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- Joined
- Nov 1, 2008
- Messages
- 18,888
- Location
- Bournemouth/Poole Dorset
- Car
- W210 E280 x2, w211 E55, W212 E63 biturbo, S204 C180K
Welcome to the forum Matty.
THIS. should cover most of your questions about buying a W211 E55.
I found it pretty useful when I bought mine.
THIS. should cover most of your questions about buying a W211 E55.
I found it pretty useful when I bought mine.
Tyres are around £500/set, so worth considering how soon they'll need replacing. I'd steer clear of cars with cheap tyres as with all cars this tends to reflect a budget approach to ownership - look out for OE brands Michelin/Continental etc - something decent like that.
Front discs/pads are around £500/set too so again something easy to check and budget for.
Air suspension can be expensive to replace if it needs new struts etc. Hopefully most of the examples will have had this replaced by now, both of my '04 cars have and it's not something you'd want to get lumbered with straight away. OE parts are very expensive but there's some aftermarket options nowadays too. Make sure there's no warning messages/faults, and raise/lower the car a few times in all modes etc.
There's loads of smaller issues that can cumulatively add up, these are reasonably complex cars and a badly maintained one will cost a lot to put right, but on the whole are excellent value for money and reliable. If you find a particular example maybe post on here if it's close by and one of us maybe able to take a look with you, or ideally have it inspected by a decent local indi.
Best of luck with the search. Once you drive one you'll be hooked
Superb folks. Very helpful advice.
I have seen a few in the Autotrader/Gumtree/eBay:
Mercedes-Benz E Class 5.4 E55 AMG 4dr
Mercedes-Benz E Class 5.4 E55 AMG 4dr
MERCEDES E55 AMG KOMPRESSOR 500BHP *IMMACULATE CONDITION* | eBay
MERCEDES E55 AMG !! 5.5 V8 !! 55 PLATE !! 88.000 MILES !! FSH !! FACE LIFT | eBay
To be honest I was hoping to spend in and around 10k but obviously trying to avoid buying a heart breaker. I'm in Belfast so ideally I'll be lining up a few to go and see over a weekend.
I have seen a few in the Autotrader/Gumtree/eBay:
Mercedes-Benz E Class 5.4 E55 AMG 4dr
Mercedes-Benz E Class 5.4 E55 AMG 4dr
MERCEDES E55 AMG KOMPRESSOR 500BHP *IMMACULATE CONDITION* | eBay
MERCEDES E55 AMG !! 5.5 V8 !! 55 PLATE !! 88.000 MILES !! FSH !! FACE LIFT | eBay
To be honest I was hoping to spend in and around 10k but obviously trying to avoid buying a heart breaker. I'm in Belfast so ideally I'll be lining up a few to go and see over a weekend.
- Joined
- Nov 1, 2008
- Messages
- 18,888
- Location
- Bournemouth/Poole Dorset
- Car
- W210 E280 x2, w211 E55, W212 E63 biturbo, S204 C180K
The only one of those to interest me would be the last one. Reasonable price for a 55 reg, updated electrics and better spec than the others. Also has an E63 front bumper and lights upgrade. Well worth a look
The others appear a little expensive for 03 reg cars with very few extra options fitted. These cars come highly specced from the factory so many of the "options" listed are standard.
Check and check again everything electric works.
I see the others are in Hull so no harm checking them out. Don't be swayed by how quick the first one seems. They are all damn fast
The others appear a little expensive for 03 reg cars with very few extra options fitted. These cars come highly specced from the factory so many of the "options" listed are standard.
Check and check again everything electric works.
I see the others are in Hull so no harm checking them out. Don't be swayed by how quick the first one seems. They are all damn fast
Welcome to the forum. Lots of E55K bods on here so a fair wealth of experience.
Get yourself a 2004 onwards (53 I think it started) and it will be galvanised so less chance of rust. Full history is essential. Body damage - I would expect any unless priced accordingly.
I hate the adverts WITH MASSIVE CAPITALS although that is a personal gripe.
The 55 plate seems too cheap to me - especially on 88k. A little concerning but worth a look nevertheless.
I've noticed a lot of ridiculously-priced E55s (including W210s) recently.
I think for £10k, I would be looking at around a mint late 2003 model / good 2004 model / higher mile 2005.
Get yourself a 2004 onwards (53 I think it started) and it will be galvanised so less chance of rust. Full history is essential. Body damage - I would expect any unless priced accordingly.
I hate the adverts WITH MASSIVE CAPITALS although that is a personal gripe.
The 55 plate seems too cheap to me - especially on 88k. A little concerning but worth a look nevertheless.
I've noticed a lot of ridiculously-priced E55s (including W210s) recently.
I think for £10k, I would be looking at around a mint late 2003 model / good 2004 model / higher mile 2005.
Agreed. Adverts that shout at me make me want to close. Unfortunately people think that's the best way to display them.
Last one looks the best bet but first isn't dreadful assuming due diligence etc.
What you need is the estate as they are far more useful!
ChrisEdu
MB Enthusiast
- Joined
- Sep 5, 2005
- Messages
- 8,326
- Location
- By the southern sea
- Car
- E320CDi Estate - gone E320CDi Saloon - written off CLS 350CDi Coupé
Last one was the only one that I liked the look of.
I'm not a huge fan of the ones with the star on the grille - doesn't work on the W211 in my opinion.
Also the wheels with the wrong offset look odd.
First one looks alright actually.
I'm guessing the OP might be around 22 - estate?
This is a bit of an old man's car for 22 if you indeed are but I think there is something cool about being young and driving a more grown up car.
I nearly bought a 1996 XJR in Aquamarine (Turquoise) once because I thought it was cool for a late 20 something to be driving around in it.
Also the wheels with the wrong offset look odd.
First one looks alright actually.
I'm guessing the OP might be around 22 - estate?
This is a bit of an old man's car for 22 if you indeed are but I think there is something cool about being young and driving a more grown up car.
I nearly bought a 1996 XJR in Aquamarine (Turquoise) once because I thought it was cool for a late 20 something to be driving around in it.
- Joined
- Nov 1, 2008
- Messages
- 18,888
- Location
- Bournemouth/Poole Dorset
- Car
- W210 E280 x2, w211 E55, W212 E63 biturbo, S204 C180K
A little over budget but I'd be making my way over to look this one over.
http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/amg-lounge/208634-time-say-bye-bye-e55k-amg-sale.html
Dogbreath
Active Member
I bought the last one on the list. The 55 plate. I changed the grill, still got a big star but the grill is black now.
Love it:bannana:
Lee
I changed the grill, still got a big star but the grill is black now. Love it:bannana:
Lee
Dogbreath
Active Member
Hi John
Were you meaning the wheels on the car I bought with regards to offset ?
Thanks
Lee
Hi Lee,
I cannot see the original advert now but I seem to remember it was the same car with the star on the front grille...
Are they the correct offset?
Cheers,
John.
Dogbreath
Active Member
Hi
Yes they are original wheels with correct size tyres and offset. I was just curious as to if you knew something I didn't, I did loads of homework on the car before buying. Really happy with it.
Thanks
Lee
Yes they are original wheels with correct size tyres and offset. I was just curious as to if you knew something I didn't, I did loads of homework on the car before buying. Really happy with it.
Thanks
Lee
Maybe it wasn't your car then... I don't remember now!
The ones I saw looked miles out.
That's great anyway - I'm into my 6th year of ownership and I still love the car. I go through odd phases of thinking about giving up on it and then it astounds me a-new.
Dogbreath
Active Member
I've not really had a car that can be so docile and chilled then turn into a raving madman. I've had Skyline GTR's since late 90's which are uncomfy and mine were all or nothing, turbo on my big one not coming in until 4K then all hell breaks loose....! I don't miss 900+ bhp one bit. Wouldn't swap the E55 for it! Must be getting old....lol
