HBerman

I've decided to move to a 2013 E550 Sport version from my 2011 E550 Luxury which I got in July, 2010. Production date is 2nd week of October. Delivery in the beginning of December. The significant differences will be the 4.6L Bi-Turbo V8, 4Matic,
18" AMG wheels and the Sport styling. Now the waiting begins again.

Options:

Palladium Silver
Black Leather interior
Burl Walnut
P2
Driver Assistance
Parktronic
Split folding rear seats
Multi-contour
Rear-side airbags
115V AC outlet
Special order charge
Airmatic
Rear side window sun shades

hyperion667

I've been browsing the MB site too....

sounds like a nice build
I think our 550's are close in build dates

BenzV12

Congrats, your car seems a great choice with lots of cool options

Palladium is a wicked color too as well as black interior lol

QuadBenz

I think you also forgot about the new biturbo engine

HBerman

You are correct. I almost forgot about the monster! The current 5.5L V8 is a monster in its own right. The hp difference is only 20 which means I might not even notice it. I've updated the original post.

HBerman

The 2011 or the 2013? I think that your 550 was delivered a couple of weeks after mine arrived in NC.

hyperion667

yes, our '11's

dan1495

You will definitely notice the difference in power.

Tomspo04

Very nice build combo...ought to be a beautiful car!

Karl901

There is big difference in the old 550 NA and new 550 bi turbo.
Old 550HP 382@6000rrpm TQ 391@2800
New 550 bi turbo 402@5000rpm TQ 443@1600
That low TQ makes all the difference in acceleration.

E 550 bi turbo is really Detuned. Same enigine in SL is 429 HP
Your can have simple ECU tune to 530 HP @6000rpm TQ606@4100
Makes the car as fast as the old E 63 NA AMG

HBerman

Awesome! That means that at 65 mph, the engine will be at max torque. I'll certainly notice that!

Maybe I'll take a drive down to Florida to have the ECU upgraded. Now I'm really excited! Thanks for the information.

ggms16

Congrats! enjoy

HBerman

Salesperson called today to infom me that the car had been produced. It's now waiting for transit space to the US. Waiting.....waiting......

xolinlevh

If you dont mind me asking, can you PM me what you paid? recently started floating the idea of trading for a '13, with about the same setup as you

printemps2001

I drove both an M56 (which has 420hp and does not have the grunt of the bi-turbo) and a 2011 my local dealer had on the lot and I can tell you without a doubt that you will notice. As noted by another poster, its not so much the power but the prodigious amounts of torque that comes at very low rpms.

Before you worry about an ECU tune, dump the worthless stock rubber and buy some Pilot Super Sports. All that power and torque are useless without an efficient means to transfer it to the road and the all seasons do a woeful job. Not to mention, braking will improve dramatically. To me the biggest mystery about the E550 is why is doesn't ship with performance rubber...do the marketing guys think $1200 for winter tires is going to torpedo sales of a 70k+ car in seasonal areas?

HBerman

The car will be at the port in GA this AM. Hopefully, it will be shipped to the dealer here in NC by the middle of next week. I'm getting bought out of my current lease which has 7 more payments to run. Also, the interest rate is lower than my previous lease and the residual is higher so my payment is lower even though the MSRP is $4K higher.

BM2BZ

sounds like a good deal but the wait sucks .

HBerman

The car has arrived at the dealer! Pickup is tomorrow PM.

petee1997

It did for me. My car had 19" AMG wheels with high performance tires. I had them switch with another CLS in stock that had 18"AMG wheels and all season tires. It defeated the purpose of 4Matic if I had to buy snow wheels and tires. They also gave me a $1,000.00 credit.

The other added benefits, I will have a lesser chance of blowing a tire or breaking a rim with the 18's on our pot hole infested roads. Secondly the tire wear is doubled with the all season tires.

BenzE350

You gotta love MB Financial Services.

Brade new 2013, more options, higher MSRP - and lower lease payment.

bp95gsx

Cool! Get some pics up when you get it! I'm more excited for the 2013 Diamond White E550 i ordered for my wife, than she is!!! Waiting sucks!! lol

BM2BZ

leave early, call in sick or take a day off and prepare for the big day . i know you'll be stoked but don't forget to do a walk around and check every single inch before you sign any papers . don't forget your camera .

HBerman

Picked up the car on 11/16. Awesome machine for certain. Significant electronic differences from my 2011 E550 as well as the 4MATIC and the new 4.7L BiTurbo V8. The steering also has a better feel and the suspension just feels tauter. I did special order the AIRMATIC suspension and the ride is just more compliant on road imperfections. The interior also is noticeably quieter at 65 mph. The door seals seem improved and there are now grooves in the underneath side of the aluminum molding. Also, the doors shut with a decided "thunk of quality" vs. the slightly hollow sound of the 2011 doors. The COMMAND now has Internet access and I can receive text messages that were sent to my phone. The engine makes a nice growling sound when starting up, but otherwise is non-intrusive (I have to wait for 1,000 break-in to really see how it performs). The tires are Conti's 245/40 V R18. The compass in the rear-view mirror is now officially deleted when P1 or higher is specified.

I did have one question on the interior. The pedals in the 2013 sales brochure showed metal pedals with rubber inserts. The ones on my car are just the standard rubber. I wonder if there was a cost cutting move by MB or if it was just an assembly error. I was amazed that I didn't notice this when I picked up the car, but there were so many pieces of paper that I was signing that I overlooked this minor issue. My salesperson showed me a new feature in the engine compartment which was a brake crumple strut should the car have an off-center collision. I don't remember seeing this on my 2011 E550 so this may be the reason that that pedals have changed. I'll update more when I receive further information. I've sent a note to the dealer requesting clarification.

Update: Whether the pedals are stainless steel or rubber has nothing to do with the brake crumple strut. The coverings are orderable via the parts department. The question I've asked is whether these were supposed to be on the car or were unintentionally omitted.

BM2BZ

finally ! i haven't seen the brochure but most of the times those pictures are either with european specs or optional accessories shown. i'm quite sure those pedals are one of the many accessories you can order from the dealer. btw, don't forget to post pics .

C280 Sport

Great build! Post some pics of it when you can. Enjoy it in good health