Johnny Rad

If anyone gets the AMG over a "plain jane" model, pretty please be nice and don't rub it in. We don't need that. Not one bit.

We'd love to see pics and read how it's awesome, but skip the part where it's better. It's true, but it hurts. And we don't want to accidentally cry in front of anyone. We're begging you, just throw us this little bone. That's all we want.

wanderfalke

Where are people finding E550's are they used?

AMGAffalterbach

Yeah I'm referring to the used market. I'm a college student so with a 58k/year tuition I won't be able to afford anything new for a while lol

K-A

E63 hands down. Better looks, more unique, more engaging, a nameplate to stroke your inner enthusiast badge ***** (AMG), more visceral, probably not giving up much in luxury (better seats, for one), something that you can feel is a pretty unique gem within its inherent basis of vehicle.

AMGAffalterbach

Thank you so much for the article about this! All of your responses means a lot! I think the consensus is pretty clear... and looking at the tuning numbers, a K1 tune on an E63 will basically allow you to run with super cars. I still need to drive the 63 but especially at elevation I really feel like this will blow my mind.

Munich77

Yikes tuition has gotten out of control. A 2007 E550 as a college student is awesome. I would just drive the wheels of it and then get a new AMG .

AMGAffalterbach

That's the plan! (Saving for a new car before grad school though, hence this thread ). Interesting how the depreciation between the E550 and E63 intersect

screw991le

Easy answer, the E63.

BeachBunny

Tough call...

I'll be the odd man out and say E550. I keep my cars forever (~10 years). Chances are someone who's bought an E63 has ragged on it quite a bit, whereas E550s are bought by aging balding men who don't want to drive an S. People who've "made it" but don't feel the need to declare it to the world. So, better chance the E550 won't have been driven hard / carelessly.

Also look into the price of parts, tires, etc. for the E63 vs. E550. In my initial E search I did look at the E63. A quick trip to the service department to look over maintenance costs quickly addressed that. I'd imagine insurance also will be lower.

hyperion667

not sure if anyone mentioned it, but the 63, although more fun, will obviously cost more to maintain, insure, fuel etc.......as well as the soon to emerge desire to modify the car on the outside and in.......there's more warranty left I'm assuming as well?
don't get me wrong: owning an AMG is a really great experience
I personally wouldn't want to DD an AMG just because of the raw, beefy power everyday would kind of get stale I think....just my thoughts....

aquinob

First of all, I think you have very good taste in cars. But I gotta ask, with 58K tuition per year and looking at grad school, how do the finances work that you can look at a 2012 or newer Eclass, AMG or not? Even used, either model you express interest in costs more than a new accord let alone a new bottom of the line anything else. And are you factoring in a budget to cover the costs of insurance and speeding tickets or don't either of those apply out west?

noka

Sure beats the '65 Buick Special 6-cyl I had and not even until my junior year.

noka

Good friend of mine in college had various new MBs and BMWs and motorcycles all four years courtesy of mom & dad. That's certainly one way.

AMGAffalterbach

Been considering these factors as well, that AMG products are much more likely to be abused or driven hard than an E550. And insurance also makes a difference. Thanks for the interesting point.

AMGAffalterbach

Thanks for the kind words aquinob, I like to think so, especially with the popularity of the STi/Evo around here. Nice being different from that. I figure you can build a 5k car into something just as fast, but it will never be a Mercedes. As for finances... Luckily I have very responsible parents that help me with a large portion of college tuition. As far as cars and the remaining portion of tuition, I have a job as a web programmer and medical records admin at a healthcare company that pays pretty well. Been saving up for a long time as well, right after I bought my current E550. On my own as far as cars and hobbies are concerned. IMO it isn't that satisfying to have a car that mommy and daddy handed to you without any work involved.

It's a nice arrangement where I get to work full time the day I go on break (7 weeks for winter break and 3 months for summer) and work only part time during the school year. I'm in engineering on a pre-med track and it's exhausting, but really worth it and I get to enjoy the fruits of my labor as a result. Money that isn't put into expenses or savings is put into cars and computers almost exclusively lol. Women can also occasionally be expensive haha, high maintenance girlfriend and all.

I guess I do have to factor in the budget of tires, insurance, and overall maintenance which will be higher on the AMG. Daily driving it might be more of a hassle as well but really I love having a decently fast car already on a daily basis, just hoping that RWD will be usable around town.

Sal_S

I would say neither. Most cars these days can do 80 to 90 mph without breaking a sweat. Heck even a porky minivan like a nissan quest with 4400 lbs will do that with its vq 3.5L at 2k rpm. Also a puny prius can do 100mph if floored. So you can get a ticket in either of these unlikely vehicles let alone an E63 or E550. E63 is all well and good on autobahn but if you go 15mph over posted speed limit you better watch out for those flashing lights. No fun in v8 if you are constantly on the lookout for radar. There is no excuse that can save you even if there was no one in front of you for a mile or two. Worse.. some roads near highways have lower limits like 55 mph and you may not know it. Even those sometimes are under construction with nobody around yet with posted 35mph. Oh and dont forget the traffic snarls. Comfort and luxury is more useful than AMG or gutsy v8 if you are stuck in traffic or going on pothole ridden roads. You probably live in snow belt so you might have seen craters from snow plows. Also It wont help rubber necking a 20 year old corolla with no ABS and bald all seasons creeping ahead of you in snow with another 20 year old civic in front of it. One other thing.. You mentioned sti, evo and s5.. I wouldnt put too much stock in what other people drive. I neither look down upon an evo or get jealous of a flying spur. If you happen to bump in to them, classy thing to do would be to commend them about their car.. Perhaps remark how that recaro car seat in evo is the best or that flying spur or mulsannes design is gorgeous. Insecurity is for immature people.

Gregg11_C300

Get the one with the 4-matic. 2014 E63 is 4-matic, and my next car, next year to replace my out-going 2011 E350.

hyperion667

hell of an upgrade; congrats!

shaytun

E63 all day long. Speed wise, the E550 is quick but nothing like the E63 and nothing in how it does. The E63 does everything better. I wouldn't worry about the facelift. I actually love the W212.1 look. Furthermore, my only issue with the new E63 4MATICS is they can have a ridiculously big wheel/fender gap depending on how the car is parked and driven at times. Unsightly for such a monster.

hamooda_47

E63 /////AMG

screw991le

OP have you made a decision?

Ed99

Personally I like the 2010-2013 face better and it's a no brainer to go for E63. Although, you can't go wrong with either models.

threeMBs

Even though I have the "new face", I have to agree with above.

AMGAffalterbach

Guess it has to be an E63 you guys have made very valid points lol