farrk007

I'm certain this topic has to be in the archives i just couldn't find them. I test drove the 211 E55 a couple of days ago and it left me speechless/sleepless!! this thing pulled like no mans business. but the dealer told me warranty companies are starting to shy away from covering them and i cant immagine the airmatics being inexpensive to repair(granted i realize these are MB's) but handling would also be a concern of mine with all that power...being used to BMW handling characteristics i just might not enjoy the 211 from that standpoint.

As for the 210 E55, i recall a few years ago when one of ém opened up a can of ***-whooping on me while i was trying to showboat on the highway... the noise of that engine alone scared the crap out of me. But then my mechanic was telling me about havingmultiple spark-plugs per cylinder and that concerned me ços i thought it might be complicated to tackle basic repairs at home...(i dont think that anymore though)

I love both cars and would like to own either chasis..but the 211's are fast departing from that solid mechanical chasis that i was used to seeing when i was a kid(IMO). that made ém the brute chasis that my parents raved about....The 210 E55 To me still has a bit of that left....but the tradeoff is power..as the 211 has way more torque and hp....

Boy whats a car-nut to do????

molecule

I went thru some of the same things you are when i was looking for a Hot rod to replace my classic car I sold .
In short what I found was the 210 E55 was almost bullet proof if well maintained ,and you understand that some thing will need attention at higher milage .
The 211 E55 although it has over 100 more HP (Big Smile) if you can't get one with an extended warranty could be a costly investment to maintain unless you have unlimited cash .

I oppted for the 210 E55 and love it But still track every 2003-2006 211 E55 that comes up For sale in my area if I see one with a good warranty I might just pick it up also ,but my mechanic has also advised me to stick with what i have .
That's my 2 cent's hope it helps.

Schweinhund

+1. The W210s should be very reliable if well maintained. The 2003-2004 W211's kind of the opposite. Plagued with QC issues and "cutting corners" claims. The build quality and true luxury appointments are not there. I drove both extensively before going with the 210. Though its "only" 350HP (more actually) to me its a car that has far more to respect than the 2003-04 W211's which were barely in my price range anyway and the much higher risk of expensive repair or time+parts for me to do it, was not something I wanted to take on. I love my 210, its a blast to drive and is solid quality inside and out. Plus its a far more rare vehicle.

Yacht Master

I own both a W210 & W211.
The W211 Amg will cost more to own.

farrk007

thanx for all the input guys thats.....it's all in line with what im thinking...i'll see if there are any good 210's out there.

Jon2007E63P30

Well, I am guessing the 2007-2009 W211 will be better than those prior. Nothing but maintenance.

Of course that is not what you meant and the E63 W211 don't seem to get much respect.

JamE55

Too bad you missed the boat on getting a Kleemann twin screw blower (S8 setup). Otherwise you won't have any tradeoff. W210 chassis with an engine that has a little more power than a stock W211.

Schweinhund

There are some great W210s.

33K miles, ask for Kevin. They'll take $20K for it. Drove it myself. It is in mint, showroom condition.

One with 55K just sold in Denver for $14,000. It was very, very clean.