E550 4Matic v C55 AMG
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E550 4Matic v C55 AMG
I have tried to compare these to the best of my google/forum searching ability, but have not come across any postings where someone who has owned both was able to give his/her experiences.
I've found 2 cars; one a '05 C55, one a '07 E550 4matic sport. Both are the same price and same miles. I am fairly handy with a wrench, but even so, the airmatic system's complexity seems a bit much. I could resign myself to possible failure and replacement if it was a DIY, but it seems like many have used the Arnott lifetime replacements and been unsuccessful in getting the bag to fill after installing(not reading instructions about STAR programming?). On the reverse, the C55 is fairly simple. It has no active air suspension, no transfer case, etc. The E550 is outside the balance shaft range (motor# 273962 30 156746).
I live in Wisconsin where the alley is unplowed most of the week, so 4matic would surely be a positive, but for a much more reliable car, I would simply shovel and be late. I'll have winter tires for either.
I think I used 4x4 on my truck a total of 4 times last year, but have been an Audi fanboy in the past and surely appreciated the surefooted AWD. Maybe I don't need it as much as I think I do. Past vehicles have been B5 Audi A4, S4, 540i, 528i, B7 A4.
Can anybody shed some light on this? Appreciated.
I've found 2 cars; one a '05 C55, one a '07 E550 4matic sport. Both are the same price and same miles. I am fairly handy with a wrench, but even so, the airmatic system's complexity seems a bit much. I could resign myself to possible failure and replacement if it was a DIY, but it seems like many have used the Arnott lifetime replacements and been unsuccessful in getting the bag to fill after installing(not reading instructions about STAR programming?). On the reverse, the C55 is fairly simple. It has no active air suspension, no transfer case, etc. The E550 is outside the balance shaft range (motor# 273962 30 156746).
I live in Wisconsin where the alley is unplowed most of the week, so 4matic would surely be a positive, but for a much more reliable car, I would simply shovel and be late. I'll have winter tires for either.
I think I used 4x4 on my truck a total of 4 times last year, but have been an Audi fanboy in the past and surely appreciated the surefooted AWD. Maybe I don't need it as much as I think I do. Past vehicles have been B5 Audi A4, S4, 540i, 528i, B7 A4.
Can anybody shed some light on this? Appreciated.
Last edited by schadenfreude; Oct 10, 2016 at 02:03 PM.
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From: Down Unda
W204 C63 AMG, W212 E250 CGI, C207 E250 CGI
it may be hard to compare them as theyre 2 different cars. prolly depends on how youre gonna use it.
the c is small compared to the e. the AMG would be a bit costly to maintain. the e will definitely ride better than the c.
if airmatic is one only thing youre worried about, make sure you have it checked thoroughly. its not a matter of "if" it goes bad, its a matter of "when". but once fixed, itll give you yrs of worry free motoring.
i wouldnt mind the c but id go the the e if i have a choice.
the c is small compared to the e. the AMG would be a bit costly to maintain. the e will definitely ride better than the c.
if airmatic is one only thing youre worried about, make sure you have it checked thoroughly. its not a matter of "if" it goes bad, its a matter of "when". but once fixed, itll give you yrs of worry free motoring.
i wouldnt mind the c but id go the the e if i have a choice.
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Joined: Jun 2006
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I had a 2005 C55 and have a 2006 E500 4matic.
The C55 is simple, fast, nible, pretty much bullet proof and when you remove the 2nd cats and resonator the exhaust it intoxicationg.
The E is obviously bigger and heavier and gets much better traction. The E is much more complex car and if anything breaks the repairs will be more than the C. I really am not a fan of the Airmatic other than the up/dn adjustability if you get an aftermarket level control. Tires will last much longer on the E. The C55 did not have crazy fancy brakes so parts are not that much more than the E if at all (I have not priced). The E550 has the 7sp and the shift paddles/buttons work much better than on the C55, on the C they were more of a novelty than something you would use (very slow to shift)
If you get a E550 with dynamic seats your will enjoy those more than the C even though the C has nice bolsters.
I would buy the E over the C if you can afford the repairs and if you are close to 6ft ~200lbs (C can feel small to a larger guy).
If you have more questions ask I could probably go on and on.
The C55 is simple, fast, nible, pretty much bullet proof and when you remove the 2nd cats and resonator the exhaust it intoxicationg.
The E is obviously bigger and heavier and gets much better traction. The E is much more complex car and if anything breaks the repairs will be more than the C. I really am not a fan of the Airmatic other than the up/dn adjustability if you get an aftermarket level control. Tires will last much longer on the E. The C55 did not have crazy fancy brakes so parts are not that much more than the E if at all (I have not priced). The E550 has the 7sp and the shift paddles/buttons work much better than on the C55, on the C they were more of a novelty than something you would use (very slow to shift)
If you get a E550 with dynamic seats your will enjoy those more than the C even though the C has nice bolsters.
I would buy the E over the C if you can afford the repairs and if you are close to 6ft ~200lbs (C can feel small to a larger guy).
If you have more questions ask I could probably go on and on.
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From: V E G A S
1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
Airmatic technically is pretty simple system.
I had air suspension on 44 years old motorhome and beside new bags every 10-15 years, it was bulletproof.
What makes Airmatic a black magic is programming done by drug-sniffing kids who don't know much about mechanics.
I add $5 pressure gauge to my system and everything is easy now.
Comparing the cars above - I never could fit well in C. End of the story.
I am finding 4M useful in California. Steep driveways, loose gravel, high curb even could be manageable with RWD, are left unnoticeable in 4M
I had air suspension on 44 years old motorhome and beside new bags every 10-15 years, it was bulletproof.
What makes Airmatic a black magic is programming done by drug-sniffing kids who don't know much about mechanics.
I add $5 pressure gauge to my system and everything is easy now.
Comparing the cars above - I never could fit well in C. End of the story.
I am finding 4M useful in California. Steep driveways, loose gravel, high curb even could be manageable with RWD, are left unnoticeable in 4M
Last edited by kajtek1; Oct 10, 2016 at 10:27 PM.
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Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 15
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From: Wisconsin
2004 W211 E55, 2017 GLS450
Others might need to chime in, but my W210 rwd was a white knuckler in snow and on ice. It left the road three times when the rear cut loose. My W211 will not likely see much snow beyond a couple of test drives --mostly to see if ESP has improved much. I can't imagine your rwd bimmers behaved any better.
If you need a daily driver in WI winters, I think a 4Matic would be a good choice. I wish it wasn't, but last winter's weather was an anomaly.
I found the C's I test drove to be cramped especially if you are looking at adults occasionally riding in the back.
I have had several and the Quattro's are awesome snowmobiles. Like driving on rails.
If you need a daily driver in WI winters, I think a 4Matic would be a good choice. I wish it wasn't, but last winter's weather was an anomaly.
I found the C's I test drove to be cramped especially if you are looking at adults occasionally riding in the back.
I have had several and the Quattro's are awesome snowmobiles. Like driving on rails.
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From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
The problem with the 4matic is that the split is still 60/40 rears/front. My front wheel drive car was better in the snow with 215's than with the 245 on the MB. But at least you could feel the rears sliding out on turns and slow down a little. I took them at full speed in a front wheel drive car and had no problems when the MB did.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
Something like that. Not really sure. The back end still slides out no matter what it is.
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w211...que-split.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...ial-setup.html
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w211...que-split.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...ial-setup.html
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From: Chicago
2025 AMG E 53; 2018 GLC300 4Matic; 2003 360 Modena
I currently own both cars. W203 C55 and W211 E350. Understanding that the E550 is a V8, but 211 chassis.
I wrench everything myself, neither car has ever seen a dealer for service. I'm the original owner, bought new with 4 miles, for the C55. Bought the E350 with 678 miles on it 18 months ago. Both cars now have 18k miles currently. Both bullet proof - but with low miles - maybe expected. Routine maintenance items are basically the same. I have 030 brakes on the C55 - big dollar replacement costs vs. the E350.
You can't compare the drivability of the two cars. And I think the E350 is higher quality build - C is a lower level car than the E and an AMG in these years didn't change that. My C55 has never seen rain or snow - but I can't imagine driving it in either. Wicked fast. I would argue that an E550 is within tenths of a second and would equally be a handle in inclement weather - 4Matic would definitely be needed. My E350 is RWD and let's just say some snow days in Chicago were better left alone - but learning to drive without any aids (ESP, ABS, etc) comes in handy and the car did well.
As an owner of both, I would go with the E550. I really think you're getting the best of both worlds as stated above. My E350 is so good - that my C55 has been parked for 11 months now. Although one drive is all it takes to remind me why I haven't sold it.
I wrench everything myself, neither car has ever seen a dealer for service. I'm the original owner, bought new with 4 miles, for the C55. Bought the E350 with 678 miles on it 18 months ago. Both cars now have 18k miles currently. Both bullet proof - but with low miles - maybe expected. Routine maintenance items are basically the same. I have 030 brakes on the C55 - big dollar replacement costs vs. the E350.
You can't compare the drivability of the two cars. And I think the E350 is higher quality build - C is a lower level car than the E and an AMG in these years didn't change that. My C55 has never seen rain or snow - but I can't imagine driving it in either. Wicked fast. I would argue that an E550 is within tenths of a second and would equally be a handle in inclement weather - 4Matic would definitely be needed. My E350 is RWD and let's just say some snow days in Chicago were better left alone - but learning to drive without any aids (ESP, ABS, etc) comes in handy and the car did well.
As an owner of both, I would go with the E550. I really think you're getting the best of both worlds as stated above. My E350 is so good - that my C55 has been parked for 11 months now. Although one drive is all it takes to remind me why I haven't sold it.
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From: Austin, TX
2006 E55, 2012 GLK350 & 1992 190e sportline
e550 = Competent mid size sedan with a lot of options.
c55 = This is the muscle car of MB's. There is not much to it, not many options, and that is why I bought it. Nothing to go wrong. The m113 is rock solid.
c55 = This is the muscle car of MB's. There is not much to it, not many options, and that is why I bought it. Nothing to go wrong. The m113 is rock solid.
