08 M5 owner looking to get a E55 (mod advice too)
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 171
Likes: 4
From: Puerto Rico
G63, SLS Black Series, C63 Blackseries
08 M5 owner looking to get a E55 (mod advice too)
Hey guys,
I've been registered to this forum for quite a while now. Never really looked through it too much. Any how, I am looking to replace the M5 with an E55. Due to the downfall in the economy the M5 is just too much for me to afford.
I am guessing the best years of the E55 would probably be 04 and up? Any significant differences between those years??
I am also very big to modding. Before the M5 I had a 2003 996 Turbo making 650 to the wheels, you can look up my username on 6speedonline. I would like to do something similar to the E55 since I know these cars have the potential. What mods am I looking to at to achieve in the 600rwhp range? No NOS by the way. Thanks
-John
I've been registered to this forum for quite a while now. Never really looked through it too much. Any how, I am looking to replace the M5 with an E55. Due to the downfall in the economy the M5 is just too much for me to afford.
I am guessing the best years of the E55 would probably be 04 and up? Any significant differences between those years??
I am also very big to modding. Before the M5 I had a 2003 996 Turbo making 650 to the wheels, you can look up my username on 6speedonline. I would like to do something similar to the E55 since I know these cars have the potential. What mods am I looking to at to achieve in the 600rwhp range? No NOS by the way. Thanks
-John
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 9,137
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From: California, USA
E63 P30, CL500 Sport
2005 and 2006 model years would be better. For modding, your best bet would be VRP's performance package VR750. It gives you 750 hp, which should be very close to 600 rwhp.... 
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,310
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From: Denver, CO
Formula Mazda, Beast Junior...400HP 135i
I don't want to come across like an total **** but if you can't "afford" the M5, can you really afford an E55?
The reason that I ask is that while the purchase price of the two cars is different (let's say an '5 E55 v. an '08 M5), the real cost of ownership is pretty much the same. The real cost of ownership would be cost of service, insurance, and depreciation (this is the big one). That last line item is currently running about $1,000 per month of both the E60 M5 and the W211 E55. Not to mention that the M5 market is about as big a mess as the E55 market. I have seen plenty of clean 16K~ mile '06 M5's in the low $40K range.
I just want to make sure you know what you are getting into.
To directly answer your questions, there is nothing wrong with an '03 or an '04, the '05 and '06 have some handling improvements but also have a center console design that I personally can't stand and would remove immediately and retrofit with the earlier version. That aside, the cars are largely the same. I personally have not seen enough of a handling difference that would keep me from buying a PERFECT '03 or '04 car with exactly the color combo I wanted over an '05 or '06 that wasn't exactly what I wanted.
Buy the car with the best miles, color, warranty, and option combo (there are so many on these cars) that suits your tastes for the money you can spend.
Do not expect the E55 to handle like a P-car or M-car but do expect it to brake and accelerate like a bat out of hell. For power mods, VRP all the way and you can go big. Other things to add to the list are an MP Design steering wheel (stock unit is crap) and a good exhaust to bring some ear candy too the beast.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 171
Likes: 4
From: Puerto Rico
G63, SLS Black Series, C63 Blackseries
Hi John,
I don't want to come across like an total **** but if you can't "afford" the M5, can you really afford an E55?
The reason that I ask is that while the purchase price of the two cars is different (let's say an '5 E55 v. an '08 M5), the real cost of ownership is pretty much the same. The real cost of ownership would be cost of service, insurance, and depreciation (this is the big one). That last line item is currently running about $1,000 per month of both the E60 M5 and the W211 E55. Not to mention that the M5 market is about as big a mess as the E55 market. I have seen plenty of clean 16K~ mile '06 M5's in the low $40K range.
I just want to make sure you know what you are getting into.
To directly answer your questions, there is nothing wrong with an '03 or an '04, the '05 and '06 have some handling improvements but also have a center console design that I personally can't stand and would remove immediately and retrofit with the earlier version. That aside, the cars are largely the same. I personally have not seen enough of a handling difference that would keep me from buying a PERFECT '03 or '04 car with exactly the color combo I wanted over an '05 or '06 that wasn't exactly what I wanted.
Buy the car with the best miles, color, warranty, and option combo (there are so many on these cars) that suits your tastes for the money you can spend.
Do not expect the E55 to handle like a P-car or M-car but do expect it to brake and accelerate like a bat out of hell. For power mods, VRP all the way and you can go big. Other things to add to the list are an MP Design steering wheel (stock unit is crap) and a good exhaust to bring some ear candy too the beast.
I don't want to come across like an total **** but if you can't "afford" the M5, can you really afford an E55?
The reason that I ask is that while the purchase price of the two cars is different (let's say an '5 E55 v. an '08 M5), the real cost of ownership is pretty much the same. The real cost of ownership would be cost of service, insurance, and depreciation (this is the big one). That last line item is currently running about $1,000 per month of both the E60 M5 and the W211 E55. Not to mention that the M5 market is about as big a mess as the E55 market. I have seen plenty of clean 16K~ mile '06 M5's in the low $40K range.
I just want to make sure you know what you are getting into.
To directly answer your questions, there is nothing wrong with an '03 or an '04, the '05 and '06 have some handling improvements but also have a center console design that I personally can't stand and would remove immediately and retrofit with the earlier version. That aside, the cars are largely the same. I personally have not seen enough of a handling difference that would keep me from buying a PERFECT '03 or '04 car with exactly the color combo I wanted over an '05 or '06 that wasn't exactly what I wanted.
Buy the car with the best miles, color, warranty, and option combo (there are so many on these cars) that suits your tastes for the money you can spend.
Do not expect the E55 to handle like a P-car or M-car but do expect it to brake and accelerate like a bat out of hell. For power mods, VRP all the way and you can go big. Other things to add to the list are an MP Design steering wheel (stock unit is crap) and a good exhaust to bring some ear candy too the beast.
I think an E55 would be a great car once the mods are put in. Thanks for the advice guys.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 586
Likes: 2
From: Springfield, Missouri
03' E55 Techtite Grey
Hey guys,
I've been registered to this forum for quite a while now. Never really looked through it too much. Any how, I am looking to replace the M5 with an E55. Due to the downfall in the economy the M5 is just too much for me to afford.
I am guessing the best years of the E55 would probably be 04 and up? Any significant differences between those years??
I am also very big to modding. Before the M5 I had a 2003 996 Turbo making 650 to the wheels, you can look up my username on 6speedonline. I would like to do something similar to the E55 since I know these cars have the potential. What mods am I looking to at to achieve in the 600rwhp range? No NOS by the way. Thanks
-John
I've been registered to this forum for quite a while now. Never really looked through it too much. Any how, I am looking to replace the M5 with an E55. Due to the downfall in the economy the M5 is just too much for me to afford.
I am guessing the best years of the E55 would probably be 04 and up? Any significant differences between those years??
I am also very big to modding. Before the M5 I had a 2003 996 Turbo making 650 to the wheels, you can look up my username on 6speedonline. I would like to do something similar to the E55 since I know these cars have the potential. What mods am I looking to at to achieve in the 600rwhp range? No NOS by the way. Thanks
-John
(old Jedi mind trick)
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,052
Likes: 2
From: PHX/PIE/OMA ---> Yes, all three
E55 then E63, now back to an E55
The problem w getting rid of your M5 is I assume you are upside down in loan, means you roll negative equity into E55 you buy for cheap, that suddenly is not so cheap......
Starting in 2005s the car had a sliding center console vs. flipout cupholder and bi-fold armrest. I personally prefer the newer version (it is the same in E63). The new car also got aluminum pedals w rubber studs instead of black rubber/plastic w 100 grooves that get dirty easily. Lastly, the speedo goes to 200 instead of 160. I believe those are the only major cosmetic changes, and only to the interior........
By the way, if you want the top of the line VRP750 package which is badass, expect to pay around 25 to 30k, a pretty penny. Blacksport is right about the lack of handling, but the acceleration/braking are top notch as he stated.
Starting in 2005s the car had a sliding center console vs. flipout cupholder and bi-fold armrest. I personally prefer the newer version (it is the same in E63). The new car also got aluminum pedals w rubber studs instead of black rubber/plastic w 100 grooves that get dirty easily. Lastly, the speedo goes to 200 instead of 160. I believe those are the only major cosmetic changes, and only to the interior........
By the way, if you want the top of the line VRP750 package which is badass, expect to pay around 25 to 30k, a pretty penny. Blacksport is right about the lack of handling, but the acceleration/braking are top notch as he stated.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,310
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From: Denver, CO
Formula Mazda, Beast Junior...400HP 135i
No offense taken to your statement at all. 03-04 E55, I can purchase in the mid to low 20's believe it or not. That would give me a $400-$500 car payment if that. For the M5 I am paying almost 4 times that and the car just keeps depreciating since I got it new.
I think an E55 would be a great car once the mods are put in. Thanks for the advice guys.
I think an E55 would be a great car once the mods are put in. Thanks for the advice guys.
As an example, I can buy a $34K E60 M5 but I don't want it! The car I could get for $44K I do want.
By the same rules, you are going to get GANG RAPED selling your 2008 M5 unless you paid cash or put a large deposit down as you will likely be upside down in your loan.
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3
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BMW 330ci/Z4 VW EOS
I'm curious why people say to avoid the higher mileage e55s .. providing that they are well taken care of shouldn't these cars run to 200k miles? I'm not all that familier with MB, but I wouldn't consider a 40k mile e55 something to worry about .. or should I?
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 549
Likes: 1
From: Boston, MA
2010 E63, 2008 Range Rover Sport, 2010 GLK350
I would not think a 40K mile E55 is anything to worry about. I have 39K on mine now and I got in a year ago with 20K on the clock (CPO'd car). I have had only one issue - one of the door handles stopped working for the keyless go. barring this, car has been perfect and a complete pleasure to own. That being said, I alos have a warranty left for another year and half since i bough CPO'd and I am happy I have it.
