I have an option acquire an 04 E55. It would run me $400 more a month. I can afford to part with some party money to make the jump, but in the same time I am having difficulties parting with my CLK55 that finally looks how I want her to look.



The above pick is not a very good one because there is too much light on the car and rims, but it looks great and I have girls complementing her at night on multiple occasions. I love how the seating, no pillar when windows are down, and comfort of the CLK55 Vs. E55, plus it's a little smaller that makes it for easier driving. Now, I don't need to tell you guys that an E55 is an awsome car ... but are extra 100 HP worth the sacrifice of something you're really comfortable with?

If I don't end up getting the E55, then next year I will be getting my weekend car. The attention in one of these is ridiculous when you pull up to valet in a club!



This is not the greatest car by far, and I get tired of driving for longer than a half a day in it... but it is so worth it if you're a single guy that loves to party!

So... back to the E55 scenario, what do you guys think? Thanks!

If you care more about power than about looks, then I'd say go for it! The power of the E55 is just amazing. If you're going more for looks and don't care too much about power (looks like you already have some pretty fast cars anyways), then I'd say just keep the CLK55. IMHO the CLK55 looks better than the E55 (even though the E55 does look very nice). If I were you, I personally wouldn't do it. You already have a fast mercedes sedan.

can you afford the cost of repairs also? I think the E should still be under warranty. Just another thing to think about. I'd make the jump.

My CLK55 and the E55 have same milage... 27K.

Your CLK55 turns much better then the E55. When I test drove one thinking I wanted the wagon I almost ended up on the grass after the turn onto the onramp entering the hiway. I was driving it the way I would my car.

Can you get used to it and coax it to do all but the most demanding AutoX type driving, sure. But it'll be out of its element in the twisties. So if you like to do canyon driving or other types of twisty roads, consider that's not the E55's element. But otherwise there's not much else to critique about a W211 E55.

If you can keep the CLK and get the Viper, then why would you want an E55? I'd just keep the CLK. Its a hotter looking car and the ladies don't know the difference of a n/a V8 and s/c V8. If you really desire more power, just get a 100 shot of NOS and you'll have all the speed you want, plus its the coolest thing to use when you want to show off. People go crazy when I hit the juice. Keep it, it looks great and it performs great.

DirtyV,

Sounds to me like you still like to party. In that case forget the E55. It is a great car but you have to live out the glory days in style, stick the CLK55 or the Viper, heck thorugh a supercharger in it. When you have a family like me and are have kids, then consider moving to a sedan.

Cheers,

L.