2003 E500 or 2001 E55?
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 490
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From: Dallas, TX
sold - w211 e320, f250, rx7 race car
If the 03 E500 is still under warranty (50k miles is the cut off, not sure which side of 50k you are on) that would be my choice. Use up the rest of the free maintenance (4yr/50k mile for 03 and 04), clear up any warranty work and then purchase an extended warranty. If it's out of warranty right now, I'd look for another car. I would not own either car out of warranty, you don't want to know what it would cost to repair an 01 E55 when something goes wrong. I assume you picked these two as you have a budget. Some on here hate the 03, I personally have not had the issues a small number of people have experienced. The 03 is also the newer body style and IMO looks better than the W210. Granted the E55 is fast, but not that fast. I can put a Kleemann supercharger on my E320 and have comparable power to a 2001 E55.
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Sacramento
'08 AM Vantage V8 - '03 E500
2003 E500, especially if it has warranty left.
Keep in mind that the W210 (2001) E55 wasn't quite the killa that the W211 (2003) E55 was. The 2001 was rated at 349 HP -
http://www.mbusa.com/pre-owned/2001/...1_E320W&class=
- quite a bit less than the 469 HP of the 2003 E55 and not all that much more than the 305 HP rating of the E500. Sure, performance also includes things like braking and handling, but I don't know that even in those respects the 2001 E55 was all that superior to a 2003 E500 (Don't tell the folks in the W210 E55 forum that I said that). And, like the man said, you're getting a fresher technology set with the E500 and (IMO) a much better-looking interior and exterior.
Keep in mind that the W210 (2001) E55 wasn't quite the killa that the W211 (2003) E55 was. The 2001 was rated at 349 HP -
http://www.mbusa.com/pre-owned/2001/...1_E320W&class=
- quite a bit less than the 469 HP of the 2003 E55 and not all that much more than the 305 HP rating of the E500. Sure, performance also includes things like braking and handling, but I don't know that even in those respects the 2001 E55 was all that superior to a 2003 E500 (Don't tell the folks in the W210 E55 forum that I said that). And, like the man said, you're getting a fresher technology set with the E500 and (IMO) a much better-looking interior and exterior.
Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 112
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From: New Jersey
E500
Additionally, the 2001 E55 has recirulating ball steering while the 2003 has rack and pinion. The E500 will be a much more comfortable ride with airmatic suspension. The E55, if it rides anything like the 2001 CLK55 I had will tend to be harsh. If the 2003 has the Harmon Kardon sound system there's no comparison to the Bose system in the E55.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2006
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heyy... why dont you just pay a lil bit more for an 04 with 7 speed auto, and that 43hp more "problem" will be fixed hehehe
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 5,583
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From: Washington D.C.
2024 GLE63s / 2016 GLE63s (traded) / 2016 E63s / 2002 E55
2001 E55 AMG:
"Steering Rack-and-pinion with speed-sensitive power assist and integral hydraulic damper. Turning Circle: 37.2 ft/11.34 m, curb-to-curb. Steering-wheel turns lock-to-lock 3.2"
http://www.mbusa.com/pre-owned/2001/...tegory=chassis
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2001
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2024 GLE63s / 2016 GLE63s (traded) / 2016 E63s / 2002 E55
