Build your own E55 AMG
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Build your own E55 AMG
in case you have not noticed, 2003 E55 AMG info is now available on mbusa site. not that i am in a market of getting one but i did a build anyway. the total came to $91,000 with change. a lot of money for a lot of car.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,915
Likes: 1
From: San Francisco
Honda Accord EX V6
Yea the msrp for that car is 76K and can you believe it... it's not even included xenon for that kind of price... its terrible overpricing!!!!! thats what i thought...
Super Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 612
Likes: 0
From: Santa Clarita, CA
one of seven
Still being on the fence about either an '04 E500/sport or an E55, i have built both on the web site and the E500 comes close to 70k with the E55 at around 90k. Then, I have to factor in the fact that at times my wife will be driving this car with the kids in the back (she likes to go fast). I'm almost afraid, with the E55, of an impending onslaught of speeding tickets as she rockets around town!!! Common sense is pushing me towards the E500.
Comments anyone?
Comments anyone?
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 633
Likes: 0
From: NY
14 'E550
Originally posted by mbprince
Comments anyone?
Comments anyone?
Anyway, it depends on what your priorities are.......a fast Sporty luxury sedan or a fire breathing aggressive looking Sport luxury Sedan.
My opinion, I would probably go with the E500 Sport given the short info you supplied.
Resale value wise, the AMG cars don't hold their value as well as the 500 variants........for example, the current residuals on the Sclass are as follows (I believe for 36 months)- S500 is 54%, S55 AMG 50%, S600 45%.
Last edited by Beltfed; May 13, 2003 at 12:24 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 924
Likes: 0
From: Northern VA
2003 MB E500
I would love to have the E55. However for an extra $20-$30K over the E500, I would go with the 500. It's a wonderful car, better than most on the road and think what other toys you can get with the money you save! 
Trending Topics
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 292
Likes: 0
Originally posted by Beltfed
Resale value wise, the AMG cars don't hold their value as well as the 500 variants........for example, the current residuals on the Sclass are as follows (I believe for 36 months)- S500 is 54%, S55 AMG 50%, S600 45%.
Resale value wise, the AMG cars don't hold their value as well as the 500 variants........for example, the current residuals on the Sclass are as follows (I believe for 36 months)- S500 is 54%, S55 AMG 50%, S600 45%.
Of course, the C-coupe is an exception: Cheap and fast depreciating.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
New Mercedes-AMG SUVs Arrive With NEW V8 Engine: 12 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
8 Oddball Mercedes Ideas That Actually Made it to Production
Verdad Gallardo
Dubai Tuner Gives the Mercedes G-Class An Entirely New Look
Verdad Gallardo
Six Gift Ideas Your AMG Loving Dad or Grad Will Cherish
7 Craziest Things AMG Gas Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 633
Likes: 0
From: NY
14 'E550
Originally posted by CRB
The general rule is the more expensive the car the faster the depreciation. Look at what a Lamborghini or Bentley is worth after a couple years.
The general rule is the more expensive the car the faster the depreciation. Look at what a Lamborghini or Bentley is worth after a couple years.
Also, V12 equipped cars (whether its a BMW, Benz, or Ferrari) in general tend to depreciate quickly because of maintenance cost issues down the road.
Super Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 612
Likes: 0
From: Santa Clarita, CA
one of seven
taking in all the advice, the E500/sport does make more sense. and when discussing resale/residual values, I wonder how loading a car with 15k or more of options affects the value down the road. My guess is more of a loss (%) over time.
Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 232
Likes: 1
From: Boca Raton, FL
2003 E55,2005 Ferrari F430 Spider, 2005 Corvette 427 TT, 2005 Range Rover
mbprince, having owned an E500 and now owning an E55, I can tell you that the 55 feels like a different car. It has a more upmarket feel than the 500. Also, my wife says she thinks she's less likely to speed in this car because you are more aware of the power. In the old car you wouldn't notice how fast you were going. I am not sure how this will play out in reality though. See my post in E55 section for more comparisons.
Super Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 612
Likes: 0
From: Santa Clarita, CA
one of seven
Blocktrader, I've read your posts in the E55 thread and now I'm right back on the fence.....going back and forth between lust and reason (want and need). I too am going to pay cash and appreciate your input. Thanks!
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 633
Likes: 0
From: NY
14 'E550
Originally posted by Blocktrader
It has a more upmarket feel than the 500.
It has a more upmarket feel than the 500.
Super Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 612
Likes: 0
From: Santa Clarita, CA
one of seven
pogotango,
you must, I'm sure, still be building on the mbusa website which still has only 2003 cars. And yes, there is as of yet no nav. If the end of ordering '03s is end of May, I wonder how soon the '04 ordering program will be on the web site. I am going by to visit my local dealer today and ask some questions re: '04s.
you must, I'm sure, still be building on the mbusa website which still has only 2003 cars. And yes, there is as of yet no nav. If the end of ordering '03s is end of May, I wonder how soon the '04 ordering program will be on the web site. I am going by to visit my local dealer today and ask some questions re: '04s.
Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 232
Likes: 1
From: Boca Raton, FL
2003 E55,2005 Ferrari F430 Spider, 2005 Corvette 427 TT, 2005 Range Rover
Originally posted by Beltfed
This I don't understand, the car has different seats......that's it. The headliner might be slightly different, but unless I'm missing something (I don't get it). I have been in CL500s/CL55, SL500/SL55, etc and they don't feel anymore expensive IMHO.
This I don't understand, the car has different seats......that's it. The headliner might be slightly different, but unless I'm missing something (I don't get it). I have been in CL500s/CL55, SL500/SL55, etc and they don't feel anymore expensive IMHO.
The lower ride height has the subtle effect of making the car look longer. I always thought my 500, if anything, looked a bit shorter than my W210 car (even though it was not). The new car looks longer than my 500 did. yo could lower a 500 and get the same effect though.
I honestly expected just a faster version of the 500 with more supportive seats, but this car does feel different when you drive it.
