I am thinking about getting a used e55. What is the difference between the 99 and 00 ???

Thanks

Shane

 

I'm not sure but i think the differnce is the body kits and tail lamps not sure tho

 

I am sure there are others who can elaborate even more but here is what I remember:

1. Badging- 99's get an extra AMG badge on the front spoiler
2. Body Kits- the 99 is a little less agressive IMO than the 00-02
3. No phone option or contoured seat option in the 99 or NAV
4. I think the 99's didnt have the digital speedo option either but I may be wrong about that.

There are others, what are they???

 

In addition to what others have mentioned:

1. Face lift on the 2000 (front, side mirrors, front & rear lights).
2. Different dash, 2000+ has digital 'monitor screen'.
3. gear shift the 1999 has the gated knob whereas the 2000+ onwards have the +/-.

 

There are so many upgrades to the 2000 E55 over the 1999. If price is no object please get the 2000!

2000+ has the Driver shiftable Auto Tranny.
Steering Wheel mounted Controls.
Better looking inside door handles.
Same Color outside Door Handles.
Lower front end.
Rear Valance Exhaust cut-out.
Tele-Aid system.
Roof Mounted GPS antenna.
Free Maintenance under warranty.

The only advantage the 1999 E55 has is the 18 inch silver AMG Monoblock alloy spare with 245/40/18 versus the 17" black steel wheel with 235/45/17 on the 2000+ models.

 

The Multi-Contour Seat is for all E55. The only seat option is the 'Active Ventilated Seats' for 2001 & 2002 models.

 

So on th 1999 you can not shift the tranny via the lever ??

 

Yes, the 2000+ models the shifter can shift up or down by shifting the lever to the left or right.

 

I addition to the steering wheel mounted controls (as E55KEV pointed out), the style of the steering wheel itself is much different looking......more "beefy" looking on the 2000 and up cars (IMO).

 

There is no doubt that the 2000+ (update) E55 is a nicer car than the 1999, however IMO the touchshift transmission is not as great as it is cracked up to be as it usually takes a while for the trany to make a manually selected change and sometimes it decides that you're an idiot and doesn't change at all. In the earlier model, when you manualy select a gear it changes to the gear immediately. I have/do drive both transmission types fairly hard and I much prefer the older gearbox.
Also the 1999 is at least 10K cheaper, particularly with the W211 less than 4 months away now, a 2000+ model is going to drop considerably in pricing. If any of you are upgrading to the W211 E55 and are concerned about resale, the time to get out of your current car is now.
My advice is to find a good low mileage 1999 model and bargain very hard based on new model release, or wait for the new car, and either by W211 or buy the 2000+ car then.

 

Telephone is available for 99, i got a 99 and it does have the telephone option, here is what i've noticed:

1.- Body sideskirts are a little different.
2.- Tranny doesn't have stick shift.
3.- Steering Wheel mounted Controls.
4.- No digital speedo
5.- No teleaid system (therefore no roof antena)
6.- Bumpers are a little different.
7.- Bigger spare tire wheel.
8.- No mirror blinkers
9.- No navigation option
10.- No Free Maintenance under warranty.

Let me remind you that I'm still trying (not too hard) to sell my 1999 E55, if interested send me your e-mail address so I can send you pics and more details, delascuevasfam@pdq.net

 

Personally, I prefer the 1999 sideskirts. More sleek and not as busy as the 2000+ I like the black door handles styling. For me, the blinking mirrors are kinda cheesy. I don't like the roof antenna on the 2000+ cause I added a Lorinser roofwing which I could not do with the antenna. More importantly, if you are interested in an aftermarket stereo , the 1999 has a standard DIN slot for the radio making installing an aftermarket radio/cd player a snap. I also installed an Alipne DVD-rom GPS with foldout tiltable/swivel screen which is far superior to the stock COMAND which also looks ugly in my opinion. Because of the after market stereo, I did not want/need the steering wheel remote controls- I don't like that look either. I installed a swell steering wheel from Victor of Italy. Finally, I prefer the more black Charcoal interior of the 1999 vs the Charcoal (more grey) look of the 2000+

 

Ambisonx,

Your car sounds cool! Please post a few pics of your car & mods. I'd like to see that carbon fibre air box and your steering wheel.