Looking at an E55 tomorrow

"Harrycarry250" (Harrycarry250)
03/25/2014 at 22:52 • Filed to: None

I am going to a local used car lot tomorrow to look at an E55. Its a darn good price for its miles and seems well sorted. I'll link yall and let the post do the talking, unfortunately there are no pictures in the dealers webpage.

http://www.majorworld.com/used-details/N…

Any tips for W211 car buyer?

DISCUSSION (54)

PatBateman > Harrycarry250
03/25/2014 at 22:55

Try this when you take it for a test drive:

JohnPlayerSpecial > PatBateman
03/25/2014 at 22:59

Whoa. Cars should have more easter eggs like this.

PatBateman > JohnPlayerSpecial
03/25/2014 at 23:00

I was quite impressed myself.

twinturbobmw > PatBateman
03/25/2014 at 23:00

That is such a smart idea. They need a dedicated button for that.

Harrycarry250 > PatBateman
03/25/2014 at 23:01

Me- Excuse me fellow board members, I do see a sizable plume of smoke ahead

Board member- Let me roll up my window

Me- Oh don't bother good sir, watch this.

Board member-

Kinja'd!!!

DollaMoneyAve > Harrycarry250
03/25/2014 at 23:02

86k miles though... I hope you have deep pockets

Freddy "Tavarish" Hernandez > Harrycarry250
03/25/2014 at 23:05

Check for abnormal supercharger whine. These are notorious for having bearings that seize over time if not maintained. Also, check the ABC suspension for any leaks. Turn the car on and take the dipstick out of the reservoir, it's the black one closest to the cabin, identical to the power steering one. The fluid should be exactly at the line. If it's lower by much, that means there's a leak and that means lots of trouble. Make sure the drain in the rear of the engine bay is free of leaves or debris.

Hit a few hard dips (not potholes) and check for warning lights about the suspension. If they come on during suspension compression, there may be a bigger problem. Check every single feature on the car thoroughly, as these cars are pretty complicated electrically, and you want to know that the components aren't on their way out.

I've owned 3 W220s in the past, an S500 that I still drive, an S600 and S55AMG that I've sold. They're amazing cars, but need a bit more in maintenance than a regular econobox. The power delivery is incredible, and you'll never get tired of it.

Doug DeMuro > Harrycarry250
03/25/2014 at 23:08

Not that I have anything against a dealer with a star in the "A" in its name, but are you suuuuure you wouldn't like one with a Carmax warranty?!

Harrycarry250 > Doug DeMuro
03/25/2014 at 23:15

I would be working on this car myself but I looked and there are not any E55's on CarMax.

Doug DeMuro > Harrycarry250
03/25/2014 at 23:17

The problem for me has never been the labor but the parts. I once paid $2,000 for a set of front rotors for an E63. As long as you're OK with the fact that stuff will break and it'll be expensive, you're fine. But don't go in thinking it'll be reliable!

Harrycarry250 > Doug DeMuro
03/25/2014 at 23:21

Hmmm, how did you manage to own an E63 without breaking the bank?

Harrycarry250 > Doug DeMuro
03/25/2014 at 23:30

Where did you get those parts from? Im looking at 500 for a full set of OEM rotors by Merc.

Manuél Ferrari > Harrycarry250
03/25/2014 at 23:53

I leased a W211 E350. When the lease was up I turned it in and leased the 2 door version of the next gen car.

I liked the W211 way better. Mine was a later one, I think it was MY2007. No issues and drove great. The V6 was silky smooth. You really couldn't believe it was a V6. It felt so balanced and nice.

I ended up liking everything about the W211 better than the replacement. It handled better, had more comfortable seats, the navigation was much easier to use and the bluetooth quality was a lot better. I wish I had kept the W211.

Doug DeMuro > Harrycarry250
03/25/2014 at 23:59

Yeah, the E55 has different rotors. Check out pricing for rotors on the 07-09 E63... you'll be amazed. For me it was the final straw — after 9 months and thousands of dollars, I got rid of the thing.

M54B30 > Harrycarry250
03/26/2014 at 00:06

My father-in-law had an E500 for about 3 years from 2009 to 12/2013. He was way happier than he should've been when he traded it in towards a 2013 Mustang. Maintenance was a nightmare - as an example his 3rd brake light (LED strip) had a few LEDs not working and the dealer quoted him $350 for the part alone. A software update for his radio (no Nav or touchscreen)? A cool $1,700. He said he'd never touch another Mercedes again - and he's no stranger to German cars and their quirks.

Harrycarry250 > Manuél Ferrari
03/26/2014 at 00:09

Good to know, Thanks!

Harrycarry250 > Doug DeMuro
03/26/2014 at 00:11

Holy moly, you're right!

Harrycarry250 > M54B30
03/26/2014 at 00:13

Wow, that is unfortunate. I hope he had better luck with that 'Stang.

Manuél Ferrari > Harrycarry250
03/26/2014 at 00:14

No prob!

I don't know anything about the V8 model. Never owned or leased one and never drove one.

IMO the V6 had plenty of power for that chassis. It had a good amount of torque and I never felt wanting for more power. It was a great car to commute in and a fun to sometimes give it a little extra gas and get the tail a bit happy :)

M54B30 > Harrycarry250
03/26/2014 at 00:19

Hopefully. Not trying to scare you off, his was CPO as well. Some are good, some are headaches. But this is expensive maintenance ballpark, where issues get costly.

Like I tell people who ask about my maintenance: my car is a fine testament to German engineering and exacting specifications - and I have the receipts to prove it.

Doug DeMuro > Harrycarry250
03/26/2014 at 00:32

It's insane!

offroadkarter > Harrycarry250
03/26/2014 at 01:09

Thats like 2003 pricing on a 2006 car. That worries me

The carfax is clean *Click here* but you better go over this car head to toe. They are maintenance monsters for sure.

Manny05x > Harrycarry250
03/26/2014 at 08:05

Dude stay away from major world they have horrible stories.

julienjj > Harrycarry250
03/26/2014 at 09:15

Get a "Star Diagnostic connect" laptop. It can access the CAN-bus of the car. It's quite costly (~800$) and require a specific laptop model (dell 630 ). It allow you to do the correct diag for any electronic related problem.

2tonic > Manuél Ferrari
03/26/2014 at 09:52

As much as I like inline sixes, the Mercedes V-6 M112/M172 are smooth running engines. This is because they have a balance shaft to greatly reduce vibrations that are present in V-6 configurations. I had a C280 with one of these engines. Very nice motor, though lacking in engine sound compared to the competition's inline six.

Harrycarry250 > Manny05x
03/26/2014 at 10:05

Whats up with them?

Harrycarry250 > Freddy "Tavarish" Hernandez
03/26/2014 at 10:09

Thanks a lot man. I would not be going for a test drive but I will listen to it on tick over and check all the fluids. I know about maintaining German cars aswell, some people hate it, some love it. I love it!

Harrycarry250 > offroadkarter
03/26/2014 at 10:10

That is what I thought, that price is wayyyy to good to be true. I wish I had an alignment computer handy to see if its been in an accident... lol, I should keep those in my back pocket

Harrycarry250 > DollaMoneyAve
03/26/2014 at 10:12

I saw one with 175k on cars.com the other day. But yeah, I hope it's not bad.

Manny05x > Harrycarry250
03/26/2014 at 10:26

Besides the horrible commercial this: http://www.yelp.com/biz/major-worl…

Harrycarry250 > Manny05x
03/26/2014 at 10:43

Yeah I just read through all those reviews. Thankfully, however I would not be interested in financing, talking to a salesperson, talking about buying the car, or talking to anyone there. My plan is to walk onto the lot and wander until I find the E55.

Manny05x > Harrycarry250
03/26/2014 at 10:46

Ok post pics if you find it.

Harrycarry250 > Manny05x
03/26/2014 at 10:55

Ok will do. I have to find a buddy to go with me to tag team the salepeople and keep them busy while I look over the car. I wish I had a scanner

Harrycarry250 > offroadkarter
03/26/2014 at 11:44

Want to see a scary E55...

http://www.cars.com/go/search/deta…

offroadkarter > Harrycarry250
03/26/2014 at 11:46

Wow thats way to many miles on that car

weird I can't use my carfax trick on the vin.

"We have no records"

"We have 20+ records, buy a report" - no

Harrycarry250 > offroadkarter
03/26/2014 at 11:48

Seems legit.

Freddy "Tavarish" Hernandez > Harrycarry250
03/26/2014 at 11:50

A Mercedes is unreliable in the same way a 747 is unreliable. It just requires a bit more maintenance and it'll run forever. :)

Harrycarry250 > Freddy "Tavarish" Hernandez
03/26/2014 at 11:58

That is a good way to put it. You just don't let problems get out of hand. If you can work on the car yourself it is easy to keep that from happening.

gabdere > Harrycarry250
03/26/2014 at 12:49

I dont want to be that guy, but i don't know. Sure it looks good, sure its quick, but its an 06. Next year, it'll probably be 10 y.o.

I know it's not the same car, but Edmunds has been testing a 05 CL65 for quite some time now, scroll down http://www.edmunds.com/mercedes-benz/… and you'll see they have some problems with it.

You probably know all of that, that was my 2 cents.

Manuél Ferrari > 2tonic
03/26/2014 at 15:07

Thanks for explaining why their V6s are so smooth! I always wondered why the V6 gets a bad rap for being unbalanced when the only V6s I ever drove were in these two Mercs and they were great.

Their design is pretty awesome because you get the buttery smooth operation plus the packaging benefits of the V6. While it is possible to stick a long 3.5L I6 in he engine bay of a mid size car it's tough in a smaller car.

With-a-G is back to not having anything written after his username > Harrycarry250
03/26/2014 at 16:52

Check for a faint gas smell near the door and rear seat on the driver's side (yes, opposite the fuel filler tube). That's a known problem with the fuel return, requires REPLACING THE GAS TANK, and is a $2000 repair if you need it.

dr861 > Harrycarry250
03/26/2014 at 20:58

BUY MUST BUY!! WHITE PAINT BLACK WHEELS MUST BUYYY!!!!!!!!

herpderp64 > PatBateman
03/26/2014 at 21:04

Kinja'd!!!

PatBateman > herpderp64
03/26/2014 at 21:06

I tried it on my business partner's 2008 CLS 500. It works with that car too.

AUTOMOTIVE EASTER EGGS FOR ERRBODY!!!

PatBateman > Harrycarry250
03/26/2014 at 21:06

Did you look at ze car today?

Harrycarry250 > PatBateman
03/26/2014 at 21:33

Well, I got what was either the run around or a real response. He said the car was on hold in a different lot until the title got sorted. I don't know what that means as dealers dont register cars but I could not see it...

Harrycarry250 > PatBateman
03/26/2014 at 21:33

Also got a three week ETA. lol, no thanks

PatBateman > Harrycarry250
03/26/2014 at 21:57

Well that sucks. I have a feeling they might have either gotten hosed with it as a trade in or got it from auction with a weird title. Dunno.

Sorry, brah.

Harrycarry250 > PatBateman
03/26/2014 at 22:35

Nah man it's all good. I don't get bent outta shape over newer cars. There easy to find and whatnot. This place was in my backyard aswell.

Just4GP > Freddy "Tavarish" Hernandez
03/28/2014 at 20:00

Sometimes the supercharger bearing will actually start to come apart too. It's noisy at first, then fairly quiet. Pull the cover off the top/front of the supercharger and take a look. When mine failed, you could see where some of the bearing and grease shot out. It still worked but was really loose. This was on a CL55 BTW but it has the same M113k motor.

drunkenup4 > Freddy "Tavarish" Hernandez
03/29/2014 at 12:01

E55's are airmatic, not ABC!

Freddy "Tavarish" Hernandez > drunkenup4
03/29/2014 at 12:09

You're right! I didn't know that ABC was only on the S and SL models. Airmatic is way more reliable and less expensive to maintain.

drunkenup4 > Freddy "Tavarish" Hernandez
03/29/2014 at 15:37

Did your S500 have ABC as well? Airmatic never cost me anything on my old S430, but every once in a while it would glitch out and scare the shit out of me! great cars indeed, especially the 600 and 55, both savage engines.

Freddy "Tavarish" Hernandez > drunkenup4
03/29/2014 at 15:43

My S500 doesn't, but my S55 and S600 both did. I certainly agree that every once in a while it's a little scary.