Thoughts on this car (W211 E55 AMG)?

[jimmyca69]

Sorry only just saw this thread had been revived.

The key is patience as not many of these about and you end up looking at various ones for sale initially and almost compromising on a car as you want to buy one.

Already got a good starting point by coming on here, the guys here are great and extremely helpful.

If you havent already have a look here at this as may address some questions about what to look out for if you werent already aware of http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/general-discussion/141175-viewing-test-drive-tips.html

A few other tips from me having recently been through this....
1) If car not local see if anyone from forum willing to visit to check over (BaldGuy did this for me ) to save a wasted trip as there can be some real dogs.
2) Ask sellers all the questions under the sun, a lot can be gained about a seller from their response.
3) Utilise local Independents, for £50-£75 most will do a 1hr check over the car and know what to look for. Money well spent IMO. It will also see how confident seller is in the car that they will take it to the indy for the checkover.
4) As mentioned mileage isnt the issue, more so how it is looked after. Mine had 94k but had a s/h i have never seen the like of before (A4 folder that previous owner had printed pic of car onto and receipts for everything). I even found their email address on the receipts and emailed them for further info as they had p/ex'd with garage for a S200. They confirmed how well looked after it was.
5) IMO try to stretch for a post-2004 car with the electrical and radiator gremlins gone and the different vent. I went to see 3 pre-2004 cars and some issues with all. The one post-2004 I went to see I bought. For your budget you should be able to get a 80k+ revised model with FMSH.

I have some more info on prices etc and also some info on cars still for sale that I can PM you that may be of interest.

Hope that helps

 

[rm163603]

Sorry only just saw this thread had been revived.

The key is patience as not many of these about and you end up looking at various ones for sale initially and almost compromising on a car as you want to buy one.

Already got a good starting point by coming on here, the guys here are great and extremely helpful.

If you havent already have a look here at this as may address some questions about what to look out for if you werent already aware of http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/general-discussion/141175-viewing-test-drive-tips.html

A few other tips from me having recently been through this....
1) If car not local see if anyone from forum willing to visit to check over (BaldGuy did this for me ) to save a wasted trip as there can be some real dogs.
2) Ask sellers all the questions under the sun, a lot can be gained about a seller from their response.
3) Utilise local Independents, for £50-£75 most will do a 1hr check over the car and know what to look for. Money well spent IMO. It will also see how confident seller is in the car that they will take it to the indy for the checkover.
4) As mentioned mileage isnt the issue, more so how it is looked after. Mine had 94k but had a s/h i have never seen the like of before (A4 folder that previous owner had printed pic of car onto and receipts for everything). I even found their email address on the receipts and emailed them for further info as they had p/ex'd with garage for a S200. They confirmed how well looked after it was.
5) IMO try to stretch for a post-2004 car with the electrical and radiator gremlins gone and the different vent. I went to see 3 pre-2004 cars and some issues with all. The one post-2004 I went to see I bought. For your budget you should be able to get a 80k+ revised model with FMSH.

I have some more info on prices etc and also some info on cars still for sale that I can PM you that may be of interest.

Hope that helps

It certainly does, many thanks.

If you do know of any cars good or bad I'd appreciate if you could drop me a line.

I take you are pleased with your choice overall?

 

[TDE1]

As an aside, the inspection I had done on mine (by the warranty company) was a bit of a joke. Without digging it out, some of the "faults" listed included

Keyless start not working... He wasn't pressing the foot brake
Sunroof operation - N/a, no sunroof... It has Pano (but the lining covers were shut)
Passenger dynamic seat not working... He was trying it from the drivers seat

He also advised me the spare tyre was unused but flat (it would be, he hadnt used the compressor to inflate it ), and that the electronic boot was opening fine but had to be closed manually

 

[developer]

As an aside, the inspection I had done on mine (by the warranty company) was a bit of a joke. Without digging it out, some of the "faults" listed included

Keyless start not working... He wasn't pressing the foot brake
Sunroof operation - N/a, no sunroof... It has Pano (but the lining covers were shut)
Passenger dynamic seat not working... He was trying it from the drivers seat

He also advised me the spare tyre was unused but flat (it would be, he hadnt used the compressor to inflate it ), and that the electronic boot was opening fine but had to be closed manually

Shocking Tim - I so want experts to be experts as sometimes you have to rely on them.

 

[TDE1]

Very true John. Luckily I'd already tried and tested everything, so enjoyed (just a little) educating him. He didnt normally 'do' these sorts of cars...

I saw from the paperwork that a previous potential buyer had paid a £500 deposit (his full credit card details and name / address were in the folder!!!) but not proceeded with the purchase. I called him and he said I'd made a good buy - he pulled out for reasons not related to the car.

So Jimmyca69... how's it going?

 

[jimmyca69]

It is quite simply a joy - I have owned some good fast cars in my time (ATR, CTR, Imported DC5, R32, Focus ST, Scooby STi Type-UK, S4) but this is something else. It is on another level. Comfort, understated but mean looks, all toys a geek like me loves wrapped over what is an absolute beast of a car.

It is very jekyll and hyde in that you drive about and almost convince yourself you are in a comfortable old mans car but then you press the go pedal down properly and all hell breaks loose.

I am worrying less also about potential servicing and ownership costs - it's so good at moment i'll sell wife to keep it on road.

 

[developer]

it's so good at moment i'll sell wife to keep it on road.

:d:d:d

 

[jimmyca69]

It certainly does, many thanks.

If you do know of any cars good or bad I'd appreciate if you could drop me a line.

I take you are pleased with your choice overall?

Sorry cant PM you dont think you have those facilities yet due to post count.

If you can somehow let me know your email address and i'll pass on details I have.

 

[jimmyca69]

Oh and having looked at PH, Autotrader and eBay - i would be concentrating on this one Used MERCEDES-BENZ E CLASS E55K 4DR TIP AUTO - IMMAC... for sale - PistonHeads (Ref 991415)

Starting a conversation with some genuine enthusiast questions and get feel for seller and car. If you can go see it great - if not perhaps someone on here close by? Try and hint at interest but be patient. To get it for your budget of 11k will require patience and perhaps good timing in their need to shift stock and also maybe time of year isnt great. A lot of their stock appears to be performance cars though so they may be slightly less open to offers as willing to keep hold of stock for longer but you never know.

If you can stretch to 11.5k that might be an offer to tempt them. Whatever you offer can always leave it on the table and see if they come back to you. Worked for me

 

[rm163603]

Sorry cant PM you dont think you have those facilities yet due to post count.

If you can somehow let me know your email address and i'll pass on details I have.

I just spotted that. Not sure if you are on Pistonheads but my user ID is the same as this one.

Thanks for the info, the silver car isn't far away so I should be able to get down and have a look.

It certainly ticks all the boxes looking at the ad.

I'm in no massive hurry but as you say time of year is in my favour right now...

 

[M777CUS]

guys,

what are you thoughts on this?

http://www.gpcars.co.uk/used_car_mercedes-benz_e_class_saloon_3358.htm