W211 E500 or W210 E55
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From: Manhattan Beach, Ca
C219 CLS / W220 † / W211† / W210 E55 † / W210 Brabus † / Hamann 540i † /
W211 E500 or W210 E55
Which one? Gonnna sell my W210 E320 that does nothing and pick up another E class. I always wanted an E55 but for the same price I can get a new body E500, i'm having trouble on deciding, i love the E55 but it is old body style, then there is a new body style E500 that is almost just as fast....
Pros and Cons?? Please help me out here.....
Pros and Cons?? Please help me out here.....
Thread Starter
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Joined: May 2004
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From: Manhattan Beach, Ca
C219 CLS / W220 † / W211† / W210 E55 † / W210 Brabus † / Hamann 540i † /
i dont want to spend more than 25k.
25k car is 01 or 02 E55, 01/02 540i, 03 E500
oh and the value has already dropped on the E55 bad.
25k car is 01 or 02 E55, 01/02 540i, 03 E500
oh and the value has already dropped on the E55 bad.
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From: Ft. Lauderdale Area, USA
2015 ML 350
Yes you're right the 210 Body looks really dated both inside & out. But... I'm really gun-shy of an 03-05 211.70 even though they are beautiful & FAST. I KNOW I had an incredible amount of problems with my 2004 E-500, and this board is littered with thousands of posts looking for problem resolution, yet there are folks here who just picked up their cars & enjoy the hell out of them. Tough call, but the 211's look sooooooo much better than the 210s. Even the 211's will look dated in a couple of years when the next gen E comes along. The 210 will then look like a relic.
If you have a $$ limit go for the 2004+ 211 E-500, but have the dealer run the full list of service ROs to look for one with few problems.
If you have a $$ limit go for the 2004+ 211 E-500, but have the dealer run the full list of service ROs to look for one with few problems.
Last edited by Barry45RPM; Apr 4, 2007 at 11:05 AM.
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I know this is not what you want but if I were you, I'd put about another $5K (maybe less) and acquire a 2004 E500 with Navigation and nicer Command screen. I'd avoid a 2003 E500.
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Joined: May 2004
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From: Manhattan Beach, Ca
C219 CLS / W220 † / W211† / W210 E55 † / W210 Brabus † / Hamann 540i † /
If i'm gonna spend $30k then that opens up my options to a lot more cars. 25k is my max, i already got ton of money dumped into med school....
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I'd aim for the newer W211 body style. It has a much more pleasing interior, too. In 2009, when W212 comes out it will start to look old, but then the W210 will look like a model T.
There a many posts about realibility of the initial W211's. If you have a way of seeing service records you'll know if you got one of the iffy builds.
There a many posts about realibility of the initial W211's. If you have a way of seeing service records you'll know if you got one of the iffy builds.
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03s had issues with comand & Nav not being available. It seems that some '04s had electrical system issues. All thru '06 had SBC Brake System Recalls. The SBC is warranted for a full 10 years now, so it shouldn't be a problem.
Each successive year the cars got more reliable.
Each successive year the cars got more reliable.
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Good question here.
The w211 E500 is newer body style with clean lines (subjective)
The w210 E55 is older and looking a little dated (subjective)
The w211 E500 has SBC brakes w/ warranty... 60-0 122 ft.
The w210 E55 has NON sbc brakes... 60-0 120 ft
(the sbc is annoying in daily driving... abrupt grabbing) FACT
The w211 E500 runs 0-60 in 5.9 and 1/4 mile 14.4 @ 98.8 mph
The w210 E55 runs 0-60 in 4.9 and 1/4 mile 13.49 @ 106.71 mph
The E500 is a daily run of the mill Mercedes that you see everyday
The E55 is known to be a runner and enthusiast car. THINK AMG
Bottom line... I think you could do more to the the E55 as time and money permits. I also think the new w211 have more quality problems than the tried and true w210. I sold my 2002 E320 to get a 2006 E350. The 350 is quicker and seems to handle better... but the 320 just felt more solid...
Posted some links on write up for both... GOOD LUCK...
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...amg/index.html
http://www.roadandtrack.com/article....article_id=417
The w211 E500 is newer body style with clean lines (subjective)
The w210 E55 is older and looking a little dated (subjective)
The w211 E500 has SBC brakes w/ warranty... 60-0 122 ft.
The w210 E55 has NON sbc brakes... 60-0 120 ft
(the sbc is annoying in daily driving... abrupt grabbing) FACT
The w211 E500 runs 0-60 in 5.9 and 1/4 mile 14.4 @ 98.8 mph
The w210 E55 runs 0-60 in 4.9 and 1/4 mile 13.49 @ 106.71 mph
The E500 is a daily run of the mill Mercedes that you see everyday
The E55 is known to be a runner and enthusiast car. THINK AMG
Bottom line... I think you could do more to the the E55 as time and money permits. I also think the new w211 have more quality problems than the tried and true w210. I sold my 2002 E320 to get a 2006 E350. The 350 is quicker and seems to handle better... but the 320 just felt more solid...
Posted some links on write up for both... GOOD LUCK...
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...amg/index.html
http://www.roadandtrack.com/article....article_id=417
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Good question here.
The w211 E500 is newer body style with clean lines (subjective)
The w210 E55 is older and looking a little dated (subjective)
The w211 E500 has SBC brakes w/ warranty... 60-0 122 ft.
The w210 E55 has NON sbc brakes... 60-0 120 ft
(the sbc is annoying in daily driving... abrupt grabbing) FACT
The w211 E500 runs 0-60 in 5.9 and 1/4 mile 14.4 @ 98.8 mph
The w210 E55 runs 0-60 in 4.9 and 1/4 mile 13.49 @ 106.71 mph
The E500 is a daily run of the mill Mercedes that you see everyday
The E55 is known to be a runner and enthusiast car. THINK AMG
Bottom line... I think you could do more to the the E55 as time and money permits. I also think the new w211 have more quality problems than the tried and true w210. I sold my 2002 E320 to get a 2006 E350. The 350 is quicker and seems to handle better... but the 320 just felt more solid...
Posted some links on write up for both... GOOD LUCK...
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...amg/index.html
http://www.roadandtrack.com/article....article_id=417
The w211 E500 is newer body style with clean lines (subjective)
The w210 E55 is older and looking a little dated (subjective)
The w211 E500 has SBC brakes w/ warranty... 60-0 122 ft.
The w210 E55 has NON sbc brakes... 60-0 120 ft
(the sbc is annoying in daily driving... abrupt grabbing) FACT
The w211 E500 runs 0-60 in 5.9 and 1/4 mile 14.4 @ 98.8 mph
The w210 E55 runs 0-60 in 4.9 and 1/4 mile 13.49 @ 106.71 mph
The E500 is a daily run of the mill Mercedes that you see everyday
The E55 is known to be a runner and enthusiast car. THINK AMG
Bottom line... I think you could do more to the the E55 as time and money permits. I also think the new w211 have more quality problems than the tried and true w210. I sold my 2002 E320 to get a 2006 E350. The 350 is quicker and seems to handle better... but the 320 just felt more solid...
Posted some links on write up for both... GOOD LUCK...
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...amg/index.html
http://www.roadandtrack.com/article....article_id=417
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 518
Likes: 0
From: Manhattan Beach, Ca
C219 CLS / W220 † / W211† / W210 E55 † / W210 Brabus † / Hamann 540i † /
thanks guy, i really appreciate the advice. I am leaning more towards the E55 but I kind of needed that extra push you know, i didnt want to buy an older body style and regret getting a newer one. But I think i have made my choice, I will get the E55. I think that it will put much more of a smile on my face than the E500.
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 489
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From: 626/714
Gone but not forgotten C36
thanks guy, i really appreciate the advice. I am leaning more towards the E55 but I kind of needed that extra push you know, i didnt want to buy an older body style and regret getting a newer one. But I think i have made my choice, I will get the E55. I think that it will put much more of a smile on my face than the E500.
