W211 AMG Discuss the W211 AMG's such as the E55 and the E63

Whats the reason behind dumping supercharged engine?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Oct 12, 2005 | 12:06 AM
  #1  
BoBcanada's Avatar
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,793
Likes: 0
From: Toronto,ON
AMG
Whats the reason behind dumping supercharged engine?

Hey guys why did MB decided to drop supercharged engine and go with N/a and than introduce Twin turbo engine.... i dont get it.
Reply
Old Oct 12, 2005 | 12:27 AM
  #2  
E552006's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 432
Likes: 40
From: Savannah GA
2020 G550
Front Impact Pedestrian crash data.
In other words, in the unlikely event that you hit someone walking in the middle of rush hour traffic, they may have a statistically more significant probability of not being killed dead for their stupid *** decision of walking into oncoming traffic. EU BS.
Reply
Old Oct 12, 2005 | 12:45 AM
  #3  
E55AMG99's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 3,445
Likes: 3
From: WOT somewhere in the Bay Area
1951 Caterpiller D6
That's the party line from MB. More hood clearance to protect the idiot jaywalkers!!!
Reply
Old Oct 12, 2005 | 01:34 AM
  #4  
M&M's Avatar
M&M
Super Member
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 723
Likes: 0
Thinking off the top off my head I can think if the following advantages of NA over supercharged:

- More efficient (s/c uses power to make power & power drops off at high rpm)
- Wider powerband
- Better throttle response
- Less sensitive to heat
- Less sensitive to fuel
- Lower underbonnet temps (Which leads to better reliabilty & longer engine life expectancy)
- More reliable (less components that can fail)
- Lower cooling requirements

But the single biggest reason I think is that the OEM's know people mod their cars. Pretty naive of us to think they don't know. So when someone does chip/pulley, they are putting a whole lot more strain on the car than it was orginally designed for with the extra torque. So components will fail prematurely. And who do you think loses money when this person flashes his car back to stock & then goes & claims a new gearbox or whatever?

Audi have been through the same scenario & now their S & RS cars are NA.

So let's say you were the head honcho of AMG.What would you do? You can provide you client base with a better car AND you can save costs warranty claims if this car is not so easy to mod.

And Imp, once again, no need for flames I'm just giving my input on the subject of this thread.
Reply
Old Oct 12, 2005 | 02:39 AM
  #5  
gmdebruyn's Avatar
Super Member
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 603
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area, CA
2005 E55, 2010 ML350
it's a european law that mercedes has to comply with. it's easier to hide the turbos down on the sides of the engines rather than a really big/hard super charger on the high end under the hood where joe pedestrian's head is going to bounce against. audi just complied earlier than mb.

i'm sure in CA this will only lead to more litigation and more lawsuits.
Reply
Old Oct 12, 2005 | 03:49 AM
  #6  
Mardeth's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
I thought it was because of emmissions...
Reply
Old Oct 12, 2005 | 07:06 AM
  #7  
OzE55's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,117
Likes: 0
From: Brisbane, Australia
2003 E55
Originally Posted by Mardeth
I thought it was because of emmissions...

??? nocturnal ???

Especially when thinking about the beast. :p :p
Reply
Old Oct 12, 2005 | 07:16 AM
  #8  
benzmodz's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,221
Likes: 11
From: Sydney, Australia
W203 slightly modified
Originally Posted by gmdebruyn
it's a european law that mercedes has to comply with. it's easier to hide the turbos down on the sides of the engines rather than a really big/hard super charger on the high end under the hood where joe pedestrian's head is going to bounce against. audi just complied earlier than mb.

i'm sure in CA this will only lead to more litigation and more lawsuits.
I think that the SC engines have hit a wall with pollution control and there is development on next generation engines that more or less rules out most of the SC variants in favour of NA with more power than current SC models.

I am talking about consumer products not the elite guzzlers at the top end - since cars like the SL65 dont conform to any rules ....
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Oct 12, 2005 | 10:21 AM
  #9  
cte430's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,006
Likes: 0
From: Long Island
'07 Porsche 997TT
Do we have any real statistical evidence that chip/pulley will shorten life span? what part? etc. Not being a wise ***, just wondering (as you can see from my sig i'm in that boat).
Reply
Old Oct 12, 2005 | 10:26 AM
  #10  
stevebez's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,175
Likes: 19
From: London, UK
No longer stock '06 E55, A3 3.2 Quattro, GLE 400d, R107 280SL, Golf Polo
I dont think these motors are that stressed at all ... whats more they produce alot of power at low rpm - not requiring you to wring the motors neck to get on the power band ... this is obviously great for longevity.

Not to start any flames or whatever but I would take a 50,000 Mile E55 motor over a 50,000 mile V10 M5 any day ... the M5 would have undoubtedly done more work at higher stress levels (higher Rpm).

The lower revving engine would last longer all else equal....

Just my 2c ...

Rgds Steve.
Reply
Old Oct 12, 2005 | 10:33 AM
  #11  
E55AMG99's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 3,445
Likes: 3
From: WOT somewhere in the Bay Area
1951 Caterpiller D6
Originally Posted by cte430
Do we have any real statistical evidence that chip/pulley will shorten life span? what part? etc. Not being a wise ***, just wondering (as you can see from my sig i'm in that boat).
More power=more heat=more stress.
Reply
Old Oct 12, 2005 | 10:37 AM
  #12  
E55AMG99's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 3,445
Likes: 3
From: WOT somewhere in the Bay Area
1951 Caterpiller D6
Originally Posted by M&M
Thinking off the top off my head I can think if the following advantages of NA over supercharged:

- More efficient (s/c uses power to make power & power drops off at high rpm)
- Wider powerband
- Better throttle response
- Less sensitive to heat
- Less sensitive to fuel
- Lower underbonnet temps (Which leads to better reliabilty & longer engine life expectancy)
- More reliable (less components that can fail)
- Lower cooling requirements

But the single biggest reason I think is that the OEM's know people mod their cars. Pretty naive of us to think they don't know. So when someone does chip/pulley, they are putting a whole lot more strain on the car than it was orginally designed for with the extra torque. So components will fail prematurely. And who do you think loses money when this person flashes his car back to stock & then goes & claims a new gearbox or whatever?

Audi have been through the same scenario & now their S & RS cars are NA.

So let's say you were the head honcho of AMG.What would you do? You can provide you client base with a better car AND you can save costs warranty claims if this car is not so easy to mod.

And Imp, once again, no need for flames I'm just giving my input on the subject of this thread.
I'd argue that almost half of your points are in favor of a SC and not a NA motor. SC is more efficeint in most driving conditions, wider power band and better throttle response.
Reply
Old Oct 12, 2005 | 11:05 AM
  #13  
AMGE's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
From: Pacific Northwest
04 E500 Brabus Wagon
marketing trends probably

Secondary reasons are probably
more heat=more problems compared to n/a
s/c = more moving parts compared to n/a
s/c=more pressure on all internals compared to n/a

probably the biggest reason is industry trends where marketing tells engineering to keep not only changing external looks but keep changing engine and drive train combinations all in an effort to bring more new buyers to the product.
Reply
Old Oct 12, 2005 | 12:13 PM
  #14  
cte430's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,006
Likes: 0
From: Long Island
'07 Porsche 997TT
Originally Posted by E55AMG99
More power=more heat=more stress.
Yeah, I understand that. I guess the answer i'm looking for no one can answer. Will I start having engine problems (and what type of problems) at 50K instead of 75K? I mean, I have the extended warranty. Will I ever get to see 100K on this car with mods?
Reply
Old Oct 12, 2005 | 12:18 PM
  #15  
Rock's Avatar
Administrator
MBWorld Ambassador

20 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,080
Likes: 559
Drives Slowly
Originally Posted by M&M
But the single biggest reason I think is that the OEM's know people mod their cars. Pretty naive of us to think they don't know. So when someone does chip/pulley, they are putting a whole lot more strain on the car than it was orginally designed for with the extra torque. So components will fail prematurely. And who do you think loses money when this person flashes his car back to stock & then goes & claims a new gearbox or whatever?
.
Do you have any numbers on owners that modify new AMG cars? I say, it is very, very low and had no impact on the AMG decision to go normally aspirated.

Most AMG owners are mature, well-to-do professionals who believe that the AMG cars come from the factory with all the performance they need (remember, I said most owners).

Finally, I would bet that more owners of NA cars (like the BMW, E46 M3) will modify their cars. If you want proof, go to M3 Forum. A much higher percentage of owners modify. Only a handful of owners on this forum alter their cars. Oh.......and I forgot to mention the 90% of AMG owners who do not belong to this site and didn't even know you could modify AMGs.
Reply
Old Oct 12, 2005 | 12:28 PM
  #16  
C43AMG's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
Veteran: Army
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,761
Likes: 4
From: North Carolina
98 Black C43 , 12’ ML 350 Blutec
Originally Posted by Rock
Do you have any numbers on owners that modify new AMG cars? I say, it is very, very low and had no impact on the AMG decision to go normally aspirated.
FWIW- At our AMG GTG this past weekend at MBHQ we were told by Rob Allan (AMG Product Manager )that AMG decided to go to a NA motor because of the new European requirements for hood clearance with the superchargers and that AMG wanted to build its own motor and not modify an existing MB motor.
Reply
Old Oct 12, 2005 | 01:50 PM
  #17  
xraymd's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,149
Likes: 0
From: NW Ohio
2008 335 vert, 2004 MDX
Same thing he said at Road America in July. If he's sticking to the same story, it might actually be true.
Reply
Old Oct 12, 2005 | 02:03 PM
  #18  
M&M's Avatar
M&M
Super Member
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 723
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by E55AMG99
I'd argue that almost half of your points are in favor of a SC and not a NA motor. SC is more efficeint in most driving conditions, wider power band and better throttle response.
Err no. Normally aspirated has better throttle response. SC uses power to make power so how can that be more efficient. I don't know about the E55 but I believe the C32's supercharger decouples ar 6000rpm & it runs NA to the redline due to the parasitic loss.

And yeah NA has wider powerband as well. Lo lag & no high rpm power drop-off. But do you seriously believe a forced induction car has better throttle response than NA?

ANd Rock, mild mods on an NA car make almost no difference & would not place the torque on the drivetrain beyond the design parameters. As for the number of people modding cars, do you see how many ads there are in the mags for these products? How many companies are there doing chips/pulleys for the AMG's? Are these companies busy or are they about to shut down due to lack of business?
Reply
Old Oct 12, 2005 | 02:13 PM
  #19  
AMGE's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
From: Pacific Northwest
04 E500 Brabus Wagon
s/c has better throttle reponse

S/C is packin air as soon as engine is started and that pressurizes the whole system and this pressure is a key factor in improved throttle response, so I believe a S/C engine has improved throttle response thru the whole operating range.
Reply
Old Oct 12, 2005 | 02:45 PM
  #20  
M&M's Avatar
M&M
Super Member
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 723
Likes: 0
Pressure in the engine is a factor in throttle resonse? Maybe the rest of the world including former McLaren design chief Gordon Murray were wrong when they said nothing can touch the razr sharp throttle response of a tuned NA engine, especially one with ITB's. S/c & especially turbos have mushy response. They doesn't seem to be much difference from 3/4 throttle to 5/8th's throttle to 17/20th throttle. In a tuned NA car (like the E63 will be) there in an endless level of adjustablity in the throttle. It's almost like analog vs digital. Every turbo car I owne felt like it had steps in the throttle. The E55 felt the same to me. Sure there are many different steps & it's hard to tell the difference. But it feels like you apply a minuscle more throttle & the response feels the same. A minuscle amount more, & it feels the same. The you apply just a hair more & you feel a step to the next throttle map.

Nothing is going to beat an NA car for instantaneous throttle response unless you drive a really agricultural NA car.
Reply
Old Oct 12, 2005 | 03:16 PM
  #21  
Vadim @ evosport's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,038
Likes: 1
C32 AMG
Err no. Normally aspirated has better throttle response. SC uses power to make power so how can that be more efficient. I don't know about the E55 but I believe the C32's supercharger decouples ar 6000rpm & it runs NA to the redline due to the parasitic loss.

And yeah NA has wider powerband as well. Lo lag & no high rpm power drop-off. But do you seriously believe a forced induction car has better throttle response than NA?

ANd Rock, mild mods on an NA car make almost no difference & would not place the torque on the drivetrain beyond the design parameters. As for the number of people modding cars, do you see how many ads there are in the mags for these products? How many companies are there doing chips/pulleys for the AMG's? Are these companies busy or are they about to shut down due to lack of business?
Based upon statement above, I see that you have not driven any of AMG kompressor cars.

Neither 32s nor 55s turn-off kompressor clutch at 6000 rpm.

At 1500 rpms kompressor motors make 90% of their max boost (10 psi - 55s, 13 psi - 32s) and trust me the response is instantenous.


IMHO, AMG went with with NA had to do mainly with new Euro safety regulations and MB dumping 3-valve engines and going back to 4-valve.

Without kompressor, 3-valve engines are airflow limited in NA form. They simply do not flow anywhere near what a good 4-valve head can. So even if one were to punch out 3- valve 5.5L to 6.3L it will be limited to low 400Hp due to bad head design.
Reply
Old Oct 12, 2005 | 03:25 PM
  #22  
M&M's Avatar
M&M
Super Member
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 723
Likes: 0
Err yes I have driven all of them. And you say the boost arrives at 1500rpm. Well an NA car has response from idle. And I don't know what response you are talking about, I am talking about throttle response. Not response from the engine. It's obvious you haven't driven a car on a circuit. I have a forced induction circuit car & with a high hp car you need to have masterful throttle control mid corner. Driving some of the NA cars around the circuit, it is so much easier to modulate the power coming out of a turn.

And note I'm not saying which is better, there are advantages to both. But NA does have better response. Maybe you haven't driven a good one.
Reply
Old Oct 12, 2005 | 03:36 PM
  #23  
Vadim @ evosport's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,038
Likes: 1
C32 AMG
I am talking about throttle response. Not response from the engine.
It is the same thing.

I have a forced induction circuit car & with a high hp car you need to have masterful throttle control mid corner. Driving some of the NA cars around the circuit, it is so much easier to modulate the power coming out of a turn.
It all has to do with how car is setup. You just have not driven forced induction cars with good traction.
Reply
Old Oct 12, 2005 | 03:51 PM
  #24  
AMGE's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
From: Pacific Northwest
04 E500 Brabus Wagon
throttle response of S/C versus n/a

MandM
First off in a s/c 211 E55 boost does not ARRIVE as you say at 1500 rpm, 90% of boost arrives by 1500 rpm, this is a big difference.

S/C boost is influencing pressurization as soon as a S/C engine is started and operates all thru the rpm range.

It appears to me you are confused with the difference between s/c and turbo and had you not been jabbing peoples statements I would of let it go, but not this time.
Reply
Old Oct 12, 2005 | 03:56 PM
  #25  
M&M's Avatar
M&M
Super Member
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 723
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Vadim @ evosport
It is the same thing.

It all has to do with how car is setup. You just have not driven forced induction cars with good traction.
We are obviously talking about different things. Traction is not th problem. It's balancing the car on the throttle. It's hard to explain, but sometimes 33/48th's throttle is too little & 34/48th's is too much. A forced induction cars throttle is mushy & more like an on-off switch (gross generalisation for dramatic effect).

I've you've ever driven a tuned NA car with individual throttle bodies you will know what I mean. A tuned S2000 springs to mind. You can touch the throttle a hair & the car springs forward. Long before a forced induction car has even got boost in it pipes. After juming from a supercharged car into one like that you will inevitable say the throttle is too sensitive.
Reply


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:49 AM.

story-0
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes-AMG's new electric GT 4-Door Coupe trades combustion for software, synthetic noise, and more than 1,100 horsepower.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 20:08:15


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-2
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-3
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-4
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-5
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-6
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-9
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE