Discover why these autobahn legends are emptying the pockets of enthusiasts across the globe.
It’s no secret that the used car market has been absolutely on fire in recent years. While years of supply chain woes and inflated consumer spending (driven by Covid) sparked the flame, the lingering embers of used car demand still burn hot, especially regarding the hand-built beasts from Affalterbach.
Mercedes Aufrecht, Melcher, and Großaspach, or AMG as we know it, is the iconic performance division of Mercedes-Benz. Similar to the BMW M Division and the Audi Sport Division, AMG has built a longstanding reputation for creating some of the most epic street machines for Mercedes-Benz and for playing a pivotal role in the AMG-Petronas F1 team. Even in a smoldering hot used car market, these beauties have stood out in the crowd regarding their value appreciation.
Back in 2018, one could purchase a well-maintained C55 AMG for around $10,000; around 50% of what these cars currently fetch on the mecca of used car auctions; Bring a Trailer. The question on every enthusiast’s mind today is, why, after years of dormant prices, have these autobahn legends begun to skyrocket faster than a Roman candle on the 4th of July? Well, wonder no longer; here are the five main reasons Mercedes AMGs are shooting up in value.
Reason 1: Handbuilt in Affalterbach
The phrase, “They just don’t make em like they used to.” has never been more relevant regarding Mercedes AMGs. Since the inception of AMG’s first car, the C36, each iteration has been blessed with a hand-built engine from the genius engineers in Affalterbach. That is, until around the late 2010s, when Mercedes began to build its AMG engines in the same factories as its standard cars.
While this change certainly hasn’t affected the performance of modern-day AMGs (just look at the C63s for proof), the enthusiast community certainly viewed this shift as a demerit against modern AMGs, further driving up both prices and demand for the hand-built classics. And it makes sense when you think about it; when you spend an ostentations amount of money on a purpose-built, German sports car, you expect it to be crafted with care. After all, nothing exudes quality more than a hand-signed plaque placed prominently on your V8 engine by the engineer who worked tirelessly to craft it.
Reason 2: They’re actually reliable (mostly)
Who immediately comes to mind when you think of a reliable car brand? Toyota? Maybe Honda? With the endless word waste circulating the internet on the over-reliability of Japanese cars, one could be forgiven for thinking all German cars are hopelessly unreliable. However, most German car enthusiasts know that is simply not the case, especially when it comes to early AMGs.
While not safe from small electrical gremlins (as any car from this era would be), Mercedes AMGs from the years 2000-2007 have proven to be remarkably reliable. Major components in these cars, such as the engines and transmissions, are virtually bulletproof while providing a level of performance that empowers them to go toe-to-toe even with modern-day sports cars. This sublime combination of reliability and performance makes classic AMGs hard to pass on.
Reason 3: Potential future classics
Let’s be honest; in a sea of underwhelming modern-day cars, future classics are becoming more and more difficult to spot by the year. As such, we’re seeing a resurgence in demand for cars built in the mid-2000s, such as the BMW e46 M3, the Acura Integra Type-R, and (of course) the Mercedes AMGs of the very same era.
However, We will admit that not all AMGs of this era are created equal when selecting a potential future classic. In our opinion, the W211 (2003-2006) E55 AMG and the C219 CLS55 AMG are top candidates as they exude class while boasting some seriously impressive specs from the factory. If we had to characterize these cars, we would compare them to Allen Bateman from American Psycho. They’re essentially furious axe murderers clad in expensive Italian suits.
With prices for both these cars rising by the day, purchasing one today could prove a better investment than the stock market. Imagine driving a 500+ hp (and torque) Autobahn bomber for five years and selling it for 90% of what you initially paid for it; seems tempting, no?
Reason 4: They’re perfect gearhead rocketships
Some modern-day sports cars look like they’re more complicated to work on than spaceships, and to an extent (looking at you, BMW), they can be considerably difficult to wrench on yourself.
Classic AMGs do not suffer from this issue.
With the small exception of working around a supercharger (on the M113k models only), they’re as simple to wrench on as your mom’s Toyota Sienna. This fact alone makes maintenance a lot cheaper than if you went through a dealership or independent shop, further reducing the yearly costs associated with owning one of these rocketships.
Reason 5: They’ll last (nearly) forever
Let’s be honest; most of us won’t be driving our cars past (or even up to) the 200k-mile mark. Yet, if you decide to do so in your classic AMG, it won’t break a sweat.
Want proof? Check out this video from LegitStreetCars, where he dynos a 400k+ mile E55 AMG. Spoiler, it posts some pretty impressive numbers for a nearly 20-year-old German sports car.
What to Look for Before you buy a classic AMG
- Solid Carfax report (Regular maintenance, recalls, and servicing should all be consistent with the car’s age/mileage. Recalls on vehicles with an SBC brake pump and replaced Valeo radiators on 2002 models are a must.)
- Interior wear (Cars of this age have seen it all, so make sure to inspect the interior for sagging headliners, rips in the leather, and functioning electronics.)
- Exterior wear (While most cars of this age can be forgiven for having a few dings and scratches, ensure there are no signs of rust or clear coat damage, as was common in early 2000s AMG models.)
Finding a classic AMG for a reasonable price may be a needle in the haystack scenario in 2023, but we assure you the search is well worth it. Good luck, and be sure to check out the AutoAudit blog for more auto industry content!
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