E55 decision time...

[media116]

I'm narrowing down my search for an E55, and now have four cars on the shortlist at varying prices. However, their mileages vary too...quite dramatically. All are '03 or '04 cars, and the two with the highest recorded mileage are around the 75,000 mark. Service histories are good in both cases. Would this sort of mileage put you off a car like this? Should it worry me?

The lowest of the bunch has only covered 36,000, but is the most expensive by a couple of grand. The one in the middle has 65,000 on the clock.

All are for sale at independent garages and I suppose what I'm asking is do they represent a terrible risk, in mechanical/electrical terms?

I know the AMG V8 is a great engine and even 75,000 miles should be nothing for it in theory. But what's the reality? My gut feeling is telling me that mileage shouldn't be an issue, and I should take advantage of a whopping load of car for not much cash. The only other car that I've ever bought with this sort of mileage already on the clock was a Vauxhall Senator 3.0 24v, which I think had about 80K when I got it. As it turned out, it was brilliant, but it wasn't such a specialised engine.

I haven't driven any of them yet.

Answers on a postcard please....

Many thanks in anticipation of your worthy and experienced advice!

Yours, in a bit of a quandry,

Chris

 

[JEZ.S320L]

I'm narrowing down my search for an E55, and now have four cars on the shortlist at varying prices. However, their mileages vary too...quite dramatically. All are '03 or '04 cars, and the two with the highest recorded mileage are around the 75,000 mark. Service histories are good in both cases. Would this sort of mileage put you off a car like this? Should it worry me?

The lowest of the bunch has only covered 36,000, but is the most expensive by a couple of grand. The one in the middle has 65,000 on the clock.

All are for sale at independent garages and I suppose what I'm asking is do they represent a terrible risk, in mechanical/electrical terms?

I know the AMG V8 is a great engine and even 75,000 miles should be nothing for it in theory. But what's the reality? My gut feeling is telling me that mileage shouldn't be an issue, and I should take advantage of a whopping load of car for not much cash. The only other car that I've ever bought with this sort of mileage already on the clock was a Vauxhall Senator 3.0 24v, which I think had about 80K when I got it. As it turned out, it was brilliant, but it wasn't such a specialised engine.

I haven't driven any of them yet.

Answers on a postcard please....

Many thanks in anticipation of your worthy and experienced advice!

Yours, in a bit of a quandry,

Chris

It all depends on how they have been used. For example: 36k miles stop/start/short runs vs 75k miles motorway/long distance. Who knows?

If only buying a motor car was an exact science.!

My ML had done about 75k miles - mainly motorways/long distance/Main Dealer servicing - on time too. I now have (touch wood!) a lovely quiet, rattle-free motor.

 

[st4]

It should be fine, have it checked over. A big V8 as unstressed as the 55 (not even 100bhp/litre from an SC'd engine) show's its been made with longevity in mind. The engine is probably the least of your worries.

Area's to check would be

1) body work, an 04 car and preferably an 05 cars have better galvanised steel and nano paint. Check for accidental damage and under neath in case its been on a track day "off". I think a £2k premium is worth it for a 2005 car never mind the difference in miles

2) electrics. The E class has many of them.

3) gear box oil changes and the brand of radiator. If its a valeo one then walk away. These can, and do, leak coolant into the gearbox writing it off. A newer car with a behr one doesn't have this trouble. Check that the ATF was changed and get the mechanic to check the state of the oil. It should be doen every 37500 miles and would be long over due on a 75k mile car

4) interior trim. Wear on the leather etc is the biggest giveaway of a high milliage car, not the mechanicals..

 

[media116]

So is it best to hold out for an '05 car then?

Do you know when the Valeo rads stopped being fitted?

 

[st4]

So is it best to hold out for an '05 car then?

Do you know when the Valeo rads stopped being fitted?

I would say an 05 car is worth holding out for, however not for a £10k premium. The 211 had a lot of recall work over 02-05 and 05 cars have all this done standard, whereas early cars may not.

Valeo rads were out by 54 plates IIRC but some older 211's may have had them swapped for Behr ones.

At the end of the day it comes down to how much you;re willing, and/or able to splash at the car. 211 prices will only drop and waiting a few more months for a good 200 211 55k won't be too hard.

I'd try PMing Dave's E55Amg on here, and joining the other place for advice too as there are a few E55 boys on there.

 

[Uncle Benz]

IMO, you don't buy an E55 if you just want to go shopping. It is likely to have seen some level of hard use in it's time. Mileage isn't necessarily a problem, but being treated to the correct level of maintenance is critical.

Fanatical owner is what you are really looking for. My C32 has the oil changed every 5000 miles. Overkill probably, but I am a fanatic.

Yes, the car gets a bit of proper use, but so does the bonnet release...