E55 or E430
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Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
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E55 or E430
Hello,
We want a 2002 E class and we are looking at the E430 Matic and the E55.The E55 we found has 88,000 miles and has been in a minor crash and didn't have any frame damage and the private seller wants 11K. We would have to fly to Utah to get the E55. The E430 4matic is in state (Washington) and has 60,000 miles for 13K. The E430 is also at a dealer.How much more is insurance on The E55 compared to the E430 and also what about repairs is the E55 a lot more? We would be keeping the car for a long time so would the E55 be better for that?
thanks
We want a 2002 E class and we are looking at the E430 Matic and the E55.The E55 we found has 88,000 miles and has been in a minor crash and didn't have any frame damage and the private seller wants 11K. We would have to fly to Utah to get the E55. The E430 4matic is in state (Washington) and has 60,000 miles for 13K. The E430 is also at a dealer.How much more is insurance on The E55 compared to the E430 and also what about repairs is the E55 a lot more? We would be keeping the car for a long time so would the E55 be better for that?
thanks
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 312
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From: South, FL
2002 E55 AMG Obsidian Black with Charcoal
A stock car vs a stock car. I think the E55 drives better. The feel of the suspension and the crispness of the extra power. I also think that the AMG package (body mods) looks better.
Investment potential, future collectability, and future sale: AMG wins again.
I guess that I am a little biased...
Are you planning on driving in heavy snow? Perhaps the 4Matic is better for your needs?
Investment potential, future collectability, and future sale: AMG wins again.
I guess that I am a little biased...
Are you planning on driving in heavy snow? Perhaps the 4Matic is better for your needs?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2008
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From: Bay Area, CA
2007 SL55 AMG
I've driven an E430 countless times and after each time, when I hop back into my E55, I'm confident that I made the right decision with the E55. it drives so much better with much more power and road feel. I'd have to say that the E430 is silky smooth and quiet, but when you give it more gas, the difference is apparent. If you're spending around the same amount of money on the two cars, I'd go with the 55. Gas mileage is a little worse, but parts and repair are basically the same with the exception of front brake rotors, and tires. I would recommend holding out for an E55 that you are comfortable with that is selling for the right price. Good luck with the search!
Thread Starter
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This would be for my 17 year old kid. I drive a 2005 E320 4matic. My son wants to have a V8 and I cant figure out which one. He has been driving the ML 320 for a while and the ML is going to become my wife's car.
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Member
Joined: Oct 2010
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From: San Diego, Cali
AMG 2002 E55, 1997 E320
When my son turns 16 he will be driving my 1997 E320 with 200k on the clock. Safe, but not too fast and easy to service.
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Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Metro ATL
2001 E55 AMG (sold)
I'm a parent, and I was also a crazy driver when I was 17. Sorry, but a 17-year old needs to be driving the slowest thing you can find. An E55 would be a terrible choice. You don't give a limited edition high performance car to a driver with no experience. He wants a V8? Is he paying for gas? Premium as well. Unless he is buying it himself through money earned from a real job, he should be happy with anything you give him. Buy him a used 4-cylinder car. Not a Mercedes.
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Joined: Dec 2008
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From: Socal, Chino
E55 2006 / CLS55 / S450 / Jag XKR2011
I even think E430 is too much for a 17 years old. Its not an AMG but still pretty fast. And the minor damage on the E55 is very hard to determinate the value of the car, for $11K a damage car...... I would not buy it for sure.
Plus, its for a young guy ...... go with E430 or even E320 (IMO)
Good luck !
BTW, engine mount is very common for E320, E430 and E55
Plus, its for a young guy ...... go with E430 or even E320 (IMO)
Good luck !
BTW, engine mount is very common for E320, E430 and E55
Member
Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Mtnhouse CA
02 E55
Everytime I drive my E55 I just want to open it up 
Whats more for a 17yrs old kid who will be curious what cars he can race. When my son turns 16 he will be driving my civic 
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2008
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From: Bay Area, CA
2007 SL55 AMG
just wait till he puts an ebay can on it and cuts his springs 
as for being 17 and driving... When I got my license at 16 and bought my first car, I was a crazy driver. I couldn't hold myself back from smashing the gas pedal every time I drove. I drove friends around even when I wasn't supposed to and went roaming around everywhere. I never thought of consequences back then, I felt I was a great driver. It wasn't until when I turned about 18 that I realized that I could have made one wrong move and screwed myself and/or my parents over at the time. I'm still young, just turned 20 actually, but if I had a 17 year old son, I would not give him a car.
as for being 17 and driving... When I got my license at 16 and bought my first car, I was a crazy driver. I couldn't hold myself back from smashing the gas pedal every time I drove. I drove friends around even when I wasn't supposed to and went roaming around everywhere. I never thought of consequences back then, I felt I was a great driver. It wasn't until when I turned about 18 that I realized that I could have made one wrong move and screwed myself and/or my parents over at the time. I'm still young, just turned 20 actually, but if I had a 17 year old son, I would not give him a car.
Last edited by desired_speeds; Apr 23, 2011 at 01:27 AM.
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Joined: Jan 2010
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From: MICHIGAN
2001 E55 - 2008 CLS63 -2016 F-150
at 17 yrs old he's gonna hate filling up at almost $70-80 in premium gas every fill up .Which depending on driving habits will last a week guessing.. even if its on daddy's gas card .. you will feel it at the end of the month .. Now if your rich and money isnt an option then go for it ..I just paid over $300 for tags to register my E55 at my local DMV because they still base in in the $70k+ category .. but thats all money .. if it were me personally i'd be looking into a C class thats what i bought my 18 yr old brother even though he killed it within a year better a C class then a E55 . With the E55 power and ability to reach 100mph at such a fast rate i can see a speeding ticket in near future which will raise your insurance rates pretty quickly . but again its your money you child your decision ...
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From: Fort Worth, TX
2011 GL550, 2004 Audi S4 v8
I saw the prices for a crashed E55, and stopped reading. Guess I should have read the whole thing so I would have seen the part about a kid driving this...
I don't even know where to begin with what's wrong with this situation...The more I think about it the more it angers me
OP: get your kid a beater...tell him to get a job if he wants a 350Hp, 391tq V8 monster...yes I said MONSTER! If you want him dead, buy one for him...
if he doesn't wreck it you 2 will be paying for speeding tickets, so take your pick...death or tickets. With the attitude that he wants a V8, then one of the following will take place.
I don't even know where to begin with what's wrong with this situation...The more I think about it the more it angers me
OP: get your kid a beater...tell him to get a job if he wants a 350Hp, 391tq V8 monster...yes I said MONSTER! If you want him dead, buy one for him...
if he doesn't wreck it you 2 will be paying for speeding tickets, so take your pick...death or tickets. With the attitude that he wants a V8, then one of the following will take place.
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Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Normal, IL
02 E55; 99 CLK430 (Sold)
I honestly can't believe all the responses. I mean one, it's his life so we shouldn't be yelling at him to not put his kid in an E55 or E430. If he has the money and wants to do it, why not?
Two, my first car was an 83 Camaro Z28. Only reason it was that one and not something else (looked at a 72 Dodge Charger with a 440 I think) was because it was in pretty good shape for the money. With those cars, talk about a death trap. Light, decent power and pretty much no safety features. I learned the art of driving with that car. Sure, boys will be boys, and WILL get in trouble no matter what you put them in. Personally, I'd rather have my son (maybe I'll change my mind when he gets older?) learn how to really drive and how to handle a vehicle than to never let him experience anything like that and then really get in trouble once he gets in one. Kind of like the driving a stick theory. If you start out driving a car with one, you don't think it's a big deal. You start out driving a car like this and you get to understand what you can and can't do in a car. It becomes second nature. Also, I'd rather have the safety of these cars than putting him in some junk tin can. Just my two cents since everyone else was chiming in.
Edit: Sorry for the rambling.
Two, my first car was an 83 Camaro Z28. Only reason it was that one and not something else (looked at a 72 Dodge Charger with a 440 I think) was because it was in pretty good shape for the money. With those cars, talk about a death trap. Light, decent power and pretty much no safety features. I learned the art of driving with that car. Sure, boys will be boys, and WILL get in trouble no matter what you put them in. Personally, I'd rather have my son (maybe I'll change my mind when he gets older?) learn how to really drive and how to handle a vehicle than to never let him experience anything like that and then really get in trouble once he gets in one. Kind of like the driving a stick theory. If you start out driving a car with one, you don't think it's a big deal. You start out driving a car like this and you get to understand what you can and can't do in a car. It becomes second nature. Also, I'd rather have the safety of these cars than putting him in some junk tin can. Just my two cents since everyone else was chiming in.
Edit: Sorry for the rambling.
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,803
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From: Charleston, SC
GL450
A E320 4matic is a better choice. The E55 would be too easy to spin if you disable the traction control (which will happen). AWD is a much safer choice than RWD for a young driver, especially on a torquey Mercedes.
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From: CA, NV, CO
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From: Caribbean/Florida/Colorado
E-ZGO 53hp., 1999 E 430 sport, 2004 E 55, 2008 Tahoe LTZ on 24"s
Next of Kin
https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...08-bmw-m5.html
Last edited by Yacht Master; Apr 28, 2011 at 08:28 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 749
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From: The Bay. We Fresh.
2008 W211 E63
Gotta agree with the rest of these guys. I learned how to drive in v4 83 tercel hatchback POS and I used to flog that thing around as hard as I could. then I moved up to a v6 plymouth acclaim and learned how to handle a little more power, after that came a ford focus with less power then the E55. With all I did in those low power cars (maxing everyone on the freeway and getting them sideways elsewhere), I would have killed my self or someone else for damn sure had I been given the E55 at 17.
4 banger is the way to go.
4 banger is the way to go.
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Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Metro ATL
2001 E55 AMG (sold)
I don't think the guy listened to one bit of our advice. He actually went and looked at the E55.
https://mbworld.org/forums/w210-amg/...est-drive.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/w210-amg/...est-drive.html
