147K is no where near Moon Mileage!
250K + maybe!!
Two thirds of the way there nearly is getting on for 240k to me - each to their own!
Mileage is and isn't the problem to me......or should it be??
To me a 147K well looked after car is better than a badly looked after 80K car??
Or am I better twiddling my thumbs and watching ads??
Still undecided on a 320, 500 but WOULD LOVE AN AMG!
Anyone any thoughts on running costs??
I'm not expecting silly MPG, etc but doing I guess 10, 000 miles a year I'm pondering!
I agree with your stance on preferring a mint well-looked after 147k than a shabby 80k for sure - but come re-sale, you will get clobbered for the mileage - so you have to clobber at buying accordingly!
People's perception doesn't always match up to the reality. I bought a 124,000 K reg 325i once and drove like a dream. I did nothing to it apart from get the gearbox bolts tightened because it was starting to leak - and that was it until I traded it in at 140,000 a year later.
I think if your heart is in it and you have the opportunity, you may as well.
I don't believe now a year of running an E55K vs. E500 would yield massive differences in most costs. The expensive bits are the AMG bits but these cars are very well engineered.
Some on here have had issues, some less so. None are without issue but luck and service history etc. will play a part.
I would drive one and see what you think...
Bank on 18mpg in your calculations. I do around 8000 miles a year and spend around £250/£300 a month on fuel - with some spirited driving and some not. I managed to get it down to 11mpg when I first got it but I have too much mechanical sympathy to drive a car hard all the time. You don't need to anyway. Moderate acceleration eats most things.
I think Simon means the engine, have a look at the engine picture, signs of oil leaks maybe. I'd want to know more about that....
I mentioned that in line 3 of my post?
