A friend of mine recently bought a 2003 E55 for a great deal and I went down and visited him over the weekend. It was very interesting to compare the S65 and the E55 back to back.

He had raced they car a week or two ago and ran a 12:37 but at only around 111 to 113 MPH after it was cooled way down. It appeared the intercooler pump was failing so he purchased a new Johnson pump. I arrived Friday night to help him replace the pump. I was very surprised how tiny the CM30 pump was it is very slender and looks to be about 1/3 the diameter of the stock pump. Before we installed the pump I wanted to do a flow test between the two pumps. We cobbled together some plumbing and had a spare battery in the garage to run the pump. That said, the CM30 drained a 1 gallon container is just a tick over 6 seconds. I was very impressed that little pump moved that much fluid. Then we transferred over to test the stock pump, it worked for just a couple of seconds and then would die so we could not test it (I guess the pump really was bad). Later on it started to work again but he had put all the plumbing away. I was surprised that the pump was so intermittent hooking it directly to the battery. I must say I was very surprised how easy the pump change was. Without the testing it would probably be around 30 minutes if you went slow.

Now to the driving…
It was a nice and cool evening with a nice new pump. I could tell just backing out of the driveway that the car rode much more firm and "sporty" than the S65. The roots blown power was instantaneous and the throttle response was immediate. The TT V12 has tons of torque but it is not instantaneous like the E. The E55 has a nice grumble and burble to it unlike the S65 which is almost silent except on start up. The E's seats while they look almost the same are much more firm and slippery than the S65 seats. Of course the interiors are different as everyone knows and I did like the nice guage layout and bright blue color on the E. The readout is much nicer than the dot matrix appearing display in the S. The S65 is much more luxurious inside with a nicer leather dash etc but the E is nice and sporty.

Now for the fun part, hitting the throttle! The E has nice brand new Michelin Pilot Sports that hook like glue (backed up by his 1.85 60 times). The E was a blast to drive and I must say I was quite surprised at how fast it was. It hooked much better out of the hole than my car and was brutal in first and second gear. There is now way my car with Kumhos on the back would 60 foot like his car (2.00 60' best). I do think the S pulls better up top in third and above but the fun factor of the E was way up there. The S is a different animal, it is more of an autobahn cruiser with tons of power and ride in it all day comfort. The back seats of the E are definitely useable but nothing like the rear cavern on the S.

My friend took the car to the track on Sunday and hot lapped it multiple times with no cool downs between runs. It ran very consistent 12.1's at 116 and some change all night long. I bet it will run almost 118 when it is iced down.

It was very fun to compare two totally stock cars (except the pump on the E). They are definitely different animals but they are both very fun. If you want good handling and instant throttle response the E55 is a great choice, If you want a luxury 4 seat cruise missile then the S fits the bill.

After it was over, I must say it was good to be driving home in an S65, but..... It sure would be fun to have a E55 too!

Next time we get together we hope to do some side by side comparison testing.

It is always fun to drive other cars, what a blast!

 

Thanks for the report. However, got to disagree with the above portion, E55s handling leaves a lot to be desired, even for a 4,000lb sedan....W212 E63, Mas Quattroporte or E60 M5 show how it's done....but that E55k rush is a treat for sure

 

I agree on the handeling overall, but it feels much more tight and precise than the S.

 

Similarly, I just drove an SL55 vs an SL65 almost back to back.

I was very impressed with the SL55. Exhaust is very aggressive, and the throttle is very responsive and it pulls very hard. I was a bit disappointed in the SL65, though. It's a bit more comfortable, but too smooth and quiet for my tastes: Not enough drama. The SL65 is fast, sure...but honestly the SL55 felt faster because of the sportier nature. (To be fair the SL55 also had a tune, so it was putting out probably 550hp instead of 493)

I had also driven a Porsche 911 turbo, 2007, and it blew the SL65 out of the water in terms of performance - just grips and throws you back and goes like crazy, while the Sl65 fights for traction and feels heavier.

Obviously, the Sl65 is smooth and comfortable - so you need to see what you prefer. I, for one, prefer these performance cars to have a more aggressive edge like the SL55.

 

Flight test - what year S65 do you own? I had a 11.0@127 '03 E55, a stock '07 S65, and now a lower mile ECU tuned '07 S65.

The pump on my S65 is shot...with just 10K miles on the clock. IATs above 150F with normal driving in 35 degree weather. Should be 20-25 over ambient with a johnson pump. i am trying a Meziere pump.

i hope to find about 40 whp as i have 529 rwhp and 706 rwtq.

I can't remember what my E55 felt like Stock but i would tend to agree the S65 pulls harder up top, feels less precise, heavier and there is a bit of turbo lag but i think that for me is due to the IATs which fall from 150F to 90F under WOT then within 20 seconds off throttle are up to 160F+.


I did have my 10/11 sec E55 at the same time as my stock S65 and it made the E55 feel like a light weight boy racer car, with as you said very slippery seats.

The S65 does sound like satan when it starts up but after warmup you can't hear anything with the double pane glass windows and carpeted/padded under body and wheel wells.

The E is more fun to drive but the S provides more of a statement if that matters as well as space for baby seats, rear passengers, etc.

 

My S is a 2006, and I sure agree with your comments. How did you like your ECU upgrade? Is it a worthwhile investment?

I run one of the big Meziere electric water pumps on my 70 'Cuda and it flows like crazy (55 GPM) and the quality is top notch. With the price of the Johnson pumps these days I think the Meziere is a great choice. Just remeber to order the fittings.

 

Nice write-up

 

Thanks for your thoughts.
Interesting to me at the moment as I am sitting at the dealer waiting for my E55 that's getting service. I have been drooling over an S65 in the showroom thinking...."must have". Sounds like from your write up I might be less than thrilled with the upgrade. Great car, but for the money I could keep my car AND buy a new E63

 

Thanks for your thoughts.
Interesting to me at the moment as I am sitting at the dealer waiting for my E55 that's getting service. I have been drooling over an S65 in the showroom thinking...."must have". Sounds like from your write up I might be less than thrilled with the upgrade. Great car, but for the money I could keep my car AND buy a new E63

 

The S55 must be the demon love child of an E55 and S65, it has the response of the 55K motor and the luxury of a W220. Best of both worlds.

I'd love to trade up to an S65, and sacrifice the throttle for the silence and top-of-the-line luxury. I actually saw a 220 S65 about 2 hours ago, and I couldn't stop staring. If it had been a woman, she would have slapped me!

 

To be honest my ECU upgrade has not felt like it has done much at all. I didn't do a pre test dyno but I am not happy with just 525-530 whp. It should be more like 580whp and I should be walking my friends stock e55 instead of beating it by 2-3 car lengths to 100 mph

Unfortuantly the Meziere pump didn't nothing to lower the IATs which sit 90F above ambient. That can't be normal.

I found out at least why the turbo lag feels more pronounced as when I am cursing along the IATs are say 140F and when I punch it there is a real lack. Of. Power but right when I go WOT the IATs drop to like 40 above ambient then begin to sky rocket back to 140F within 15-20 sec. Going WOT immeaditly after being in WOT is the only way the car feels fast.

I am pissed.

$1500 between a bad meziere pump, reinstall ( basically 2 installations at 4-5 hours each), a good meziere pump, a custom bracket that. Cost $200 and fittings.... All that and the problem isn't fixed. Fawk!!!!!!!

 

I don't know who did your ECU tune, but if it wasn't Jerry at Eurocharged you need to give him a shot. My car is night/day different with and without his tune. I'd never go anywhere else after dealing with him. My car made 597rwhp and 845rwtq with is tune? He's good, very good.

 

E55 Baller, it almost sounds like your pump may not be turning on. You may try wiring it direct and taking it for a drive.

Busa, if we could ever meet up in H town I sure would like a ride. Did your brother ever put a tune on his s600?