors were ready. There is only one key fob. The floor mats are missing.

The seller mentioned the car has a smallish oil leak. He said he took the car in to get the oil changed a while back and there was oil in the under pan. I asked how much oil and the seller said it was not a lot. Lemon squad reported no visible leaks. No oil on the parking space that was visible. So the oil is not leaking out of the under pan. I asked the seller where the leak is coming from and he didn't know. The local shop that did the oil change didn't note where it was leaking from... Lemon squad noted the oil as at a normal level and in good condition.

I called the dealership local to the seller and asked about a PPI. They want $370 for the PPI. I plan to have this done if I decide to proceed with the transaction. Depends on what I learn here I guess.

With all of the issues I have been reading about it seems the W213 E63s a plagued by multiple issues. Seems that aren't if they will happen, but more like when they will happen. OVS, RMS and motor mounts being the big three. I usually work on my own cars and have tackled may larger jobs. I am confident I can do the motor mounts and MAYBE the RMS. I haven't looked up the OVS replacement procedure so unsure about that one.

Any thoughts or advice on this car from the info above?

 

my thoughts are getting a more rigorous PPI that specifically looks at the RMS and OVS, consider a PPI by a dealership that's familiar and fluent with these issues and at this point, it should be every Mercedes dealership since it's been such a pervasive issue. I would not spend a dollar on this car until I have all of this evaluated and I would love to have the cylinder scoped as well

i've seen cars with less miles without any accidents reported for about this money too, so I feel like you're overpaying for a car with a dirty Carfax and nearly 60,000 miles and already with a reported oil leak

what was the maintenance like on this car over the years?

 

The maintenance looked good. Regular oil changes, diff fluid changes, brake fluid flushes, new rotors, pads and battery not that long ago. I already got the PPI quote from Mercedes if I decide to continue with the purchase I will get it done.

I have not been able to find a clean 2018 or 2019 for anywhere near $50k. All of the ones I have seen have had a story or were way above $50k. If you see any cars with less miles and a clean history for the same money definitely send them my way!

What do you think a fair price would be for this car?

 

kinda depends on what this oil leak is ..and what the ppi says ... could be a "walk away" car

 

At 57,000 miles, that’s around the same mileage when i had the RMS (same model year). Aside from what you have mentioned, air suspension components faults and front suspension leaks i also had at the same time.

The other issue with this car is it will chew through your tires due to alignment setups (aggressive factory negative cambers). Like new tires required every 2 yrs or less.

i loved my e63 but the ultra expensive upkeeps forced me to sell in the end.

$50k seems to be on the premium side. In Canada, i see the 2018 e63s asking around $45k US (converted from C$) with around 60,000 miles. So, with some negotiations, this would likely be sold for like $42k US

 

UPDATE: I sent a message to the seller explaining the KBB value is about $45k for private sale with the mileage and in Good condition. I also explained the leak although unknown is likely to cost over $1k and could be much more depending on what it is. The tires need replacement soon. There is only one key fob so there is another $1k plus.

I explained I can't continue to set up the PPI at the Mercedes dealer unless he's willing to work with me on the price. Unless I do this I can't know what is actually leaking and the cost of the repair.

He was firm at $50k. He sent me a carfax that had the retail price of $52,340. I explained that is the retail price and this is a private sale of a car with known issues...

Anyway, the sale is off due to the seller not working with me on the sale price.

Anyone know of a clean 2018-2019 E63s for sale on the east coast that isn't white?

 

If it is RMS, you are likely looking at $6K US to fix. New tires $2500 US .. so, you are really looking at nearly $60K when all these are reflected in the potential purchase

 

Consider this one

https://mbworld.org/forums/market/920272

 

It is definitely in better condition with better overall maintenance and similar mileage. It too seems overpriced. Even when considering the remainder of the warranty. Is KBB private sale the best way to gauge the value of these? Everyone wants KBB plus $10k.

I sent a PM to see if we can negotiate.

 

$60k seems stupid money to me .... for a 8 years old car

 

Peter is correct. My 19 had 36k miles and a small oil leak when I purchased it. Turned out to be a upper oil pan gasket. That is a motor out repair, and while they were in there they replaced the RMS. The dealership paid for repair. Both of my OVS tested good at that time. However at 46k miles on my last service another oil leak was found. The valve cover gasket was leaking into the spark plug hole itself. That was a $5100 repair. While they had the front apart I had them change both OVS. So yeah....E63s life.

 

Small oil leak on a pre '20 E63 can be a $1K-$10K job... I'd suggest purchasing one without the leak present as you'd really be rolling the dice on punching a RMS or AOS issue car off the dealer lot...

Trenton O. Gibson
tgibson@highline-autos.com
Highline Autos
Direct: 602.909.9216
Office: 480.348.0777

 

sure, or get one for less and add the costs of rms, ovs, and other issues that need attention

plus $60k is starting price

markets are what markets are .. op can keep looking - always an option. Someone will buy this $60k car or get it for something less ...

but I'm with you - I wouldn't start out with a desire for an 8 year old car - that's me though

 

^^^^ here's the voice you need to listen to - he sees the warranty claims all day long

 

I'd walk away. There are lots of cars without sketchy history. Without dissing Lemon Squad, I would only have a PPI done by a single marque Mercedes dealer... I always fly to review the PPI with the tech with the car on the rack. If the dealer is amenable to this approach, find an another dealer to do the PPI. If they know you're flying in, they're usually more accommodating.

 

If you're the kind of guy that plans to keep a car 8+ years then $3K to $5K in price fluctuations don't mean much. But if you only plan to have it for a coupe years, then it's best to get the best price/deal you can. FYI, Lemon squad only does a basic PPI, they don't go as deep as some other companies that do PPI's; some are national and others are regional, and most are local. You will want to have the lower panel(s) removed for the PPI; that way you get the best view of the undercariage. That type of PPI will cost more, but you'll have more eace of mind.

As for that first car; whenever a private owner says "I don't know" about something as vital s an oil leak, that's a red flag...walk away. Glad you walked on that first car. Another will come by in the next few months.