Tried to edit the post and seems like the entire post got deleted...

Anyway, will try to briefly do the introduction again.

2 owner 2002 E55 with 69,000 miles with second owner, a surgeon, having owned it since 2004 (14 years), when he bought it with 10,000 miles. Besides few rock chips on the hood, car not only looks brand new but smells new too. The original floor mats are great with minimal wear, never left outside (I guess either parked at covered hospital parking garage or garaged at home) and never being driven in snow. Car came with all the keys, manuals, window sticker and a list of service history dating back to 2002 at just 2 Mercedes dealerships.

So, the 300 mile drive home trip yesterday was enough seat time for me to compare this with my previously owned 2006 E55.

2002 E55:
Well built, roomier, bigger, nicer looking and warmer feeling interior. The seats, you definitely sit on and not, in them as in W211 E55. Power is instantaneous and the sound is awesome. My 13 year old just couldn't stop going back to the garage last night to just hear the motor roar. Gas mileage seems lot better than later models too. The car covered almost 280 miles in 3/4th of the gas tank
What I don't like about the car is it's. bulkiness/body roll, not to mention, the car doesn't feel as tossable/planted, as the W211 E55.

2006 E55:
There's no car out there like this one and there's nothing there not to like about it. . The lowered and wider stance is very impressive, interior seems more cozier and the of-course the power is intoxicating. You also definitely sit in the seats just like a sports car, hence the expression " Sports Sedan" and rightfully so..
What I didn't like about the car was the gas mileage and the electric gremlins, which I now think was bit more of an over concerns on my part back than.

Verdict:
W211 E55 would be a better DD. I did try to look long and hard for an '05/'06 E55 but either the cars weren't right (service/options/accidents/modifications) or the ownership history (too many owners/difficult owners/rust states ) etc
I am quit happy with this W210 E55 but the car is not for me. Wife would kill me if I told her, I have already decided to sell it with a mere 300 mile trip so, I have to keep it for now.
I will however go ahead and change the fluids, put the new tires just drive around until the timing is right to move it, if I decide to...

W211 E55 > Nice, Elegant Family Cruiser
W211E55: What can I say ...I guess.... Badass ****

These pictures were taken at the dealership. I will post more once the weather gets better

tter

 

Post edited and information posted.
Please take no offense in my post ^ as I didn't mean to offend any of you guys in W210 E55 section. I know this discussion has been brought up several times comparing the two cars hence my write-up. You really can't compare them as they are two different cars, one is a Family Car and the other is a, Sports Sedan. They are both very well built and fast SOB's but they deliver their performances in a totally different ways.

 

I have my W211 E55 for 9 years and had 3 E210 E55 but still kept my W211.
E210 is a nice good car but just not the same as W211. I absolutely agree everything you mentioned.

 

I would like to get the fluids (coolant/brake/power steering/differential) changed along with spark plugs. Do I need to have an access to Star machine to do any of those services? Transmission however I am planning on getting the Mercedes do it for me.

 

No, STAR is not needed for any of those.

FWIW, since I own both a W210 E55 and a W211 E55, I am in agreement with your review. Having said that, you might find your better half would like to have the W210 E55. I purchased my '99 and let my wife drive it for a week; she then proceeded to let me know she regarded it as hers and told me to "go find my own". She prefers the softer, more comfortable ride, plus she prefers the W210 seats as they are easier to get into and out of compared to the W211. The only thing she prefers about the W211 E55 is the digital cruise control.

Another option is to install aftermarket springs on the W210 E55 to stiffen the suspension. The H&R spring set lower the car approximately 1 1/4 inches. Get a set of thicker spring perch pads to offset some of that drop so your camber remains closer to the factory settings. Voila! You get a stiffer ride closer to the W211 and you still have a great-looking W210 E55.

Like I've said multiple times, trips less than 2 hours, the W211 is it. Trips 2-4 hours, it is a toss up between the two cars. Trips longer than 4 hours, it's the W210 E55. And the W210 averages 4 mpg better than the W211.

 

Thought about selling the car but I guess the more I drive it the more I like it. The engine roar and the acceleration is awesome. I think for a daily driver, this is a very good compromise between a family sedan, comfort and performance. Pictures to come as soon as weather gets better. Looks like this one is a keeper. I am averaging about 19 mpg so far, love it.

I would like to lower the car and put some wider wheels/tires, any suggestions on my options? Can some one share the normal stock Mono blocks sizes and offsets? Did MB's came in different sizes for different models?

 

Front W210 E55 monoblocks: 18" x 8", 31mm offset
Rear W210 E55 monoblocks: 18" x 9", 35mm offset

PM me your email address and I can send you electrical schematics and a .pdf parts list for your car. You'll still want access to the EPC and Star but these will give you an idea of what your car has. One thing to check is the insulation on the wires inside the headlight assemblies. I had to rewire both of mine as they had the "bio-degradable" insulation. If you do have to rewire, purchase one of those trailer hitch wiring harnesses; inexpensive (about $15) but has four each 25 foot wires with each a different color to make the job easier.

Also, read the stickies here:
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w210-e-class/

Lots of excellent information in them including a few from me.

 

Can't speak to the W211 E55, but your post is pretty spot on as to how I feel with the W211 E63 I got after the 210 e55. the W210 is a better DD for the gas mileage alone. I find myself pining for one every time I see one on the road. Glad you are enjoying it!

 

 

I have vogtland springs with #1 pads in the front and #2 in the rear, there is less than a finger gap between the tire and the fender

 

What be an ideal size spacers to push out the stock Monoblocks?