Ian

I have informed my local dealer that i wish to schedule delivery of my 2004 E55 AMG in Germany. He is in the process of arranging this. Has anyone done this before, or have any suggestions.

I am looking at May/June delivery, then hit the autobhans
Do these cars have to be broken in? If so, what is the duration, rpm limits etc....? Will AMG remove the speed limiter if i ask nicely?

E55 KEV

R U in the US? Break-in is still recommended for first 1k miles.

pocholin

While I don't know the answers to your questions, I am curious to know the outcome.

amg55

KEV, why do you suggest that a break in is "recommended"?
Past debates of this topic seem to indicate that there is no consensus on this issue and that there is no formal recommendation form AMG or MBZ either way.
Personally I drove mine very hard from delivery and have had zero problems in the first 25,000 miles.

I would not, however, discourage anyone who wants to be cautious just for caution's sake.

I just figured it's under warranty, it's a performance-bred machine and that's what I paid for so I might as well test its limits.
Smooth sailing thus far.

Ian

I'm in FL. I just read in Car & Drivers test of the E55 AMG that if you ask them, they will remove the speed limiter. They also state that EACH engine is tested for max hp and torque after it is built

I wonder if they will give me the 'other' exhaust that gives 24 more hp.

Dr Chill

I was under the impression that Euro delivery of a W211 E55 was not possible. Anyone know otherwise? I would sure love to do it if it were.

E55 KEV

amg55, I am pretty sure that the recommendation is still in the owners manual. Plus it is a real good thing to do, 1k comes quick for most drivers. Being under warranty is good but I don't want the dealer replacing my engine even under warranty. The car would never be the same. Every thing needs a break-in - even the tires.

Eurosport

any car is like a virgin
you always want a good break in
or it'll break down

Ian

I was just informed by my MB rep that after speaking with the Euro delivery specialist, the earliest i can collect an E55 AMG is Jan 04
They want to get as many state side BEFORE they do ANY Euro deliveries.
waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

merlin

As a car is a mechanical item a break-in period is something you should definetely consider. The manual recommends it and any person with some understanding of mechanics will agree. As for the procedure it is pretty straight forward. Look into the manual, avoid to high rpm (above 3000) at the beginning than increase.

In Europe you can order to increase of the speedlimit (note: they don't eliminate it, the limit is only increased). You have to pay something like 4000 Swiss Francs and you will get some mechanical and electronic modifications. After that the car will run 300 Km instead of 250 Km/h ( 185 mph instead of 154mph if i did not made a calculation error) with the full MB warranty.

If have no clue if you can get it for the US.

regards

merlin

pocholin

So, are you going to wait? What did he say about removing the limiter?

Ian

yes i'm going to wait. It seems like for ANY good car these days, you have to be on a waiting list

I waited 18 mths for my 02 M3, i have been on the M5 v10 list since i bought the M3, and will be on the M3 v8 list until that comes out....unless something better comes out

I must be honest, i NEVER expected to be able to buy a car with the potential of the E55 Amg for $76k, i think its hp/torque numbers humiliate other manufacturers for the $$$$$.

pocholin

Wow, you are a patient man, don't forget to post your comments when you get that new M5

amg55

I am quite sure the new V10 M5 will outperform the E55 (however slightly in terms of sprint times) with much better handling and braking characteristics.
And I would bet MSRP will be between $76-80K.

The car mags will lavish heaps of praise and poetic worship on the M5, as they always have.

But in the end, everything still boils down to the fact that these two cars appeal to two different audiences. (I sense that the differences between the two are diminishing, however, with each generation of M5's/E55's).

E55 KEV

Historically, the M5 and competiting BMW cars are priced lower than the Mercedes models. Whatever the price it will be slightly lower than the E55 for 2004 or 2005 model years when it debuts. The 2003 E55 base price is $76k and the 2004 will probably be $76,800 and the 2005 will probably be $77,500 (All estimates of course). The 2004 M5 may be $73-75k.

We have not seen the official price and converting foreign car price does not give accurate numbers, but I have a feeling that the Audi RS6 will be less than the rumored $85k and come in closer to the E55 base price and include the HID and the Nav system. All just speculation.