Friend is considering getting a W210 E55 AMG
#1
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Friend is considering getting a W210 E55 AMG
Any suggestions on what to look out for and/or what years were better?
I know a lot of general information on the E55, but not a lot of specifics. I know the 1999 E55 used a modified transmission off of an SL 600 and that the newer transmissions after were tiptronic. I also know the '99 and some of the '00 models were still hand built at AMG, which personally speaking puts them in a higher bracket in my book, unless there's something I should know arguing this belief.
I had an SL 600 before and really enjoyed the car and the older style transmission. The new one is fine, of course. What say the crowd here? Any suggestions or preferences? Is there also a year that's more mod friendly, or are they all about the same?
I know a lot of general information on the E55, but not a lot of specifics. I know the 1999 E55 used a modified transmission off of an SL 600 and that the newer transmissions after were tiptronic. I also know the '99 and some of the '00 models were still hand built at AMG, which personally speaking puts them in a higher bracket in my book, unless there's something I should know arguing this belief.
I had an SL 600 before and really enjoyed the car and the older style transmission. The new one is fine, of course. What say the crowd here? Any suggestions or preferences? Is there also a year that's more mod friendly, or are they all about the same?
Last edited by Koru_Kinshi; 06-09-2011 at 02:18 PM.
#2
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Well, its always better go with 2000, 01 and 02. More updated out and in side. Just try in the autotrader and craiglist. All depends on how much your friend want to spend. You want to find a well kept car, you got to pay for it. maybe $12K+ but if your friend only want low price E55 then the mileage and condition wont be as good.
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2001 E55 AMG (sold)
If it were me, it would be 2000-2002. Updated dash, better looking front end, transmission has 'tiptronic' style feature (still basically the same one from the V-12), electronics are newer (fiber optic system), and they were still hand built at AMG in 2000 and 2001. As discussed before, the car is not entirely hand built, just the AMG specific portions of the car. The cars all started their life in the normal Mercedes production line. Then they were shipped to AMG with no interior, no suspension, no engine/trans, no front end, etc.
In addition, the later W210s seemed to iron out some of the problems found in earlier models (blower motor regulator, evaporator leaking, dash peeling, etc).
In addition, the later W210s seemed to iron out some of the problems found in earlier models (blower motor regulator, evaporator leaking, dash peeling, etc).
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2001 E55 AMG (sold)
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2001 E55 AMG (sold)
This is the first I've heard anything about the 99s being faster. I mean, they had the same engine (with slight variability due to hand building), same basic transmission and rear end, same suspension, roughly the same tire sizes, same curb weight. What is different?
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I'm just wondering. What about the 99s makes them faster in your opinion(s)?
This is the first I've heard anything about the 99s being faster. I mean, they had the same engine (with slight variability due to hand building), same basic transmission and rear end, same suspension, roughly the same tire sizes, same curb weight. What is different?
This is the first I've heard anything about the 99s being faster. I mean, they had the same engine (with slight variability due to hand building), same basic transmission and rear end, same suspension, roughly the same tire sizes, same curb weight. What is different?
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#12
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I read somewhere that the ecu was upgraded in the 00 01 02 when they upgraded the facelift. Could be wrong but when I did a few runs with my bud Leerod my car always pulled ahead but then again his car was stock compared to mine. He had high flows/resonator delete/x pipe
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99
Maybe it's faster because the transmission is more old school?![Big Grin](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
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1999 E55
it is not a fair comparison. My wife's '00 is bone stock perfect example. my '99 has exhaust work and better suspension. The '99 will walk away from the '00.
The 2 cars have different personalities for sure...even when they were both stock. There feels like there was a different intent between the two cars as they were built. The pre-facelift car has a more stripped down feel with the Napa leather and just the way it drives. More direct feedback from the road. A little less distraction. It is not trying to be a Lexus or a BMW. You know the AMG engineers were still smiling and patting each other on the back when they drove it to the test track.
The post-facelift car is really nice...but more energy was directed toward creature comfort and gadgetry. The AMG guys had a winner and were looking toward the W211 and were trying to tame the beast for a larger market.
The '99 is a much angrier car - as it was when it was stock. A very, very pissed off car. LOL. But I like old school MB cars and am biased. I like my MB emblem on the hood.
The 2 cars have different personalities for sure...even when they were both stock. There feels like there was a different intent between the two cars as they were built. The pre-facelift car has a more stripped down feel with the Napa leather and just the way it drives. More direct feedback from the road. A little less distraction. It is not trying to be a Lexus or a BMW. You know the AMG engineers were still smiling and patting each other on the back when they drove it to the test track.
The post-facelift car is really nice...but more energy was directed toward creature comfort and gadgetry. The AMG guys had a winner and were looking toward the W211 and were trying to tame the beast for a larger market.
The '99 is a much angrier car - as it was when it was stock. A very, very pissed off car. LOL. But I like old school MB cars and am biased. I like my MB emblem on the hood.