C55 AMG v E550 4matic
10-10-2016, 02:05 PM
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C55 AMG v E550 4matic
I have tried to compare these to the best of my google/forum searching ability, but have not come across any postings where someone who has owned both was able to give his/her experiences.
I've found 2 cars; one a '05 C55, one a '07 E550 4matic sport. Both are the same price and same miles. Both are doing 1/4 miles in under 14 seconds, and .82 to .84G road holding. The C55 will transition better due to weighing 500 lbs less, but we don't really have curves here in WI.
I am fairly handy with a wrench, but even so, the airmatic system's complexity seems a bit much. I could resign myself to possible failure and replacement if it was a DIY, but it seems like many have used the Arnott lifetime replacements and been unsuccessful in getting the bag to fill after installing(not reading instructions about STAR programming?). On the reverse, the C55 is fairly simple. It has no active air suspension, no transfer case, etc. The E550 is outside the balance shaft range (motor# 273962 30 156746).
I live in Wisconsin where the alley is unplowed most of the week, so 4matic would surely be a positive, but for a much more reliable car, I would simply shovel and be late. I'll have winter tires for either.
I think I used 4x4 on my truck a total of 4 times last year, but have been an Audi fanboy in the past and surely appreciated the surefooted AWD. Maybe I don't need it as much as I think I do. Past vehicles have been B5 Audi A4, S4, 540i, 528i, B7 A4.
Can anybody shed some light on this? Appreciated.
I've found 2 cars; one a '05 C55, one a '07 E550 4matic sport. Both are the same price and same miles. Both are doing 1/4 miles in under 14 seconds, and .82 to .84G road holding. The C55 will transition better due to weighing 500 lbs less, but we don't really have curves here in WI.
I am fairly handy with a wrench, but even so, the airmatic system's complexity seems a bit much. I could resign myself to possible failure and replacement if it was a DIY, but it seems like many have used the Arnott lifetime replacements and been unsuccessful in getting the bag to fill after installing(not reading instructions about STAR programming?). On the reverse, the C55 is fairly simple. It has no active air suspension, no transfer case, etc. The E550 is outside the balance shaft range (motor# 273962 30 156746).
I live in Wisconsin where the alley is unplowed most of the week, so 4matic would surely be a positive, but for a much more reliable car, I would simply shovel and be late. I'll have winter tires for either.
I think I used 4x4 on my truck a total of 4 times last year, but have been an Audi fanboy in the past and surely appreciated the surefooted AWD. Maybe I don't need it as much as I think I do. Past vehicles have been B5 Audi A4, S4, 540i, 528i, B7 A4.
Can anybody shed some light on this? Appreciated.
10-10-2016, 02:48 PM
#2
Super Member
Imho, it's hard for a RWD car to compete with a FWD or an AWD car.
But, the C55 has a great ABS system.
I assume it also has ESP???
If so, get 4 Blizzak tires on separate rims. Replace the tires after 1/3rd worn. The bottom 1/2 of the tread is standard snow tread. Plus, imho, a 1/2 worn snow tire tread is already too low for a good snow tire.
Use 2 bags of TubeSand (registered trademark - really!
) in the trunk and secure the stuff so that it does not shift.
And, imho, you're good to go.
Not as good as a 4matic. But, imho, you'll be in better shape than the fools driving their trucks and SUVs with worn all-season tires, and ignoring the fact that bigger and heavier vehicles take longer to stop in snow/ice.
But, the C55 has a great ABS system.
I assume it also has ESP???
If so, get 4 Blizzak tires on separate rims. Replace the tires after 1/3rd worn. The bottom 1/2 of the tread is standard snow tread. Plus, imho, a 1/2 worn snow tire tread is already too low for a good snow tire.
Use 2 bags of TubeSand (registered trademark - really!
) in the trunk and secure the stuff so that it does not shift.And, imho, you're good to go.
Not as good as a 4matic. But, imho, you'll be in better shape than the fools driving their trucks and SUVs with worn all-season tires, and ignoring the fact that bigger and heavier vehicles take longer to stop in snow/ice.
Last edited by RedGray; 10-10-2016 at 02:53 PM.
