Hammer Down

Only a "legend" can stir up so much conversation

tscales

Only those of us that drive the wagon will have a classic

03'55AMG

true, but the G55 is not a CAR, its an SUV

sinister55

the E63 (W211)
Will def be

Vader13

The W211E55 Will be for sure, I am keeping mine, will be a garage queen. I am having the bumpers re-sprayed this week.

03'55AMG

My paint isnt all that great but I dont want the VIN to have a 'paint work' mark on it.. Even though I am not selling for another 2-3 HUNDRED years, lol

MBH motorsports

IMO these are the Mercedes "classics" That fall under that future/currant correctable category (Not including the obvious vintage models.)

190E EVO


AMG Hammer


190 Cosworth


CLK DTM


CLK GTR


SL73


Here is my maybe list (No pics)
CLK63 BS
SLS (most likely will be)
SL65 BS
E55 Wagon

If production numbers are going to have anything to do with the collector market. than consider these.

1997 C36, 199 made
2000 C43, 91 made
2006 C55, 451 made
2006 CL55, 182 made
2006 CL65, 52 made
2005 CLK55, 247 made
2006 CLK55 Cabrio, 180 made
05/06 E55 Wagon, 129 & 64 made
2004 G55, 294 made
2006 S55, 492 made
2006 SL65, 390 made
2004 SLK32, 312 made

Source https://mbworld.org/forums/3879289-post3.html

With production number being that low there is some potential. Its really going to come down to your children and their children. I know growing up there were cars that I really admired. Sadly none of them were 4 doors. Honestly I think a lot of us can some what agree with that.

What fetches good numbers at an auction like Barrett Jackson are kind of obvious, But I'll say them to say them. Number matching, Original, Way over the top or outlandish customization, production numbers, original miles, condition. Or use in an iconic film, like Bullet, Smokey & the Bandit, Cannonball Run, Dukes of Hazard, bla bla bla....

These days kids have dreams of Supra's, Skylines, or any other car in Fast & Furious. Sad to say, but until an iconic actor hops behind the wheel of AMG in a TV show or future classic movie I think most of us are SOL.

I want a 70 Camaro partly because an older guy had one when I was growing up. He would blast Led Zepp out of the stereo. I thought that was the coolest thing ever. When you have memories like that... you are hooked for life.

K-A

Considering the modern era, of mass production, shared parts, rampant electronics (making these cars such $$$$ projects to own for the long haul), what will make for future "Classics" will be very different than how it worked before.

The #1 thing going for you will be to have a well designed, timeless car that is well kept and very clean. The W211 E55 in prime condition WILL be a Classic, resale value aside (again, I don't think this aspect will play the same role that it did before). I already look at W210 E55's or with AMG Package as modern Classics when pristine. Also, it really depends on the individual, of course, but there's always something alluring about a well designed past model that isn't cheesed out with aftermarket stuff, in tip top condition that commands respect.

The #1 thing working against the W211 E55, in terms of how it's regarded in the future to Benz enthusiasts at least, will be that it was smack dab in the middle-end of the dreaded and forgettable "Schremmp era" of M-B quality debacles and fiascos..

Good comparo. Except I think the E55 will have a MUCH more gracefully lasting design.

K-A

P.S: I don't get people who get their jollies from policing Message Boards. If it isn't delusional or malicious talking or misinformation, let people go gaga over their cars on.... *THE MESSAGE BOARDS DEDICATED TO THEIR CARS* for christ sake!!!!

taurran

I'm surprised no one here has mentioned any MB pre-1980 in their list of "classics".

K-A

I think those go without saying. Pre- 80's Benzes are the epitome of, and quintessential "Classics". I think people are talking post 80's to argue what more modern-era Benzes are accounting as Classics.

taurran

I'm just not sure Classic exactly means Collectible. I think some here are confusing the two. Regardless of how many complete E55's there are on the streets, I still think the car will be desirable for AMG lovers 10 years from now.

220S

Only because we're talking about AMGs here. The Hammer wasn't released until 1986. Before that (from 1980 to 1985) AMG was offering engine performance packages and cosmetic add-ons and wheels. And before that it was only designing and building racing motors.

That's why I said earlier that certain pre-merger AMGs will have (and do have) status as classics and are collectible. But I doubt modern (post merger) AMGs will be really seen as true classics.

MoeMZA

The E55 is easily a 'legend' or perhaps a 'classic', but definetly not a 'collectible'.

I think most E55 owners carry some genuine sentimental value for their beast.

Lycan

Very doubtful.

A "noteworthy" car absolutely. Not a collectible.

K-A

For the record, "Collectible" and "Classic" are two very different things to me, although they do cross sometimes.

AKnight55

Charlie Sheen drives an E63 in "Two and a half men"

Traffic53

i think these numbers represent units imported to the USA, and not actual production numbers. not sure if that matters.

unfortunately, despite how excited you may be about your e55/e63, they are not collector cars or classic cars. they are a really nice, modern interpretation of a performance sedan. nothing groundbreaking. they are no more classic than an 2004 M5 or an RS6. i hate to say it again, but there is no real value in keeping one in a garage...unless it simply makes you happy to look at it while drinking wine from the comfort of a lawn chair, which is not a terrible thing by any means. go for it. but, there is no value in a "garage queen" e55/e63.

K-A

I agree that there is little to know fiscal value doing that, just personal/emotional.

MBH motorsports

Yeah I must have forgot to mention that these might be U.S numbers. I also think you are dead on. No real value in keeping one as a garage queen. However If I had an actual Hammer or any of the pictured models I shown I bet they will we worth something.... some day.

K-A

To agree once again, anyone who garage queen's a car to hopefully retain some more value from a car like this, is leading themselves on to MAJOR disappointment. If you're gonna do it, at least do it knowing why you're realistically doing it.

FASN8N

I think the W211 AMG's will be collectible, they were the first E class AMG models that really raised the performance bar picking up where the E39 M5 left off. The W210 AMG was nice, but for the most part it was just a body kit and wheels, lacking the brutal all around performance the W211 brought to the table.

The other great thing about the W211 AMG is they are great looking cars from the factory and they still grab my attention almost 10 years after being introduced to the public. Few cars have timeless styling.

The W212's may be fast, but they will be quickly forgotten (IMHO) due to the bland Japanese styling.

nanayaw6

^^

taurran

Yeah this is what I'm getting at. I don't think they'll be an "Eleanor" or anything, but they have styling that people will like for a while.

I was driving beside a w212 e63 the other day, and was glad I was in the e55.

tsquare

The W210 E55 was a beast when it came out in 1999 and is still a very respectable beast 10 yrs later.

The W211 with its FI motor was just the next evolution for the E55 AMG motor/car - The W211 motor is based on the W210 AMG E55 motor - if you FI a W210 AMG E55 you will get 450 + HP easy.

The W210 E55 AMG was much more than a body kit and wheels - do your research before you post.