My interest in AMGs was sparked in the '70s by a neighbour who had a 300sel 6.3 - a car which is still running today. I own a W211 e55k today and am wondering whether it will one day achieve the same status. So my question is this, guys, is the w211 e55k a future classic or are the w211 e63 or w210 e55 more likely candidates?
Brgds

 

Highly doubtful.

The pre-merger AMGs are much more noteworthy in the "classic" category.

 

As they become more affordable to the younger generation, they are definitely going to become very well known on the streets as a brawler.

They have come a long way in terms of what the aftermarket can do, and I think they will become an icon in terms of what the car can do performance wise. It is definitely in the top percentile of been the fastest AMG's on the streets.

I doubt it will be receive classic status like you are refering too though.

 

Technically, any car over 20 years old is a "classic".

But, I think he's talking about how certain model years of popular cars never go out of style. There are a number of late model designs which I think will always be sought after. Example: MkIV Supra, FD RX-7, e46 M3, 03-04 Cobra Mustang, any z06 Corvette, Nissan 300zxtt, 8 series BMWs, Any Nissan GTR, Nissan 240sx, etc.

I think the W211 E55 will be popular for a good while if it's the last forced induction E class. The W211 is also the last E class with the signature benz round headlights. So... he may be somewhat right. I actually was thinking the same thing when I bought the car.

 

Might not be a bad thing to own one of the last supercharged cars from AMG

 

lol signature round MB headlights? They have been around since the 1996 210. The benzes before that had square headlights and the ones before that had two same sized circular lights. There is nothing "signature" about the 211 or really any modern MB.

As for classic status, hell no.

 

It's 25 years old to be "classic".

The G55 AMG is still using the supercharge engine.

LOL, the E55 will be more "collectible" than the regular E class. Don't bank on it thought. If you really want to, try to find the "Presidential Edition" (only 7 made) or any of the wagon, those will be more desireable.

 

if you are wondering if you will see an E55 roll across the auction block on Mecum Auto Auctions and fetch money like a Hemi or a VW Bus I saw in the last year - I doubt it -one can hope.

i like many of us here on the board plan on keeping our E for as long as possible and perhaps put away a year after the bi-turbo gets here

Until then drive it like you stole it - or well at least while on a nice long stretch in mexico -

 

I'm not sure about the W211 E55 being a classic but I'm sure that it will become a legend. Remember the stories as a teenager about the 427 Cobra? 0-100-0 in 12 seconds or the stories about the Buick Grand National. I can only imagine in 20yrs what stories will be told about the W211 E55. Who knows being a legend may turn it into a classic

 

yeah, except those where pretty much the fastest cars of their day...an E55 isn't close to the fastest car available in its time.

 

I think you people are taking the definition of "classic" too literally.

 

It was the fastest production sedan of its time?

 

+1^^^ for two years the W211 E55 was the quickest & fastest production sedan and not until the E60 M5 was introduced in 2005 did the E55 have any competition. 6 Years after the E55 was introduced an automaker finally made a sedan just as quick & just as fast if not faster than the W211 E55.

 

Be interesting to see. It certainly has gained quite a reputation.

To hear those Passtime guys say how awesome they are stock is pretty cool.

Trying to think of the last Benz besides the original SLR that has increased in value.

Maybe the original Hammer I guess?

 

and?

that certainly doesn't hold much weight for me.

 

They will probably end up being the "Fox Body" of the euro cars. not quite classic, but still desirable.

 

I'm pretty sure he was responding to your comment

 

Obviously you prefer weak cars. That's beside the point.

 

The important thing is to drive what you like.
We bought an '83 Jaguar XJ-S with a Chevy 350 cuz we like the looks.
The engine swap destroyed any collectability to the car,
but it's a lot cheaper and easier to maintain!

 

Hammer, SL73, CLK DTM, Gullwing.....I think the SLS is going to go down as a classic too

 

Lol. Isn't close? Fastest sedan of its time. Nothing like trying to downplay that fact.

 

When it came out in '03, wasn't it in the top 5 fastest production CARS on the road? Maybe it was top 10, but i know i've read that somewhere.

 

aww, are you upset that I'm not impressed by your car?

yes, I'm very interested in weak cars like my prior 99 cobra that made 700rwhp.

yup, I sure like them weak.

 

It certainly is a standout in the acceleration department (which is about enough to make a car a classic or standout) but the field is pretty full to have any real "classics" IMO. It was such a standout that even today's super sedans don't accelerate much harder and that's with an explosion of HP in the last 5-10 years. It was that far ahead when it came out. 100hp more then it's closest rival at the time, the E39 M5 which was one of my favorites. And it just out torqued everybody by a long shot.

When it came out it could pull harder then a ferrari 360, standard corvette, as hard as a Z06, Ferrari 575, 911 turbo, within a breath of the viper. I think the Road & Track "data panels" from 2006 had a viper going from 0-100 only a few tenths quicker then the E55. That's big.

Is there any stock sedan that can say the same of today's current crop of Z06's, Vipers 911 Turbo's etc? Imagine if you had a sedan that could pull on a F430 or a 599, and stay even with a new 911 turbo or Z06. Not happening until somebody raises the bar with ~4000lbs and 600hp stock. A Panamera Turbo is close but it's twice the cost and still short of the current crop (going from memory). It wasn't until the CTS-V (6 years later) that you had a sedan that could pull harder and it wasn't THAT much faster. BMW isn't going to eclipse the E55's acceleration with the M5 until the F10. (I know the E60 M5 vs E55 is debatable, but lets just call it even) That's two generations. Same goes for mercedes themselves. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVBRy1C5ThQ It's not until the twin turbo E63 that they will out do themselves in the acceleration department.

So I think, when taken in 2003 context you can make a very strong case for it as acceleration just plucks at car lovers heart strings and then you add in the fact that it's a super nice luxury car and you have the makings of a standout.

The fact that it's FI and very tunable just adds that much more.

 

Glad you included the terminator, that car is going to surpass SUPRA status, you watch and see. Motor is been pushed well over 800rwhp now for years. They are stout beasts to say the least