amr

Hello all,

I had an '01 CLK55 that I sold about a year ago and purchased an Infiniti G35 that I was going to twin turbo. However, after driving it NA for several months, I realized that I miss the AMG V8 power too much and not to mention the MB experience.

I'm now about to pull the trigger on one of two E55s but I have a few questions.

One is an '03 with 54k miles and the other is an '04 with 39k miles. The '03 is priced much lower ($32k vs. $38k) and I can purchase a warranty for either.

My primary question addresses known issues between model years.

I was originally budgeting for an '03 but I can always squeez the budget and get an '05 if there are compelling reasons.

I know I can search, but the problem is that I dont know what I'm searching for and that would take forever.

Rather, I would appreciate your help if you can just point out to me the differences (goods and bads) among the 03 to 05 models.

Thank you.

NGS_E55

I briefly had an 03 with no options and needed a brake job. It made sense to get a newer and/or more optioned car than to retroactively add desired options. Other than that, I have not heard significant differences b/w 03/04. 03s with nav might even have dvd-in-motion capability.

mason531

HERE YOU GO young soldier


per MBF

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+ had the "smart" lighting system (head lights turn as the car turns).
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.
Mercedes started using nano-ceramic paint technology


here's the link

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

MB_Forever

mason531, thanks for re-linking the document

I would shop around for an 05 or 06 models because of all the little nice upgrades, such as, updated Navi console, warranty, and updated suspension parts.

But if you're on a strict budget, then at least go with the 04 model so you could get the Navi. The engine, power output, and torque output has not changed, so it is essentially the same car.

Good luck and make sure you post pictures when you do get the beast....

dkallencat1

I have a 04, it has the Nano-ceramic clear coat, 06 has the new Bosch IC pump.

MB_Forever

Nano-ceramic clear coat and paint technology was fully integrated and main-streamed by Model Year 2005 and later. However, very few late production 2004 models also caught the transition.

jpohl402

Like Mason said, if you get a 2005 the most noticeable cosmetic changes (to me) were new sliding cupholder, 200 mph speedo, and aluminum studded peddles......

mason531

credits to MB Forever for relentlessly keeping up with updates/list

jpohl402

Is the nano-ceramic (designated by C before paintcode) apply to all models post 2005 or just E's?

MB_Forever

The E, S, CL, SL and SLK-Class model series were the first cars to get it, then soon after, it spread and main-streamed to all models.

If you have a model year 2005 or later, you definitely have the nano-ceramic paint technology on your car. If you have a 2004 model, then only last 3 to 5 weeks of production vehicles got the paint.

Side note: this paint started being used on Maybachs somewhere between 2002 to 2004 before it made its way to Mercedes models

Chargin55

My 03 came standard with sat nav and DVD and it’s not a presidential model. I dont know if this is the same deal in USA though.
I'm not fussed that I have to engage sport mode to use paddle shift. The paddles get knocked/bumped sometimes so I am grateful for this.
And as for a cup holder...please... even God drives with two hands! Nobody’s eating or drinking in my car!
My 03s speedo goes to 320kph and I have not managed to winde the needle off the dial yet. I'm pleased with my 03 and have not seen anything that really makes me wish I had an 05 instead, except for the spare tire.

amr

Thanks all for all the great feedback.

After looking at both cars, it turned out that the '03 is very well priced ($31,600 with 54k miles) for a good reason. It has been in a wreck before and had some significant repairs done and paint work. Also, it has absolutely no options at all with a sticker of $78,400. Although I'd be getting it at $4k below book, I passed as I don't want to drive the car knowing that it had been wrecked.

After reading this thread, I'm going to concentrate my efforts on finding a 2004 or if I can stretch, a 2005.

One more question, how can I find out what options were available in the 2004 and 2005 models? I.E. Ventilated seats, Xenon, Pano, Dynamic seats, Distronic, etc. Is there a way to know what options existed on the '04 and '05 models so that I know what to look for when shopping?

Thanks again for everyone's help. It's much appreciated.

dkallencat1

My 04 with a prod. date 3-04 has Nano-ceramic clear coat with the c before the paint code. My cousin has a s-55 with a prod. date of 11-03 with nano-ceramic clear coat with a c before paint code.

weber1

Mine has a build date of 6/03 and a C before the paint code.

MB_Forever

Okay guys, since so many people with 04 models seem to have the nano-ceramic clear coat in their vehicles, I looked deeper into the Mercedes press releases and here is what I found:

It turns out, the 2005 model year date (which actually started on 06/04) was the required deadline for all Mercedes plants around the world to have started using the new paint. The actual transition to the new paint started with production dates near the end of 03 (probably 11/03) in higher-end vehicles, and then descended down to all models.

"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."

I'll update the list accordingly....

dkallencat1

MB FOREVER, your the MAN.