Thursday 2nd September 2010

Mercedes AMG Estates: You Know You Want To

For when you really must get that antique cabinet over to Cheltenham asap...

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There's little better in this world than a big-engined Mercedes Uber-wagon, as our recent test of the new E63 AMG Estate proves.

But what do you do if you can't stretch to the £85,100 it will cost you to park the Mercedes E63 AMG wagon we've tested this week on your driveway?

Take a trip through the PH classifieds, of course...

At the bottom end of the fast E-class market, we found this 2001 E55 AMG up for £5995. It's got a relatively hefty 145,700 miles on the clock, but it does have a full service history, and £6k for 362bhp and 5.4 litres of V8 ain't half bad.

At the more modern end of the AMG E-class spectrum is this 2004 E55, a well-used but honest-sounding example up for £15,995. Can you think of a better combination of power (469bhp) and space for Renaultsport Clio money? Neither can we.

Finally, if you don't need quite so much space, how about a C63 AMG? You get the same magnificent 6208cc V8 lump as in the latest E63 (albeit with a little less power), and a very chunky-looking body. This 12,000-mile 2008 C63 is from a Merc dealer, so expect it to be top money, but £45,990 for 451bhp of rear-drive estate loveliness that's yet to reach its first MOT doesn't sound too bad to us.

[louiebaby]

Oddly enough, I was doing these sort of searches around Autotrader yesterday...

I have my hear set on one something in the £15k - £20k segment, but money sadly is an object.

One of the non-supercharged ones might scratch the itch though...

[Riggers]

louiebaby said:

Oddly enough, I was doing these sort of searches around Autotrader yesterday...

I have my hear set on one something in the £15k - £20k segment, but money sadly is an object.

One of the non-supercharged ones might scratch the itch though...

Auto Trader?!? Wash your mouth out!

[Rocksteadyeddie]

I've been looking at that C63 and trying to think of a reason why I don't need it.

[E55 Max]

Rocksteadyeddie said:

I've been looking at that C63 and trying to think of a reason why I don't need it.

There isn't one

[louiebaby]

Riggers said:

Auto Trader?!? Wash your mouth out!

[killsta]

Rocksteadyeddie said:

I've been looking at that C63 and trying to think of a reason why I don't need it.

Because you......




....oh no wait, there is infact no reason.



Do it!

[pat_y]

I looked at E55's a little while ago, i think it's the W210 shape around 2000 / 2001 but got scared off by the rust stories, and the cost of AMG specific parts.
I am however really seriously considering a C32 estate, around 2001/2002. Not a V8 i know but still a fine bit of kit.

[richardxjr]

I like 'em too. A mate has had a C43 for years, but the newer C32 (10k ish) & later E55s (15k ish) look like tremendous value.

[corporalsparrow]

I just don't get these. They're inherently compromised; neither a sports car nor an efficient estate car. Isn't a diesel E-class AND a hotrod is a better idea?

[mat205125]

Amazing how the passage of time of only a decade means you look at the 360bhp £6000 car and think, "Bit light on power, isn't it?" ... These were barn storming super saloons in their day. I'd wager that their more modest horse count is more of a challenge to use in the wet than the more recent sanitised horses will be though.

[Evoman]

I love the snapshot of the speedo for the '04 E55 AMG... clearly shows the mileage which is nice. And the current mpg of 4.4.... at least the owner is being honest!

[KenBlocksPants]

Evoman said:

I love the snapshot of the speedo for the '04 E55 AMG... clearly shows the mileage which is nice. And the current mpg of 4.4.... at least the owner is being honest!

ouch!

Unless its the 'current mpg' running on idle, as opposed to the average?

[J4CKO]

Those 2001 era E classes can be terribly rusty and unreliable, strong whiff of money pit about that one, cheap enough to saddle yourself with but not cheap enough to bin when it gets pricey.

[steve_n]

KenBlocksPants said:

Evoman said:

I love the snapshot of the speedo for the '04 E55 AMG... clearly shows the mileage which is nice. And the current mpg of 4.4.... at least the owner is being honest!

ouch!

Unless its the 'current mpg' running on idle, as opposed to the average?

When you are standing still you are doing 0mpg...

[mat205125]

J4CKO said:

Those 2001 era E classes can be terribly rusty and unreliable, strong whiff of money pit about that one, cheap enough to saddle yourself with but not cheap enough to bin when it gets pricey.

One reason a contemporary M5 is double the money .... The beemer is just a "better car", however that does make the Merc an attractive proposition if you are willing to take a punt and keep your fingers crossed.

The trouble is, you may be buying from someone who has done the same and has kept their fingers crossed that nothing goes wrong, and perhaps not maintained the car as well as they should have .... High probability of a money pit situation.

[wotnot]

corporalsparrow said:

I just don't get these. They're inherently compromised; neither a sports car nor an efficient estate car. Isn't a diesel E-class AND a hotrod is a better idea?

You're missing the point matey.
I bought my C32 because I don't have the money for both load lugger and hot rod. I can load mine up with mountain bikes on the roof and a ton of kit in the back then, when i get home, remove all the racks and kit and have a proper blast in a proper fast car.
Perfect!

[soxboy]

Given some of the reliability issues mentioned above, for say £12k which AMG would be the best buy?

[XJR500bhp]

How much are Mercedes paying you? Do you get to borrow one for a week or something?

[mat205125]

soxboy said:

Given some of the reliability issues mentioned above, for say £12k which AMG would be the best buy?

This one:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1936786.htm

[anonymous-user]

J4CKO said:

Those 2001 era E classes can be terribly rusty and unreliable, strong whiff of money pit about that one, cheap enough to saddle yourself with but not cheap enough to bin when it gets pricey.

Unforgivable in my eyes a rusty car of this era. Especially a premium car such as this.