Buy an E55 AMG or pass?

[cadjak]

I have a chance to buy a silver, 2000 E55 AMG from a relative. It has 80,000 highway miles on it and is in very good shape with all the service records. Asking price is $20,000. What I'm asking is, what am I getting into in the way of maintenance costs? Are there any known problems with this year and model? How does the price stack up in real world terms. i.e. don't touch it, good price, okay price, killer price? What questions should I be asking and how do I find a good shop in the area where the car is to do a look-it-over?
TIA,
cadjak

[bludnik]

The E55AMG is a lovely car... A supercar almost... Or as close as us regular mortals will come to have a supercar...

$20 000 for it in Norway and I would have bought it already... My 1994 C200 Elegance is worth aprox. $14 000... You guys are spoiled! It's just not fair...

The price in the US i cant say anything about, but i would recommend you to buy it... 80 000 miles isnt that much for a german car...

Maintenance costs are of course a bit higher than your average Honda Civic since it's a Mercedes, and one with a BIG engine... And an AMG... But still, it's worth it...

[Audi Ryder]

Buy it, and tune it...not enough fast W211 E's on the planet
BRI