Well, that didn’t take long. For years, I’ve been trying to predict a more expensive future for the W210 Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG and it sure seems to be coming true. The really prime examples are bringing crazy money and it sure seems dealers are suddenly now chasing them. This 2001 model-year example up for sale in California sure seems to be that following that trend with just 34k miles and what appears to be outstanding conditioning; at least, at first glance. Let’s take a look.
Thanks the Mercedes-Benz W463 chassis from running 1990 all the way to 2008 on the same platform, you do get some mixing and matching going on in terms of body parts. However, almost every time it is someone sticking late model bumpers and grilles on an early example, but touching nothing in the interior so when you open the door you are mightily confused. I really don’t like that as the early example and anything pre-2002 in the US is a rare bird that should be left alone. However, today’s 2002 G500 is a little different situation. This is not a bolt-on bumpers job – not even close.
I harp a lot about the W220 Mercedes-Benz S-Class and how it might be the most disappointing flagship the team Stuttgart has ever launched. It was the year 2000 and this car fit in quite well for the time, just like oversized baggy suits and trucker hats. Well, all those were donated to the Goodwill during spring cleaning 2005, but the early W220s lived on and still roam the earth to this date. A lot of these are now on their 12th owner and look like this, but some of these survived, and this is what we have today.
This 2000 is finished in Bordeaux Red Metallic, which is not to be confused with Titanite Red Metallic from a few weeks ago, and inside with find a Java leather interior. It is quintessential early-W220 with the blobby 17″ wheels to match the body. Inside, much of the same with a two-tone dash and that very tiny COMAND navigation system that was a slight upgrade from the maps in The Legend of Zelda. So if no one wants it, is it actually worth anything? Seems to be.
The W220 Mercedes-Benz S-Class gets a pretty bad rap in the grand scheme of things, and mostly rightfully so. What replaced the W140 chassis was a stark departure from the bank vault-like feel and stately styling, and went into deep into soft lines and subpar materials. It harsher words, it was a blob. It wasn’t until the facelift compare around that the W220 really became a little bit more friendly on the eyes. In additional to the S55 and S65, you could also option the AMG bodywork and wheels on the S500 to give it a little more flash. Today’s car, a 2006 S500 up for in Florida, is exactly that. You might have noticed the color too.
Hard to believe that the ML55 AMG is over 20 years old. When these launched, it was a giant head scratcher considering high performance SUVs weren’t nearly in vogue as they are now. They also carried a giant price tag of $66,000, which was $30,000 more than the base ML320. Ever since their introduction, they’ve toiled around the used market wit no real desirability other than the best of the best examples. Even now where everything that is somewhat desirable is getting snapped up, these can still be had for a song. Today’s example up for sale in Hollywood might be one of those.
The swan song for the R129 Mercedes-Benz SL was nothing more than a quick inventory of stuff Mercedes had laying around the warehouse in terms of parts and slapping it on a few hundred examples to call it the “Silver Arrow” special edition. We confirmed this a few weeks ago when looking at the 2000 SL320 “Edition” up for sale in the UK that was all the same parts with the exception of the white leather inserts on the seats and steering wheel. Although I’m willing to bet that leather was also sitting around on the shelf too and they need to get rid it of it before it got too dried out and dusty. However, the American market bought it up and still continues to do so as the very best examples in the world are selling for over $100,000 now and I think people are realizing these are the “it” R129s to have. Time to buy-in while you can?
Hard to believe we are in the middle of August, but we say that every year like its some kind of surprise that the calendar moves. Soon we’ll be heading into fall with cooler temperatures and, eventually the dreaded “W” word. What won’t be cooling off anytime soon is the demand for really nice R129 Mercedes-Benz models. I think the day is finally here for this generation of SL-Class and some recent results for nice examples only back that up. For now, it seems like its the second facelift cars with the SL1 and SL2 packages that are in most demand, and wouldn’t you know, that is exactly what we have up for sale today in Arizona. This one finished in the always fun Amber Red Metallic checks in with 65,000 miles and surely looks the part. The asking price of course reflects that too.
Red is a funny color when it comes to cars. Coupe or sports sedan? Sure, looks great. Full-size luxury sedan or SUV? Are you out of your mind? Even when it is offered on a SUV, it is usually in a much softer red that borders on burgundy. Same with the full-size sedans, a soft red. However, sometimes you do find the rare luxury sedan finished in the brightest red you can think of and it catches you off guard. Wouldn’t you have it, this is exactly what we have today in the 2003 Mercedes-Benz S500 I found up for sale in Poland. It is literally called “Magma Red” and isn’t shy about it. The thing is, I’m not sure if I like it just because it’s different or because it actually looks good.
From time to time I look at cars that you should never buy and feature them more as a warning, rather than something you might consider. Today is something similar, but has to do with the circumstances of this specific vehicle rather than a flaw or problem with the model. Where am I going with this?
Well, this 2005 Mercedes-Benz G500 up for sale in Virginia shows a little under 55,000 miles. Looking at the Carfax, it had 33,000 miles in 2007 then was promptly exported to Finland. In came back to the US in 2018 with 50,250 miles. Why is that a problem? Don’t ever, for any reason, ever, no matter what, no matter where, or who, or who you are with, or where you are going, or where you’ve been, ever, for any reason whatsoever consider buying a vehicle that was exported to Finland then re-imported back to the US. Buckle up, this one is a good read.
Nothing makes me smile more than high performance variants with a bunch of miles on them. Especially when I don’t own them. The supposedly finicky and fragile nature of them sometimes hold true, but for the most part if you just maintain them, you’ll be fine. Granted, today’s car isn’t exactly a Maserati Biturbo when it comes to build quality and complexity, but it is a hand-assembled super sedan from 20 years ago. As always, in full disclosure, I have one of these in my garage sitting under a cover, but that doesn’t mean I’m not realistic about them. That subject is none other than the W210 Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG – a car which predates bi-turbo V8s and crackling exhausts. Just a big engine, some subtle body work changes, and some wide tires. That’s it. This example up for in Washington? Thoroughly enjoyed.
