Hi All,

I currently have a 2008 CLK550, and am thinking about a 2016 or 2017 E550 coupe in the not-so-distant future (if I can find a nice one). I want the latest version possible, in the hopes that most common problems/issues would have been solved by that point.

Anyhoo, I apologize for the dumb question, but do any coupes come with Airmatic? I'm trying to avoid it if possible for maintenance cost purposes.

Also, what are some must-have options I should look for?

Thanks for any useful advice!

 

No none of the e coupes or cabriolets come from the factory with air-matic. Only the e sedan would if optioned with it.

If you get sport handling on an e coupe or cabriolet it will come with electrically controlled struts/shocks (adjusted by pushing a button in the vehicle) which until this year was an expensive part. $1k per strut and only available through MB. Thankfully though it’s now available through Monroe, the actual manufacturer of the part for around $330.

 

Below feedback is based on the naming conventions used in the brochures, they can be searched on the web.

If you go for 2017 e550 coupe/cabro then make sure you have Premium Package 1 & 2 (Package 3 is a nice to have but not a must). Also the AMG sport appearance package with sport steering wheel is a must.

Last year I went with a 2012 e550 coupe and it’s been a blast. The options I got were premium package, driving assistance package, and AMG sport appearance package which I took to new heights. I posted on it in March all the little touches done to make it more AMG-esque and can share link if you want to see that.

Between those years 2012-2017 it’s the beautiful and amazing 4.7L TT V-8. The 2014-2017 has the “facelift” with electronic shifter however I think it looks ubiquitous while the 2012-2013 has unique look with gearbox shifter and why I chose that one over a newer one.

 

Right on, thanks very much for your replies! Yeah, if you have a link to your ride, I'd love to see it.

Totally agree on the steering wheel. I was initially planning on a 2010 or 2011 (I actually like the M273 NA engine), and most I've seen have the AMG appearance package but no sport steering wheel (they have the lame wood-look one). After reading a bit about the power (and surprisingly good reliability) of the M278 engine, I think the choice of which one to get is clear.

I'm not sold on the column shifter for the facelifted models, but it obviously is what it is. Otherwise, I think both the pre- and post-facelift models look great. I also like the 2018+ models, but those, sadly, don't come with a V8.

 

https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-c...cessories.html

 

One important thing to note, the same era c-class coupe/cabro and e-class coupe/cabro are 90-95% identical built on the same factory line in Bremen, Germany. They share the identical body with some tweaks to the headlights and taillights. The body style for c is called w204 and e is called w207. Majority of their parts are shared part numbers.

There are some more luxury features in the e-class (cooling seats, pillarless windows, seatbelt presenters, dynamic handling) not in the c-class however the c-class you can go for the c63 AMG (5.5L TT and even more dynamic handling) which was not offered for the e-class except for the sedan version. You lose a few options though and refinement that comes with the e.

I love my e550 coupe, however do wish there had been a e63 coupe but it would have been too close to the c63 coupe.

 

Your car looks great! Very clean. I like the illuminated star (makes it look like a recent model).

Yeah, I'm aware that the E class coupe is based on a C-class chassis. Same deal with my CLK. It doesn't bother me at all. I've looked at the C63s, but they are a bit more expensive than the E class coupes, and maintenance/repairs can be a lot more (especially brakes) on the AMG. It also sort of looks like a Honda Accord to me.

The 2012+ E550 is a unique car in my opinion. Mercedes was generous enough to offer it with a solid engine that can be easily tuned for more power to rival some of the AMG cars. It's a bit like a secret AMG. The CLK can relate in some small way as well, since the 2007+ CLK550 is said to be a tad quicker than the 2003-2006 CLK55. And as you mentioned, I like that the E class coupe has some refinement that the C class cars don't have.