JHouse

Yes, It still feels like new, and I grin all the time. What I have noticed after about 8,000 miles is that I never get a chance to use the power on tap. Even when I passing and risking tickets (3 lately) it barely hits 3,000 rpm. When I first got it, I floored it several times, but it is so fast you have to get off it immediately. I ran down a particularly vacant tollway one night at 130, and it used no motor at all.

When I was younger, I always worried about the rings and valve train going due to being pushed hard for a long time (abused as I perceived it). Also, I presumed the makers had them tuned to the ragged edge and they were pushing themselves internally, just by running at all. With these 55's and 65's, I think the shear power they produce down low in the rpm range essentially prevents such abuse as any significant portion of the car's history. I don't read here about using oil, or failures in the valve trains or rings on stock cars. All the failures seem to relate to electronics and some rubber parts. Sure, they are expensive, but once replaced, it's like a new car.

My car is tight, smooth and perfect. 76,000 miles. I'm going to get anything fixed that fails, without complaining. Personally, if the interior was in top shape, I would not be afraid of a high mileage version of the 55 or 65. They have been loafing along for their entire lives. The engine, transmissions and the rest of the drive train is made to tolerate massive torque and horsepower, which they almost never see. I say be confident.

danlnyc

nice, I just hit 73k miles and my beast is still running strong as ever

JHouse

So today on the way to work I cruising at 80 with the tach at about 2K (21.1 mpg). The supercharger doesn't even kick in until 2700 rpm. Even when I goose it to pass or get clear, I usually don't need that many rev's. I'm telling ya, they just loaf along. It's like they're just winking at the other cars, and thinking "go ahead and wring its little neck, we're barely breathing over hear."

I remember a story about a 120 year old industrial engine that had run consistently for that entire time, apparently it was way over-engineered, but it wasn't working against much load. Hence, lasted forever.

Jakpro1

So true. Only thing we are noticing over in the E section is lots of younger guys buying these cars( as they are no more than a new Mustang in price now)....driving the living snot out of them, then whining that the car threw a piston etc.

They are over engineered but not tard proof. You treat it like a race car....then be ready to rebuild it regularly LIKE A RACE CAR!

Great thread and as always AMG =

JHouse

It seems like you never see that over here, unless you start monkeying with the motor with custom pulleys and tunes and all that jazz. I know for certain that you can blow them up or screw them up with "experimentation." Some of these guys know what they are doing, but a BUNCH don't.

And I guess if you are at the drag strip going full out repeatedly, you might have a problem here and there.

SLCL

If I haven't said so, I like you Jhouse. Keep the funny stuff going.

I've got to ask, how the hell can you get 21 mpg at 80mph? If I drive like an old lady, I get about 14.8 mpg 70% highway. I am riding on 20" tho (2005 CL55 at 36K miles currently).

Same driving style, I get 17.5 on my SL500. I've always hear guys with pickup trucks saying they get 25 mpg.

Are you guys on drugs or something?

1995E320Cab

That has to do with a bad tune and being starved for fuel from what I have seen.

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1995E320Cab

I get MPG in the lows 20's with my CL600 and I'm on 20" wheels also.

JHouse

SLCL, as to gas mileage, this is how I did it. I washed all the bugs off the car. I got on the straightest, flattest highway in Texas and reset the gizmo and held my breath for about 30 miles. Slowing at any slight rise and gaining speed on any downslope. I watched it go from the normal reset beginning point of 15.7 (Normally I get 15.7 combined) and watched it climb, more and more slowly as I approached the ultimate number. Then I had to turn. I can live with that.

hyperion667

You treat it like a race car....then be ready to rebuild it regularly LIKE A RACE CAR!

well said!!!

benz_addict

I can certainly say these 55k engines are made to last. Friend of mine has a G55 with over 350,000KMS. Unfortunately my car had been a victim of a bad tune which led my engine to destroy pistons 8 and 6 last year. However, like many of us on this board I am also one of those monkeys that can't drive my cars stock. But now pulley and EC tune =

JHouse

The tunes often run too lean and the pistons overheat and fail. Very common with tweaking. But if you've got the money and engine failures don't hurt your feelings, then have at it. My problem is that I nearly anthropomorphize my cars. They're like the family pet. I love them too much to risk their health. Man's best friend.

Lukezwoelf

Come'on, no way. I have a 2005 CL600, 20inch, 14.8 mpg over 14000 miles mixed mostly commute driving ~60 % highway and I drive like a mid-aged lady - LOL

1995E320Cab

I can cruz all day long at 70 mph and get in the low 20's MPG with out an issue from day 1 that I got my car.

Of course I can put the peddle to the floor, rocket down the road and watch the MPG drop, but I'll be smiling all the way to the gas station.

Lukezwoelf

Does ECU tune make a differece/
BTW how do you like the speeddriven ECU/TCU? I have been thinking about it

1995E320Cab

No the ECU / TCU tune did not change my MPG, I LOVE my SPEEDRIVEN ECU/TCU tune !!! Because on them I now own 1 of the faster cars on the road and enjoy my car so much more every single time I drive it !!!

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driveability

I drove from southern California to northern Washington state 1250 miles one way got 21 mpg. Used CC all the way. Ya drove like a wimp

juniordriver

I noticed people stating that ECU/TCU upgrades make 55k engines run leaner, thus may cause them heavier usage and make them less reliable, does it significantly increase the risk of spoiling the engine?