2005 vs. 2006
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 904
Likes: 3
2001 S500 Sport "Klaus"
the only difference that i'm aware of is the "active lighting", with which the headlamps are directional depending on steering wheel orientation. there's a video somewhere on this forum of some guys in northern europe flying down the coast demo'ing these lights. it's a great view, by the way.
i was sort of bummed when the '05 i just bought had the xenons but not the "active illumination"; i thought they were essentially one and the same.
on the other hand, while a little bummed by not having the fancy feature, after what i've been reading on the cls55 forum of this site re. the active lighting, i'm not unhappy that the '05 does not have this feature; apparently (as can be expected from something with many small motors and so much features/technology/moving parts, in the first year of availability), the active lighting is one of the first things that fails on the car, or at least one of the most frequently cited equipment failures. if you're a buy and hold type of person, as opposed to a flip it after a couple of years kind of guy, you'll probably be happier without active lighting down the road, ie. after the warranty expires.
i'm not aware of any other differences between the 2005 and '06 model years, except maybe a few color choices.
vixapphire
i was sort of bummed when the '05 i just bought had the xenons but not the "active illumination"; i thought they were essentially one and the same.
on the other hand, while a little bummed by not having the fancy feature, after what i've been reading on the cls55 forum of this site re. the active lighting, i'm not unhappy that the '05 does not have this feature; apparently (as can be expected from something with many small motors and so much features/technology/moving parts, in the first year of availability), the active lighting is one of the first things that fails on the car, or at least one of the most frequently cited equipment failures. if you're a buy and hold type of person, as opposed to a flip it after a couple of years kind of guy, you'll probably be happier without active lighting down the road, ie. after the warranty expires.
i'm not aware of any other differences between the 2005 and '06 model years, except maybe a few color choices.
vixapphire
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 904
Likes: 3
2001 S500 Sport "Klaus"
as regards the 63, isn't all that extra displacement just going to mean you're spending more time and money at the gas station? certainly, if you've gotta rev higher to get the torquier feel and power, you're gonna be guzzling, i would think.
if you wait for the 63, you oughtta wait until the second year. no need to be on the bleeding edge of mercedes technology at mercedes prices in light of recent findings on mercedes' quality erosion... on the other hand, the e55's engine is by now tested and true, and offers about as much satisfaction as you could hope for. it's higher rated than a '68 Mopar Hemi, for pete's sake!
if you wait for the 63, you oughtta wait until the second year. no need to be on the bleeding edge of mercedes technology at mercedes prices in light of recent findings on mercedes' quality erosion... on the other hand, the e55's engine is by now tested and true, and offers about as much satisfaction as you could hope for. it's higher rated than a '68 Mopar Hemi, for pete's sake!
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 268
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Does anyone know if there is any indication that the build quality in the 2006's are significantly improved or not? I've got a line on a pretty good discount for a couple of fully loaded brand new 2005's.
Are these cars finicky? I already know about finicky...I have a 93 RX-7 that cost me more than this E55 after all the mods...
Are these cars finicky? I already know about finicky...I have a 93 RX-7 that cost me more than this E55 after all the mods...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 7,092
Likes: 13
From: Salt Lake City (but not Morm)
2003 E55 & 2014 GL550
I would pull the trig on the 05 and save some cash...but keep your options open for the E63....noone really knows what the E63 will be like. We already have the heavier ML63 pulling 0-60 in 5 flat. With almost 1000lbs difference, the E63 could kick....ya never know. Hate to have you in upside down on an 05, then E63 actually turns out to be incredible.
I really believe it is going to be a pretty fast car, but torque lovers will never be able to accept it as it will never have the feel of the "torque monster". I personally am going to wait and see on the E63....just love my car even with blower chirp, jumpy redlight starts etc.... One stomp on the pedal and you forget all the little things.
Good luck.
I really believe it is going to be a pretty fast car, but torque lovers will never be able to accept it as it will never have the feel of the "torque monster". I personally am going to wait and see on the E63....just love my car even with blower chirp, jumpy redlight starts etc.... One stomp on the pedal and you forget all the little things.
Good luck.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 268
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Torque is what I'm after. My RX is severly torque deficient. Top end from god, but nothing down low...
I've been in love with the E55 for quite a number of years now, and when the 2003's came out, I nearly wet myself. I was really close to getting one but whatever little wisdom I have told me to wait a year or two so they can work out any kinks. I'm quite ready now, and am willing to spend the extra 15,000 Canadian dollars it will take to buy the 2006 if it is really worth it. I don't care about active lighting so if that's all, I wouldn't hesitate on the 2005.
I've been in love with the E55 for quite a number of years now, and when the 2003's came out, I nearly wet myself. I was really close to getting one but whatever little wisdom I have told me to wait a year or two so they can work out any kinks. I'm quite ready now, and am willing to spend the extra 15,000 Canadian dollars it will take to buy the 2006 if it is really worth it. I don't care about active lighting so if that's all, I wouldn't hesitate on the 2005.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,958
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From: Ventura County USA
'06 E55, '05 SLK55, a few others
Actually, I would wait, even if you're going to get an '05. When the new 63 arrives, we will all take it in the shorts and the values of the current models will drop again. 
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Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,266
Likes: 3
From: Texas
2005 E55
Originally Posted by eagleeye
My 05 has the active illumination headlamps. Sept 04 build.
As far as the changes are concerned, I cannot detect any differences in the 05 and 06 E55's. I have checked the MBUSA web site under "Build Your Own". There is a difference in the non-AMG cars, though. I do not think drive dynamic seats are available. They went away along with the distronic and solar cells in previous years. I suppose it does not matter, since we all have AMG's, but it is a trend that MB has established and it might trickle down to our cars someday.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 904
Likes: 3
2001 S500 Sport "Klaus"
re. active lights
...all right already! i've got an 05 too, maybe i just haven't noticed the lights yet. haven't done all that much night driving (only had the thing a week and a half, and work's been pretty busy), and most of the driving so far has literally been a straight line to and from work, 2.5 miles each way. while i was picking up the car at the dealer, it was night and parked facing a wall. when i turned the wheel side to side while standing still in park, i didn't notice any radical (but i thought i noticed a rather subtle) movement in the headlamp beam projections on the wall. if all you folks have the darn things then, dammit, so do i!!! if it was part of the '05 lighting/bi-xenon package, then that's that. but is it speed-dependent or something (like the power steering assistance)? or is it just nowhere near as noticeable as it appears to be in those european dudes' video? i took coldwater cyn home from picking up the car, around 9pm -- it was dark, the lights were on, but i didn't really notice any lighting activity, other than that they were on. and my car's a may 05 build, i think.
hmmmm....
hmmmm....
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 432
Likes: 40
From: Savannah GA
2020 G550
Originally Posted by wankeldude
Torque is what I'm after. My RX is severly torque deficient. Top end from god, but nothing down low...
I've been in love with the E55 for quite a number of years now, and when the 2003's came out, I nearly wet myself. I was really close to getting one but whatever little wisdom I have told me to wait a year or two so they can work out any kinks. I'm quite ready now, and am willing to spend the extra 15,000 Canadian dollars it will take to buy the 2006 if it is really worth it. I don't care about active lighting so if that's all, I wouldn't hesitate on the 2005.
I've been in love with the E55 for quite a number of years now, and when the 2003's came out, I nearly wet myself. I was really close to getting one but whatever little wisdom I have told me to wait a year or two so they can work out any kinks. I'm quite ready now, and am willing to spend the extra 15,000 Canadian dollars it will take to buy the 2006 if it is really worth it. I don't care about active lighting so if that's all, I wouldn't hesitate on the 2005.
I used to own a 93 R1 so I know what you are speeking off
About the 05 vs 06...
I just purchased an 06 but if I could have found a new 05 within a few hundred miles that had been discounted, I would have taken it instead.
Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
2005 E55 Black
Originally Posted by can drive 55
And, so does mine. It is a Feb 05 build. The lights are simply fabulous.
As far as the changes are concerned, I cannot detect any differences in the 05 and 06 E55's. I have checked the MBUSA web site under "Build Your Own". There is a difference in the non-AMG cars, though. I do not think drive dynamic seats are available. They went away along with the distronic and solar cells in previous years. I suppose it does not matter, since we all have AMG's, but it is a trend that MB has established and it might trickle down to our cars someday.
As far as the changes are concerned, I cannot detect any differences in the 05 and 06 E55's. I have checked the MBUSA web site under "Build Your Own". There is a difference in the non-AMG cars, though. I do not think drive dynamic seats are available. They went away along with the distronic and solar cells in previous years. I suppose it does not matter, since we all have AMG's, but it is a trend that MB has established and it might trickle down to our cars someday.
Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
2005 E55 Black
Originally Posted by machz990
If Drive Dynamic Seats are the seats that the side supports come in when you take a corner and the seats have a "massage mode", then they still have them on 06 models. I drove a brand new 06 just a couple of weeks ago with those seats.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,266
Likes: 3
From: Texas
2005 E55
Originally Posted by Duane
How do you know if your car has the active lighting?
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 587
Likes: 1
From: New Jersey
2005 E55 Delivered 01/07/05
Originally Posted by eagleeye
My 05 has the active illumination headlamps. Sept 04 build.
I have a Dec. '04 build can someone tell me how I can figure out if my car has the active headlamps?
