03'-up S55 ride quality?
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 347
Likes: 3
From: Tennessee
2005 S55, 2002 E430, 2007 CLK350, 2006 SL55, 2003 SL55
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Joined: Sep 2008
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Porsche 991S, Cayenne S, 1972 BMW 3.0CS E9 Coupe
I consider every car that AMG touches to be a sports car, of course it is my opinion and I dont see anyone changing that. I can live with it. I can have my insurance man agree with that on practically any MB vehicle...they are all classified as "sports" cars so they can get that igher premium, right?
Mike
Mike
If you're paying a higher premium only because your car is labeled as a sports car, I'd complain immediately and/or dump the agent and the company.
An SL , SLK, SLR, or SLS is a different story and can be classified as a "sports car." But you still should NOT be charged higher premiums unless the SL, SLK, SLR, and SLS have a higher incidence of injury and accidents, and/or higher theft and repair costs. Ask any insurance company actuary. Premiums are based on risk assessment. Risk assessment is what actuarial science is all about.
btw, just for the record here is Daimler's classification of the cars they build:
1) sedans and coupes
2) SUVs and crossovers
3) roadsters and supercars
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 347
Likes: 3
From: Tennessee
2005 S55, 2002 E430, 2007 CLK350, 2006 SL55, 2003 SL55
Which insurance company do you use? I'd definitely challenge that excuse for a higher premium. My non-AMG Mercedes sedan had the same premium and classification as my AMG Mercedes sedan. The premiums are based on repair costs, accident and injury statistics, and theft statistics. And then there's the list that applies to all cars: geographic area (risk assessments will vary in different geographic regions), age of driver(s), driving record and claim record, multi-car and multi-policy discounts, safety device and anti-theft discounts (any modern Mercedes can get points there, AMG or not.)
If you're paying a higher premium only because your car is labeled as a sports car, I'd complain immediately and/or dump the agent and the company.
An SL , SLK, SLR, or SLS is a different story and can be classified as a "sports car." But you still should NOT be charged higher premiums unless the SL, SLK, SLR, and SLS have a higher incidence of injury and accidents, and/or higher theft and repair costs. Ask any insurance company actuary. Premiums are based on risk assessment. Risk assessment is what actuarial science is all about.
btw, just for the record here is Daimler's classification of the cars they build:
1) sedans and coupes
2) SUVs and crossovers
3) roadsters and supercars
If you're paying a higher premium only because your car is labeled as a sports car, I'd complain immediately and/or dump the agent and the company.
An SL , SLK, SLR, or SLS is a different story and can be classified as a "sports car." But you still should NOT be charged higher premiums unless the SL, SLK, SLR, and SLS have a higher incidence of injury and accidents, and/or higher theft and repair costs. Ask any insurance company actuary. Premiums are based on risk assessment. Risk assessment is what actuarial science is all about.
btw, just for the record here is Daimler's classification of the cars they build:
1) sedans and coupes
2) SUVs and crossovers
3) roadsters and supercars
Mike
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 443
Likes: 118
'03 S55 (79K miles)
02Drunenup:
S55 is a firm ride. ABC keeps it nice and level on curves, but it's not a harsh ride.
S430 or S500 with Airmatic are more cushey, maybe floaty. But a nice ride bc it's still a MB.
The other thing you will notice is the exhaust note of the S55AMG is louder and always "there" while you drive. But aren't we forgetting that the S55 has 490+ horsepower versus the 300ish S500 or 275ish S430?
S55 is a firm ride. ABC keeps it nice and level on curves, but it's not a harsh ride.
S430 or S500 with Airmatic are more cushey, maybe floaty. But a nice ride bc it's still a MB.
The other thing you will notice is the exhaust note of the S55AMG is louder and always "there" while you drive. But aren't we forgetting that the S55 has 490+ horsepower versus the 300ish S500 or 275ish S430?
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2006 s65. Ford Excursion 6.0. Pontiac GTO convertible. Porsche 944 Turbo SCCA car. Wife-E550 and 968
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Joined: Jun 2011
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From: Mission Viejo CA
2003 S55 AMG W-220
I have owned an S 55 AMG for the last 6 months. And have had MANY Mercedes beforehand. However, this is my first AMG, but have had experience with 500 horse power cars. I F&:;@" love it!! I get it sideways a couple times a day ( easy to do with 500 hundred horses) and everytime I want to have fun I turn of traction control slip it into sport and BAM!!!! Drives like a bat ou if he'll. I Hammmer it!!!! All day , no problems. It has 90 k on it. Car is not 4800 pounds. It's 4400, and it screams. The sport stiffens the suspension and and compensates for body roll. I would not suggest using I in full manaul aka padal shifters. Paddle shifters are tiptronic not sequential so it lags to long. Your better of in sport. PlY around with it. Whe. I'm lazy or on fredwY I turn it on Economy, starts of in 2 nd gear Ns shifts at lower rpms. It also, downshifts less aggressively. Beet it up, you'll get the feel for t 
