CLS55 and other AMG buying advice - car on Autotrader

[philnewmerc]

Sounds sensible but g/boxes are rarely serviced in my experience of the 2nd hand market... people usually say "what do you mean?"

Think I'm going to leave this one (only because 5 hours is too far to go to be disappointed by a dodgy seller) and keep looking for one within a 2 or so hours drive away radius - I have just (this afternoon) bought a cheap 318i to keep me going for a few weeks while I look around.

Thanks so much for the comments, I was going a bit mental ruminating on it lol

 

[Doodle]

From 211's on Mercs were galvanised so, unlike the 210's, 202's etc, the bodies didn't fizz.

Didn't do them much good. My 211 had both arches and the tailgate done under warranty before its 10th birthday

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Hello

I've been mulling over looking (hopefully buying) at a car that is 5 hours drive away - I don't really want a 10 hour wasted round trip so I wondered what are sensible questions to ask the seller about the car beforehand? Car in question is:

2005 Mercedes-Benz CLS CLS55 4dr Auto COUPE Petrol Automatic | eBay

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I did phone but he seemed very vague and searching Companies House for the details of the directors does not inspire confidence (previous car sales company dissolved) but it does look clean and affordable so I would treat it like buying from a private seller I think. There are other AMGs but they're higher mileage and/or more expensive. Or should I just wait?

In general, which AMGs are better value? My only criteria is must have 4 or 5 doors and no s classes... i need to park ! My budget is 10K + 2K spare for repairs

Is the HPI check on Ebay reliable or should I get my own?

Cheers
P

If you want the best value AMG then I would look no further than the W203 C 55 AMG.

Relatively affordable to buy, surely bottomed-out and starting rise in value, relatively simple and robust mechanicals, straightforward and inexpensive to repair and maintain, and overall reliable.

The only drawback is that the W/203 platform has had rust issues in the lower doors and wheel arches, but that was much less of an issue with the later cars (and all of the C 55 were later cars).

 

[Will]

That CLS55 is priced relatively low. But being honest you get quite a few cars like these for sale from small time traders around this area and they always seem a bit…dodgy!

The mileage is a classic advert trick. 99k - MOT was 104k a few months back. Plenty of advisories over the last few years - probably not all addressed going by the history.

I mean the car is probably OK but if it seems a bit cheaper than you expect, expect to get what you pay for.

It’s only £9k though, still arguably decent value even if you end up spending a bit on it over time. Depends on whether you can do some work yourself, and be patient in sourcing parts etc now and then?

If you’re realistic with your expectations then I’d get someone to look at it and go from there. An eighteen year old 100k+ miler AMG is likely to need a fair bit of TLC so needs either a DIY/keen owner or someone who doesn’t worry about spending money when required

 

[Will]

Didn't do them much good. My 211 had both arches and the tailgate done under warranty before its 10th birthday

To be fair, any tailgate or wheel arch corrosion on a 211 is in a different ball park compared to the rot on the 210 era cars before them.

They’re literally chalk and cheese in this regard.

There’s loads of old 211s smoking around (often with surprisingly rust free bodywork!) but you hardly see any 210s of any type even though there is often just a few years between them.

 

[philnewmerc]

If you want the best value AMG then I would look no further than the W203 C 55 AMG.

Relatively affordable to buy, surely bottomed-out and starting rise in value, relatively simple and robust mechanicals, straightforward and inexpensive to repair and maintain, and overall reliable.

The only drawback is that the W/203 platform has had rust issues in the lower doors and wheel arches, but that was much less of an issue with the later cars (and all of the C 55 were later cars).

Yes I like those and your logic makes sense. There was one for sale a week or so on autotrader whick looked good and was 100k ish miles and about £8k but when I asked why the heavily accented man why he was selling he said it was to pay for an urgent medical bill... Maybe it was true but my bullshit antenna wasn't convinced. There is one on ebay now and looks good but it's done 155000 miles and is 10 grand! In 2 or 3 years it'll be near 200000 and practically worthless so that 10k price seems very high.

Anyway, I've just bought a v cheap beemer to keep me going while I look around for a few weeks.

Cheers!

 

[alexanderfoti]

They are getting to the age where rust is getting to various places. Front upper control arm pockets suffer. We do a lot of brake lines as the routing is hidden and they don't get mentioned on MOT. I would want to be seeing underneath it, although the price is good, so you could take a chance. An unmolested (unmodified) one is always a good shout from a drivetrain reliability point of view.

 

[philnewmerc]

They are getting to the age where rust is getting to various places. Front upper control arm pockets suffer. We do a lot of brake lines as the routing is hidden and they don't get mentioned on MOT. I would want to be seeing underneath it, although the price is good, so you could take a chance. An unmolested (unmodified) one is always a good shout from a drivetrain reliability point of view.

For rust is that just C class or E and CLS class too? I had a 99 C Class that was so rusty underneath you'd think it was 1977. And I then had a 2004 C class which although structurally sound was also just beginning to rust it wings (after 8 years! Renaults and Fiats don't rust so why on earth should a Mercedes!). Anyway, that CLS 55 AMG I linked to might be solid and just need a bit of tlc (which I'd understand, I've had dozens of mercs and BMWs) but I haven't got the stomach for 10 hour round trip drives to view cars that might not be as described any more - if it turned put to be a dog I'd feel like torching it, and that's not good ... so I'll wait . But all good advice I've learnt here, cheers.

This is the mega miles but top dollar C55 that is within my travel radius. Sounds nice and honest, but in 2 or 3 years it'll be on 200,000 miles and therefore practically unsaleable, no??

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[alexanderfoti]

For rust is that just C class or E and CLS class too? I had a 99 C Class that was so rusty underneath you'd think it was 1977. And I then had a 2004 C class which although structurally sound was also just beginning to rust it wings (after 8 years! Renaults and Fiats don't rust so why on earth should a Mercedes!). Anyway, that CLS 55 AMG I linked to might be solid and just need a bit of tlc (which I'd understand, I've had dozens of mercs and BMWs) but I haven't got the stomach for 10 hour round trip drives to view cars that might not be as described any more - if it turned put to be a dog I'd feel like torching it, and that's not good ... so I'll wait . But all good advice I've learnt here, cheers.

This is the mega miles but top dollar C55 that is within my travel radius. Sounds nice and honest, but in 2 or 3 years it'll be on 200,000 miles and therefore practically unsaleable, no??

Mercedes C55 amg estate BMW M3 Audi RS4 Avant **REDUCED** | eBay

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I know the feeling re driving round and round for mi's described cars.

Only E and CLS have the specific rust issues I mentioned (suspension and brake lines)at the price they are asking it's a gambler really. If you snag it for closer to 8. Spend 2k doing the bits, it will be a good car, but do consider air struts and things do make those type of repairs expensive.

 

[Doodle]

To be fair, any tailgate or wheel arch corrosion on a 211 is in a different ball park compared to the rot on the 210 era cars before them.

They’re literally chalk and cheese in this regard.

There’s loads of old 211s smoking around (often with surprisingly rust free bodywork!) but you hardly see any 210s of any type even though there is often just a few years between them.

There's North Sea oil rigs with less rot than your average 210.

My point was that just because they were galvanised didn't make them completely immune. I remember there being a good number of warranty claims mentioned on here back in the day, mine included

 

[PaulG]

CLS55's offer a relatively cheap way into E55k ownership and I've looked at them for that reason. Also, I like the fact that they are based on the 211 E Class platform which is pretty tough.

But there are the common faults that people have pointed out; if I was buying one I'd look for bills for common things like Airmatic springs/struts F&R, Airmatic pump, SBC pump, discs & tyres and preventative maintenance things like g/box oil.

That one is towards the lower end of the pricing curve whish would make it it a real bargain if the previous owners had lavished it with care. But the low mileage, low owner cherished ones seem to list in the mid teens. I don't know what they actually sell for but I guess the pricing reflects the (relative) risk.

Personally, I'd try to buy one privately off here and/or one that's obviously been well looked after with stacks of paperwork.

Oh yes the SBC pump. I'm just getting mine sorted out and it is not cheap. I know the W211 from 2003-2006 (preface lift) had these. The CLS also had the SBC pump but I don't know when they stopped fitting them. @philnewmerc - Definitely worth checking.

 

[Teego]

My policy when buying a car (or a house) is, IF IN DOUBT, DON'T.

 

[Matt58]

Sounds sensible but g/boxes are rarely serviced in my experience of the 2nd hand market... people usually say "what do you mean?"

Think I'm going to leave this one (only because 5 hours is too far to go to be disappointed by a dodgy seller) and keep looking for one within a 2 or so hours drive away radius - I have just (this afternoon) bought a cheap 318i to keep me going for a few weeks while I look around.

Thanks so much for the comments, I was going a bit mental ruminating on it lol

I think you’ve made the right decision, you can drop so much money on these seemingly cheap AMG’S, and it’s so far away, you almost feel you should buy it. I’ve prob spent the asking price again on my 03 E55, SBC, airmatic struts, rear sub bushes, rear arches, discs, caliper refurbs etc etc etc. Try and find a private example that’s had some love.

 

[Cyclone1]

Stunning cars.

Best advice is to pop a “wanted” advert on the Forum as there may be an existing owner willing to sell. It doesn’t mean you’ll get an absolute minter, but you will have some reassurance the car and its owner will have posted about it from time to time.

You’ve done the right thing buying a runabout, as this will now allow you to take your time and be patient finding a nice CLS55. I’ve had two in the past and both were superb.

 

[Skd884]

67k miles £8k go purchase it today op

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[philnewmerc]

I think you’ve made the right decision, you can drop so much money on these seemingly cheap AMG’S, and it’s so far away, you almost feel you should buy it. I’ve prob spent the asking price again on my 03 E55, SBC, airmatic struts, rear sub bushes, rear arches, discs, caliper refurbs etc etc etc. Try and find a private example that’s had some love.

Yeah I think we've all had our fingers burnt! And I know that feeling of driving for so long and think, oh well, i've come all this way...
I am going to be patient, and I am wondering if a good C Class is a safer bet than the E or CLS with their Airmatic and SBC problems - will probably depend on the car and owner

 

[philnewmerc]

67k miles £8k go purchase it today op

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www.autotrader.co.uk

Blimey thanks for that! The day after I pick up my run about a promising car comes up on Autotrader. It does look good and just within my radius. I will give them a call (Although listening to all the airmatic/sbc woes I am uncertain now... but I guess that's why they're cheap)

Edit: Looking at the pictures there are jump leads in the boots lol - bad sign?
Edit: no mot history available, maybe because private plate changed

 

[Matt58]

Yeah I think we've all had our fingers burnt! And I know that feeling of driving for so long and think, oh well, i've come all this way...
I am going to be patient, and I am wondering if a good C Class is a safer bet than the E or CLS with their Airmatic and SBC problems - will probably depend on the car and owner

Probably no good to you, but I’m planning on selling mine, sometime next year, as i want to get into adventure motorcycling.

 

[Skd884]

8k is fine even if you spend a few k on works etc.

 

[philnewmerc]

8k is fine even if you spend a few k on works etc.

Maybe. But they seem to sit on Autotrader for months and months so I don't want to sink a lot into a car that people are quite frightened of...