S55 AMG, S65 AMG , S63 AMG (W220, W221) 2001 - 2013 (Two Generations)

2003 S55 or 2003 S600

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Old 10-27-2002, 04:38 PM
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E55 AMG
My pick, the S55. It's a question of more emphasis on sport vs. luxury. AMG will always equate to sport, while the v12 has been associated with MB's top of the line cruisers.

The Nov. issue of MB Enthusiast has an article on the CL600 and compares it to the CL55. "While the excercise may seem like duplication on paper, the moment you turn the key... ...the difference in character and intent are poles apart. The bombastic AMG V8 roars like a NASCAR racer, ... V12 counterpart speaks softly but carries a huge stick."

I feel this also goes for the S55 vs. the S600. If you want the S600's luxury interior matched with the AMG sports interior, get the S55 with designo, best of both worlds.
Old 11-07-2002, 12:24 AM
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I would go for the S55. I dunno, when I test drove the S600, I felt as though the front was a little heavy. Also, I would rather go for the sportier car. Just MO though.
Old 11-07-2002, 12:34 PM
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Originally posted by mikE55
I feel this also goes for the S55 vs. the S600. If you want the S600's luxury interior matched with the AMG sports interior, get the S55 with designo, best of both worlds.

I'm not positive about this but... I don't think the designo on the 55 is nearly as nice as the 600 interior. Does the designo come with the extra wood? For example, the rear seat vanity mirrors have wood trim.
I think the designo comes with the leather covered dash, but does it also have the leather on upper part of the door panels as well? Also, the rear shelf is covered in leather.
One more thing... I don't think the alcantara headliner is available on any S or CL as an option, but it is standard on the 600.
Old 11-07-2002, 03:32 PM
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white and whiter
Originally posted by ///MB
I'm not positive about this but... I don't think the designo on the 55 is nearly as nice as the 600 interior. Does the designo come with the extra wood? For example, the rear seat vanity mirrors have wood trim.
I think the designo comes with the leather covered dash, but does it also have the leather on upper part of the door panels as well? Also, the rear shelf is covered in leather.
One more thing... I don't think the alcantara headliner is available on any S or CL as an option, but it is standard on the 600.
other than the wood vanity mirror (tacky) the upper part are all wrapped in leather. Still, my pick would be the S55 because AMG have much smaller production volumn for the 55s compare to the 600.

or you can wait longer, I'm almost positive that AMG will do something with the new twin turbo V12. Like what they did with the current V12 (S63 AMG)
Old 11-07-2002, 05:46 PM
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Originally posted by FrankW
other than the wood vanity mirror (tacky) the upper part are all wrapped in leather. Still, my pick would be the S55 because AMG have much smaller production volumn for the 55s compare to the 600.

or you can wait longer, I'm almost positive that AMG will do something with the new twin turbo V12. Like what they did with the current V12 (S63 AMG)
So, the 55 comes with the suede headlinger as well? And personally, I think the wood vanity mirror looks very elegant and goes along very well with the rest of the extended wood in the 600. If it was just all by itself... that might be a different story.

Also, do you know what the productions numbers are gonna be? 55 vs 600?
Old 11-07-2002, 05:47 PM
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Oops, I meant to say "suede-like" headliner.... before someone jumps at me. hehe
Old 11-07-2002, 10:58 PM
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the S600 is a limited edition as well.
Old 11-08-2002, 04:35 PM
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Originally posted by benznut
the S600 is a limited edition as well.
Yeah, so I'm guessing they can't make THAT many more 600s than 55s if any.
Old 11-08-2002, 07:31 PM
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2004 S 600
Just my opinion.....I've had my 2001 S600 since August of 2000. What a car! Getting the new 2003 S600 without sports package.
Both cars are tremendous.....but both are big and heavy...even the bigger wheels and suspension on S55 can't overcome physics of weight and wheelbase length......neither is built for the twisties.

When I want sports car cornering performance, that's when I drive my Z8 BMW.
Old 11-08-2002, 07:37 PM
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2004 S 600
One more point. If MB was to come out in US with short wheelbase version S55....the handling would be much better.
Old 11-08-2002, 08:54 PM
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white and whiter
Originally posted by MercManiac
One more point. If MB was to come out in US with short wheelbase version S55....the handling would be much better.
i think and i thought the S55 only comes in long wheelbase.
Old 11-08-2002, 09:56 PM
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'22 Alpina B7,'21 G63 Renntech obviously (wife), Wrangler(kids)
In Germany it's available in both long and short wheelbase
Old 11-09-2002, 12:04 AM
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white and whiter
i see....
Old 12-01-2002, 01:58 AM
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2003 S600/95 SL600/94 S600/2002 Acura MDX/2000 Jetta/2001 Volvo240T
Cool

O.K. folks. Thanks for all the input during this time. I settled on the S600, and I was advised that the ship docks tomorrow, so should have it by the end of next week. Fully loaded.
Old 12-01-2002, 03:18 AM
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white and whiter
Originally posted by shahjee
O.K. folks. Thanks for all the input during this time. I settled on the S600, and I was advised that the ship docks tomorrow, so should have it by the end of next week. Fully loaded.
nice...congrats
Old 12-01-2002, 09:33 AM
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'22 Alpina B7,'21 G63 Renntech obviously (wife), Wrangler(kids)
Don't get excited too fast,my CL cleared customs 11/15,was supposed to be in my possession by 11/22,but is held at VPC waiting for a replacement rim.
The only positive is the reaction of my dealer who gave me a brand new 03' E320 for use until my car finally shows up.
Old 12-01-2002, 09:34 AM
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2003 S500 4-matic, 2003 SL55
shahjee how is it that you have a car already when u only asked for help in the decision a month or two ago. Who do u know that u jumped the line? Congrats I thought that the wait was a year at least
Old 12-02-2002, 12:10 AM
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2003 S600/95 SL600/94 S600/2002 Acura MDX/2000 Jetta/2001 Volvo240T
There are several of the S600's on the way, and arriving shortly. Have bought several other MB's, including a couple of 600's from this dealership. They are accomodating me again.
PS: No premiums, contrary to some previous postings at another chat room.
Old 12-02-2002, 12:42 PM
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Lightbulb

I congradulate you on your car. You made a great choice. Be sure to post pictures when it arrives. Although I have a question. I saw an S63 listed in a couple of posts. I had no idea that there was one. Where can I find out more about them? Thanks a lot!


DOMINIC
Old 12-02-2002, 01:07 PM
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white and whiter
Originally posted by Dominic
I congradulate you on your car. You made a great choice. Be sure to post pictures when it arrives. Although I have a question. I saw an S63 listed in a couple of posts. I had no idea that there was one. Where can I find out more about them? Thanks a lot!


DOMINIC
the S63 AMG is the special vehicle from AMG. you have to special order them, but since the new S55 will top the power output of the S63, i don't think AMG will continue making them. In the future AMG probably will have some special vehicle base off the new S600.

you can find info on the S63 here. http://www.mercedes-benz.com/amg/e/c...nserie_s63.htm
Old 12-30-2002, 06:45 AM
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1988 300 SEL
s-class interiors

Hi!

This is my first post here and I want to apologize my possible mistakes in English (I'm not native speaker). Hopefully I make some sence.

At least in Europe there is three basic interior choices for the s-class:

-Leather
-Nappa Leather and
-Exclusive Nappa Leather.

The Exclusive leather is standard on s600 and it includes the alcantara roof liner and leather on the dash etc. Since the recent facelift there has been optionally available the designo couture interior. It is based on the exclusive nappa leather. It has some nubuk-leather (like in the Maybach) in the door centres and lower dash and there is as much wood in every model as is in the s600. The wood is special designo wood.

I don't know what are the interior options in the US, but if they are any similar, hopefully this helps to decide between S55 and s600.

Mersumies
Old 12-31-2002, 01:20 AM
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2003 S600/95 SL600/94 S600/2002 Acura MDX/2000 Jetta/2001 Volvo240T
I took delivery of my S600 two weeks ago.
Brilliant silver, with a very new, light gray leather interior, and a similar color alcantara roof liner.
All the bells and whistles, including Distronic, Parktronic, Keyless-go, vented seats, Sports package, AMG chrome wheels, etc. In other words, FULLY loaded.
Best part: Awesome engine. Smooth and brutal. I am dying to complete my thousand mile break-in period !! Couldnt resist, and floored it a couple of times. Serious G-forces exerted.
Heaven.
Old 12-31-2002, 04:55 AM
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designo couture

Congrats Shahjee!

By the way, I just checked the info about designo couture I wrote yesterday. Unfortunately designo couture interior is not available for s55, but it is available for all the other models.

Mersumies
Old 01-03-2003, 03:44 AM
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Buy the s55 and lease the s600, hehe
Old 01-05-2003, 03:41 AM
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gotta have the 600... nothing tops v12!!!


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