Please talk me out of this - E55 AMG

[Bing o]

My search for a replacement to the Elise is suffering from what I could call "scope creep" - was originally after a 10k barge. However, whilst perusing the ads on Autotrader, I have noticed that you can get a low mileage 2003 E55 AMG for about £17k. So that's a supercharged V8 that tops 500bhp and still seats 4 plus luggage, and will outdrag almost any car on the road....

Now please, can someone tell me that I will go through a set of tyres every 3 months, how it will cost me a fortune to servioce, how the fuel economy is single figures, and that the handling isn't very good before I buy one.

Seriously however, what are the pitfalls of ownership of one of these beasts?

[derestrictor]

(A)Licence maintenance and (B) the possibility [depending on supply] that Alpina's B5 might not be far off in the not too...

[Bing o]

derestrictor said:

(A)Licence maintenance

I think my 6 points come off this year....

derestrictor said:

(B) the possibility [depending on supply] that Alpina's B5 might not be far off in the not too...

But is the B5 "better" than the AMG?

I must admit, having done the Alfa thing, the Lotus thing, I fancy doing the AMG thing more than the Alpina thing at the moment....

[derestrictor]

By approximately several counties.

I came very close to AMG custody following a couple of stints helming the rather wonderful E55 but the B5 renders it as but the tug boat.

[Bing o]

derestrictor said:

By approximately several counties.

I came very close to AMG custody following a couple of stints helming the rather wonderful E55 but the B5 renders it as but the tug boat.

They are however, as rare as the excrement from a wooden horse that rocks....

My thinking is that there will be a stronger market for the AMG than a 'Pina...

[derestrictor]

Stronger as in 'there is one because there is kit to trade?' Yes but ito residuals, Alps are always 'optimistically' priced but even so, get whacked and whacked well.

Don't think for a moment the gruntstrasse from Buchloe is anything less than monumental.

Only hot blowers from Stuttgart need bother...

[Bing o]

That's as may be, but there is only one B5 on the Autotrader website for 30k, which is a tad out of my budget, whereas this is more like what I am after...

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/846818.htm

[derestrictor]

No doubt ito current vfm the Merc is astounding vfm.

I was impressed with it's driving position and ergonomics not to mention it's lovely whine and warble.

[Bing o]

I guess my other question is, would an E500 deliver most of the bang for a lot less buck?

[D1H]

Bing o said:

I guess my other question is, would an E500 deliver most of the bang for a lot less buck?

Borrowed my bosses S500 that was awesome, being that the E class is lighter should be ace. But saying that I would still have the AMG.

[derestrictor]

Bing o said:

I guess my other question is, would an E500 deliver most of the bang for a lot less buck?

No.

The AMG is phenomenal.

[D1H]

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/801775.htm

Heres a good alternative.

[bullrunner]

Get the E55 its monumental...Ive just taken custody of a 04 55 Estate and have to say its great...Very stealthy but starship quick....Just waiting to get the DMS delimit and pulley change then im sure it will be the ultimate stealth wagon....But will need to sort the brakes first as to me thats the only thing not filling me with confidence when i stomp on the pedal.....

[derestrictor]

Awesome punt but less arousing ito both feel and sound.

Having said that, post DMS type fettlage, it's a double ton troubler.

[Bing o]

derestrictor said:

Awesome punt but less arousing ito both feel and sound.

Having said that, post DMS type fettlage, it's a double ton troubler.

OT, but you are the PH version of Sid Waddell AICMFP

On the subject of CL's, do they have fold flat rear seats, or a big enough boot for two sets of golf clubs? I'm planning to take the old man on some golfing holidays before he gets too old to enjoy it (the golf) so this is key....

[bullrunner]

It doesnt have the racecar sound of the V10 agreed ...But does sound like a full on Nascar at full chat...Loooking into getting the Cats changed to make it more vocal.....Just love the fact it looks like a normal E220 estate as its debadged....Had a M5 for a few weeks and I just couldnt get to grips with the gearbox..shame other than that it was very quick and quite chuckable...

[derestrictor]

Probably, I can't recall: just bear in mind the handling is, er, squibbus maximatum - again - STICK TO THE AMG!

(Unless you're talking 65AMGs... )

[mercGLowner]

Buy the E55. There is a lot of interest in that car, I have seen it debated elsewhere - seriosuly value for money. Me? I want a CLK55 ...

[Bing o]

mercGLowner said:

Buy the E55. There is a lot of interest in that car, I have seen it debated elsewhere - seriosuly value for money. Me? I want a CLK55 ...

Unfortunately, I probably won't be in a position to buy until February at the earliest, more likely to be March/April - doubt it will still be around by then, but then hopefully there may still be some bargains to be had.

I'm assuming that the depreciation on a low-mileage one should be quite low, despite the mahoosive engine and wallet withering fuel economy?(ie compared to buying the e500)

[derestrictor]

I realise the accusations of bias will reverberate but how about this http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/840998.htm ?

(Btw, the stock E55 AMG produced 469 bhp. }