Hey guys,
Long winded post this..
Only had my '01 CLK55 for a short while but tbh I want something newer with a sharper drive (I hate the W208's steering with a passion).
So, I have a budget of 10k.
Short list is pretty simple;
W211 E55K - Super rocket ship, always loved these, I realised how quick they are when one hammered me in my CLK55 like I wasn't even trying.
C55 - Seems very expensive when a W211 is only a couple grand more.
E46 M3 SMG - Drivers car, a car I've wanted for as long as it's been out but getting a bit common now among the wrong types.
Whatever I buy has to be auto so the wife can pop to the shops in it (she nearly talked me into a Golf GTI DSG ).
So, how bad are E55 running costs? I don't mind buying one with up to 100k on the clock but my budget of 10k is pretty firm.
I understand the C55/M3 running costs aren't too different to my current CLK so no worries there.
Really the E55K is the dream car of the bunch and I don't mind niggles like keyless go not working (assuming the normal key still works). I don't care for fancy spec like distronic etc as long as it has heated seats and sat nav.
It's the mechanical woes that worry me; SBC, torque converters, Valeo related issues and worst of all the air struts.
So, how bad can it get and what are annual maintenance costs like?
I only do about 3-4k per year if it makes a difference.
I'm pretty sure a W211 will be out my budget in terms of running it even with man maths but I gotta be sure there's no way before going for either of the other two lol.
Thanks guys
Long winded post this..
Only had my '01 CLK55 for a short while but tbh I want something newer with a sharper drive (I hate the W208's steering with a passion).
So, I have a budget of 10k.
Short list is pretty simple;
W211 E55K - Super rocket ship, always loved these, I realised how quick they are when one hammered me in my CLK55 like I wasn't even trying.
C55 - Seems very expensive when a W211 is only a couple grand more.
E46 M3 SMG - Drivers car, a car I've wanted for as long as it's been out but getting a bit common now among the wrong types.
Whatever I buy has to be auto so the wife can pop to the shops in it (she nearly talked me into a Golf GTI DSG ).
So, how bad are E55 running costs? I don't mind buying one with up to 100k on the clock but my budget of 10k is pretty firm.
I understand the C55/M3 running costs aren't too different to my current CLK so no worries there.
Really the E55K is the dream car of the bunch and I don't mind niggles like keyless go not working (assuming the normal key still works). I don't care for fancy spec like distronic etc as long as it has heated seats and sat nav.
It's the mechanical woes that worry me; SBC, torque converters, Valeo related issues and worst of all the air struts.
So, how bad can it get and what are annual maintenance costs like?
I only do about 3-4k per year if it makes a difference.
I'm pretty sure a W211 will be out my budget in terms of running it even with man maths but I gotta be sure there's no way before going for either of the other two lol.
Thanks guys
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