stefi

My 2004 Jaguar XJ8 is for sale now!!

I am fed up of visiting the service each month with small but expensive failures! Now I am waiting for an 50$, 10cm plastic tube for two weeks, because Jaguar dealers do not have it in stock. So I drive my car for two weeks in limited mode (does not rev over 3000, because of this failure)........

So I am planning to trade for an E class...
I am looking for a 2004-2005 E55 AMG or a 2007 E350 ... Which would be the better decision ? After the Jag I want a reliable car...
My brain goes for the350, but I would love to own an AMG !!!!!

Is the E55 reliable? Are parts, breaks, etc much more expensive than for a 350?

I welcome any advice!!!

Vader55

I have had both AMG and non AMG cars and once you go AMG you never go back !!

Blacksport350

I have owned 4 AMG cars, going on 5 with even the chance of a 6th for the wife in May. Tat being said, I would not own any non AMG Benz. I would go BMW first.

I have had good reliability with my AMG cars. Not without their troubles but pretty average for good German cars and far better than any Jag. Also, I am by no means a Jag hater, they are very pretty cars.

Jakpro1

While the E55 gets raked over the coals from JD Power, my 03 runs like a tank with very few problems over the years.

Are some lemons out there so MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A BENZ DEALER CHECK THE SERVICE RECORDS!! Any cool dealer can run the VIN number and let you know if it was in for lots of service.

As for expensive parts that really are worth pennies.....ehhhh, I thought Benz invented that concept.

For real, my 10 plastic hood pins to hold the insulation......50$!!!!!

Fuel filters require the ENTIRE fuel pump to be replaced...cost bout 500-700$

If you are able, get a CPO Benz and at least you will be covered in case of anything major.

All that aside, you are gonna be stunned when driving this car after the Jaq machine. Just mean brute force torque wise.

Good luck.

emoving

Problem free 06 here with 40K! Go AMG!

MJ50

+1
once u go AMG, there is no turning back!

NDF55

Definitely go for the 55. You only live once. There are great deals out there on cpo'd E55's right now. You might have to make a few extra trips to the dealer if you decide to go with the AMG over the 350. However, those trips will be well worth it because the 55 is a blast to drive!!! Besides the dealer can only charge you for wear and tear items if you buy a CPO'd car. I'm pretty sure brakes and belts go bad on E350's too. Also, E350's are all over the place. I sometimes go an entire week without seeing another 55 or 63 on the road. GET THE E55, you'll be sorry if you don't. Just my $.02

jdeastbay

Agree. Get a CPO 05/6 e55. I've just wrapped up a year with mine and it's been a blast. Literally white knuckle, wheel squeeling experiences everyday which my 5 yr old will vouch for. If you go e350 you'll pull over, get out and bang your forehead against the hood everytime a 55 blows by you.

OzE55

Don't own an AMG without warranty. While reliable the bits that can fail are very expensive eg. airmatic suspension or COMAND.

E55_GT3wheels

E55 verses an E350? TOTALLY different animals here. E55 all the way. I could never drive an E350 after driving the E55!

rusbel

Hey,

I am actually going the other way...I just turned in my 06 E55 and picked an 08 XJR...I know 04 Jags had a lot of air suspension issues though...

Here's what I had wrong with E55:

at 5k - new battery
at 10k - new steering rack
at 40k - large oil leak, needed new vlave cover gasket and trans bushing
at 51k ( just out of warranty ) - airmatic suspnesion went out
Also, a bunch of wierd smells coming from the AC vents...
The car drove great though...Again, as with any brand, some cars are trouble free and others are less so....

prodigymb

you don't choose the beast. beast chooses you ! E350 is ....well an E350. E55 is a supercar

jangy

E55 is always a good choice.

Skeeter

Ex XK8 owner as well. No comparison, the E55 is a stealth rocket that will make you laugh out loud every day you drive it. The jag had more of a status factor though, I used to get more looks and compliments (and hostility) in the Jag. It was a red drop top with a white interior and nice factory chrome rims, so figure it was more of a stand out than a black four-door sedan. Past that, though, the E55 is on a different planet in terms of enjoyment. Infinite power and a perfect blend of comfort and speed. Easily modified to even greater performance, the E55 is a keeper. I just bought an extended warranty since I crossed the 50k barrier. As long as you stick with an '05 or 6, and have less than 50k miles and some factory warranty you are good.

And how can you pass on a car that cost nearly $100k new for less than $40k now days? Can't top that. Reliability is good; there are a few weak points, but all easily taken care of with a warranty. No hesitation, make the jump and the only time you'll look back is when you blast past other cars

Skeeter

stefi

Seems like all of you enjoy your cars really much!

I am only thinking of the E350 because of reliability or maybe cheaper services.... but I know I will not really enjoy the car. My father drives an Audi A6 3.2 and...well nothing special... E350 must be something like that, but my father's car has no problems at all....

But I am afraid, that after I'll try my first 55 AMG, I will not care about service costs.... Being 26 years old I think I could enjoy that car really much!!!

Now I only have to sell my Jaguar first...

stefi

Enjoy your Jaguar. This car grabs people's attention and I really like, that there is a lot of "metal" around me. I feel like I am driving a big tank!! And supercharged engines are nice too! How does it feel after the E55??

On the other hand, I recommend you to sell it before out of warranty!!

Hope you'll have more success and joy with your car. Facelifted XJs look really good.
In case you have any problems, do not hesitate to write me! I've met a dew of them!!!

Any pics of your car???

stefi

Can I buy warranty for a an MB that is already out of original warranty?

prodigymb

yes.

MB_Forever

I would definitely choose the E55. The E55s are fairly reliable, but like others have said, try to get one that is still under warranty so you can at least have the option of extending the warranty at a later time. And even if you have to use a third party warranty company (but must be a reliable one), warranty is just gives you peace of mind and can be worth it in the long run. Parts that fail on Mercedes in general can be very expensive to replace: command navigation, airmatic suspension, fuel pump, steering rack, battery, supercharger clutch, sun roof, etc....

rusbel

Not yet..it's at the dealer now having the iPOD adapter and Jaguar voice kit put in but I will post in the next few days...As far as how it feels compared to the E55....Up to a 100mph I'd say they are about the same but after that E55 will pull away...For me, for day to day driving, it's a more enjoyable car...I love the tranny ( no dead spot like the 55 has below 2500rpm ) and it has plenty of power, albeit not as much torque as the 55
...and I am planning on getting an extended warranty just in case

emoving

Seriously,,,, about the same up to 100mph,,,,, not a chance!

deniska

How come you have Florida plates? Looks way too cold in your pics to be anywhere in the sun shine state

stefi

Yes I live in Hungary and it is wintertime here.
I have a company in Florida, that owns the car. So I drive the car with US registration in Europe. (It would also be expensive to register the car here, as we have high taxes)

stefi

You cannot see these pics in the Sunshine State too often...

rusbel

Seriously...go drive one