krohm

This is by no means pertinent as I'll be looking at which car to purchase next year. Although as these things go it's an almost daily obsession so thought I would ask some questions

I originally found some 2003-2006 W211 e500's for around $15k (AU) that led me to believe I would be foolish to be looking at any other car for that price.

As these things go I was soon looking at the 2007-2008 W211 5.5l. 285kw engine which is like $10k more and so much more appealing.

But for the same price you can get a 2003-2006 AMG E55

So I'm pretty sure the easy decision would be for the 2003-2006 E55 AMG

But if I'm getting it in a year, the prices of the E63 may drop from $40k (these are the lower end prices I've found) to $35k and then it's like ooer, $10k more and I'm there with the E63, booom !

So even though the gradual increases seem fine, I've now gone from spending $15k to $35k. How did this happen?

Thoughts on the E55 AMG vs the 2007-2008 W211 5.5l 285kw?

I really may end up just getting an 03, the 220kw version, and then maybe waiting two years and getting an E63. But really, would obviously want the top car straight away

So these are my issues.

What are some of the arguments against getting the E55 AMG? Are there any reasons I should consider the 5.5 07-08 285kw stock merc over the AMG?

It is the facelifted and engine upgrade. But for the same price the AMG ! Sooo much faster! Each car is such a huge leap from the other accept the E55 AMG to the E63 AMG. What kind of differences are there between the two monsters. .1 second slower. I know it's face lifted itself, 6.2l engine and not supercharged, but they seem quite similar overall. What are some of the major differences between these two AMG monsters

Anyways, thoughts about this decision as I'm a little stuck beyond SPEEED

krohm

E500 MY03






http://www.carsales.com.au/private/d...SSE-AD-3846234




E500 MY07




http://www.carsales.com.au/private/d...SSE-AD-3558884




http://www.carsales.com.au/private/d...SSE-AD-3719418




AMG E55 MY03






http://www.carsales.com.au/private/d...SSE-AD-3798658




E63 MY07






http://www.carsales.com.au/private/d...SSE-AD-3890288

krohm

I actually love the navy E500 03, also love the wheels on the E500 MY07's

This AMG E55 has had an e63 kit on it so it's not the greatest example. And for the price of this one you could get an e63 but it's there for comparison sake.

The best E63 I've seen has been a gunmetal grey 08 that was sold. I would have loved that the most
video below
http://www.mediafire.com/download/r68vmofo0gcm48b

Thoughts on what I should be looking at and why.. Mostly want to be talked into the E63 obviously but it is almost double the cost of the AMG E55 so really would have be sold on it.. Any other thoughts appreciated

cetialpha5

Did you look into the headbolt issue with the E63? Just depends how deep your pockets are. The E55 and E63 are more rare than E550's and those were pretty rare compared to E350's. Parts for stuff like brakes are also a lot higher on the E55/E63 than the E550 although the brakes for the E350 are probably the cheapest. Also it depends on how much you want to mod, the E55 has a lot more possibilities than the E63, but then again at this stage they're getting up there in age. Your question is probably best answered in the W211 AMG forum.

krohm

I'm not aware of the headbolt issue in the e63. This is why I've come here, to find out what I can and what is the consensus on these cars. I posted here as wanted to know also some of the differences between the AMG E55 and the E550 (W211 MY07-MY09)

regarding getting up there in age, if it's kms, I'm sure these cars are very much worth their money. You are getting what was a $100k (AU) for 25k with the E55 AMG and MY07 w211 E500 (E550 is United States only). So pretty amazing value. Unless there are issues with any of these cars I'm not aware of. Need to understand more about each of these cars and decide accordingly.

So ye what is the go with the E550 MY07 vs the AMG E55.

Sounds like these are my best two options, not the E63. The expense, possibility to mod, issues you just referred to.

So what of the MY07 E550? How are these? the E55 AMG is the same price though, few years older, and much faster so I'd rather get that I think, unless there is a reason I shouldn't?

Thoughts appreciated, cheers

cetialpha5

There are many issues with all of them. You didn't really answer the question of how deep your pockets were. The headbolt issue on the E63 could mean the engine goes and new they were 28k, maybe they're cheaper now, but read a few of the headbolt threads. A 100k car has prices to go with it. The E550 and the E55 both have airmatic and those are about 1k per corner to replace and then there's also the pump and other fittings which could go. So maybe around 4k at the dealer. You can do aftermarket which is around $500 a corner so maybe 2k if you have to do them all. They start to go around 100k. If you're just looking at 2007 E550's, I believe those had issues with the engines, you'd have to check the serial number of the engine to see if it's past the safe point and updated with newer parts. You should look in the W211 AMG forum, just scroll through all the pages and you'll get a good feel for it. I just prefer the facelifted version which is why I have a 2008 E350. The E55 is pre-facelift and has some older tech. The 2007+ W211's have some newer tech. Some things that come to mind are bluetooth and ipod, done differently back then. I also like the steering wheel and shifter on the facelift, not a fan of the older style. You should read the sticky in the W211 AMG forum on common replacement and maintenance parts to see what typically goes wrong.

krohm

thanks for your post that will steer me in the right direction

I'll be doing aftermarket android auto so the stereo options wouldn't bother me at all in the older car. I may replace the steering wheel as I like some other mercedes ones but didnt bother mentioning that. Wait till it's closer to buy before asking such things. I like the E55 shifter, the silver housing around the shifter in the 03-06 E500 is not great though hey. Can you swap it over directly with housing from say, the E55, or from a newer 07-08 E550?

Pockets are the opposite of deep atm but in a years time things will be radically different. I'll take a look at the forums and start to get a feel for what can go wrong

krohm

It's AMG E55 time. Seen them for $25k (AU) and the E550 is the same price so pretty much it's a no brainer vs the E63 and E550 for value for money. Plus I will modify it in the future almost certainly.

Ok, I'll guess I'll peruse the AMG forum and go from there. Cheers ceti5

cetialpha5

The E550 was from 2007-2009, the 2008-2009 would probably avoid the early problems with the M273 engine. 2009 is considered the best year for the W211. On the other hand the E55 were just from 2003-2006. So you are comparing two separate things, of course the older the car is, the more it depreciates, I'm not sure I'd call that value. AMG things tend to cost a bit more than the regular stuff, although the E550 might also have a similar problem although it might not be that bad just because so few of them were made relative to an E320/E350. But if you're really into modding, there's a lot of it that goes on with the E55, not so much the E550.

I'm not into modding at all. The classifieds are full of ads from people who put 10-20k in mods into their car and want an extra 10k. You would be lucky to get half of what you put into it back, lots of time it seems not even that. I'd rather save that money for the next car. There's too much traffic around here to go fast anyway.

krohm

Ye modding usually doesn't affect the value of the car at all.
It is a car I would have for ten years though so I would want to at least do exhaust, steering wheel, shifter and change the stereo over. The option to mod further would always be there

Also wanted to dip the car as so many of the AMG E55's are silver. Topic for another dya perhaps. Would want the navy colour in the first image ideally. Plastidip's or whatever.

I'd say buying 100k mercedes for 25k when it's done like 100,000kms, 60,000miles, is pretty good value. Who cares about the year of it, if the car is good, which it would be, then that is good value. I can't imagine a better car for 25k (AU) then a E55 AMG. mmm mmm

The 2009 was the newer look which I don't like.

I do like speed, rode a motorbike full time for years so would want something beastly.

I'm sure you must sometimes wish you had gotten the 500?

Surely this is the way forever until you have the biggest beast you can afford.

I'd rather just skip this foregone conclusion and get the fastest merc I can afford, which is this AMG E55.

The E63 bolthead issue has turned me off and the ability to mod like crazy if I decide to.
Plus its like 20k more for a car that is comparable in a lot of ways. Especially speed wise.

krohm

Wish I was cashed up I'd make an offer on that E55 AMG above MR RPJ !

next year

cmriv

The headbolt issue is highlighted in a certain engine number ranges, so you would need to look at whichever one you like or are interested in and find out what the engine number is and if it falls in that range.
The e55's are monsters, there are so many mods you can do and they are pretty rare. Personally i would go with a 63 for aesthetic reasons and also because its NA. But that's just me.
I have a 09 550 2wd and love it. Bought it sight unseen for 16k OTD. It needed a new comand, $1300, but besides that it hasn't given me any irregular issues. A 55 and 63 weren't something i was looking for at the time as I had a price range i wanted to fall in, with the regards of possibly needing to spend more money by me getting it sight unseen.
If you have deep pockets, get a 63 or 55. If you want something slightly more reliable and not so agressive a 550 will work just fine. I'm not sure what kind of driving you do but as a consumer you should decide what you will be using the vehicle for. Practicality or performance. either way, if you do get a 211 and it has 8 cylinders you will be pleased, I can promise you that.

LemonSqueezy

Well seems like every E will have their own separate problems. 03-06 with things like SBC brakes, 06-07 with the balance shaft/timing chain, and e63s with the head bolt issue. Not sure if I missed the whole "how deep your pockets are" but you have to remember buying a once $100k car for $25k means maintenance is also the cost of a $100k car, not a $25k car. All the V8 E's will have airmatic which is another thing to worry about.

I have an 07 e550 and it's a blast to drive, comparable to the w210 e55 in terms of speed. I'd love to get into an AMG eventually down the road but when I hear something as simple as a brake job costing about $3k USD, it makes me say I can wait a bit longer until I'm more financially stable.

Considering a $15k car vs a $35k car is a huge difference for a lot of people. Also if you don't mind the higher repair and maintenance cost, then by all means go for the AMG, you'll love it.

cmriv

You are correct, however you can buy 1 piece rotors instead of the two piece rotors. Thats why those brake jobs are so pricey. And even if you wanted to keep the two piece setup you could just buy new rotors and re-use the hats to save a serious penny. The hats are so freaking expensive its crazy.

and yes airmatic woes are no fun, but for peace of mind you could convert to coilovers. It really does depend on how much money you are willing to spend.


The 210 55 amg is comparable to the M273 211 in terms of speed? really? I don't/didn't know that. I've never hammered one of those before so that is new to me. did you personally own a 210 e55??? I always wondered what you could compare those too. I was just assume it's a beefed up 113 without the blower but i may be wrong. this is kinda off topic, my B.

LemonSqueezy

I did not personally own one but I knew of someone who did. 0-60 were both in the low 5's, N/A 5.4L vs 5.5L, ~350hp vs 382 (plus tune in mine), ~3700 lbs vs ~3900 lbs. The 210 felt more like a tank and more robust, but I do have to say my 550 rode more comfortable and was more enjoyable. But yes, just a little off topic

Hope OP has found the answer to his questions.