I am looking to purchase an 05 or newer benz. I am trying to find out what I can do with what kind of money. The simplest way to set this question up is, say I buy an e55 or a e63 (not the new bi turbo) and i have 3k-5k to throw at the car. What is going to be faster? Is the e55 going to be the way to go since its supercharged or are there things I can do to the e63 for say a budget of $5k to keep up. I like the styling of the newer e63s but I want a quick car. And the 05 and 06s are now 6 and 7 years old. I don't know if i want to go that old. But bang for the buck performance wise, can change my mind.

and if there is another thread that answers this for me then shoot me a link. thanks.

 

I am new to the MB so you can discount my opinion for that, but generally, the cars with a forced induction system are easier to tune and yield higher gains for the dollar spent.

Good Luck!

 

If it were me, I would go for the E63. Better styling, No SBC brake by wire crap...

The e55 has more mods made for it so naturally the costs of modding are less.

 

E55. Then do front bumper conversion

 

IMO, depends on what your looking to do with the car.


Brute force in a straight line, or fun in the twisties?

 

E55 is WAY cheaper to mod

 

+1

 

E55

 

E63 rotors are 2 times more expensive than the 55 !

 

E55

 

I'd say that is hardly a decision maker when it comes to down to it.
These cars are expensive to maintain nonetheless, a couple hundred extra is not going to break the bank.

Wasn't the E63 two piece rotors an option as part of the performance package?
Ive seen some E63s floating around ebay with single piece rotors.

 

what one is cheaper to get to 600hp. the only reason i ask a silly question is the e63 starts with more hp. but i understand changing a pulley and a tune is going to be cheaper on the 55 i would guess. and really i just want something quick without dumping 10k into it. but i dont want to lose too much technology going with something so old. i am looking for speed in a straight line. I dont drive alot and its going to be just streets. not planning to make a track car. it seems the benz is a pretty nice car. i considered a cts-v caddy but it just reminded me of junk. and then they put out the camero with the similar engine. that killed it for me on that. at least the benz has nice class.

and can anyone confirm that you can get 600hp out of a 55 for $3000. is that realistic and true or another car bragging story.

 

I was in your same dilemma 3 months ago when I got mine, after reading and reading...I have an E55. Besides the mod capability which was important to me the 6.3 engine & 7 speed trans didn't seem as bullet-proof. I also agree, the E63 is prettier right out of the box though.

 

longevity is super important. I have a dodge ram srt 10 and i am maxed out on mods because the tranny cant handle any more power reliably. if the 63 isnt made for big power aswell then yes that would be a turn off.

 

Hands down the E55 is a way better platform for modding and getting to 600HP quickly, go look on www.dragtimes.com , and see the difference in times between the two cars.

 

55 hands down.

 

its apples and oranges...


you cant compare a F/I car to N/A car as the mods and what needs to be done take different paths and require different processes.


But since it was asked, you would have to spend a ton to get a NA car to where you could get an E55 with 5k...

 

you guys have helped a ton. looks that the word is to just get a e55 already =P

answers come quick here. very impressed.

the other thing is --

can anyone confirm that you can get 600hp out of a 55 for $3000. is that realistic and true or another car bragging story?

 

if you buy used parts, getting 600hp at the crank is doable. WHP, not likely.

 

Look up Eurocharged. Stage 2, is ~$4500 + installation (unless doing it yourself), which puts you right close to 600hp, depending on the condition of your car.

 

Id go with the smaller supercharger pulley, kleemann headers and EC tune.. That would be right around $3k installed and over 600 hp at the crank

 

This is exactly what I was going to say. 600 at the crank for sure with headers, pulley, and tune. And you can keep going for more HP

 

MBH or American Racing Headers plus a good tune could crack 500rwhp with no pulleys involved. You figure a healthy M113K motor puts down 430rwhp bonestock on a Dynojet, add the guarenteed 40rwhp or your money back MBH headers, that puts you at 470rwhp, a good tuner could squeeze out another 30rwhp, and there you have it.

Add a Wavetrac/Quaiffe LSD, and hello mid 11's @ 120+mph.

 

Pretty damn impressive. 500whp with only headers and tune. IC pump and HE are good beginner mods.

The 55 is a cheap car to mod period, not only for a Benz but for any car. I wanted to ESS my E46 M3 when I had it, back then the kit was so damn expensive and the host of issues that could come up. Starting with an FI car especially a Mercedes you know they probably have beefed up the internals fairly well. I mean cars are doing good here with alot of torque and power. Most of the failures I've seen are fuel or tune related. Maintenance especially at the dealer is quite expensive but not bad really, they're pretty reliable to be honest. SBC is annoying , I like the technology but I hate the maintenance and the lack of wider aftermarket options. I don't mind the feel of SBC since it is my daily. Overall the 55 will be a car you will definitely love The 63 conversion takes care of the dated exterior. It can pass of as a 2012 car to someone who doesn't know Mercs.

 

Correction.. These cars are cheap to mod now.. Not too long ago tunes were well over a grand and other parts have dropped in price as the prices of the vehicles have dropped.. Thanks to guys like EC modding has become reasonable ..