E55 vs E63 Comparison - from an owner of both

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I have seen very few reports/comments on the forums on how people like the E63. Here are my initial observations. Can others comment on how you have found your experience with the E63.

I traded my 03 E55 on an 07 E63. Have had the E63 two weeks, 1500 miles.

These are very different cars. Neither is clearly better, just different.

The E55 was the "bad boy" in the Mercedes lineup. Tons of "right now" torque, a little rough around the edges for a Mercedes (supercharger noise, belt chirping, on/off power delivery). I enjoyed the car a lot, and in fact had decided that if I did not like the E63 sufficiently when I got it, I would simply keep the E55 since there was no other 4-door car around that I liked as much even today. I quite liked the ride/handling/instant power of the E55. It was a very strong/fast car, on par with my 2002 Corvette Z06 and quicker than my later 2005 Corvette Z51. I could do traction-limited 0-60 runs in about 4.2-4.3 seconds. A more interesting test was to lock the car in 2nd gear in the manual mode, and do a 0-60 all in second gear - no shifting- and with all that torque, it could do this in 4.7 seconds!! This car achieved its spectacular performance through brute torque (which I like), and a reasonable 5 speed gearbox.

The E63 is a far more "refined" vehicle. "Feels" like a completely different car. Exceptionally smooth, generally quieter, much better riding, better transmission/gearing, better paddle shifting (I actually drive this one in manual most of the time), more effortless. In purely objective terms, it is a better, more improved car. Unfortunately, as is often the case, as one removes some of the rough edges, one also tends to remove some of the character out of the car. So much so, that the E63 has a sort of Lexus feel - ie. exceptional engineeering, finesse, execution, but lacks a certain character. It handles at least as well as the E55, and is equally fast, but it does not feel better in the process - just different.

Nevertheless, with about 1000 miles on it, I had no problem doing 0-60 in 4.1-4.2 seconds. (Could not do the second gear trick, since this transmission does not allow you to start and stay in second with the accelerator floored). Peak longitudinal acceleration (measured using the same G-tech instrument, on the same roads, and in similar conditions), were actually higher in the E63. ie. .72G vs. .70G in 1st gear; .58G vs .53G in second gear; .41G vs .35G in 3rd gear etc. In other words, the combination of the E63's lower, but still considerable torque, mated to a much improved gear ratio combination (hence torque multiplication), from the 7-speed tranny, results in better utilization of the power band, and produces an overall seat-of-the-pants pull that is at leat equal to, or stronger that the E55, but since it does so with less fury, it does not give the sensation of the brute force one gets from the E55. I am guessing that when the magazines finally report acceleration runs, the E63 will be at least equal to the E55.

So, as you can tell, I did opt to take delivery of the E63 and I am generally happy with the car. There is room for improvement, but it is a good start. I am actually enjoying it more than the E55 at least for now, since the much improved transmission and shifting encourages driving in manual mode. The lower gears allow one to have more fun shifting through more gears in "normal" driving, so more driver involvement - compensating in part for the smoother overall package. The engine sound from outside the car is absolutely spectacular, unfortunately, from inside it is largely muffled - definitely an opportunity for aftermarket exhaust!

I'd like to see a little more "edge" to the car - its almost too smooth/quiet inside. Tranny shifts too smooth - I'd like a firmer, more decisive shift.

(NOTE that all my tests were done using the same G-tech instrument. I actually have a neat little spread sheet, in Word format, that summarizes the G-force in each gear, and the gear ratios and speeds in each gear, but could not figure out how to attach it here and still preserve the format - if anyone can tell me how to do that , I'd be glad to post it - it also includes a couple others of my fast cars - 2006 Z06 and Ferrari 575M).

 

Excellent write up.

I still prefer the E55, mainly because of the looks. I do not like the changes to the grill, tailights, dash, or the fact that MB discontinued the dynamic seats.

You might try posting your spreadsheet as a JPEG file. Place it on the screen and push the "Print Screen" button, then open MS Paint and paste it into the application. Save it as a JPEG format and upload it.

 

Thanks for the well written review.

 

Thanks for the review. I agree whole-heartedly. Have had mine for just about 2 months and have 1350 miles. It is certainly faster and more responsive than when I 1st got it. Car&Driver have indeed tested the CLS63 4.1 secs and the E63 wagon at 4.0 secs, so very close to your numbers. I am continually amazed by the refinement and the unbelievable speed when needed. I say this all the time, but could not be happier with my decision. Welcome to the E63 and congrats.

 

Thanks for such a complete an unbias writeup.

amgbg

 

Amazing words, thanx alot.. Didn't know you couldn't do the 0-60mph trick in 2nd Gear without it automatically changing. Have heard about another improvement from the E55, with traction off, will the E63 allow you more of a power slide before interfering. Does it interfere at all ?? i remember my Cousins E55 used to Stop the slide not too long after the back loses control, sad safety really..

 

Great writeup
always good to see someone with an open mind and an apparent lack of agenda - while I love obsession, balance is always welcomed!!!

 

keep driving i have about 4k miles and it feels and responds better than it did when i had 1000 miles

 

I can't say that I have tried to do a power slide, but the traction control on the E63 does "seem" to permit a bit more wheel spin the the E55. However, that may be a bit of an illusion, since in the E63 the power comes on more smoothly/controllably, (which is why it is easier to launch without losing traction), whereas on the E55 the power came on very strong and early, so it tended to break loose more abruptly, appearing to invoke traction control apparently more decisively. Definitely easier to modulate power in the E63, although I still miss some of the seat of the pants abruptness from the E55.

 

Per Joe here is his chart:

 

Great chart.
Thanks.

amgBG

 

so does this mean that all of you who said the e55 was faster in the butt test have improperly calibrated butts?

As time goes on the 63 gets faster and faster......