E55 V E240 £££'s - IS IT WORTH IT ??

[roadiesean]

Hi All, I'm new to the Forum, so g'day

Now, a (possibly) stupid question, this one isn't about how many MPG I'll get, or how expensive are discs and pads for an E55, this is more about, is it really worth the difference.

Here is my conundrum, I have a S reg E240 estate that I have had for 3 years and I love it, I bought it with 60k miles on from the only owner (Hampstead - no expense had been spared) FMBSH etc, I have now done 100k on it and its getting tired (rusty wings and a bit on the roof) but in general it is a solid, uber reliable Monday morning car that is still a great drive and quick on a trip.

But I have been bitten by the AMG E55 estate bug and I'm stuck, I have found a great 2 owner car, 90k miles again FMBSH, absolutely immaculate, 2000 model with absolutely everything on it, drives beautifully, looks like a 6 month old car, not a speck of rust on it, it really is mint and drives and looks WAAAY better than my old Herman.

The thing is, I can only expect say £2k for my Herman and the newie is nearly £7k, now, granted that is a very small amount of money for a phenomenal car, but I could buy, say a 944 turbo with the money I will be spending, or a mint Mini Cooper RSP, or 5 MGF's etc, etc.

I know I love the car, but having gone 10 rounds with Mrs Roadiesean yesterday, I am now questioning my sanity. The thing is although I have owned hundreds of cars, I am not one to fritter my money away on fripperies, this would be the most expensive car I have ever owned (despite owning Caterham 7's, 560 SEC's etc. IS IT WORTH IT ?????

 

[moonloops]

IS IT WORTH IT?

yes

next...

 

[BlackC55]

Do it. You only live once.

 

[d w124]

Hi and welcome to the forum I think you already know the answer but another Yes from me

 

[roadiesean]

You get my drift though don't you ? The problem I have is that I am loathe to give up my lovely old Herman, he fits like a pair of comfy slippers.......

Hmmmm, but THAT engine !!!!!!

And the 240 isn't exactly fuel efficient.........................

 

[roadiesean]

Anybody after a well loved (but a bit tired) E240 estate with leather, air, Bose stereo, 100k miles ??

;-)

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Hmm..... Is this another of those rhetorical questions?
Either a V8 AMG or stay with your old trusty rusty?
V8 all day long, I'm afraid....

 

[roadiesean]

Sweetpea I get your drift, it feels a bit rhetorical but my missus usually talks sense and I really had to battle on this one, I also thought the argument was a bit of a nonstarter !! But having spent 2 hours going backwards and forwards started to question what I was actually saying !

So consensus view is get the AMG and shut up ? ;-)

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Sweetpea I get your drift, it feels a bit rhetorical but my missus usually talks sense and I really had to battle on this one, I also thought the argument was a bit of a nonstarter !! But having spent 2 hours going backwards and forwards started to question what I was actually saying !

So consensus view is get the AMG and shut up ? ;-)

Take the missus for a test drive in the E55. Should do the trick

 

[roadiesean]

Yeah, you'd think so......but whilst she was all on board with my buying a 911 last week before it became apparent that for £20k you only get trouble, now she thinks that the AMG is a boring car and I might as well keep Hermann......

Can't win !! By buying a E55, I'm saving money actually !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You have got to love them !

 

[312 Sprinter]

Is it really worth buying any W210 for 7K? The build quality is dire; 7K is too much for a disposable car.

 

[roadiesean]

That's exactly what I was wondering. But this really is mint, it had all the wings replaced under warranty by MB 18 months ago and there is not a mark on it......

 

[312 Sprinter]

That's exactly what I was wondering. But this really is mint, it had all the wings replaced under warranty by MB 18 months ago and there is not a mark on it......

The wings are an irrelevance; the issue is what is underneath. The tops of the doors rust and the official cure is to cut off the lip and glue the seal to the remaing bit of door. They rot underneath the rear bumper, the rear spring cups go, the cross members go.

For that kind of money I'd want to see it on a lift with the underbody shields removed, I'd also be tempted to pull the rear bumper off it before splashing the cash.

 

[roadiesean]

Underneath it is solid as a rock !!!!!!!!! What an awesome car, so, well......I bought it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sitting outside as I speak ! Want a picture......here you go :bannana::bannana::bannana::bannana:

 

[roadiesean]

I just picked up the kids in it, they noticed the difference but when they got it in, the first thing they said was "why did you buy exactly the same car as our old one, with uglier seats"!!!!!!!!!! No accounting for taste I guess !

I think I am in love though.

 

[Blackman]

It's rare to see a W210 E55 nowadays, let alone an estate, so definitely a great buy, and you will love it.

Take care of it, and it will raise in value in the future.

 

[Barbanasos]

Good choice. Don't think it will cost you a hell of a lot in fuel. I have in e240 as well as the 55 and in small journeys the 240 is also heavy on fuel, as its a small engine for the size of the car. The 55 moves it effortlessly. The 55 on the motorway is less pushed and at normal driving its not bad at all.

 

[st4]

I'd say to keep it rust free, a nice professional undersealing needs to be done.

IIRC Olly @ PCS mentioned being able to do this.

 

[Londonscottish]

Yey! Great car - I test drove one back in 2003 - but I ended up with my first C43 as I didn't need the space at the time - but I LOVED the shove and also the composure of the '55.

Enjoy it!

 

[312 Sprinter]

Congratulations. Check out Bilt-Hamber Laboratories - Corrosion Prevention - Rust Prevention

It looks like a nioce one; it'll be worth preserving.