jamesp

hey all. i am a current 97 c 280 owner who will "upgrade" to the new E hopefully early next year. i have been considering the 320. i recently test drove a 2001 E55 here in N. Va. to see what all the hype was about and damn! now i know. that test drive along with you all are seemingly pulling me over to the "dark side"! man did i love that car. my only concerns were i was expecting a stiff harsh ride, but on the somewhat short drive it seemed to be pretty much the same as the E320 i drove. all so, i have the family to consider as i would be blazing down the highway racing M5 owners at unmentionable speeds! but i wanted to get some feed back from you owners on things like: is the ride really that comfortable or is it stiffer that the 320/430? how is the actual gas mileage and maintainence? sorry for the long post but i really am interested in this car but wanted some real world opinions! thanks.

oresama99

i don't know about other E55 owners but i average 15mpg on city driving. as for the ride.....can't say, i changed my suspension. 210 E55 vs 211 E500 is a tough choice, i would probably gravitate towards the E55 though. purely because of the engine. either way, can't go wrong.

E55 KEV

Anytime you have a chance and ability to own an AMG car - Get it! The ride is firmer than a E320/E430. I had a 98 E430 and I hated, absolutely hated the soft, floaty, cushy ride. I don't want to fell like I am driving a Lincoln or Cadillac. At high speed it seemed nervous, uncomfortable and wondered the road even with upgraded 17 inch wheels and performance tires. The E55 is more direct, with direct steering and goes where you point it. No more sloppy floaty ride. I have not really floored it because I have not reach the break-in miles of 1000 yet and have not done any 3-digit speeds yet, but it is everything opposite of my E430 suspension.

The E55 with it's 5.4 liter engine is the largest and most powerful V8 Mercedes makes. The only engine bigger is the 5.7 liter V12 in the S600 & CL600 with only 13 more HP with the same amount of torque (391).

KenE55

I too fell in love with the E55 on the very first drive. I've had mine about 3 months now. The ride is firm, but I would not want it any other way. On smooth roads it is very quiet and comfortable, and on bumpy roads it is just a tiny bit harsh; but again, I wouldn't change a thing.

I have floored mine a few times, and I can tell you it is as tight and controlled at 135 mph as it is at 55... the care instills confidence. I can't imagine ever driving anything else.

Buy it now, before you rationalize away a real opportunity to enjoy yourself!

jamesp

...have to take the plunge. it really is a fun car to drive. the E55 is not due out until next year right? do you all anticipate any 1st year production problems?

SCwolf

an entirely new body and electrical system? I anticipate growing pains the first 2 years in the entire 'E' line, but it should be settled down by the 3rd model year (remember, this is not the MB of past)

as in all cars european, if you can wait, avoid the first model year to avoid the gremlins

E55 KEV

If you really want the car I would not wait. I believe that old adage about 'First Year' problems is an old wive's tell that will never end. Car building is really an exact science now with CAD design, Computers and Robotic manufacturing. That is why you have so many car companies from so many countries now. It is real easy to make cars now.

I would never worry about first year problems on most German cars because the car is already well into producation in Germany prior to coming here. The W211 is a 2002 model in Germany and a 2003 model here. Every car model year gets some type of upgrade - even my 2002 E55 has minor changes that are not available in the previous 6 model years for W210 chassis. Some of the problems are never corrected or fixed - I had sunroof/headliner rattles in my 98 E430 and I have them in my 2002 E55.

If I car has serious problems it would be recalled or a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) issued to correct the problem. No recalls on the W210 chassis and the TSB's are minor.

SCwolf

is the '03 E55 going to be using the same powerplant as the new SL55 (supercharged V8), and if so, does this mean that the mileage will also be similarly low? the current review in one of the automags (Automobile or Road&Track) shows that the SL55 was eating up gas at something like 12mpg in city/highway (9 city/14 highway)?? Does that sound a bit low, or is this to be expected?

obviously, if one can afford an E55, extra gas is not going to be a complaint, nevertheless, i cant help but think that 9mpg in the city is a bit excessive

E55 KEV

SCwolf, the next E55 in the W211 chassis will be a 2004 model. No E55 for 2003 model year. The E55 with the same SL55 supercharged engine will have slightly better gas mileage due to the lower weight. The SL55 is heavy with the folding hardtop.