after 4 years of ownership and 38K miles
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Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Alpharetta Georgia
2006 E55, 2006 saab 93 aero, 2010 glk 4m
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Porsche 991S, Cayenne S, 1972 BMW 3.0CS E9 Coupe
I love this thread. And here I was feeling guilty about driving the heck out of my car. Got mine basically because I drive a lot and I like to move quickly occasionally and above all take long trips quite often. That said I needed a quick but comfy cruise missile and thats what my E55 is to me. Also I think besides scheduled maintenance, things break less the more these cars are driven.
I'm also from the school that says cars like to be driven. Plus I'm not a collector. And if I were, I'd put my money in something else besides an E-Class AMG that depreciates faster than a cement overcoat in the East River.
As jpohl402 says, these are comfortable daily drivers albeit with loads of power. Nothing else, nothing more. It makes no sense to keep them locked up inside a garage. Sure, they are expensive to repair and maintain but that's all part of the deal. And I think that's really what keeps some people worried about adding on the miles.
But how could you not want to drive a car so comfortable and so fast every day? Even in heavy urban traffic the car always shows its comfort side of the equation. Out on the open back roads it's more fun than a jet flown by drunken monkeys. And on long trips it's definitely a winner.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Alpharetta Georgia
2006 E55, 2006 saab 93 aero, 2010 glk 4m
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Handling is the only aspect of this car that I am not impressed with, but it could be cause I am coming from a c6 vette thats a totally diff animal. The vette however, was exceptionally comfortable.
I took a trip down to Pennsylvania a couple of weeks ago and back on the twisties, this thing was all over the place. Getting the forgestars f14's mounted tomorrow and hopefully that'll help shed some weight.
I took a trip down to Pennsylvania a couple of weeks ago and back on the twisties, this thing was all over the place. Getting the forgestars f14's mounted tomorrow and hopefully that'll help shed some weight.
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Porsche 991S, Cayenne S, 1972 BMW 3.0CS E9 Coupe
Big improvement in handling with the W211 E63 over the W211 E55. And then another big improvement with the W212 E63 over the W211 E63.
Daimler/AMG is well aware of that fine line of smooth ride versus better handling. Interesting that BMW went to a much softer ride now from the E60 to the new F10 mainly to compete with the Benz.
Daimler/AMG is well aware of that fine line of smooth ride versus better handling. Interesting that BMW went to a much softer ride now from the E60 to the new F10 mainly to compete with the Benz.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 937
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From: Alpharetta Georgia
2006 E55, 2006 saab 93 aero, 2010 glk 4m
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Porsche 991S, Cayenne S, 1972 BMW 3.0CS E9 Coupe
There are numerous other changes but I'm assuming you're asking about handling. I think the most notable thing is the steering. The primary negative that the E55 used to get in reviews was the numb steering. "All is not perfect, however, as we found the steering a bit overboosted for our tastes, with a jiggly on-center feel that never seems quite right."
According to the Daimler media releases from back in 2006, they said this about the new (back then) E63:
"Engineers have improved and reconfigured the steering, front axle, and suspension, which means that now there is even more agile handling with no compromise in terms of comfort. The direct steering has been increased by 10 percent."
Reviewers said more positive things about the E63 handling and steering. "The E63’s handling is on another level entirely; the car corners flatly and briskly, belying the gravitation effects of the sedan’s weight (4063 lbs.) and size (16” from top to tail)."
I've driven the E55 and the steering felt sloppy to me compared to the E63. Turn-in was sharper with the E63 (maybe also a tire difference?) The E63 also seemed stiffer than the E55's suspension (may also an age difference with suspension components being older?) Steering difference is definitely noticeable.
While reviewers always mentioned the issue of steering and handling with the E55, they seemed satisfied with the E63 (fwiw, back in 2007, C&D rated the E63 #1 over the E60 M5 and the Audi S6. They claimed the E63's high points were "astounding agility" and their verdict as "AMG finally delivers an Autobahn burner that also knows how to dance.")
Yeah, take what reviewers say with a grain of salt, but the consensus does seem to be that the E63 handles better than the E55, and of course the W212 E63 handles (a lot) better than the W211 E63.
The new W212 is more direct in its steering, plus it has a wider front track and different suspension up front. It's clearly a lot more responsive.
