I finally got around to doing some direct testing of my stock E55 and stock E63. A buddy and I headed out in the early morning to see how these cars stacked up against each other. We did about 5 “tests” from a dead stop to about 100 miles an hour or so. This was not scientifically done. It’s a sample of 1 car each. We did not measure a quarter mile, have a timer, or any of that. Most tests were done on a straight stretch of road with a very slight downhill, then very slight uphill. I suspect this course would favor the car with less grip and more torque (the E55). The payloads of the cars were similar (fuel + driver).

In all cases, the E63 won. The most noticeable difference was at the start. Sometimes, the E63 would immediately pick up 3 car lengths over the E55. In all cases, the ESP was left on and tire spin was negligible on both cars. It’s almost as though the E63 has a better launch system than the E55. It’s probably just the better power delivery between the engine and transmission and the road. This makes me think about the video of the race in the United Arab Emirates between and E55 and E63. I thought the guy in the E55 was sleeping at the start when the E63 jumped ahead. Now, I am not sure. Maybe someone can post a link to that video. It’s the one where the E63 has to slow down for a truck.

As the cars accelerated after the starts, the gap between the E63 and E55 stayed pretty even, with the E63 possibly picking up a little more distance, but not much. Since the power figures are so similar, this is not surprising.

I did place a video camera down by the side of the road and caught the end of one test. If I can figure out how to upload it, I will. It shows the E63 about 4 car lengths ahead as it goes by the camera. Again, take this with a grain of salt. It’s a glimpse of the truth, not a precise measurement of relative speed like we will soon be getting at the track.

While it may not be intuitive that a car with less torque could be faster, the sum total of the new engine with its hp and torque combined with the new 7 speed tranny add up to a slightly faster package. I have the pleasure of personally confirming it. It’s really not surprising that AMG is delivering a car with slightly more performance than the previous car. While the stock E55 is an amazingly fast car that is hard to top, the E63 has succeeded.

For those of you who want to modify your engines, the E63 might not be for you. Keep your E55 and go for it. I am sure those cars are faster than the stock E63 in the quarter mile. For those who don’t want to modify their engines, or who want a newer version of the car, you will be very pleased with the speed of stock E63.

I am going to ask my buddy to post his comments on our “tests”, since he drove my E55 and usually had a better view of the E63, than vice versa.

 

Good write up. I knew the E63 would be faster, but 3 car lengths seems like an awfully big gap, especially out of the hole, doesn't it?

 

Great writeup!!!

Your findings are consistent with my race against the CLK63... well at the start at least. After I gained traction on pulled from 3 cars back to 3 cars in front. That shows how strong these E55 motors are with mods.

But like E63 said, I think stock for stock, the E63 is going to be slightly faster than the E55, because of the traction/launch and the 7sp tranny.

 

You would both need to switch cars during the test to see how your individual driving skills were effecting each car's performance. I have said all along the 63 will have between 2-3 10th's faster 0-60 times but it won't match for the 55's midrange thrust. An interesting test would be from 30 mph to 100...

 

Please perform more tests. Like someone else said, a 30-100 would be nice. Also, its a shame you guys didn't switch just to make sure it wasn't the driver. But like you said, both cars launched very well without too much tire spin. Maybe the 63 is able to get down all of its torque while with the 55 you gotta feather the throttle and let the tires hook up before you floor it?

But thanks for giving us some real results, I find these tests to be the best available because all that matters to me is what these cars can do in the streets. I wonder if the 63 outhandles the 55 too.

 

They played a video at AMGfest of an E63 and E55 running at the drags at Autobahn Country Club a few weeks ago. The E63 was slightly faster as well.

 

There won't be tire spin with ESP on. Great write up, but I don't see where you have any data to back up your claim. Glad it makes you feel better though. The 9/15 track day will settle this once and for all. Launching an E55 is an art in itself. Handing it to a buddy and having him floor it is not exactly fair. At the same time, I can see why you wouldn't want to let the guy drive your new E63.

 

Do you remember any times? Thx.

 

Good write up. I am still skeptical as the 9/15 track day will CONFIRM the findings once and for all. I must see it with my own eyes!

 

not trying to beat a dead horse but i have to ask...has your '03 e55 had the recall flash?

 

Ouch! Did someone put on their cranky pants this morning?

My only claim is that I am testing these cars as honestly as I can, to provide feedback to this forum that is lacking anywhere else. You can choose to believe me or not. You can ignore my tests because they lack "data" or equal driver experience.

It really doesn't matter. As I said (and you repeated), the testing at track is the real objective measure of these cars. In the spirit of discovery, I have offered my car to the dragstrip alter so that the truth can be learned on 9/15.

 

3 car lengths off the line? Was the E55's starting position situated on an oil slick? Otherwise that doesn't sound right at all.

 

Cool...thanks so much for the info.

You've all heard me rant and rave about not getting this sooner from AMG, but it's good to finally confirm it.

Congrats to all you E63 guys! Now go out and get us some kill stories.

 

Once again, I admit this was a less than perfect test of the two cars, but they did have equal traction...no oil slick.

Its possible that my brain not remembering accurately, or that my buddy did not launch it at the same time I did on a specific run. What I want to pass on to the group is another instance of the phenomenon that was seen both in the UAE video and by others who have raced 63's. The 63's seem to do a better job of hooking up at the beginning, on average, than the older cars.

 

I am not sure. If this was a factory recall, my dealer did it. I never had any problems or symptoms.

 

Heat soak could have been a factor to. How long did you wait between runs and what was the weather like?

E55 is a heck of a car to launch, but once you figure it out it's all smiles.

 

Temperature was 65 degrees. Runs were 5 minutes apart +/-.

Not be be argumentative, but I think that these cars (with ESP on) are easy to launch, compared to most other similar performance cars.

 

Very nice, I guess with the less torquey engine, there's more useable power be put to the ground and the super close ratio gearbox helps.

 

if you can confirm that your e55 still spins the tires to no end with esp off i won't take this any further. otherwise...

 

I've said this before and i'll say it again. You have to know how to launch the 55! If you got 3 cars off the launch, rest assured your friend spun the wheels. If you spin tires, you're gonna lose. The 63 is easier to launch because it doesnt have that monster torque at the low end like the 55. You cant "punch it" off th elin ein the 55, you have to ease into it. Oh well, who cares I'm gonna go for a drive

 

With ESP off, I can cause my own smog alert with the E55. It runs great and has more power than the tires can handle off the line, with ESP off.

If there were a problem with my E55, I think it would be way farther behind the E63 than it was.

Having said that, I know its a sample of 1 vs a sample of 1. Anything is possible. Fortunately, we dont have long to wait for confirming (or conflicting) evidence at the track.

 

I believe that a stock E63 is slightly quicker than a stock E55, as indicated by Mercedes's own figures. I chose to buy one of the last E55s because I intended to modify it. My Kleemann K1 feels quicker than a stock E63 that I drove, but if I were not going to modify my car, I would choose an E63.

 

Not just this morning. I'm always that way. Nothing against you and I do belive all you say. It looks like we disagree on the "skill" needed to launch an E55 vs an E63. I completely disagree with your comment that they are easy. Assuming you have 265 street tires in the rear, MY opinion is that the E55 is a very touchy beast on launch. Enjoy the track day and we shall see.

 

Yeh Chappy, I was sitting across from you down 2 when they played this video at AMG Fest and remember what Rob Allen said to everyone. In that run the E55 got a bad start and that several other runs proved that the E55 was a little faster down the quarter mile. Thats what I heard Rob say.

 

Launch seems to be the devil in getting the best time for the E55. Once an LSD is in an E55, stock for stock on the motor, I believe the E55 should definitely beat the E63.