My two cents:

Spend the big $$$ on performance upgrades!

Distronic is okay, but really more of a Lexus thing... Better with more power!

Overtaking sucks in automatic mode. You must "help it" by giving power, otherwise it takes to long and timing in overtake is not good. Distronic will not give trottle until you are in totaly free lane.

Also if you approach fast ( wich happens frekvently in a E55 ), it will not break enough and early enough.

In same lane, same speed crusing it is great though. It adjust distance to car infront perfectly up to 180 km/h i think it is.

But it is worth so much money for retrofit? Not in my opinion. But I am a active driver in place where speeding is quiet safe. So I dont use it much...

For me the power and the active seats are the best bennefits with my E55.

 

Replaced that one as well.... $$$$$

 

I retrofitted distronic in my 2002 E220CDI, "my" US-lental 2003 E500 and I retrofitted distronic in my 2003 E55 before I even drove a single inch with the car...I cannot live and will not use a car without distronic if I am to take it on any kind of roadtrip!

Distronic is a great feature...it requires some adaptations in driving habits (so that one no longer has to whine about the car not slowing down or speeding up enough when needed) but once one managed to do that, it makes driving around the world so freaking simple.

Whenever I drive through areas where there is alot of nice scenery (being a tourist in death valley, bryce canyon, Norway, yosemite, PCH) I make sure there is a car in front of me and I only have to keep the car somewhat between the lines...the car does the rest by itself .

Spending money on distronic is well worth it (IMHO)...spending money on performance modifications in an E55 is something I do NOT understand...up to now I only used my (US based) E55 for 1.5 week and 3400 miles sofar and 1) it goes 190+mph, 2) it only takes 10 minutes on a mountain pass to overheat the brakes, 3) it has wheelspin up to 70mph when ESP is switched off...why does one think that more power for a car like this is going to be better?!?!?! Just spend some money on a driving skill course and learn how to take the car through curves...a lot cheaper and way more fun!

greetingz,

 

Your doomed, time to start searching!

 

Truly one of the best options for our cars. The best part is the "accident avoidence" feature where the dash cuts the radio, flashes a red triangle, and beeps at you if you are approaching an object too quickly. This works whether cruise has been activated or not. Great for rush hour, stop and go traffic.

I also replaced my grille with a "non distronic" version and everything still works fine.

 

+1.. The warning is pretty cool. The PO really did not fill me in on that and at first I thought I blew the engine up. I hada old Volkswagen Corrado G60 that had a super annoying oil pressure sensor that made the same noise.. The second of fear sucked .

I love it when i get stuck behind a train of cars on country roads.

The best it when you are on the highway and a car passes at a much faster speed.

I set the distance to the max and put my speed option up to 90. I keep enogh distance so a cop would see him first.

 

I love my distronic, won't ever buy another car without.

 

I feel the same way. I have it on the S500 and regret not getting it on any other vehicle.

 

I didn't buy an E55 to put it in cruise control. In fact, I don't think I've ever engaged cruise control since I bought the car! What a waste!

 

I suppose it is up to each ones preferences and interests. If you like to cruise or race...

But if only cruising and also if you feel that the power is more or less a problem, maybe better to stick to not AMG?

For me I wouldn’t spend so much money on retrofit. But of course, if I was in market for a car I would take one with all options I could get, as i did.

Distronic is good, but not so good it is worth so big bucks for retrofit, for me anyway... but Ill be happy to spend same amount on better performance.

 

I've priced out retrofits specifically wagons - since they are few and far between.

1. Power liftgate
2. Distronic

IMHO, not worth it to retro these big ticket items. It would be much easier to find a sedan with all options given the production numbers.

 

Do any of the '05 wagons have the power liftgate?

 

I assumed it is an option available in all years?

Come to think of it, I haven't seen a power liftgate on an 05. I have on an 06:

The power liftgate is option 890 Power Liftgate $520.

Distronic shows up on the VIN search however as:
219 collision warning radar (? 01.02.1993)




I've been running the VINs off the Russian MBZ website and not all accessories show up, so I have to end up calling the dealer asking for the full options list.

From VIN search:----------------


VIN WDBUH76J56A923501
Plant 50
Model E 55 AMG
Chassis 2112761A923501
Engine 113990 60 051272
Transmission 722643 06 361273
Tyres
Primary CONTINENTAL
Order 0 6 704 04965
Delivery date 14.12.05
Dealer United States (USA) (704)
Interior leather "nappa" two-color anthracite+anthracite (251)
Paint
747 perlit grey
Options
M55 capacity 5,5 litre (? 24.03.1997)
W60 Unknown code
Y88 mounting rails for accessories
07N Unknown code
213 parameter steering (? 01.07.1989)
232 Unknown code
242 right front seat electrically adjustable with memory feature. only applicable to series w 210 when installed in conjunction with code 275. (? 01.03.1983)
249 automatically dipping inside rear view mirror (? 01.06.1990)
250 Unknown code
251 radio MB-Exquisit - USA (? 01.07.1992)
264 shifting gate for automatic transmission (? 01.01.1996)
265 installation parts kit and connecting cable harness for TeKaDe BSA 31s car phone with one set
elimination of lettering elegance/sport/esprit
omission of line logo elegance/sport/esprit/classic (? 01.02.1993)
Becker radio set Mexico, stereo
275 front seat positioned lower
memory package (driver's seat, steering column, mirror) (? 01.10.1993)
287 ski inboard loading facility
through-loading feature (? 01.10.1990)
293 trunk set, 3-piece
sidebag in rear left and right (? 01.01.1995)
297 Unknown code
301 storage box in the rear (? 01.05.1988)
309 cupholder (? 01.06.1995)
359 Unknown code
401 comfort front seats with ventilation and seat heaters (? 01.01.1996)
414 electric tilting/sliding roof in glass version (? 01.10.1988)
423 5 speed automatic transmission / nag (? 01.03.1994)
433 headrests in the rear, left, right, and central and elimination of front and rear safety belts
headrests in the rear, left and right automatic (self-reeling) safety belts
safety belts front, rear, and central, USA version
430 + 432 (? 01.03.1994)
434 headrests in the rear and elimination of safety belts
431 + 432 (? 01.03.1994)
461 instrument with mileage reading and english lettering (? 01.04.1990)
489 Unknown code
49N Unknown code
494 California version
version for USA/California/Canada (? 01.01.1996)
524 paintcoat preservation (? 01.01.1964)
530 integrated antenna and front loudspeaker (? 01.10.1995)
543 sun visor with vanity mirror, illuminated, left and right (? 01.11.1978)
551 anti-theft/anti-break-in warning system with anti-towing system (? 01.04.1998)
573 front seats, left and right, with seat height adjustment
581 automatic climate control (? 01.01.1977)
600 headlamp wiper/washer (? 01.08.1971)
615 lamp unit, asymmetrical l.h. traffic, and front and rear door courtesy lamps
like 610, and with type 107 bifocal bulbs
611 + 613 (? 01.11.1978)
634 elimination of first aid box (? 01.08.1977)
636 elimination of warning triangle (? 01.03.1973)
668
673 high-capacity battery (? 01.01.1964)
747 folding top fabric6004 dark green (? 01.03.1997)
763 Unknown code
772 amg styling package - front spoiler, side skirts and rear apron (? 02.01.1992)
786 8.5 x 17 et30/18 245/45, 3-piece (500 e = 30, r129 = et18) (? 01.01.1992)
806 Change of year of model, last figure shows new model year
810 loudspeaker, sound package
sound package (bose) (? 01.12.1986)
819 CD changer - alpine - in trunk (? 31.07.1992)
844 folding seat bench in loading compartment, reverse to direction of travel (? 01.10.1977)
875 heated screen wash system (? 01.02.1988)
windshield washer heated (W201)
889 Keyless-GO (? 01.01.1996)
890 Unknown code
910 14V/65A alternator
alternator with increased capacity (? 01.11.1990)
915 fuel tank, 70 liter (? 01.05.1988)
919 exhaust emission control fuer USA, California and R.S.A., with key starting system for 240D
954 equipment package for avantgarde vehicles (? 01.06.1993)
rotating emergeny flasher, front (red light)
986 identification plate (vin no.) (? 01.07.1992)
989 identification label under windshield (? 01.10.1997)


What the dealer sends:----------------------

E55S $82,600
747 Granite Grey
251 Charcoal/Charcoal Leather

***** STANDARD ACCESSORIES *****
Y88 Alcantara Headline
232 Garage Door Opener
264 License Plate Holder
293 Rear Side Airbags
301 Ashtray
309 Cup Holders
359 Tele Aid
414 Glass Sunroof
423 5-Speed Automatic Transmission
461 English Inscriptions
494 Emission Equipment
524 Paint Protection
543 Double Sun Visors
551 Anti-Theft Alarm System
581 Multi-Zone Climate Control
634 First Aid Kit
636 Collective Code
668 Sea Packing & Dispatch
763 Remote Key w/Panic Button
786 AMG 5 Twin-Spoke Aluminum-Alloy
806 2006 Registration Year
810 Harman/Kardon Sound System
875 Heated Washer System
919 Cooling Amplifier
954 Avant Garde Package (Sport)
986 VIN# Code
989 Vin Code

***** OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES *****
W60 Burl Walnut $290
319 319 Lighting Pkg: Bi-Xenon low-beam and $990
600 : Headlamp Washing System
615 : Bi-Xenon Active Light System
526 526 Premium Pkg: Active Ventilated Front $3,650
297 : Rear Side-Window Blinds
401 : Heated and Active Ventilated Front Seats
433 : Driving Dynamic Seat-left
434 : Driving Dynamic Seat-right
530 : DVD COMAND Navigation
819 : 6-Disc CD Changer
844 Third Row Seat $995
889 KEYLESS-GO $1,080
890 Power Liftgate $520

SUBTOTAL $90,125
DESTINATION & DELIVERY $775
GAS GUZZLER $1,700
TOTAL $92,600

 

One thing with Distronic that I never though of is when changing to a car without it. Took a long drive in my V70 today and in cruise it does not slow down when meeting cars.