tw2

Sorry if this has been covered before. I know a lot about the E and C63 but most E550 performance threads seem to be about the coupe. For the 4matic sedan 2012 biturbo, I believe these are generally a bit faster than the N/A E63 and in stock form maybe a bit slower than the C63?

Are there any traction issues with either stock or tuned E550 biturbo? I presume there is no lsd in this model?

I am considering one of these 3 to upgrade from my CLK55. I know about the M156 headbolt cams and lifters. Also aware of the airmatic which I believe is only in the rear of the w212 E63. E550 sounds much more reliable. Thanks for any advice.

ItalianJoe1

The bi-turbo cars are without a doubt faster than the M156 cars, maybe a stock E against a lighter stock C63, but the C63 is tuned down a bit. Tune for tune, the m278 car wins every time.

Definite wheelspin issues, but they come with all-season tires. The 63 will have issues if driven aggressively anyway, even with less peak torque. Put a good sticky tire on it and it will hook up just fine.

cocobeex

A tuned Biturbo E550 will be a bit faster than a Stock NA E63.
4Matic on those biturbo e550 will help out big time off the line.

And No traction issue at all so far.

Also, no LSD in Biturbo e550.

I actually really hate the Airmatic...they are just too soft for cornering.

belarus27

yep , the only thing airmatic loses to regular springs is cornerin

tw2

So stock standard are they all fairly similar?

Does the sedan do the quick change up to second gear like people complain about with the coupe? Or does the added traction of 4matic prevent this from happening?

eLs13

Is not the airmatic on the e550 sport setting better cornering than e550 sport steel springs?

I am sure steel springs can be made better than airmatic sport with aftermarket stiffer springs but stock vs stock airmatic is better?

cocobeex

Airmatic Sports setting is still very soft when cornering.
And mine is even lowered. Still very soft.


I used to own a 2014 E350 on steel spring suspension.
The stock steel spring on E class is what they called Luxury comfort suspension. They are still soft...lol


But hey, E class meant to be soft ride and comfy.

rediesel

I've owned most of those cars - all were stock. The biturbo E550 is a very well rounded machine which is why I still have it. On dry pavement my C63 was faster than my E550, but the 4 matic won when it was wet or snow covered. AMGs are more engaging with the MTC transmission vs the torque converter, but the torque converter is smoother, and a better daily driver. I do wish my E550 would start out in 1st everytime rather than when I punch it. . .

My wagon is obviously the fastest of the bunch, but if it weren't for snow and a car seat requirement I liked my former C63 507 coupe the best.

blegthbloo

No traction issues yet with the tuned E550 biturbo 4matic here.... agree with everything that has been said already. Sometimes even after a light rain, there still isn't any slip (I have all seasons too), but of course it does walk out a little bit in a wet corner if you push it (it did that before the tune too)

tw2

Thanks for that, very helpful. So does it usually revert to second gear when you start unless you floor it?

How is the transmission otherwise? I am coming from the old 722.6 5 speed which is fairly slow. I can only assume a stock E550 would be quite a bit faster than the CLK55.

I would like to have a look at one in person but there are only a handful for sale in this country (different cities), they all appear to be imports, I have never seen a new one sold here which makes me think they didn't bother bringing it to this market.

Mr.Fly

The E550 with the M278 starts in second gear if the transmission is in "E". If switched to "S", it starts in first.

According to instrumented Car & Driver tests, the CLK55 and E550TT should be similarly fast: 0-60 at 4.7sec vs 4.5sec, and 1/4 mile at 13.2sec@107mph vs 13.0sec@111mph, respectively. These are small enough differences that no one outside of a drag strip will care. In real life, with AWD, I expect the E550TT will deliver fast consistent performance, more so over varied conditions than the CLK55.

I find my E550TT to have a smooth and relaxed (not lazy) transmission, especially in "E". Downshifting a couple of gears is so smooth, in fact, that it is unnoticeable to passengers until one hits the gas pedal and heads get pressed onto headrests. The transmission is noticeably snappier in "S", but no one will mistake it for Porsche's PDK for both shift speed or responsiveness. But this is a high-speed hauler (aka "GT"); taken in that context, the transmission's performance is appropriate and fine.

cocobeex

Ok.....now after turbo upgrades.

I do have traction issue abit now....lol

blegthbloo

I was slipping a little bit in the rain this morning too lol... but it was only in first gear... as soon as it hit second, it was all grip all the way (to 100 rabbit hops) until I let off the throttle.

tw2

Thank you, this is very helpful. I don't know about the CLK55 time. Mine seems closer to 4.8-5 seconds but it is not consistent because of traction issues which will be way less of a problem with the 4matic.

There are heaps of C63's for sale so I will have to go and test drive one, maybe a 2010 E63 and if this one E550 is still available I will have a look. I still have no idea what I want to do.

Pirublues

How's the 722.9 holding up to the power for you folks with a tune?

And what's the difference in suspension between the biturbo e550 coupes vs sedan?

cocobeex

The car had stage 2 tune, 520hp, 580tq, for a year.
Nothing wrong with 722.9.

Now, After Turbo upgrade the car probably around 650-700hp and 700tq.
So far so good for the 722.9
But, i am driving it gently. I was told it needs 1000 miles for 722.9 to adapt this new power.

As for Suspension, i have no answer to that.

Pirublues

Thanks for the answer. Your car looks amazing! What tune do you have and any videos of how your car sounds?

cocobeex

No video yet, but i will make some later when i am free.
The exhaust note changed with the new tune. LWS tuned it for me.
The low rumble sound when cruising its just so sweeeeeet.

tw2

So just if anyone is interested, I went to see the only E550 available in my price range and it had just sold.

I then test drove a 2010 E63. The exhaust and noise was absolutely amazing, the ride was harder than my CLK with KW coilovers, the transmission was very fast but also very jerky, the MCT was very rough on take off in 1st which I believe was improved in subsequent years. The interior seemed a step down from the quality of the W211 in my view. Also the engine number was 48XXX which put it well within the headbolts might pop off and destroy your engine range. I could maybe overlook that but the low down torque was missing, any acceleration from cruising required a gear change whereas even the CLK55 can easily gain some fast speed without changing gear.

So in the end I saw a 2005 E55 with 24,000 miles and bought that instead. Not even slightly what I was planning on doing. I have test driven them before but I haven't come across one with such low miles. I can deal with airmatic crapping out but engines blowing up no matter how unlikely, not for me. And of course the bbrrroooaaaaahhh from just above idle. Insta-torque appears to be very important to me.

Johnny Rad

Nice comparative review. Sincerely appreciate the comparos.

If I can make a small request, pretty please test drive a biturbo E550 and tell us how it fits in.

I'm off to autotrader to stalk s/c'd E55's now... be right back.

tw2

I would be happy to but unfortunately there are very few in my country. From looking at dyno's and other peoples impressions I would guess the E550 is much nicer for daily driving than the E63, it looks like there is a lot more low down torque available but with slight turbo lag. Looking at dyno's the turbo's are sized as small as they could to get the desired power at reasonable boost hence the drop off in torque higher in the rev range where they start to restrict air flow. The E63 will just keep pulling. Other members can comment whether they find there is decent boost (and torque) at cruising revs.

E55 should have more relative instant torque down low but I doubt it would be a huge difference compared to the E550. They probably drop off similarly in the higher rev range as the M113 engines have a major exhaust restriction at the manifold exit. I would expect the E55 to be faster all around but I haven't compared dyno's side by side.

BettyBoopE550