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Picked up an E55 to replace the C55, some impressions...
I've been lusting after more power than the C55 can provide and picked up a 2004 E55 with a clean title and 85k miles, thinking I'll sell the C class and have a faster car without compromising anything over the C55...
You thought fuel economy is bad in the C55? The E55 averages 9mpg around town if you're getting on it, 12mpg if you stay out of it, I could not do better than 19mpg highway on the way back after purchasing it. The C55 would get 16mpg with the same treatment in the city and 23 on the highway. Steering feel and handling at low speeds is terrible and the sports-airmatic is not comfortable or sporty. The throttle during normal driving is indirect, been reading that this is normal just the supercharged clutching in and out.
The power is awesome, it's not just the full throttle acceleration that's impressive, this thing pull HARD from 2000rpm in any gear, the kind of power that makes the C55 feel like a V6. The traction/stability is much more impressive on the E55, traction control is very effective while on the C55 it just cuts power.
After I got my C55 I spent a good time reading forums for common issues and problems, found very few and none that would strand me or make the car unsafe. After I got the E55 I did the same thing, after a couple of hours on these forums it made me want to sell the car the day after buying it, the W211 platform is plagued with a lot of expensive and serious safety issues, not a matter of if it will come up but WHEN. Right off the bat I did engine mounts, transmission mount and intercooler pump and will need to replace a few suspension bits once I identify which ones. I have a feeling it will be a money pit.
Anybody else jump to an E55 only to have mixed emotions? For now I'm keeping the C55.
This was great timing as my Kleemann C55 has hydro locked. I know that a m113k swap is financially dumb, but love the C55 as a stablemate to the 911's. Not a big car guy and only drive a truck as needed. This helps reinforce my desire to drop a m113k into the little C as its the perfect Q ship as it was. Nothing like making a SL65 scratch his head out of a little econo C class.
I concur TOTALLY that our traction control is HORRID. Its like a mid 90s Camaro and my car dropped from 9.2 to 7.9 in 1/8th mile by turning it all off in dyno mode. Fact unless bad weather or I wanted cruise....I typically drove it old school in dyno mode.
The other day I took the C55 on a 150 mile trip through Oregon forests up near Mt. Hood. It handled the twisty roads perfectly, performed amazingly. Later that day I took the E55 out for a short drive and proceeded to lay waste to a Suzuki SV650 with a very surprised rider. Hard to let go either one at the moment...
Last edited by Fantomas; Aug 22, 2018 at 04:13 AM.
At current values.......why would you let either go unless parking too difficult. 80% discount and just as good looking (more German) than current models. Can't believe you can get an SL55 for the price they are going for either...maintenance fears keep buyers at bay?
Great stablemates. Post pics! From my experience, in your situation, I'd look for a good deal on a Kleemann and get full exhaust. Loved the setup!
At current values.......why would you let either go unless parking too difficult. 80% discount and just as good looking (more German) than current models. Can't believe you can get an SL55 for the price they are going for either...maintenance fears keep buyers at bay?
Great stablemates. Post pics! From my experience, in your situation, I'd look for a good deal on a Kleemann and get full exhaust. Loved the setup!
I have 4 other cars, 2 motorcycles and a pair of jet skis, parking is a bit tight.
The plan is long tube headers with 200 cell cats, heat exchanger, smaller pulley and a tune. Should be good for mid to high 11s @ 120+.
Beautiful! I recently sold my C55 and will be picking up a mildly-modified E55 on Monday.
Pics?
Just had it up on the lift, both of my guibos are done and even though the ball joints on the front thrust arms look good, they do have some play. Ordering a set of idler pulleys, suspension arms and guibos... The E55 is a money pit compared to the C55 but I can't get enough of that torque. Hopefully once I take care of all the maintenance I can start modding for more power so swapping parts would be more rewarding.
I wasn't sure which one you wanted pics of, so here's the C55 with the new owner, with his E55 in the garage ahead of my wagon and his brother's E55 to the right. The Midnight Blue '04 in the middle pic is the one I'm buying.
interesting to hear that you're not all that impressed with the E55. i've been lusting after one for damn near a decade and am finally in the position to make a purchase but all i'm running into on my search is "i know what i got" type guys on craigslist. and what they got is cars w less maintenance history and more miles than those that have sold on BAT/ebay while asking for more $$
the maintenance does scare the hell out of me on the E55. I don't doubt i could do the air suspension w the help of my father but the parts alone are $2k. and given the fact that there's not much of a warning when it's going to go, if it were to happen unexpectedly i'd have to pay a shop which i'm sure isn't cheap
because of this i've opened up my search to include a C55. the big power of the E55 is a huge draw but given that the last car i owned (8 years ago) was an acura TL i'm sure the 367hp would be plenty to put a smile on my face.
would be nice to hear from others that have owned both...
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e55 is not that sporty for me and has that feeling of a big sedan.
