Noobie S55 AMG Questions

[tmonkey]

I'm new to this board and Mercedes but after test driving an '03 S55 AMG the other day I know what my next car will be! I went from a '99 911 to assorted family cars a couple of years ago when the first baby came. I've been making do with a '06 Odyssey and a Smart in the meantime. I'm not sure how an S55 AMG will compare to the Smart's stock 70HP, but I think it will suffice. Baby no 2 is a couple of months away and I need something that can handle the four of us if needed... I've done a bit of research, and it looks like a black on black '03 around 60K miles is what I'm looking for. I'm pleasantly surprised that they seem to be in the $26-$29K range. I have time to wait for the right one and in the meantime I'd value any opinions and recommendations as to what to look for. I see a few recommendations for a warranty - is this worth it/possible on an 03? If (when) I have it checked is there anything special a mechanic should look for? A friend read somewhere (an anonymous internet forum - who would listen to someone there ) to avoid early build dates - is that true and which months are early? I've also heard horror stories about the electrical system in these things - is that true? Any clues as to it about to be a problem? Are there any options I should be looking for or avoiding? I'm curious as to why there are so few '04s out there. I see from this thread they only half as many '04s - anyone know why? I've been chatting to one of the other posters on this board about his car for sale - I'd like to check it out if it's still around next week, in which case I may need a recommendation for a shop to check over it. Sorry for so many questions - I can't get that bug out of my head!

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[qcar]

Originally Posted by tmonkey

I'm new to this board and Mercedes but after test driving an '03 S55 AMG the other day I know what my next car will be! I went from a '99 911 to assorted family cars a couple of years ago when the first baby came. I've been making do with a '06 Odyssey and a Smart in the meantime. I'm not sure how an S55 AMG will compare to the Smart's stock 70HP, but I think it will suffice. Baby no 2 is a couple of months away and I need something that can handle the four of us if needed...

I've done a bit of research, and it looks like a black on black '03 around 60K miles is what I'm looking for. I'm pleasantly surprised that they seem to be in the $26-$29K range. I have time to wait for the right one and in the meantime I'd value any opinions and recommendations as to what to look for.

I see a few recommendations for a warranty - is this worth it/possible on an 03?

If (when) I have it checked is there anything special a mechanic should look for?

A friend read somewhere (an anonymous internet forum - who would listen to someone there ) to avoid early build dates - is that true and which months are early?

I've also heard horror stories about the electrical system in these things - is that true? Any clues as to it about to be a problem?

Are there any options I should be looking for or avoiding?

I'm curious as to why there are so few '04s out there. I see from this thread they only half as many '04s - anyone know why?

I've been chatting to one of the other posters on this board about his car for sale - I'd like to check it out if it's still around next week, in which case I may need a recommendation for a shop to check over it. Sorry for so many questions - I can't get that bug out of my head!

I've had my black on black 03 S55 for 2 months and am fully satisfied. I paid $28,500 plus tax and tag for it with about 53,000 miles. It was a local SoCal 1 owner car in original mint condition. The brakes were getting low, so I went ahead and replaced the rotors and pads front and rear - $1,300 from an indy using OEM parts.

I'm told that the ABC suspension can be a problem and is an expensive fix ($2,500 to $3,000) and the supercharger chirp bothers some owners. My car chirps and I feel the jerk when the SC is engaged. My extensive research on this and other forums has shown that this is "normal" so I don't let it bother me. I've read that some who have eliminated the chirp have also, inadvertently, eliminated some of the power that goes along with it, but I can't verify this first hand.

As they say, they there's no used car factory, so it's likely you will have to make some compromises as far as options, color and build date, but don't compromise on condition! My car appears to have no options, except for a gorgeous wood AMG steering wheel that feels to have been molded exactly for my hands. No keyless go, no power closing trunk and no parktronic, which my other MB has.

I really wanted parktronic, as I've become perhaps overly-reliant upon it on my GL450, and have had to develop my own instinctive radar when parallel parking. The 203 inch car takes a while to get used to.

The benefit to a car with few options is that there's less to go wrong with it, although parktronic would've been nice. Apparently keyless go can be tricky and lead to battery drains, but again, I have no first had experience with that option. This is just what I've read on forums.

I'm told a warranty is possible for the S55, whereas the V12 is another story. I'm still covered by my dealer's limited warranty and may just wing it when it expires. I have confidence in this car.

The 03 has the CD based Nav, which works better than I expected. An ipod hook up is expensive because the electronics are not the updated MOST kind found in 04 and up. The good news is that you can plug an ipod into the aux jack in the glove compartment, hit the service button on the COMAND, cycle through some options and you're all set. You just can't control it from the steering wheel or COMAND.

BTW, the other day I had to buy a specially fitted S55 plastic front license plate bracket (CA law) and could only find one from the dealer. It's a $5.00 piece of plastic so I was thinking it would be $25 to $40. I know Mercedes mark-ups due to my GL450 ownership. The price? $182. When I asked why, the parts guys explained "because it's AMG."

Anyway, good luck in your search, but remember, you may be buying a $30,000 car, but you'll be maintaining a $118,000 exotic.

Best,
qcar

[tmonkey]

Originally Posted by qcar

Anyway, good luck in your search, but remember, you may be buying a $30,000 car, but you'll be maintaining a $118,000 exotic.

Best,
qcar

Yeah, I experienced that sensation back when my 911 needed a new engine at 40K miles - porous block - I managed to convince Porsche to give me a new engine, but it still cost 8K in labor, hoses, etc...

Thanks for the info, I hadn't heard about the 'chirp' - I'll do some research on it so I don't worry as much if I hear it.

[bzliteyear]

Does the 2002 S55 have auxiliary jack in the glove box too, or just the 2003+ newer navi?
Patrick

[i_am_amused]

if you want/need bluetooth for your cell, get an 04 or make sure the car you get has the phone option installed. The cost of adding bluetooth/phone capability to a non-04 is $1,500+

for an '04, the "puck with tail" BT adapter is a 15 minute plug & play job that cost < $400 (I got mine for $210).

there's a thread on another board with great info on this, and once I find out if it's cool to post that link I'll add it to this thread

edit: thinking more about it, I think it's more than just adding bluetooth, I think it's adding the handfree through COMAND. My 04 did not have the phone option installed, but after adding the puck, and a computer reconfiguration (for free, thanks John C. at Tyson's MB!) I have handsfree phone, including dialing through COMAND and steering wheel controls.

[i_am_amused]

stats on my 2004 S55 purchase in May 2009:

$32K, 17K miles

have:
keyless go, parktronic, heated/ventilated front seats, power trunk

don't have:
power/heated/ventilated rear seats, distronic, cell phone setup

[qcar]

Originally Posted by bzliteyear

Does the 2002 S55 have auxiliary jack in the glove box too, or just the 2003+ newer navi?
Patrick

I don't know about pre-2003, but I did read on either this forum or benzworld that the 04 does not have the jack.

If you're wondering about your car (or one you're considering purchasing), open the glove box and look on the left hand side. It's a minijack socket.

Hope this helps.
qcar

[qcar]

Originally Posted by i_am_amused

stats on my 2004 S55 purchase in May 2009:

$32K, 17K miles

have:
keyless go, parktronic, heated/ventilated front seats, power trunk

don't have:
power/heated/ventilated rear seats, distronic, cell phone setup

Wow, that's an incredible deal!

[i_am_amused]

Originally Posted by qcar

Wow, that's an incredible deal!

yep, and CPO until the end of next year

it still has that new car smell

the deal is almost as ridiculous as the car

[elbopinch]

I, too, have an 04' S55 that I purchased from a dealer in late April of this year. It had 18,022 miles on it and smell like it just came from the factory (still does). I paid a little over $32K and it came with a one year CPO. With regard to the supercharger chirp, I hear it also, but it doesn't seem to have a detrimental effect on the car, nor does it inhibit performance. I highly recommend the S55. You won't be disappointed.

[tmonkey]

Are there many differences between the '03 and '04? I believe the Nav changed to DVD? Is it worth the extra $3-5K to look for an '04?

[i_am_amused]

Originally Posted by tmonkey

Are there many differences between the '03 and '04? I believe the Nav changed to DVD? Is it worth the extra $3-5K to look for an '04?

all 2004 S55s come pre-wired for cellphone, which makes adding bluetooth hands-free integated into COMAND and steering wheel a $250-$400 DIY project (steering wheel also requires a DAS change), instead of a $1,500 pro installation if the car is not pre-wired

[plastique999]

Is it possible to get a warranty on a used '03 with 100k miles on it? If so which company?

[Oxygen]

Originally Posted by plastique999

Is it possible to get a warranty on a used '03 with 100k miles on it? If so which company?

LOL! Why would you want an S55 AMG with 100,000 miles on it?

"Ballin' on a budget" eh?

[v12powers]

So is there any adapter for the older style 03 S55 Navigation and phone to get it Bluetooth other than replacing the system?

[hegar817]

I too got an 03 s55 with 100k and it appears I got a bargain for 19,250.00 with ttl. AND I LOVE IT! FYI the ABC pump has already been replaced prior to me purchasing the car. Read the invoice and saw 5000.00+ for the replacement.

[v12powers]

There was actually a Silver 05 with 100000 miles on Ebay with records for $21.000 but I didn't see it in person. I picked up a 03 S55 AMG with Parktronic, Power Trunk, Phone kit (old though) and keyless go with 66000 miles on it for $25.000. I also have full service records from the dealer in Mosourri coming for it as well.

[i_am_amused]

Originally Posted by v12powers

So is there any adapter for the older style 03 S55 Navigation and phone to get it Bluetooth other than replacing the system?

read this sticky

[emoving]

03 S55 Blk/Blk 61k one owner no accidents.......$26900

PM me

[nachilus]

Originally Posted by qcar

I've had my black on black 03 S55 for 2 months and am fully satisfied. I paid $28,500 plus tax and tag for it with about 53,000 miles. It was a local SoCal 1 owner car in original mint condition. The brakes were getting low, so I went ahead and replaced the rotors and pads front and rear - $1,300 from an indy using OEM parts.

I'm told that the ABC suspension can be a problem and is an expensive fix ($2,500 to $3,000) and the supercharger chirp bothers some owners. My car chirps and I feel the jerk when the SC is engaged. My extensive research on this and other forums has shown that this is "normal" so I don't let it bother me. I've read that some who have eliminated the chirp have also, inadvertently, eliminated some of the power that goes along with it, but I can't verify this first hand.

As they say, they there's no used car factory, so it's likely you will have to make some compromises as far as options, color and build date, but don't compromise on condition! My car appears to have no options, except for a gorgeous wood AMG steering wheel that feels to have been molded exactly for my hands. No keyless go, no power closing trunk and no parktronic, which my other MB has.

I really wanted parktronic, as I've become perhaps overly-reliant upon it on my GL450, and have had to develop my own instinctive radar when parallel parking. The 203 inch car takes a while to get used to.

The benefit to a car with few options is that there's less to go wrong with it, although parktronic would've been nice. Apparently keyless go can be tricky and lead to battery drains, but again, I have no first had experience with that option. This is just what I've read on forums.

I'm told a warranty is possible for the S55, whereas the V12 is another story. I'm still covered by my dealer's limited warranty and may just wing it when it expires. I have confidence in this car.

The 03 has the CD based Nav, which works better than I expected. An ipod hook up is expensive because the electronics are not the updated MOST kind found in 04 and up. The good news is that you can plug an ipod into the aux jack in the glove compartment, hit the service button on the COMAND, cycle through some options and you're all set. You just can't control it from the steering wheel or COMAND.

BTW, the other day I had to buy a specially fitted S55 plastic front license plate bracket (CA law) and could only find one from the dealer. It's a $5.00 piece of plastic so I was thinking it would be $25 to $40. I know Mercedes mark-ups due to my GL450 ownership. The price? $182. When I asked why, the parts guys explained "because it's AMG."

Anyway, good luck in your search, but remember, you may be buying a $30,000 car, but you'll be maintaining a $118,000 exotic.

Best,
qcar

when your warranty expires get chrysler warranty, i boiught my '05 s55 with 58K miles 6 months ango and have warranty up to 124K miles for just $2400. i Took my car in for AC repair and mifiring cylinder and they cover everything except $200 which is my deductible. you can pay more and eliminate the deductible.

[nande]

Originally Posted by nachilus

when your warranty expires get chrysler warranty, i boiught my '05 s55 with 58K miles 6 months ango and have warranty up to 124K miles for just $2400. i Took my car in for AC repair and mifiring cylinder and they cover everything except $200 which is my deductible. you can pay more and eliminate the deductible.

Where? When I "google chrysler" warranty, I only find chrysler-dodge vehicles available.

[Corsa9000]

I recommend and MB warranty for a few reasons: it has no deductible, it is transferable and your dealer can get approval in seconds vs. hours or days with non-MB warranty.

In my case with ABC pump replacement, Svc. Advisor entered the data and 15 seconds later it was approved.

I am not saying other warranties are bad but I doubt they are as good.

[plastique999]

Originally Posted by hegar817

I too got an 03 s55 with 100k and it appears I got a bargain for 19,250.00 with ttl. AND I LOVE IT! FYI the ABC pump has already been replaced prior to me purchasing the car. Read the invoice and saw 5000.00+ for the replacement.

This is good to know....my friend has a car dealer ship and has an S55 with similar history. He just replaced the front air suspension on it.

How long is the tranny good for normally on these cars? Any other maintenance issues around this mileage to be aware of?

[Oxygen]

Originally Posted by plastique999

This is good to know....my friend has a car dealer ship and has an S55 with similar history. He just replaced the front air suspension on it.

How long is the tranny good for normally on these cars? Any other maintenance issues around this mileage to be aware of?

S55 does not have air suspension.

Tranny should last forever.

[clofusma]

Originally Posted by bzliteyear

Does the 2002 S55 have auxiliary jack in the glove box too, or just the 2003+ newer navi?
Patrick

I am glad to find your site - now I know what a good one looks like.
Very good topic to share with us. Great info.