Question regarding AMG e55 years
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 389
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From: Louisville, Kentucky
Formerly: 2007 e63; 2012 GL450
Best advice is just to start reading old threads and use search key. There is a ton of info here. When I was looking a few months ago, I spend hours just going back through old threads, a page at a time.
Good luck.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 720
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From: North Carolina
2004 E55 AMG
One difference between the '04 and '05-'06 models is the center console. The cup holders in the '04 is slightly more useless than the two in the '05-'06. I'm not sure of other differences.
'04 center console:
'05-'06 center console:
'04 center console:
'05-'06 center console:
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: San Diego, CA
'13 GT-R AMS Alpha 9+, CLA45, E55
Steering improved a bit '05+ if i'm not mistaken...
Also in '05+ you get a 200mph speedometer. Something I would spend a great deal of money getting myself. It just feels proper.
Also in '05+ you get a 200mph speedometer. Something I would spend a great deal of money getting myself. It just feels proper.
Member
Joined: Apr 2010
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From: North Scottsdale
2008 E63, 2010 SRX Turbo, 2010 Escalade EXT
As with almost every car, each new MB model year incorporates hundreds of improvements, some visible, most not so visible. In that regard I would look for an '06 E55 first. That's not to say that there aren't some outstanding '04-'05's out there (I'd avoid all '03's) but the older models lack the hidden '06 improvements and in theory you would expect to find one with lower miles, CPO, etc.
Good luck
Good luck
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From: PHX/PIE/OMA ---> Yes, all three
E55 then E63, now back to an E55
here is my summary:
04 - better armrest (as far as elbow rest is concerned. split-folding) but useless cupholders.
05+
sliding wooden armrest, dual cupholders enclosed
200mph speedo vs. 160
rubber-studded aluminum pedals vs. just cheap black rubber
04 - better armrest (as far as elbow rest is concerned. split-folding) but useless cupholders.
05+
sliding wooden armrest, dual cupholders enclosed
200mph speedo vs. 160
rubber-studded aluminum pedals vs. just cheap black rubber
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Super Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 697
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From: Tar Heel State
His wife crazy
And you say this based on what?
My '03 Dynoed 428 rwhp stock, and has been trouble free, beyond regular maintenance items. Any car can have issues, so bashing a particular model year, because of what you read on the internet, just does not make sense.
I heard the same crap about RMS failures when I had my '99 986 and '02 996. I never had a problem on either one, and I don't drive like Ms. Daisy is in the car, so if it was going to fail, it would have. I'm still in touch with the guy that bought my Boxster and it has 75k on it now, still no RMS issues.
A PPI performed by a trusted mechanic, is a must, just don't rule out something because of hearsay.
My '03 Dynoed 428 rwhp stock, and has been trouble free, beyond regular maintenance items. Any car can have issues, so bashing a particular model year, because of what you read on the internet, just does not make sense.
I heard the same crap about RMS failures when I had my '99 986 and '02 996. I never had a problem on either one, and I don't drive like Ms. Daisy is in the car, so if it was going to fail, it would have. I'm still in touch with the guy that bought my Boxster and it has 75k on it now, still no RMS issues.
A PPI performed by a trusted mechanic, is a must, just don't rule out something because of hearsay.
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Member
Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Houston TX
2003 E46 M3 1982 308GTSi 1972 P1800 1970 Charger 500
I agree
I am looking for a E55 too, and came across a 2000 with 106,000 miles and decent price. It has some service history at MB dealers. what would you guys say, are the good and the bad about a "2000" E55 amg? Thanks.
Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 98
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03 e55 amg
And you say this based on what?
My '03 Dynoed 428 rwhp stock, and has been trouble free, beyond regular maintenance items. Any car can have issues, so bashing a particular model year, because of what you read on the internet, just does not make sense.
I heard the same crap about RMS failures when I had my '99 986 and '02 996. I never had a problem on either one, and I don't drive like Ms. Daisy is in the car, so if it was going to fail, it would have. I'm still in touch with the guy that bought my Boxster and it has 75k on it now, still no RMS issues.
A PPI performed by a trusted mechanic, is a must, just don't rule out something because of hearsay.
My '03 Dynoed 428 rwhp stock, and has been trouble free, beyond regular maintenance items. Any car can have issues, so bashing a particular model year, because of what you read on the internet, just does not make sense.
I heard the same crap about RMS failures when I had my '99 986 and '02 996. I never had a problem on either one, and I don't drive like Ms. Daisy is in the car, so if it was going to fail, it would have. I'm still in touch with the guy that bought my Boxster and it has 75k on it now, still no RMS issues.
A PPI performed by a trusted mechanic, is a must, just don't rule out something because of hearsay.
nothing wrong with 03'shere is the video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jj6dej1WBqA
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Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Caribbean/Florida/Colorado
E-ZGO 53hp., 1999 E 430 sport, 2004 E 55, 2008 Tahoe LTZ on 24"s
The 200 MPH spedo just sweeps 20% slower than the 160. I only say this because a passenger in my car once said "Oh I thought that was the tachometer, it was moving so fast" The year to year changes, pale in comparison to the all the options these 55's can have, as I recall base MSRP was $83K most cars were optioned to $89K but there are many that were $96+K.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 697
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From: Tar Heel State
His wife crazy
Hey x2board My car is 03 as well and bone stock i dynoed 438 rwhp lol most powerfull e55 stock to every go on marranos dyno here in sydney must be some thing about 03's they pull the big power lol nothing wrong with 03's
here is the video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jj6dej1WBqA
nothing wrong with 03'shere is the video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jj6dej1WBqA
Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
From: North Scottsdale
2008 E63, 2010 SRX Turbo, 2010 Escalade EXT
And you say this based on what?
My '03 Dynoed 428 rwhp stock, and has been trouble free, beyond regular maintenance items. Any car can have issues, so bashing a particular model year, because of what you read on the internet, just does not make sense.
I heard the same crap about RMS failures when I had my '99 986 and '02 996. I never had a problem on either one, and I don't drive like Ms. Daisy is in the car, so if it was going to fail, it would have. I'm still in touch with the guy that bought my Boxster and it has 75k on it now, still no RMS issues.
A PPI performed by a trusted mechanic, is a must, just don't rule out something because of hearsay.
My '03 Dynoed 428 rwhp stock, and has been trouble free, beyond regular maintenance items. Any car can have issues, so bashing a particular model year, because of what you read on the internet, just does not make sense.
I heard the same crap about RMS failures when I had my '99 986 and '02 996. I never had a problem on either one, and I don't drive like Ms. Daisy is in the car, so if it was going to fail, it would have. I'm still in touch with the guy that bought my Boxster and it has 75k on it now, still no RMS issues.
A PPI performed by a trusted mechanic, is a must, just don't rule out something because of hearsay.
The guy was asking for advice about which E55 to look for. My advice is to avoid the '03. I stand by that.
No heresay.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 697
Likes: 1
From: Tar Heel State
His wife crazy
My point is, don't summarily rule out all '03's, or any model year, because some of the cars were problematic. What if your '08 was a lemon too? Would you say avoid all '08 E63's?
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From: SOCAL
2004 E55
late 04 cars have the rubber-studded aluminum pedals
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From: Puerto Rico
2005 E55 AMG
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Car free at the moment
The differences across all model years are small enough not to be of much consideration when choosing a car. Buy the cleanest/best maintained/lowest mileage car you can find at your price point. It may be newer, it may be older - really doesn't matter.
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From: SF
07 E63 06 CLK55 Cab 03 P-car C4S
PL
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 720
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From: North Carolina
2004 E55 AMG
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 724
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Car free at the moment
While I agree w/ the first part of your statement, I think that as a general rule, buying the last year of a particular model as been a VERY safe relative to buying the FIRST year of a particular model. This isn't meant to knock the 2003 E55s, but it's just common sense that MB (and other auto makers) continue to improve/fix issues through its model life)...and usually all the kinks are worked out by the last model year. Yes, there are many good 2003's out there, my gut feel is that statistically the 2006s are probably a safer bet - all things being equal. Just my $.02.
PL
PL
That said, after reading this and other forums for the last year or two, I don't perceive any real difference in the reliability across the years. Of course, this is anecdotal evidence and shoould be taken as such.
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Joined: Jun 2010
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From: Puerto Rico
2005 E55 AMG
I almost put in a disclaimer regarding the '03 models because that was the first year of the 211 chassis and had developed quite a reputation for electronic and software related glitches.
That said, after reading this and other forums for the last year or two, I don't perceive any real difference in the reliability across the years. Of course, this is anecdotal evidence and shoould be taken as such.
That said, after reading this and other forums for the last year or two, I don't perceive any real difference in the reliability across the years. Of course, this is anecdotal evidence and shoould be taken as such.
