A few weeks ago I decided to Surprise my Wife with a brand new Fortuner 4x4 as her anniversary present but what she didn't know was I woke up that particular morning convinced I also need a V8 in my life and I should spoil myself too.
I decided not to rush in and buy the first clean car i came across but to put some proper thought behind my decision after identifying my requirements:
>I would use the car for 5 days every 3rd week to work and back, which is not alot of mileage - only 160km's every 3 weeks so fuel consumption is also not on my list of concerns...
>I spend some time in Sandton traffic on this specific week so i was looking for something with Auto Transmission, Comfortable, well built, loads of features and must have power to overtake that annoying taxi or retard driver when needed.
Immediately my mind starts heading towards the E92 M3 which i always dreamed of... but to spend 450-500k on one and then have to spend another 50k cash on Bearings and Maintenance is rather annoying... it could have been cheaper if i did the work myself but i didn't feel like it.
Next up on the list was a C63, as much as i love the 6.2L motor but with all its issues, i decided i didn't want to go down that road just yet.. Coincidentally minutes later, I get told by one of my customers that his uncle has got a super clean 2005 E55 AMG and he is considering selling to get the later model E63, immediately the alarm bells go off in my head and i asked for the details...
I get in touch with the owner, a 63 year old gentlemen and arrange to view it. We arrive at his house and he opens the garage, I spot the beast standing under a car cover in the garage. A car cover being used in the garage!! I already liked the way this was going,
Then using a Bright AF Spotlight, my brother and I go through this whole car twice over, Front to back, top to bottom, inside and out... It was Immaculate and had been cared for in that old school way..
The things that really stood out for me:
> Rubber Mats on top of the standard mats.
> A fuel log was kept for everytime he filled fuel since he took ownership in 2014... this in itself was mighty impressive...
> The spare Key is still in the packet it came in and has never been used.
> All the books are in their original packaging in the car.
> All receipts and invoices are available for the car.
> Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres
> he cut up some cotton towels and covered the ashtray and other storage areas, another towel had been placed over the armrest so it doesn't wear or scratch..
> There were some Mods done by the old Uncle (Ceramic coated headers and full exhaust, BMC Filters and Motronix Tune - Dyno shows 480hp and 648nm's)
> Navigation, Heated Seats, Dynamic Seats, No panoramic sunroof.
Went for a test drive, The car drove well and sounded epic with no rattles or funny business. I couldn't deny such a machine as you very seldom come across any vehicle being cared for in this way. Immediately made an offer which he accepted then a quick hassle-free sale was conducted and I drove off with my newly acquired Supercharged V8 monster leaving the uncle and his family in tears as they came out to say good bye to the car one last time.. you could see that the entire family loved this car and were genuinely sad to see it go, I hope he is enjoying his BiTurbo E63 now...
Some pics i took on my phone.
The Scalpel vs The Cruise Liner :smilebounce:
His and Hers Silver :cartel:
All in all I'm loving it, when you smash the accelerator it feels like someone lit the fuse to the rocket you are sitting in and it just blasts off to infinity and beyond..... all this while getting a relaxing lower back massage :cartel: ... Air suspension and Dynamic seats make it a very smooth and comfortable drive...
I always try to do a Major service when I take ownership of any second hand cars but in this case it was done recently so i dont have to rush into it, i will do a major service plus some preventitive maintenance later in the year, then upgrade the cooling system, swap out the supercharger pulley and remap the ECU and TCU just for that extra bit of power thats still locked away.
No regrets, this thing is phenomenal...
:ty: for looking
I decided not to rush in and buy the first clean car i came across but to put some proper thought behind my decision after identifying my requirements:
>I would use the car for 5 days every 3rd week to work and back, which is not alot of mileage - only 160km's every 3 weeks so fuel consumption is also not on my list of concerns...
>I spend some time in Sandton traffic on this specific week so i was looking for something with Auto Transmission, Comfortable, well built, loads of features and must have power to overtake that annoying taxi or retard driver when needed.
Immediately my mind starts heading towards the E92 M3 which i always dreamed of... but to spend 450-500k on one and then have to spend another 50k cash on Bearings and Maintenance is rather annoying... it could have been cheaper if i did the work myself but i didn't feel like it.
Next up on the list was a C63, as much as i love the 6.2L motor but with all its issues, i decided i didn't want to go down that road just yet.. Coincidentally minutes later, I get told by one of my customers that his uncle has got a super clean 2005 E55 AMG and he is considering selling to get the later model E63, immediately the alarm bells go off in my head and i asked for the details...
I get in touch with the owner, a 63 year old gentlemen and arrange to view it. We arrive at his house and he opens the garage, I spot the beast standing under a car cover in the garage. A car cover being used in the garage!! I already liked the way this was going,
Then using a Bright AF Spotlight, my brother and I go through this whole car twice over, Front to back, top to bottom, inside and out... It was Immaculate and had been cared for in that old school way..
The things that really stood out for me:
> Rubber Mats on top of the standard mats.
> A fuel log was kept for everytime he filled fuel since he took ownership in 2014... this in itself was mighty impressive...
> The spare Key is still in the packet it came in and has never been used.
> All the books are in their original packaging in the car.
> All receipts and invoices are available for the car.
> Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres
> he cut up some cotton towels and covered the ashtray and other storage areas, another towel had been placed over the armrest so it doesn't wear or scratch..
> There were some Mods done by the old Uncle (Ceramic coated headers and full exhaust, BMC Filters and Motronix Tune - Dyno shows 480hp and 648nm's)
> Navigation, Heated Seats, Dynamic Seats, No panoramic sunroof.
Went for a test drive, The car drove well and sounded epic with no rattles or funny business. I couldn't deny such a machine as you very seldom come across any vehicle being cared for in this way. Immediately made an offer which he accepted then a quick hassle-free sale was conducted and I drove off with my newly acquired Supercharged V8 monster leaving the uncle and his family in tears as they came out to say good bye to the car one last time.. you could see that the entire family loved this car and were genuinely sad to see it go, I hope he is enjoying his BiTurbo E63 now...
Some pics i took on my phone.
The Scalpel vs The Cruise Liner :smilebounce:
His and Hers Silver :cartel:
All in all I'm loving it, when you smash the accelerator it feels like someone lit the fuse to the rocket you are sitting in and it just blasts off to infinity and beyond..... all this while getting a relaxing lower back massage :cartel: ... Air suspension and Dynamic seats make it a very smooth and comfortable drive...
I always try to do a Major service when I take ownership of any second hand cars but in this case it was done recently so i dont have to rush into it, i will do a major service plus some preventitive maintenance later in the year, then upgrade the cooling system, swap out the supercharger pulley and remap the ECU and TCU just for that extra bit of power thats still locked away.
No regrets, this thing is phenomenal...
:ty: for looking
raise:
