tscales

One minor addition. My 05 wagon doesn't have a spare. Must just be sedans.

s06suzuki

Im looking at some 05 E55s. Want to buy one with the updated CLS suspension. After reasearching this it seems like it depends on the build date. Does anyone know when they started fitting the new parts into the 05 cars? Some 05's have the old clamshell center, others the sliding. If the cars have the old clamshell center does that mean the build date was too early to incorporate the supspension changes?

Fikse

My 2005 does have TPMS......

MB_Forever

Just updating the list in regards to the nano-ceramic paint/clear coat transition period. It turns out here in the U.S., the transition to the new paint technology started near the end of 2003 and was 100% complete by all model year 2005 vehicles (production date 06/04) and later.

2003 and 2004 E55 Models:

• All 2003 models have NO NAVIGATION except for Presidential Series.
• All 2003 models have NO Spare Tire.
• The AC "Rest" feature left after the 2004 - 2005 transition.
• 2004+ E55s equipped with 'always ready' transmission buttons at the steering wheel. On the 03s, you have to press the transmission M/S/C button before the steering wheel buttons work ????
• 2004+ models had the "smart" lighting system (head lights turn as the car turns).
• 2004+ models started getting nano-ceramic paint technology.
• TPMS was an orderable option.

2005 and 2006 E55 Models have the following changes:

• If equipped with pano roof option, 2005 and 2006 have no solar panel.
• 200 mph speed gauge as opposed to 160 mph.
• Better suspension parts, mostly from CLS.
• Better steering rack, also from CLS.
• Slightly different supercharger clutch for smoother engagement.
• Slightly different IC pump (this one I'm not sure about? ) .
• Aluminum Paddles.
• Sliding Center Console.
• TPMS cannot be ordered as an option anymore.
• 2005+ Models were garaunteed to have nano-ceramic paint technology.

DarkStar

My 03 E55 has nano paint. My 04 E500 wagon does not. So Nano paint was available in 03.

I think the 4matic wagons may be built in a different factory...possibly got the nano paint technology at a later date?

MB_Forever

Yes, it was available to the last of the 03 models but not all . Here are the MB Press Release Articles

"After four years of development work, an innovative new clear lacquer was set to go into series production at Mercedes-Benz at the end of 2003. Ground-breaking nano-technology ensures that the new product is substantially more scratch-resistant than conventional paint. The E, S, CL, SL and SLK-Class model series are the first cars in the world to be available with this new paint system, whilst customers of other Mercedes models can look forward to the increased scratch resistance of nano-paintwork from spring 2004."

"Beginning in 2005, all Mercedes Benz plants worldwide were required to switch over to this new nano ceramic clear coat except one in Australia, which was scheduled to change in January of 2006. If your Mercedes paint code starts with the letter C, then it has the new ceramic clear coat."

zoink

Not sure whether the list above is 100% correct.

S/C clutch... I think the improvement was made for 2006. If you have '05, you could always get the most recent one under warranty - if you complain hard enough

Aluminum Pedals: I assume this is for the gas, brake and parking brake. It started for 11/04 or 12/04 build date.

Sliding Center Console: very early build '05 (I think up to 8/04 or 9/04) still has clam-shell console.

TPMS: Not sure what you meant w/ "cannot be ordered anymore" (whether it's standard or not available). Mine has TPMS... and I think some of 05's and 06's don't And I think '06 has a slightly different TPMS. On '06, I think the system does not show the actual psi.

MB_Forever

I was told by a couple of members that some of the very late MY2005 caught the upgrade as well.

Aluminum Pedals started with build dates 07/04 and 08/04 which is for MY2005 models.

When trying to order TPMS on MY2006, the option was no longer selectable among the options list on the MBUSA website

aleksandar1099

Bringing back this thread to add something...

I know that 03's do not have pulse or dynamic seats, but im not exactly sure what year they started. My friend's 06 has them...

archiguy11

what does solar panel do that is not on pano roof??

Meeyatch1

Is 2003 the only year without a spare tire? It sounds like 2004 had a lot of improvements.

DarkStar

Yes, '03's have pulse and dynamic as an option, heating and cooling available for the seats as well.

Broker

why would they take away the REST and TPMS for newer models?

what does the solar panel on the pano roof do?

Kar don

Solar panel on pano roof provided ventilation by the use of solar powered fans when it was hot out... great feature.

FYI some 2003 vehicles had NAV if the original customer had preordered NAV and ended up getting a NAV replacement vehicle.

Nano paint was availabe at end of 2003

Tectite Gray color discountinued after 2004 (best color)

Most reliable SBC brakes are on 2006 model

Front seat design changed in 2005, no more full plastic lower surround (changed because of noise concerns)

Factory installed Sirius available on 2006 models with small roof antenna, 2004 and 2005 had prewiring... 2006 had no prewiring after 7/05 build date unless car has pano roof.

Mid 04 production they added active curve sensing xenons.

Brilliant Silver replaced with Iridium Silver in 2006

Point2Point

What specifically are the "better" suspension parts on the '05 and '06 cars? Is it possible to retrofit to the earlier cars?

BenzBoy12

Wow, great thread! I wonder why they killed REST and tpms. I thought I read that the seats in 05+ don't have the dynamic function? Or somethings different? Or maybe I'm just crazy?

Feuerdrachen

So would an '05 equipped with the sliding center console generally mean it's been updated with the CLS-based suspension components as well as updated supercharger pulley (the reliable one)? In the market for an '05 / '06.

nicco

03 had a rad problem which would contaminate the tranny

Denroll

I love bumping these old threads.

My '06 does NOT have these. I ordered updated "SL65" style mirror covers from ebay that have the puddle lights and my mirror glass will not fit.

When it comes to cabin filters, did certain years have more than one filter? I am getting ready to buy a replacement cabin filter and when I search for cabin air filters, it has that one and what appears to be two filters for the heater. Take a look-see. What's up with that?

http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/Re...ters%26Nty%3d1

edmond1129

Additional oil cooler from 04