Rob Raymer

Looking to buy one of these two cars (2003-2005) within the next week. I realize the S55 is heavier, but I love all of the extra luxury features and the extra leg room in the rear.

It seems that the S55 and E55 are selling for virtually the same price. Which scares me, considering the difference in price when they were new. Does that mean that I should expect more problems with the S55? i.e. Suspension?

I am a Tuner by profession and work daily in a shop that services high end cars (MB, BMW, Porsche, etc.). Problem is, the techs there say that they rarely see E55's in for service, so they don't know too much about what kind of things I should look out for when buying. And the S55's that they've had in the shop have only ever had suspension problems (obviously costly).

Love to hear the Pro's and Con's of each from owners.

Thanks in advance!
-Rob Raymer

03'55AMG

Well, With E55s, airmatic tends to be a PITA, as well as the IC pump, which is the Easiest DIY for anyone with a lift.. and im sure youve heard of the gas leaks and what not.. Do a search, You will have everything you are looking for in one click. GLWP

SvtAmg

I tossed around the same thing for about a year while I was looking for an AMG. It was either an e55 or an s55. Both powerful cars and the s55 would of fit me better but I just love the lines and the styling of the E55. I pulled the trigger and bought an E55 a few weeks ago. I am happy with it.

Rob Raymer

Thanks guys! Keep the opinions coming!!

03'55AMG

Also, If your that concerned about the extra weight of the S55, keep in mind that its VERY easy to crank out 600+ft lbs of torque and 500+hp at the wheels with mods on the M113 so it depends on which one you like better of the two.. The E styling is to die for, but the S has so much space and so many interior goodies that it really will come down to personal preference. Every class has its own flaws, as to be expected with an AMG.. so you really cant go wrong either way.

Rob Raymer

No, not really concerned about the extra weight at all. More concerned about the dependability difference between the two cars, and the difference in cost of repairs.

Thanks again!

OK55

I haven't owned an S55 but I doubt if the air suspension of the e55 is any more reliable.

I prefer the e55 because it's significantly quicker but then that's me. If space is a major issue you might prefer the s55.
Brgds

sfpoercceiasl33

I got a 2003 Black E55 for sale!!?? Its in the classifieds

grantwoodtx

How about this. Why don't you search this forum as this topic has been discussed on numerous occasions in the past and then you make the choice based on your research?

tbal

+1

AKnight55

Extra features mean more things that could possibly break.. S55 if you like having the extra leg room in back.. E55 if your looking for better handling.

06E55

Here's two aspects that you need to keep in mind:

First: No amount of opinions should sway your own vote. In the end, you have to choose the car for you. They are two very different cars but both have the same purpose. If you need a larger car, the S55 is for you... If you want a smaller car that will have an advantage in handling (over the S55), then the E55 is for you... I love the E55 for everything it offers and, although I wanted a 4 door, I didn't want something as big as the S55, hence my decision... You need to decide what matters to you most...

Second: No matter what you pay for the vehicle, you have to keep in mind that the E55 is about $95k new (depending upon options) and the S55 is $130k+ new. So with that in mind, repair costs will be as though these vehicles are new. MB doesn't parts aren't cheap compared to GM, Ford, etc. You state that you are a tuner, so I assume you probably can do most routine maintenance (oil change, trans flush, air filters, cabin filters, belt changes, etc.) yourself, so that will cut down on costs right there... IMO it is worth the extra cash to get a CPOd vehicle with a nice, long warranty... Even if you can do most of the work yourself, you never know what is going to break on these vehicles... In regards to reliability of the E55, I have an 06 E55 that I provide routine maintenance on myself. My vehicle has only needed two warranty repairs thus far, the first being a defective side marker and the second being an airmatic suspension failure. The side marker would have been a rather cheap repair had it not been covered under warranty; however, the airmatic failure would have been rather costly...

Rob Raymer

Because I am looking for CURRENT opinions. Like the one posted by SvtAmg. In fact, I appreciate all of the responses. Not sure why this bothers you so much that you feel the need to basically "scold" me. But okay.

03'55AMG

He has a point, the search results can be very outdated. Like when I searched for 'airmatic replacement' I found myself reading a thread from 2004 with not a problem mentioned.

06E55

I can see both sides on this one. Topics such as this come up about once a week, if not more, so people get tired of answering them... The thing is, people come to forums like this for advice, more info, to meet people with like interests, etc. Searches like this are tedious, as there is so much information and it can be overwhelming... So, it is easier for a newbie to a forum just to post a question, such as this, and get quicker results. Not to mention, people that didn't reply to previous threads about the same topic may post to a new thread, thus expanding knowledge...

Another thing, no one forced you to read and/or reply to the thread... If you don't like seeing a thread over and over again, simply don't read it and further more, don't reply to it...

Vic55

The most obvious to me:

The S: more luxury, slightly slower, worse handler, bigger
The E: less luxury, slightly faster, better handler, smaller

Reliability will be determined how the car that you buy was treated, serviced, maintained... etc. They have the same engine, one is just a bigger more luxurious version of the other.

Subjectively: The E is the better looker IMHO- the E is already a fat pig on air suspension, the S is an even fatter porker but with the ABC suspension. Drive them both- since you are asking, I would never touch the S- just too big with a lesser driving experience. I bought an E55 brand new in 2004 and tossed it in turns all the time- it was fun especially after I modded it. I have never owned an S55 but driven them often; enjoy the straights and big bend curves but thats it.

cal1

As far as airmatic vs ABC (hydraulic) goes. Pick your poison. Both suck when an all too often failure occurs. MB has basically abandoned both systems if I am not mistaken.

danlnyc

+10000000

couldn't have said it better myself.

rondocap

I have an s55 and have driven a few e55's. I would choose the s55 due to the room and most have more features standard, like nav which not every e55 has. Now, the e55 is a bit lighter and faster, but in my opinion they are still cars of the same ilk, same engine, and softer more comfortable cars as opposed to something like an m5.

Both have their issues, but get a warranty and you will be fine.

Rob Raymer

Thanks everyone!!!

Quadcammer

the **** are you talking about

The 212 has airmatic, and the 221/216 have either airmatic or ABC. Not to mention the 230 has ABC.

really?

Sher Judge

I have a good number of AMG cars, I would would suggest rhe E55 Komp.
Your S55 AMG Komp is a brutal King on any given road or track, it also has an extra intercooler for the SC as OEM factory installed.

So just do cooling mods, and a nice fully specd E55 AMG Komp. the best comfort bar none for class, respect and a super sport sedan which will still be talked about, till the end.

cal1

The OP said " Looking to buy one of these two cars (2003-2005)." There was a post that mentioned the problems with airmatic on the W211. I thought the W220 had ABC. I own a R230 with ABC and have had every problem imaginable with it so pointed this out thinking the W220 had ABC.

I did not know that the W221 was also made in the 03 to 05. i must have misunderstood my SA thinking he said MB was not going to use ABC or Airmatic in the future. Thanks for correcting my errors

det42phx

Then dont F*%$*ing answer. I swear some people are so arrogant!! Most people would love to disscuss their passions, which I assume are AMG's.

Jakpro1

I wouldn't compare E to S55. I would compare E55 to S600.

NOW we are talking a big decision. V12 power and lots of toys or smaller yet powerful fireball.

With a warranty only, maybe used S65??