i am the current owner of a 2010 c207 e350 and while it's definitely rapid, I want something that's competent on the road when compared to other modern performance cars. I will be keeping the e350 to daily so reliability isn't of my concern although I'm on somewhat of a budget here. my goal is to build my own AMG from one of these platforms: 2012-2014 CLS550, 2010-2011 SL550, or 2012-2013 E550 (a w212 would work for this but i was thinking more of a c207, because i cant see how the w212 could be better in any single way over the c207). due to my budget (around 17k for the initial car purchase), I am unable to get an SL550 with anything other than an m273 because the m278 SL550s are sadly out of budget. I want this car to be not only good on the straights but I want it to be competent in the corners and on the backroads as well. Plans I have included basic weight reduction (wheels and such), if I end up with an m278, then an aggressive ECU tune with mostly FBO (I would like a few estimates on how much an FBO+tune m278 would make in terms of power), an LSD and grippier tires, and hopefully a shorter final drive with a TCU tune as well because I know the 550 Mercedes from this era were really lacking in that field. Adding onto the list I want a BBK and a prior design bodykit.

I understand this is going to be a lot of work and I could always just "buy a c63" with much less effort and money and probably end up with the exact same performance numbers, but I want something different and I plan on doing this build over a span of multiple years, slowly adding on as I go. I want help figuring out if this is reasonable or if I'm just delusional, and if this is a reasonable goal in mind to have, what and how I should go about it. my main points of concern are the LSD, TCU, and final drive right now as I'm not sure how I'm going to go about these, and I also want to know what car is my best bet to achieve this.

hope someone can help!

 

Unless you are an amazing mechanic - and you may be so please no disrespect intended - you are not going to out engineer AMG.

I would be looking for a clean SL55 or SL63 depending on whether you value gut crushing torque or high rpm antics. That is what I was after initially but have actually been totally satisfied with a 2009 M273 SL550. It's a sweet motor and the car is superbly balanced. It's only a mid 13 second car but it's very entertaining to drive and it never feels underpowered as long as I am not trying to race newer performance cars.

 

i suppose i should change my phrasing lol, i dont intent to actually rival AMG performance and engineering. this is more of a project i want to get into that will result in a very quick, fun car that i have the comfort of knowing i built. im no mechanic but ive been keeping my e350 in great condition without dealing with shops if that counts for anything... which it probably doesnt considering how nice my m272 and 7G have been to me so far

 

That pretty much says it.

 

M278 is my fave engine and none of those beat the practicality of a W212s sedan either .

 

I don't think anyone would consider the SL (either R230 or R231) a nimble handling car for the twisties. It is a Grand Touring (GT) car with excellent road manners, especially with an ABC suspension. There is just a lot of mass to control. I can't really speak to the CLS or E classes. The SL does alright, but there is reason newer generations are not used in road rallies. You may want to consider an SLC or SLK smaller platform car. Still, I think your $17k entry point is a bit optimistic.

 

not to go too far off the ranch but maybe look at a 986 Porsche boxster S. prob in your budget and pretty mod friendly and tossable. also more likely to hold its value with mods.

 

Let me just say that after 4 seasons with the R230 SL550 in New England (land of twisty back roads), the reputation of the SL as a "grand tourer only" and " not a sports car" needs some serious discussion. While it's not going to be mistaken for a Miata or a Boxster, there is basically nothing it cannot do on a public road, even at 2x and sometimes 3x posted limits. Shod with Pilot Sports, it sticks like glue and changes direction effortlessly. I regularly do long all-day drives with friends in cars like the Boxster, BMW M Coupe (clown shoe), Audi RS3, C6 Corvette, etc and - as long as the road has turns - I am never left behind. It's low, wide, almost perfectly 50/50 balanced and blessed with ABC. Sure you can certainly "tour" in it (and it does that very well), but there is no shortage of "sport" in this car.

Don't believe everything you read. Get out and take one for a spirited drive. You may come away as impressed as I was (and continue to be).

 

I have owned both, the R230 and R231, and do not mean to disparage either. The ABC makes a HUGE difference in handling. The R231 without ABC is probably more worthy than I give it credit for. With ABC, there would be no reservation. I was coming from an Audi TT 225 quattro which was an excellent car for the twisties.

 

Early M278s, of which an R231. a W212 and the CLS all share, have not been aging well. Outside of the cooling plumbing disintegrating, they are finicky about oil changes and there's been reports of cylinder scoring. I originally wanted a 2014 E550, but settled on an E400 after more research, and that was almost 6 years ago when the issues about aging M278s weren't nearly as common. Supposedly the 4.0 V8 that replaced it is more reliable, but who knows anymore with mercedes.

The M276 turbo also has some brittle and complex cooling bits, but they're easiest to replace due to it being a smaller footprint in the engine bay. I have not heard of M276 cylinder scoring, but it wouldn't surprise me if it also may be susceptible simply due to the similiarities with an M278. That said, MB used the 276TT longer and even sold it with ~400 HP stock in the 43 forms, so it seems like a pretty stout engine.

My next (and likely final) MB will be one equipped with the 4.0 V8 and no newer than 2020. I don't want a covid produced model, and anything newly released after 2020 looks like garbage inside and out in my opinion.

 

I agree about the newer cars. I would probably limit any "new" Mercedes to 2020, as well, though I'm happy with my 2014 C350 with a real engine

 

I agree with this^

And since you asked in the W212 forum, I think the answer you'll get here is obvious.

 

This is my thought too. The E550 YM 2012-2013 has the Bi-Turbo engine that really has some power. I have a 2010 E550 with the 273 in it and it is strong but then I also have a 2012 S550 with the 278 and it is just amazing how much power this engine has as stock. I would be scared to tune it.

The OP is looking for a well tunable ride and it seems he/she is after something that can beat those "rice burners" that want to race the Mercedes, and there are plenty. The E-class is the perfect camouflage as it looks like an innocent family sedan but is hiding that beast engine under the hood. Most people do not know what the number in the trunk lid means but the best way to hide it is just to remove the badge.

CLS is the same car as E with a sportier looking body but it gives up the camouflage. It is a very beautiful car, but E is more practical I think just for more room in the back seat and bigger trunk.

I have teached a "lesson" to a bunch of young people in my neighborhood who want to race from the traffic lights and I have not found a match yet for either of my cars and amazingly the racers have almost vanished aftert a few years doing it...

For the OP I suggest getting a 2012-1013 E550. It is still the good looking body style and it should fit in the budget to buy.

 

I am one of the very few remaining W212 2012 E550 active members, and I purchase my car new in 2011 as a launch model. I am currently at 133k Tuned since 70k, and mix the usage between daily, and weekends, depending on my needs/wants.

I don't recommend this car (W212) if you are going to use as a daily, and/or race other people all the time. Unless one you have your own cheap mechanic or 2 you have deep pockets. I love the 4matic, but if you are racing stick with the coupe or convertible. Renntec for a tune has been fantastic, and well worth the money. There are cheaper options out there, but really you are at their mercy. These cars are not common, and most cheaper tuners are beta testing with you.

The heavier weight of the W212 speeds up the maintenance. And nothing in the front of the car is cheap. Installing custom exhausts $$$ with the 4matic. Changing front shafts $$$. Swapping plastic cooling lines $$$.
Why? Space.

The engine must have 5k oil changes, no delays and no excuses. I beat my car everytime I drive it, and oil changes it's the only saving grace in my case.

Why do I keep it, because one I love the torque, 2 I love the 4matic launches, and 3 because people still like the thing. There are more things to like on a personal level for me, but I get to keep those. Sorry.

 

I will admit that finding a nice sl in the budget of 17k is pretty optimistic but I have managed to find a few that don't look like scams, even if its insanely difficult. i primarily care about the stock differential and wheelbase as most other factors involving handling will end up being modded by me, and, to be honest if I end up with a car that has an open diff, I'll likely end up putting in an LSD eventually. Id also like to state that while I do care about the handling, I'm more biased towards the street car aspect of the build and I only want something that's fun to handle on the backroads and doesn't feel like a boat luxury car. my budget of 17k isn't because I'm financially unable to buy anything over 17, but rather because I understand that I'm about to molest the car and id hate to ruin anything more expensive, as even if I have enough free spending money, id hate to waste all of it on one bad financial decision, that being said, Im not to concerned about the reliability of the m278 as it seems pretty mixed/average for a forced induction engine

 

Good luck, then. I do think you may need to spend a little more to get a good starter car. I've not driven an SLC/SLK, but they look like baby SLs meaning they may naturally handle a little bit better to start with. An SLC43 or SLK55 would be awesome, but then your work is done for you. You'll be left to changing oil and waxing paint.

 

 

You can save money on future maintenance if you look at a W207 E550. Two engine mounts instead of four. Straightforward suspension setup. No 4Matic. One of the lightest chassis that a M278 was ever put in. Heck of a fun drive with the RWD and as long as it's now snowing your car will handle well even in rain. I use Continental ExtremeContact tires and they are fantastic. The E550 2012-2013 is the sweet spot. It's the M278 with the quad headlight design made famous by the e-class of previous era. From 2014 I feel all the MB models from the front look too similar.

 

i 100% agree with this lmao, i like all of the PFL early 2010-2013 cedes', all of the newer ones look soulless and identical. while the older ones just don't fit my preference respectfully. as the owner of a c207 e350, the c207 e550 is the first option i started looking at getting, out of the three that i mentioned

 

I have a 2012 E550 and I agree here. I have a piggyback tuner in mine and all I can say I'm very happy with it. Not many performance cars can beat all this car has to offer.

 

What piggyback tuner is it?

 

Race Chips

 

my son has a BMW 530iX AWD wagon, and its a far more 'fun' car in the twisties than the E350, notably it hardly leans at all even in wheel squealing turns.. its the last year NA straight 6 3.0 before they went turbos, I think its a 2010 or 2011 or something.

 

The E350 and E550 are cut from two different clothes. The suspension and brakes of a E550 (especially pre-2015 for the brakes) are superior and if it's a 2012-2014 its TT V8 4.7L and so moves much faster than the NA straight 6 3L. I can say at least for me with a RWD E550 Coupe is a ravenous wolf in sheep's clothing. Many 6 cylinder BMWs left in the dust trail. I really haven't gone up against a BMW TT V8 4.4L but my guess is that would drive more fun and sporty then the E. The E is more luxury and refinement over sport whereas BMW 5 M series is Sport over Luxury and Refinement. Likely a AMG E63 would of course dominate a BMW M.

 

the BMW 5 of that generation are lighter, and nimbler than an E sedan or wagon I haven't driven a 540 but I can't help but suspect its quite quick..