lupidus

I test drove a 2001 E55 AMG today and was impressed with the performance and lack of squeaks/rattles on a 60k mileage car.

However, I know the 03+ models have a bit more hp/tq -- is it really noticable .. is it gonna be like day and night (specs say 0-60 is 4.2 vs 5.0 but w/the amazing traction control on these cars I think that g-forces will be a bit smoother curve if that makes sense)? Haven't yet found a supercharged E55 around here (St Louis) to test drive. Just not sure if the $20,000+ difference in price is worth it.


Thanks

blume

you need to search around on this site some more. from what i gather, they are not even close to the same car...

Vic55

Had the W210 E55- have the W211 E55 and the difference is indeed night and day. The 20k difference being worth it can only be determined by your needs and affordability requirements. I found it to be easily worth the money difference. I paid 72k for my W210 and 85k for my W211 so it wasnt that much more and I got a pano roof, keyless go, nav, solar panels, parktronics and other amenities to add.

Oh the power part, forget about it- no comparison and I am sure others will chime in with all the facts. I just know the W211's do the quarter in the low 12's and can get to 100 mph around 9.2 seconds. The W210 never did that.

OzE55

Night and Day is an under estimation of the difference!

Having driven a W210 E55, C32 and a W211 E55 - just no comparison.

All very fast cars but the mid-range torque in the W211 is huge, nearly 25% more than the others and comes very early ( and another 30%+ power).
I think Diego Maradona would call it "the hand of God" - if you are a soccer fan.

You need to drive one.

catalystkid

W210 E55 = 349HP/391TQ
W211 E55 = 469HP/516TQ

There are wide variants from car to car because of multiple factors but if you use a single source for a baseline here is how road and track rated the two.

W210 E55 = 5.1 for 0-60/13.6 for the 1/4
W211 E55 = 4.2 for 0-60/12.4 for the 1/4

The extra pull you feel from the F/I is something that you really need to experience to appreciate the difference between the two cars.

Hope this helps (obviously I feel there is a significant difference).

Fikse

just don't drive the w211 E55 and you'll be fine..... I was fine with my new Infiniti M45 until I test drove a 2005 E55.... that was it, had to have it.... traded in the M45 that I only had for a few months the next day....

Trevor

I just switched from a W210 as my primary to a W211. It's not THAT big of a deal unless you're on it in the top end. Under 60 they're both fighting for traction thru 1st gear. Hell I think the W210 has even more twist just off idle. Barely touch the throttle and that thing is straining at the reigns. Full throttle/top end though...yeah...of course the W211 has longer legs. The problem is the long legs will get you into trouble if you're not careful.

There's a HUGE difference in price though. A W210 is a hell of a car for the price and will still hand many cars their butts. 0-60 in 4.8 and 13.3@107.1 according to Motor Trend. You're stuck shelling out big money if you want to get into a W211. I weighed the price for performance of a W211 and decided it was worth it because I'm a big gear head. I haven't been disappointed.

And if you think I just confused the matter...well yeah, I probably did. There are alot of things to weigh when making the decision and unless you've got a money to throw away (as alot do around here) it shouldn't be a cut-and-dried decision.

jangy

I have been bashing people the last few days so I will try to take it easy.

lupidus: It is actually not a "bit more", it is a butt load more. Keep a few things in mind.
First, MB's claimed numbers on these cars is a hard place for comparison, since the W210 was over and the W211 was Under rated. I am not meaning to attack anyone, but we all know that the kompressor engine got lower numbers to keep the S / CL / SL variants happy. It is simple marketing, that is all.
As for there being a difference, just please drive one then decide.

Trevor: I completely disagree with you. LOL that you think the W210 can take a W211 "out of the gate". The reason that is funny? The W211 is known for its launch!! The power dies off at the top end since the SC can't keep up with the need for air. The W210 may spin em all the way through 1st, but the W211 can spin 'em forever (ESP allowing).

Trevor

Ummm...read my post again. I never said that a W210 can take a W211 out of the gate. I said that they're both traction limited in 1st. That doesn't mean that the W211 can't be quicker.

I also said that a W210 feels like it has more twist just off idle. When I say "just off idle" I mean just that....in the 600-900 rpm range. If you haven't driven a W210 you wouldn't know what I'm talking about. You can just barely touch the throttle pulling away from a light and the whole car will jump instantly....and that's no exaggeration. You actually have to be careful to ease into the throttle or your passengers will be complaining of whiplash.

And please...just so that you don't get confused again...I'm not saying a W210 will out launch a W211.

Fikse

true, but I think this is more of a programming throttle response issue.... In my C32, if weren't used to driving the car, you touch the gas and the car jumps forward off idle.... my wife hated driving the C32 because of that..... the E55 doesn't do that unless you apply more peddle pressure.....

jangy

Hey trevor. Not sure what you are saying, then so I'll let it go. i thought you were saying that the difference in the two cars is more noticed at top end, since they both have similar concerns at the bottom end. That is the part I disagreed on. I do not know of ANY other car that has more low end grunt than the E55. Maybe an SRT-10 Viper, maybe. The beauty of the SC'd E55s is in the low power, that is all.

I have driven many E55s (W210 and W211), so never fear. Keep this in mind, though. I took an '04 E500 (302hp) and WORKED my cousin in his decently modded W210 E55 (~350hp?). He killed me at the light, but that was it. I wasted him after 120mph. He said his car was getting a little scary since the road had dips and a slight curve. The E500 felt like a rock. I never stopped flooring it until he completey gave up. In the turns and under braking...well, I just won't start flame wars but you can either say that my cousin is a horrid driver, I'm an awesome driver, or there really is a difference in the models?


Hey, there are enough of both cars on this board. I'd be happy to put my stock '06 up against any W210 for some spirited runs?? Lets find out just what the difference is.

aintME

The 210 and 211 E55 are both "fast" cars. The difference? In the 210 E55 there is a point while accelerating where you go "OH ****!" In the 211 E55, at the same point in acceleration, you actually **** your pants.

Ted Baldwin

............simple answer is yes, the W211 E55 is MUCH MUCH faster tha the W210E55 and if you don't feel a 120HP differece in your butt dyno, then yu need yur butt examined.

..........I own a W210 E55. I like what to me is a more muscular look of the W210 E55, but as far as speed and acceleration, there is no comparison. My G55 that weighs 6000lbs was faster than my W210 E55 before both cars were modified. And yes, I could feel the difference. before .

.........It will cost you more than the extra $20K t get your car as fast as the W211 E55. You will need a superchager.

Ted