The 2011 E550 is the perfect car...here's why
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2011 E550 4Matic
The 2011 E550 is the perfect car...here's why
I am in love with my car and I feel compelled to write about it. Please keep in mind that I'm a bit of a motorhead but 2 months into ownership I am blown away by this car, and sorry to all E350 owners but I couldn't be happier that I went for the 550.
Consider this fact, at 1000 rpms the motor in the E550 is putting out 295 lb - ft of torque, and the peak of 391 lb - ft is available from 2800-4800 rpms. I've driven the E350 and it is a great motor as well, but in day to day driving the abundance of low end torque on the 550 makes you feel like the king of any road. It's truly amazing that with just a light push of the throttle you can effortlessly get from 30-50 mph with no drama, and if you floor it the 382 hp at 6000 rpm is simply jaw dropping. Now this comes at a cost in terms of mpg around town no doubt, but I consistently average 22.5 mpg in mixed driving, and have seen 26.5 mpg driving 75 mph on the highway for hours, which blows me away given the size and power of the motor.
Combine this engine with the air matic suspension that can give a jekyll and Hyde quality, the insanely comfortable seats and interior and the best audio system I've ever had and I'm smitten. The fact that I was able to get this car with an unlimited mileage warranty until the end of 2017 for around 40k is simply icing on a delicious piece of German Chocolate cake. Mercedes may have just found itself a lifelong devotee...
Consider this fact, at 1000 rpms the motor in the E550 is putting out 295 lb - ft of torque, and the peak of 391 lb - ft is available from 2800-4800 rpms. I've driven the E350 and it is a great motor as well, but in day to day driving the abundance of low end torque on the 550 makes you feel like the king of any road. It's truly amazing that with just a light push of the throttle you can effortlessly get from 30-50 mph with no drama, and if you floor it the 382 hp at 6000 rpm is simply jaw dropping. Now this comes at a cost in terms of mpg around town no doubt, but I consistently average 22.5 mpg in mixed driving, and have seen 26.5 mpg driving 75 mph on the highway for hours, which blows me away given the size and power of the motor.
Combine this engine with the air matic suspension that can give a jekyll and Hyde quality, the insanely comfortable seats and interior and the best audio system I've ever had and I'm smitten. The fact that I was able to get this car with an unlimited mileage warranty until the end of 2017 for around 40k is simply icing on a delicious piece of German Chocolate cake. Mercedes may have just found itself a lifelong devotee...
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Yes, (2010-11) E550 is a superb car, but... 2012-13 E550 is an even better one due to more power and 2014 E550 is even better (than 2012-13) due to, IMHO, its a better overall car vs. pre-facelift. (Just for the reference, I had two 2010s, 1 2012 and into my second 2014, so had 5 cars to compare).
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From: Sugar Land, TX
2011 E550
I agree with you about the 2011 E550 being a great car. I have had mine a few months and I am amazed at the smooth effortless power. It is my first MB, so I don't have a lot of others to compare it to.
My father on the other hand gets one every 4 years and has a 2014 E550 now and has had a 2010 and a 2006 e500. He would tell you the 2014 is great but he liked his 2010 better and the 2011 is almost the same. It is a matter of preference but he liked the NA V8 better. I am in agreement with him on that.
In the end it is like flavors of ice cream, they are all good!
My father on the other hand gets one every 4 years and has a 2014 E550 now and has had a 2010 and a 2006 e500. He would tell you the 2014 is great but he liked his 2010 better and the 2011 is almost the same. It is a matter of preference but he liked the NA V8 better. I am in agreement with him on that.
In the end it is like flavors of ice cream, they are all good!
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From: West Central Florida
2011 E550 P2 4M Sedan
It's the combination of power and quiet that gets me. I am cruising along in my own little cocoon with some good music, vented/heated seat and massage taking all my cares away. And then you downshift twice to pass someone and mute the ipod to hear sweet music from that NA v8.
What I find funny is all the folks who want to race when I am out driving my11 e550. It's like they see the badge and want to see what the car can do. And I am driving the luxury version, not sport. It's not like it's an AMG or lowered with custom wheels or exhaust just asking for it. I am so not used to that and not paying attention half the time.
Earlier this week it was some Jaquar at a light. Didn't know it until the guy took off. He could have been revving but couldn't hear him in my cocoon anyway. No problem catching his v6 though. The other night it was an X1 on the highway (nice headlights in the rear view) and then a 370Z after I got off the highway (thankfully there were no curves). Sure gets your heart rate going. Feel like a kid again.
What I find funny is all the folks who want to race when I am out driving my11 e550. It's like they see the badge and want to see what the car can do. And I am driving the luxury version, not sport. It's not like it's an AMG or lowered with custom wheels or exhaust just asking for it. I am so not used to that and not paying attention half the time.
Earlier this week it was some Jaquar at a light. Didn't know it until the guy took off. He could have been revving but couldn't hear him in my cocoon anyway. No problem catching his v6 though. The other night it was an X1 on the highway (nice headlights in the rear view) and then a 370Z after I got off the highway (thankfully there were no curves). Sure gets your heart rate going. Feel like a kid again.
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From: Emerald Coast of FL
Previous: 2011 E550 4MATIC Current: 2018 AMG C 43 Coupe, 2021 GLC 300
You perfectly summarized what I love about mine as well.
I added some extra grunt/quicker shifts compliments of an OE tune, which was a bargain. It will never be the AMG, but I too wrapped mine up with an extended warranty for 40K. I'm quite happy with that.
Yesterday I was doing about 75 and gave the loud pedal a push. That willful 722.9 downshifts crisply (finally, thanks OE), engine barks, big smile, and over 100 just like that. You can feel that 'all day long comfortably' on the Autobahn target the designers and engineers were striving for.
I added some extra grunt/quicker shifts compliments of an OE tune, which was a bargain. It will never be the AMG, but I too wrapped mine up with an extended warranty for 40K. I'm quite happy with that.
Yesterday I was doing about 75 and gave the loud pedal a push. That willful 722.9 downshifts crisply (finally, thanks OE), engine barks, big smile, and over 100 just like that. You can feel that 'all day long comfortably' on the Autobahn target the designers and engineers were striving for.
Last edited by BMWtoAMG; May 4, 2014 at 09:33 AM.
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From: East coast
2010 E550 4M P2 Distronic, CLK550 Cab P2
After recently picking up a 2007 CLK 550 convertable I do love that motor, and sometimes wish I had an E550. Had some exhaust work done on the clk, sounds nasty!! I still love the 350, and glad my brakes and tranny are a ok..
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From: Canuck Town
W212 E550
Good review and agree with your comments. Overall this is the best car I ever owned E550. Has everything you want from pure luxury to performance to technology. Highly recommend anyone that is looking into a CPO E550.
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2011 E550 4Matic
I'm very hopeful that the 2012 turbo motor is as wonderful as the NA motor in my 2011 since I'll hopefully be in the market for one at some point in the future! I wonder how the new motor will hold up over time, part of what appeals to me about the 5.5 motor is its decidedly old school and it's relatively easy going nature make me think that it will last a long time...does anyone know how many trouble free miles a well maintained motor can last in the 550s?
Also, is there any way for me to get a little more rumble out of this beast without voiding my warranty?
Also, is there any way for me to get a little more rumble out of this beast without voiding my warranty?
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'17 C63S Estate (S205) / '14 CLS 550 SB (X218) / '17 E220d (S213)
Not sure about the US warranty terms. In Germany warranty will expiry as soon as one does any electronic intervention such as topspeed delimitation or ECU tune.
I know the 5.5 Liter pretty good, since I have been driving an '08 E550T for ~120.000mls before upgrading to the 4.6 twin turbo V8 in the '12 E550 / '14 CLS550 Shooting Brake. The 5.5 motor is a blast to drive. However - the 4.6 does nearly everything a bit better. This is especially true for every day driving - low end torque increased tremendously (+30% at 1.600 rpm!) as does mileage. My pretty hard driven CLS 550 SB gets a 10% better mileage compared to my previous E550T. Acceleration itself is also better (my '12 E550 4matic managed 109mph in the 1/4 mile, compared to 101mph of an '11 E550 RWD (same track / day)). But: The new engine has several downsides!
1) Drive chain problems (tensioner). Both, my '12 and my '14 had been in the shop to upgrade the engine.
2) Throttle response is worse compared to the 5.5 (Turbo lack!)
3) You won't feel any power increase between 4,000 and 6,000rpm. This fact does make the engine pretty unspectacular...not to say boring, when going WOT. The 5.5 on the other hand increases power with every single rpm nearly up to the fuel cut!
4) The noise of the engine idling is just...disgusting!!!
So do I look back to the 5.5? Not really. But the new M278 is not in every aspect better than the old M273!
I know the 5.5 Liter pretty good, since I have been driving an '08 E550T for ~120.000mls before upgrading to the 4.6 twin turbo V8 in the '12 E550 / '14 CLS550 Shooting Brake. The 5.5 motor is a blast to drive. However - the 4.6 does nearly everything a bit better. This is especially true for every day driving - low end torque increased tremendously (+30% at 1.600 rpm!) as does mileage. My pretty hard driven CLS 550 SB gets a 10% better mileage compared to my previous E550T. Acceleration itself is also better (my '12 E550 4matic managed 109mph in the 1/4 mile, compared to 101mph of an '11 E550 RWD (same track / day)). But: The new engine has several downsides!
1) Drive chain problems (tensioner). Both, my '12 and my '14 had been in the shop to upgrade the engine.
2) Throttle response is worse compared to the 5.5 (Turbo lack!)
3) You won't feel any power increase between 4,000 and 6,000rpm. This fact does make the engine pretty unspectacular...not to say boring, when going WOT. The 5.5 on the other hand increases power with every single rpm nearly up to the fuel cut!
4) The noise of the engine idling is just...disgusting!!!
So do I look back to the 5.5? Not really. But the new M278 is not in every aspect better than the old M273!
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From: New Jersey
2016 Audi S8 Plus/ 2011 Mercedes e550 4Matic//Gone:1985 500SEL/2000 e320 4Matic/ 2001 e55 Kleeman
I've had mine since new for 3.5 years. Still like the car a lot. After all of these years on the crappy Newe Jersey roads and no rattles which is truely amazing and clearly speaks to how well these cars are put together!! My nits are still that the airmatic doesn't do rough roads well at all, the NAV is mediocre and the stereo needs a much better subwoofer. But the car is solid as could be and the engine and tranny are great, fit and finish top notch, my hat goes of to Mercedes for building what I think is one of the all time great mass produced luxury performance sedans. Regards. Ned.
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From: New Jersey
2016 Audi S8 Plus/ 2011 Mercedes e550 4Matic//Gone:1985 500SEL/2000 e320 4Matic/ 2001 e55 Kleeman
And I would also say that I personally much prefer the 2011 body style to the new refressed look. I find the new design, while nice, a bit more generic and not as interesting as the 2011 look. I can still remember when I first saw the newly designed e back in 2009 that I was not sure whether or not I liked it because it was such a radical departure from the prior e's of the 2000's, less round and more angular. It didn't take me long to say I want one of those and bought one a year later. But this is personal taste. Thanks again. Regards. Ned.
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Only MBs - the best or nothing
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From: New Jersey
2016 Audi S8 Plus/ 2011 Mercedes e550 4Matic//Gone:1985 500SEL/2000 e320 4Matic/ 2001 e55 Kleeman
At the end of the day, when you consider the total package that is the e550, what luxury sedan at any where near its price point in the history of automobiles has been any better? Glad to be one of the fortunate few. Regards. Ned.
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From: NM
2023 AMG EQS
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From: Boston
2010 E550
This is what I picture as a response...
"The E550 is the worst vehicle out there besides the AMC Pacer! It has ben proven in Car and Stoner Magazine as to have the "most likely" air filter cartridge to let the pot smoke seep out of the cabin and lose my buzz quicker than anything else out there(and I have the numbers to prove it)!
Not MY BMW!!(Insert more usless stats here)The sexy silky 5 Series even has a rear fold down arm rest that you can cut straight smooth coke lines on and the REALLY real Burlwood will not show a razor blade mark no matter how hard you slice them up. Mercedes is waaaaaaay further behind in this technology.
I honestly can't believe I. EVER. DROVE. ONE., LET. ALONE. OWNED. ONE."
Dont worry, he will.
"The E550 is the worst vehicle out there besides the AMC Pacer! It has ben proven in Car and Stoner Magazine as to have the "most likely" air filter cartridge to let the pot smoke seep out of the cabin and lose my buzz quicker than anything else out there(and I have the numbers to prove it)!
Not MY BMW!!(Insert more usless stats here)The sexy silky 5 Series even has a rear fold down arm rest that you can cut straight smooth coke lines on and the REALLY real Burlwood will not show a razor blade mark no matter how hard you slice them up. Mercedes is waaaaaaay further behind in this technology.
I honestly can't believe I. EVER. DROVE. ONE., LET. ALONE. OWNED. ONE."
Dont worry, he will.
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From: Washington DC area
Mine: 2014 E550 4matic; Hers: 2016 CLS 400 4matic
