gocats

Hey Guys,

I am new to the MB world and am looking to get an E55. I currently have an 05 BMW M3 (dont hold it against me its a bad *** car) but as my kids are getting older and bigger i need a 4 door. Is there a diff. between an 03,04 or 05 E55?? I know with m3s 03 and later got led tail lights, etc. Just wondering if the E55 got upgraded each year with new stuff?

Thanks for your input

If anyones intrested in a M3 i am willing to trade for an E55

BMWEATR

to much to post do a search.

gocats

Just looking for a cliffs note version of the important changes.

jangy

Way too much to list. MB does not add options each year. If anything, the options go away. The '05 and newer have CLS suspension parts / steering, which is improved.

gocats

Just wondering if there is a major diff. One that makes me spend 10gs more for an 05 vs an 03. I tried doing a search and havent found an answer which is why i posed the ? to all you guys.

jangy

There are no huge differences. the main thing is that the '05 and newer have the new steering rack and more and more CLS components as the 211 parts were phased out. I would get one with Comand and a warranty.

Exodus

The '05s have a stronger tranny and like the other user posted a newer steering rack. Interior buttons are moved around, designs are slightly altered but if it's the power your concerned with, it really doesn't matter.

Blacksport350

The cars are all very similar so I think the major differences that you would be concerned with are as follows:

'03 Has no Nav and a different wiring scheme in the wheel so it takes more work to add paddles to the wheel (adding a relay).
'05 & '06 Added sexy looking pedal covers ($50 to add to earlier cars), added upgraded steering and suspension parts.
'06 Deletes the Drive Dynamic seats as an option (I think)

There were other small changes but these are the most important from the buying side.

I had been looking for the perfect E55 for 18 months and finally found it...a low mile '03 with 3 year CPO warranty, Techtite over black/burgundy, and all the right options.

I could have gone for any year but to me, the right color, option combo and and warranty were more important than the differences between years.

I was a little disappointed in no Nav but the Nav is garbage in the MB cars anyway and I don't use it so what I ended up with is a radio that is easier to use so this wasn't as bad as I thought.

I would not go with an '06 unless I could get the Dynamic seat option on one as it is great to have.

Good luck with your purchase and my advice is to find what you are looking for in the car and ignore the years. In other words, buy a super nice '03 with everything you want over a stripped '05.

regor60

Never heard of stronger transmission...source ?

DarkStar

+1

jangy

Same tranny throughout, but some parts did evolve (valve body, etc). NOTHING that had anything to do with "strength". The issues coming up now are related to the TQ converters after miles. I have seen a load, lately and all seem to be modded and have about 40K miles on them.

'06 retained the Drive Dynamics (I have them)

zoink

And I think you also mentioned that the ECU for mid to late 06's is designed differently from the rest (05 & prior) that would make ECU upgrade more difficult?

Also... the aluminum pedal didn't apply to early build '05 (I think up to 10/05 or 11/05). The redesigned center console also didn't apply to a very early build '05.

'03-'04 pano roof gets solar cell... '05+ don't.

'05+ has LED brake lights...

'03 doesn't have NAV...

Just like Jangy said.... too many... but good rule of thumb is to get the newest car w/ warranty for the money.

III II I I AMG

my 03 have led brake lights, am i not supposed to have em?

zoink

You must've got it used.... and the previous owner updated them.

DarkStar

All E500 Sport and E55 '03 on have LED tail lamps

lkirchner

The '06 model year has the Drive Dynamic seats. My wife's '06 E55 has them

III II I I AMG

well yes i did.. but even though its the same year.. doesnt it change from earlier that year to later that year also? like some options only comes later that same year?

gocats

You guys are all right over here. Thanks for all the input you guys answered my ?s. Now i must begin the serech for a lightly modded 03 or 04 that is cpo'd with the drive seats, keyless go and pano roof. I saw a white one on ebay with red/black seats that was damn sexy. If anyone knows of other ones for sale in the 35-40k price range let me know.

Thanks

C43AMG

I bet you are......

gocats

I cant believe it took 18 posts before some bagged on the BMW

They are 2 different cars that dont even compare. Each one is bad *** in its own right.

MB_Forever

I did a quick search and found the thread that summarizes a lot of the differences between the model years. Here you go.........

https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/193362-e55-differences-2003-2006-a.html

And welcome to the AMG world.....

Jrocket

Why didnt you buy one of those 05's in the low 40's at the auction you were talking about?

gocats

You must have a hard time reading and understanding. Like i said before im looking for one thats cpo'd with warranty and i like to know who the owner was that im buying it from. I see you still havent sold your over priced car yet??

skooby

You sure are a smart one for being new here, I suggest easing up abit.

Jrocket

Not really pushing to sell,but I do appreciate your offer of 45k for my car with all my mods AND wheels and CPO till 2010 and stock parts and brand new AMG brakes all around.

So how many of those 05's with mods have you picked up in the low 40's?