E55 Q&A ... courtesy of Rennsport
07-11-2006, 08:44 AM
#1
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E55 Q&A ... courtesy of Rennsport
Below a good Q&A on E55's ... some of it dated but thot might be of interest to newbies...
1. Is it possible to remove the 250 kph speed limit?
Yes, it is possible. You can order a raised speed limit (300 kph) on a new car, cost is around 2600 € incl. tax and install. This option is not available to certain countries like the USA. A retrofit is possible but only at AMG in Germany. Retrofit on US cars or on cars from countries where the raised speed limit isn't legal is not possible.
Possible "workaround": shipping a US E55 with US license and registration to Germany/Affalterbach and have the speed limit removed at AMG directly. It has been confirmed for certain mods but I'm not sure this is possible for the speed raise too.
Caution: a retrofit can be substantially more expensive than ordering on a new car because of tire approval (you might need a new set of tires if your tires aren't approved by AMG for the 300 kph speed limit).
The most factory fitted tire on the E55, the Continental SportContact 2 (rear tire: M0 spec), is approved for the speed raise to 300 kph.
2. Does the raised speed limit include a lowering of the Air Suspension?
Apparently not.
3. Does AMG approve aftermarket tuning like engine mods, speed limit removal or raising or "electronic" lowering of the air suspension?
The answer is clearly no. You surely will loose warranty, even on the whole car if you're unlucky. Dealers are asked to keep track of modified cars!
The engine control unit and other control units keep track of maximum values (like max. achieved speed, max. rev, max. boost pressure, etc.), these max. values cannot be erased completely.
So if Mercedes/AMG want to find out (in case of an engine failure for example), they can.
4. Is it possible to easily raise horsepower by ECU mods only (like on turbo engines)?
No. It might be possible to gain 30-40 HP by ECU mods only but this is not recommendable. If you want more power, a lot of things have to be modified including the supercharger and the exhaust system. Right now there are power upgrades from 530 to 620 HP available from aftermarket tuners, most of them also raise the speed limit to 320 kph.
5. Is the new 7 Speed Automatic Transmission (7G) available for the E55?
No, the new 7 Speed Auto Tranny is not available for the E55 or any other AMG model at this time (Oct. 2003)
6. Can the new DVD Navigation System play DVD movies too?
The COMAND DVD Navigation System is capable of playing DVD movies. The US version is not.
It seems that AMG also offers a DVD changer as a special order item for direct install in Affalterbach only (only certain countries, not US).
TFT monitors are available for the rear compartment too as a special order item from the AMG Manufaktur (only certain countries, not US).
7. Can the DVD Navigation System be retrofitted?
Apparently, the DVD Navigation System can be easily retrofitted on all APS 50 equipped cars, at least those built in the past.
Retrofit takes around a day and requires qualified and trained personel to do the retrofit due to possible problems with the CAN/MOST bus on the E55. Special retrofit kits are available for dealers from DC.
In the US, a COMAND retrofit is not possible due to a different hardware.
Almost 2000 US E-class customers who ordered the COMAND retrofit get a new car with COMAND instead (more details at US dealers)
8. Does AMG offer any engine or suspension mods/upgrades for the E 55?
Right now, AMG does offer only the raised speed limiter, a F1 style steering wheel, a 30% limited slip differential and a modified gearbox ECU unit. These mods are not officially available for the US.
9. Is it true that the E 55 is lighter than the other AMG supercharged V8 models and has a better performance, even if it has slightly less power?
AMG claims practically the same performance figures for the E 55 and the SL 55. But from real life experience, it seems that the E 55 has a tiny advantage in performance.
However the SL55 has a shorter transmission ratio.
10. Is it true that a E 55 is even faster than a Porsche 911 Turbo from 0-300 kph?
Yes, it seems to be true.
11. Is it true that the E 55 doesn't have the same magnificent exhaust roar sound as the SL 55 AMG?
Yes, unfortunately this is true but it is also true that the exhaust sound of the E55 is much better than the E500 exhaust sound.
12. Is it true that the E 55 has less power than the SL 55 or CL 55 because of the exhaust system?
This is the official explenation from AMG.
13. Does the US COMAND play DVD videos and/or is a TV option available?
No, the US COMAND does not play DVD videos and there is no TV option available.
Instead, the US COMAND offers a Sirius Sat Radio option.
14. Does the E-class 6-CD changer play copy protected or CD/R(W) Music CDs?
Yes, the 6-CD changer plays all CDs, even copy protected ones which sometimes create a lot of problems in car HIFI System CD players and/or Home Computers.
15. Are 20'' wheels officially approved by AMG for the E55?
No, AMG doesn't officially approve 20'' wheels, apparently due to safety concerns.
16. Is it true that AMG asks for a mandatory tire pressure of 3.1 bar (front) and 3.4 bar (rear) for fully loaded 300 kph speed raised E55?
Yes, this is true. Due to safety reasons, new tire pressure instructions come with the 300 kph speed raise, indicated by a new tire pressure sticker.
17. Is it true that US bound E55 have a 160 mph speed limit on the speedo because of liability concerns?
There is a rumor that AMG wanted to avoid liability issues in the US if people delimit their E55s to higher speeds.
18. How fast would be a completely delimited E55?
Due to the longer gear ratio and the powerful engine, the top speed of the E55 is estimated at minimum 330 kph, if not even slightly more.
19. My COMAND System (non-US) does weird things, it doesn't work as it is supposed to work. Is there any software update available?
Yes, there is an update available (as of Oct. 2003). Current ROW Nav DVD is V 2.2, which also includes a new OS update
20. My E55 has serious traction problems, is there any solution?
Yes, AMG offers a 30% limited slip differential for retrofit at AMG in Affalterbach only. This LSD improves traction substantially, especially traction in narrow curves will be improved. The LSD is adapted to the ESP system.
21. The manual shifting mode on the E55 is a nice feature but when a certain gear almost reaches the rev limiter, it upshifts automatically without intervention from the driver. This is very annoying, especially on the track. Is there any solution to make the tranny NOT upshift in manual mode?
Yes, AMG offers a gearbox ECU unit upgrade which uses a modified software to avoid automatic upshifting in manual mode. With this new gearbox ECU unit, the gear is kept up to the rev limiter, no upshifting occurs. Retrofit only possible at AMG in Affalterbach.
22. Does the DVD player in the COMAND system (non-US!) play SVCD or VCD movies and is the in-dash CD changer capable of playing MP3 files?
No, the DVD player does not play SVCD/VCD movies and the CD changer does not play MP3 files.
23. Is the COMAND DVD player code-free or does it play region coded DVD only?
No, the COMAND DVD player is not code-free, it is region coded. The region code can be changed at the Mercedes dealer but it can't be switched on the unit itself.
24. Does AMG offer bigger tires/rims for the E55?
Yes, AMG right now offers the 19'' Style IV multipiece wheels for the E55. The wheel size is 8,5 x 19 ET 30 (245/35 tires) front and 9,5 x 19 ET 31 (275/30 tires) rear. There is no tire clearance yet for 300 kph speed raised cars (as of Oct. 2003)!
25. Does AMG offer any performance upgrades for the E55?
No, there are speculations of a E55 Performance Package including bigger front brakes, an additional oil cooler and some body changes for 2004 but no details are available yet.
26. Why does the supercharger on the E55 make such a whining noise, especially during acceleration and is there any modification available to stop it?
A rumor indicates the availability of an engine ECU and supercharger pulley upgrade/mod but no official details are available yet. As soon as we get more on this, it will be posted here.
1. Is it possible to remove the 250 kph speed limit?
Yes, it is possible. You can order a raised speed limit (300 kph) on a new car, cost is around 2600 € incl. tax and install. This option is not available to certain countries like the USA. A retrofit is possible but only at AMG in Germany. Retrofit on US cars or on cars from countries where the raised speed limit isn't legal is not possible.
Possible "workaround": shipping a US E55 with US license and registration to Germany/Affalterbach and have the speed limit removed at AMG directly. It has been confirmed for certain mods but I'm not sure this is possible for the speed raise too.
Caution: a retrofit can be substantially more expensive than ordering on a new car because of tire approval (you might need a new set of tires if your tires aren't approved by AMG for the 300 kph speed limit).
The most factory fitted tire on the E55, the Continental SportContact 2 (rear tire: M0 spec), is approved for the speed raise to 300 kph.
2. Does the raised speed limit include a lowering of the Air Suspension?
Apparently not.
3. Does AMG approve aftermarket tuning like engine mods, speed limit removal or raising or "electronic" lowering of the air suspension?
The answer is clearly no. You surely will loose warranty, even on the whole car if you're unlucky. Dealers are asked to keep track of modified cars!
The engine control unit and other control units keep track of maximum values (like max. achieved speed, max. rev, max. boost pressure, etc.), these max. values cannot be erased completely.
So if Mercedes/AMG want to find out (in case of an engine failure for example), they can.
4. Is it possible to easily raise horsepower by ECU mods only (like on turbo engines)?
No. It might be possible to gain 30-40 HP by ECU mods only but this is not recommendable. If you want more power, a lot of things have to be modified including the supercharger and the exhaust system. Right now there are power upgrades from 530 to 620 HP available from aftermarket tuners, most of them also raise the speed limit to 320 kph.
5. Is the new 7 Speed Automatic Transmission (7G) available for the E55?
No, the new 7 Speed Auto Tranny is not available for the E55 or any other AMG model at this time (Oct. 2003)
6. Can the new DVD Navigation System play DVD movies too?
The COMAND DVD Navigation System is capable of playing DVD movies. The US version is not.
It seems that AMG also offers a DVD changer as a special order item for direct install in Affalterbach only (only certain countries, not US).
TFT monitors are available for the rear compartment too as a special order item from the AMG Manufaktur (only certain countries, not US).
7. Can the DVD Navigation System be retrofitted?
Apparently, the DVD Navigation System can be easily retrofitted on all APS 50 equipped cars, at least those built in the past.
Retrofit takes around a day and requires qualified and trained personel to do the retrofit due to possible problems with the CAN/MOST bus on the E55. Special retrofit kits are available for dealers from DC.
In the US, a COMAND retrofit is not possible due to a different hardware.
Almost 2000 US E-class customers who ordered the COMAND retrofit get a new car with COMAND instead (more details at US dealers)
8. Does AMG offer any engine or suspension mods/upgrades for the E 55?
Right now, AMG does offer only the raised speed limiter, a F1 style steering wheel, a 30% limited slip differential and a modified gearbox ECU unit. These mods are not officially available for the US.
9. Is it true that the E 55 is lighter than the other AMG supercharged V8 models and has a better performance, even if it has slightly less power?
AMG claims practically the same performance figures for the E 55 and the SL 55. But from real life experience, it seems that the E 55 has a tiny advantage in performance.
However the SL55 has a shorter transmission ratio.
10. Is it true that a E 55 is even faster than a Porsche 911 Turbo from 0-300 kph?
Yes, it seems to be true.
11. Is it true that the E 55 doesn't have the same magnificent exhaust roar sound as the SL 55 AMG?
Yes, unfortunately this is true but it is also true that the exhaust sound of the E55 is much better than the E500 exhaust sound.
12. Is it true that the E 55 has less power than the SL 55 or CL 55 because of the exhaust system?
This is the official explenation from AMG.
13. Does the US COMAND play DVD videos and/or is a TV option available?
No, the US COMAND does not play DVD videos and there is no TV option available.
Instead, the US COMAND offers a Sirius Sat Radio option.
14. Does the E-class 6-CD changer play copy protected or CD/R(W) Music CDs?
Yes, the 6-CD changer plays all CDs, even copy protected ones which sometimes create a lot of problems in car HIFI System CD players and/or Home Computers.
15. Are 20'' wheels officially approved by AMG for the E55?
No, AMG doesn't officially approve 20'' wheels, apparently due to safety concerns.
16. Is it true that AMG asks for a mandatory tire pressure of 3.1 bar (front) and 3.4 bar (rear) for fully loaded 300 kph speed raised E55?
Yes, this is true. Due to safety reasons, new tire pressure instructions come with the 300 kph speed raise, indicated by a new tire pressure sticker.
17. Is it true that US bound E55 have a 160 mph speed limit on the speedo because of liability concerns?
There is a rumor that AMG wanted to avoid liability issues in the US if people delimit their E55s to higher speeds.
18. How fast would be a completely delimited E55?
Due to the longer gear ratio and the powerful engine, the top speed of the E55 is estimated at minimum 330 kph, if not even slightly more.
19. My COMAND System (non-US) does weird things, it doesn't work as it is supposed to work. Is there any software update available?
Yes, there is an update available (as of Oct. 2003). Current ROW Nav DVD is V 2.2, which also includes a new OS update
20. My E55 has serious traction problems, is there any solution?
Yes, AMG offers a 30% limited slip differential for retrofit at AMG in Affalterbach only. This LSD improves traction substantially, especially traction in narrow curves will be improved. The LSD is adapted to the ESP system.
21. The manual shifting mode on the E55 is a nice feature but when a certain gear almost reaches the rev limiter, it upshifts automatically without intervention from the driver. This is very annoying, especially on the track. Is there any solution to make the tranny NOT upshift in manual mode?
Yes, AMG offers a gearbox ECU unit upgrade which uses a modified software to avoid automatic upshifting in manual mode. With this new gearbox ECU unit, the gear is kept up to the rev limiter, no upshifting occurs. Retrofit only possible at AMG in Affalterbach.
22. Does the DVD player in the COMAND system (non-US!) play SVCD or VCD movies and is the in-dash CD changer capable of playing MP3 files?
No, the DVD player does not play SVCD/VCD movies and the CD changer does not play MP3 files.
23. Is the COMAND DVD player code-free or does it play region coded DVD only?
No, the COMAND DVD player is not code-free, it is region coded. The region code can be changed at the Mercedes dealer but it can't be switched on the unit itself.
24. Does AMG offer bigger tires/rims for the E55?
Yes, AMG right now offers the 19'' Style IV multipiece wheels for the E55. The wheel size is 8,5 x 19 ET 30 (245/35 tires) front and 9,5 x 19 ET 31 (275/30 tires) rear. There is no tire clearance yet for 300 kph speed raised cars (as of Oct. 2003)!
25. Does AMG offer any performance upgrades for the E55?
No, there are speculations of a E55 Performance Package including bigger front brakes, an additional oil cooler and some body changes for 2004 but no details are available yet.
26. Why does the supercharger on the E55 make such a whining noise, especially during acceleration and is there any modification available to stop it?
A rumor indicates the availability of an engine ECU and supercharger pulley upgrade/mod but no official details are available yet. As soon as we get more on this, it will be posted here.
07-11-2006, 09:05 AM
#2
Sounds like some good stuff, but there are a few things I'm a little skeptical of.
Retrofit = more expensive because you have to dump your old tires? I'm not sure if I understand this sentence all that well, I think it's either because it's too early in the morning or it's just not clear to me.
They specified the rears, what about the fronts? If I remember right all the M0 or MO spec tires are made of a different compound. Along those lines a few months back (August I think) Car and Driver did a comparison of 11 tires and one of the tires was Mercedes spec in which the company which produced the tire said that there was a generic compound version of the tire which would have probably performed better.
Moss-Magnusson
Moss-Magnusson Warranty Act
(15 U.S.C. 2302(C))
(c) Prohibition on conditions for written or implied warranty; waiver by Commission
No warrantor of a consumer product may condition his written or implied warranty of such product on the consumer's using, in connection with such product, any article or service (other than article or service provided without charge under the terms of the warranty) which is identified by brand, trade, or corporate name; except that the prohibition of this subsection may be waived by the Commission if -
(1) the warrantor satisfies the Commission that the warranted product will function properly only if the article or service so identified is used in connection with the warranted product, and
(2) the Commission finds that such a waiver is in the public interest. The Commission shall identify in the Federal Register, and permit public comment on, all applications for waiver of the prohibition of this subsection, and shall publish in the Federal Register its disposition of any such application, including the reasons therefore.
Credit to the article, chalk it down to the date it was written. As of July 2006 however I believe the CLK63 (or maybe it's the CLK55) are 7sp. Same with the SLK55. The non supercharged AMG's are 7sp from what I remember.
Owned.
That bites. My MacbookPro is like this and so are my Denon dvd players. I burn my own dvds (I love to record stuff) and I make them region free but my players can't play my own media. Also I go to India often and purchase Indian/Hindi dvds which I can't play either. I'd like to meet the techno-geek who decided to pick from the supplier that likes to screw over the consumer.
I wonder what this thread would be like update six years later.
Caution: a retrofit can be substantially more expensive than ordering on a new car because of tire approval (you might need a new set of tires if your tires aren't approved by AMG for the 300 kph speed limit).
The most factory fitted tire on the E55, the Continental SportContact 2 (rear tire: M0 spec), is approved for the speed raise to 300 kph.
You surely will loose warranty, even on the whole car if you're unlucky.
Moss-Magnusson Warranty Act
(15 U.S.C. 2302(C))
(c) Prohibition on conditions for written or implied warranty; waiver by Commission
No warrantor of a consumer product may condition his written or implied warranty of such product on the consumer's using, in connection with such product, any article or service (other than article or service provided without charge under the terms of the warranty) which is identified by brand, trade, or corporate name; except that the prohibition of this subsection may be waived by the Commission if -
(1) the warrantor satisfies the Commission that the warranted product will function properly only if the article or service so identified is used in connection with the warranted product, and
(2) the Commission finds that such a waiver is in the public interest. The Commission shall identify in the Federal Register, and permit public comment on, all applications for waiver of the prohibition of this subsection, and shall publish in the Federal Register its disposition of any such application, including the reasons therefore.
No, the new 7 Speed Auto Tranny is not available for the E55 or any other AMG model at this time (Oct. 2003)
10. Is it true that a E 55 is even faster than a Porsche 911 Turbo from 0-300 kph?
23. Is the COMAND DVD player code-free or does it play region coded DVD only?
No, the COMAND DVD player is not code-free, it is region coded. The region code can be changed at the Mercedes dealer but it can't be switched on the unit itself.
No, the COMAND DVD player is not code-free, it is region coded. The region code can be changed at the Mercedes dealer but it can't be switched on the unit itself.
I wonder what this thread would be like update six years later.
07-11-2006, 09:13 AM
#4
Originally Posted by OzE55
No. 23 isn't quite true anymore - see recent threads.
I'm too lazy to read anymore MBWorld.org
However it still applies to my MacbookPro and the Denon dvd players around the house. Gr.
07-11-2006, 09:14 AM
#5
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Thread Starter
Seems Conti had it other way round...
Stock front tires are all good to 300km/h - rears to 290km/h
From Conti Gmbh
245/40 ZR 18 ContiSportContact 2:
max speed 300km/h at 1106 kg / axle
max speed 270km/h at 1300 kg / axle
265/35 ZR 18 XL ContiSportContact 2:
max speed 290km/h at 1240 kg /axle
max speed 260km/h at 1460 kg / axle
Stock front tires are all good to 300km/h - rears to 290km/h
From Conti Gmbh
245/40 ZR 18 ContiSportContact 2:
max speed 300km/h at 1106 kg / axle
max speed 270km/h at 1300 kg / axle
265/35 ZR 18 XL ContiSportContact 2:
max speed 290km/h at 1240 kg /axle
max speed 260km/h at 1460 kg / axle
07-11-2006, 01:58 PM
#6
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Originally Posted by ricky.agrawal
Firmware flash?
I'm too lazy to read anymore MBWorld.org
However it still applies to my MacbookPro and the Denon dvd players around the house. Gr.
I'm too lazy to read anymore MBWorld.org
However it still applies to my MacbookPro and the Denon dvd players around the house. Gr.
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07-11-2006, 04:24 PM
#8
Originally Posted by OzE55
In the engineers menu you can change the region coding............in the comfort of your own garage.
07-11-2006, 04:26 PM
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but it is also true that the exhaust sound of the E55 is much better than the E500 exhaust sound.
Come on, just about all AMGs sound throatier than non AMG Benzes.
07-12-2006, 02:25 AM
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It seems that AMG also offers a DVD changer as a special order item for direct install in Affalterbach only (only certain countries, not US).
Steve, can you get hold of this, if this can replace my 6-CD changer?
07-12-2006, 05:27 AM
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Originally Posted by ricky.agrawal
Changing the region coding is not having a region free player or even one that doesn't look at region codes.
