S55 AMG or CL55 AMG

Hey C., ask Spicy how we were treated when looking at the Maybach 57 demo when you get a chance. MB will never get another dollar from us...

 

I think the 00 S55s are about tanked as far as depreciation goes. What are they, $45k now? That's a much better car for LESS than a new e-class. If he was buying new, I'd agree with you.

I'd impress the hell out of my clients by telling them I've never bought a new car, and I've never financed one either, I belive in financing only ASSETS, not liabilities! (then have a spooge boy in the trunk to whipe up the mess your clients make in the back seat.)

Someone says 'financing does not intrest me' and 'new S65' in the same sentence, I'm there with bells on and a contract (and wire info) ready. Nothing else, just here it is, if you want it sign right here and it's done.

 

What do you mean COULD?!

 

They'll depreciate to nothing. Well, maybe not quite nothing, but about what you paid for your 750iL. They're going to be worse as there are more electronics on them to fail.

My '93 500 SEL was $89k new, I bought it when it was six years old for $29k. I thought I did well, until I sold it after 4 years for $12k. They keep depreciating until the rust away...

 

Hey, in time nearly every car including most Ferraris will. No mass produced car is an investment.

You got a hell of a ride for 4 years for $17k. That's what an accord costs. (EDIT: Actually a civic is what $18k now? I'm assuming this was a few years back.)

No car is an investment, but you can choose your ride. $150k to $10k? Or buy 4 years old cars and go from $40k to $10k?

One way the guy is paying what he'd end up on an Avalon or some other trash and laughing it up, the other is literally HEMMORAGING money.

 

But taking a long-term view, the '00-'02 NA S55 may be the best (used) buy of the bunch.

More gizmos to fail, but that motor isn't going to need anything for a very long time. Can't say the same for the TT versions (cold shiver up my spine just thinking about turning over 100k miles).

C.

 

Actually, it was closer to $27k once you include all of the servicing. The thing was a pig when it came to those bills. The other thing I found out was that Ferrari parts looked reasonable when compared to MB prices.

If he's planning on only keeping the car a few years, he's going to take a beating on it.

 

Aren't the AC/heat controls part of the computer screen? I had to replace the controller in my W140 when it was about 8 years old and it was around $2k. The early cars are getting close to needing that part soon, and I want to say that the screen is about an $8k part to replace...

 

Good point. Vintage Air could have a whole new customer base if they were on the ball.

C.

 

MB might keep more customers if they were on the ball...

 

Totally agree. Very classy and won't raise eyebrows as an AMG.

 

No they are not. The a/c in those particular models exist seperately, even with the navi system. But if the navi systen tanks, so does the radio, though.

For a day-to-day car, I'd stay away from these models made during those years. Save your money and buy a new one, or at least one with a lot of the warranty left.

You know, it's all about the marketing, screw the build quality. Mine literally fell apart piece by piece, the latest being the vanity mirror on the driver's side visor detaching and falling into my lap. This is with 46k miles on an 02 model - there's 2k left on warranty and then it's goooooone. Beautiful cars, no doubt, but seriously questionable quality. BTW, I was really disappointed when the current CLK came out looking like a Volvo. My 02 has curb appeal...nice and aggressive looking. The new one looks terribly feminine.

The upcoming S Class is just about the ugliest thing ever IMO.

RMX

 

Hope this isn't too off-topic here... but do any of you have experience with the previous generation SL600s? One of the later production years? I've always loved them and would like to know if they suffer from the same recent MB quality issues. Thanks!

 

I haven't posted on here, basically just browse/read etc. But this made me post. I don't know about the pre-03' AMG's but our experience with the later models has been disturbing. We sold the 03' E55 to get rid of it after it's issues, and ended up with an 03' S55. The S55 was eventually lemon lawed. And then they took their chance on an 04' S600 which to date has been a complete nightmare. I borrowed the S600 to take up to Moroso and meet up with some people from other boards, and the damn thing starting having fuel delivery issues and running like it had 1/4 the power, and it wasn't the RennTec software as I spoke to another guy who had a stock CL600 and said the same thing happened twice to him. Sucks b/c when it's running correctly it's an incredible car, but they don't drive it far let alone trips b/c they feel like it's going to leave them stranded somewhere. It's sad that their cars aren't built like they used to be. I remember back in highschool when we started driving about 7-8 years ago, a good buddy of mine had an early 80's Benz diesel that felt like a tank and had close to 200K miles with no problems really except for some issues with the vacumm system once in awhile (locks etc).

If I were in your position, I would look at a used/good condition e39 M5, love the way they drive and feel and am looking to purchase a Lemans Blue one soon hopefully. And it has the stealthy/business look where a lot of people still think it's a regular 5 series, I personally like the interior of the e39 much better with it's sport/serious look, the S class Benz's except look dated to me inside. I would also recommend something like a Lexus GS430 or even the new M45. But when anybody see's a Benz, either a base E class or older AMG they automatically assume "money" for some reason. A good friend of the family owns a lead generating and mortgage business and has a couple cars from an H2 to a Jag and Benz and Gallardo, but when he has to meet clients occasionaly he usually takes his 03' Explorer b/c it's comfortable and clean looking yet doesn't have that "flashiness/money tag" associated with it. As somebody else said in this thread said, I bet if you took a friend of mine who has a Harley Powerstroke F-350 (over 50K new) along with about 15-20K in mods, and put him against somebody with an early 90's V12 BMW or even a used Benz that was bought for about the price of a new Civic, that somebody would automatically asume they probably spent a ton of money and are well off (even though the F350 was basically as much as a new E500 and had an additional 20K in mods).

It's funny how people have a weird perception on monetary stuff. That same friend with the F-350 went down to the exotic car dealer in Ft Lauderdale (the collection or something, whatever one has several buildings on Sunrise Blvd) and they wouldn't give him the time of day b/c he had flip flops/board shorts/t-shirt on. Let alone that his family owns a huge coal mining company in KY along with Banks etc. So he got all dressed up, took the Viper back over a few weeks later and they acted like they never met him before and treated him like a King, till he reminded them that just prior they could could have cared less. Basically said "I could buy every car in here and not care, f**k your guys business, I'm going somewhere else and making sure to not recommend people to your place".

Sorry for me 1st post/rant LOL, it just really made me want to post in this thread. Hope everything works out for you with whatever car you choose. After our experience though, and if you end up with the Benz, make sure to get an outside warrenty from a reputable company or from the dealer.

 

s55 all the way