Picked up my new 2004 E55 last night!
12-27-2003, 04:11 AM
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2006 CLS 55
Picked up my new 2004 E55 last night!
Last night, I picked up my new 2004 E55. For the record, it is platinum blue with gray/blue interior and has the following options: drive-dynamic seats; bi-xenon headlights; COMAND/navigation system with integrated phone and VCS; 6 disc changer in dash; parktronic; electronic trunk closer; and tire monitoring system. I traded in my Espresso Edition 2001 E55 with 30,000 miles.
I had a nearly 20 mile drive home and have some strong initial impressions. First, this car is far more powerful than my prior E55. The 120+ increase in horsepower and torque, respectively, are both immediately noticeable and outright awesome. I hardly pushed my new car, but the ease with which it accelerates and the sense of power under the hood has to be experienced to fully appreciate. I found the handling to be quicker, and faster, than my 2001 E55; I simply had a greater sense of control of the vehicle. Also, the drive-by-wire brakes, to me, seemed just fine, and I did not experience the jerkiness mentioned by others who have posted comments.
As someone who loves electronics, I found the extensive new electronics on this 2004 E55 just amazing. There are monitoring systems and settings (such as degree of shock absorption and ride height) galore. I also love the new dashboard, especially at night – this one just glows!
To be fair, I have two modest disappointments: (i) the sound system, while better than the premium one on my 2001 E55 is still far inferior to the one on my 2002 Lexus SC430 (I drove the Lexus immediately after getting back home); and (ii) the front seats, while more comfortable than I feared, are still a little too narrow between the side bolsters for optimal comfort. (As an aside, for those wondering what I mean, sit in the 2004 E55 and then in the 2004 CLK55, and you will know how comfortable the E55’s seats could have been.)
My bottom line is that this W211 AMG car is an extraordinary achievement that I hope everyone who reads this post has at least an opportunity to drive, if not to own. I know that I am a very happy customer and am looking forward to doing a lot of driving over the next couple of weeks.
So, am I completely satisfied? Well, I put down a deposit on an S65 last month, and I am not asking for it back....
I had a nearly 20 mile drive home and have some strong initial impressions. First, this car is far more powerful than my prior E55. The 120+ increase in horsepower and torque, respectively, are both immediately noticeable and outright awesome. I hardly pushed my new car, but the ease with which it accelerates and the sense of power under the hood has to be experienced to fully appreciate. I found the handling to be quicker, and faster, than my 2001 E55; I simply had a greater sense of control of the vehicle. Also, the drive-by-wire brakes, to me, seemed just fine, and I did not experience the jerkiness mentioned by others who have posted comments.
As someone who loves electronics, I found the extensive new electronics on this 2004 E55 just amazing. There are monitoring systems and settings (such as degree of shock absorption and ride height) galore. I also love the new dashboard, especially at night – this one just glows!
To be fair, I have two modest disappointments: (i) the sound system, while better than the premium one on my 2001 E55 is still far inferior to the one on my 2002 Lexus SC430 (I drove the Lexus immediately after getting back home); and (ii) the front seats, while more comfortable than I feared, are still a little too narrow between the side bolsters for optimal comfort. (As an aside, for those wondering what I mean, sit in the 2004 E55 and then in the 2004 CLK55, and you will know how comfortable the E55’s seats could have been.)
My bottom line is that this W211 AMG car is an extraordinary achievement that I hope everyone who reads this post has at least an opportunity to drive, if not to own. I know that I am a very happy customer and am looking forward to doing a lot of driving over the next couple of weeks.
So, am I completely satisfied? Well, I put down a deposit on an S65 last month, and I am not asking for it back....
12-27-2003, 07:18 AM
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Congratulations, Jonathan, and thanks for the review. A couple comments. First of all, I find the sound system remarkable and we're very happy with it. Just a matter of what you are used to, I guess. You're stepping down, but we stepped up from the system in our C32. THIS is really interesting to me. We got rid of our C32 because I was not at all comfortable with the side bolsters. I'm fairly comfortable in this car, BUT I sat in a CLK55 in a showroom and the bolsters were wide apart. I assumed this car being bigger, the seats would be the same. When I moved the bolsters out on this car as far as they would go, I was left scratching my head. Thanks for clearing that up for me. Thought I was mistaken. Very bad on Mercedes part if you ask me. I am 6' 1" and 195 pounds so it's not like I'm unusually big.
12-27-2003, 07:45 AM
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OK, you guys are gonna have to stop posting things like this. I'm hoping to buy an E500 in several years, but reading stuff like this just makes me want to shoot for an E55 instead. 
Hope you enjoy it for a long time, and hope it's trouble-free too.
Hope you enjoy it for a long time, and hope it's trouble-free too.
12-27-2003, 08:33 AM
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'22 Alpina B7,'21 G63 Renntech obviously (wife), Wrangler(kids)
Completely disagree about the seats,being 6'4" and 215 lbs,I find them more comfortable then any others I have ever sat in.
12-27-2003, 08:53 AM
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03 silver C32 AMG
Originally posted by EDWARD CONROY
Congratulations, Jonathan, and thanks for the review. A couple comments. First of all, I find the sound system remarkable and we're very happy with it. Just a matter of what you are used to, I guess. You're stepping down, but we stepped up from the system in our C32. THIS is really interesting to me. We got rid of our C32 because I was not at all comfortable with the side bolsters. I'm fairly comfortable in this car, BUT I sat in a CLK55 in a showroom and the bolsters were wide apart. I assumed this car being bigger, the seats would be the same. When I moved the bolsters out on this car as far as they would go, I was left scratching my head. Thanks for clearing that up for me. Thought I was mistaken. Very bad on Mercedes part if you ask me. I am 6' 1" and 195 pounds so it's not like I'm unusually big.
Congratulations, Jonathan, and thanks for the review. A couple comments. First of all, I find the sound system remarkable and we're very happy with it. Just a matter of what you are used to, I guess. You're stepping down, but we stepped up from the system in our C32. THIS is really interesting to me. We got rid of our C32 because I was not at all comfortable with the side bolsters. I'm fairly comfortable in this car, BUT I sat in a CLK55 in a showroom and the bolsters were wide apart. I assumed this car being bigger, the seats would be the same. When I moved the bolsters out on this car as far as they would go, I was left scratching my head. Thanks for clearing that up for me. Thought I was mistaken. Very bad on Mercedes part if you ask me. I am 6' 1" and 195 pounds so it's not like I'm unusually big.
personally i luv how it feels, liek racing seats... if u guys ever sat in racing seats that is...
they help when your driving fast and taking fast turns... I really appreciate them...
when i sit in my friends M3, the side bolsters are farther apart, i find myself fighting to stay in my seat...
12-27-2003, 08:59 AM
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I didn't mean for it to come across as a complaint because I'm not unhappy at all comfort wise. But there's no play for me in the bolsters. All the way out is the only setting I can live with. The active seats would have probably been a bad option for me.
Last edited by EDWARD CONROY; 12-27-2003 at 09:06 AM.
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12-27-2003, 09:03 AM
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'22 Alpina B7,'21 G63 Renntech obviously (wife), Wrangler(kids)
It's impossible to make everyone happy,what is comfortable to one guy ,may be a torture chamber to another.
Personally ,I like the tightness.(not only around my torso)
Personally ,I like the tightness.(not only around my torso)
12-27-2003, 09:51 AM
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2013 E 350, 2012 GLK 350, 2012 C300 4matic
I too find the seats fine, I'm kinda big - 5'11" 210 lbs. More comfortable than my prior ('02 CLK430). I wonder though - I drive typically without a coat - what about those of you who are uncomfortable ?
12-27-2003, 11:11 AM
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2004 E500
Originally posted by absent
It's impossible to make everyone happy,what is comfortable to one guy ,may be a torture chamber to another.
Personally ,I like the tightness.(not only around my torso)
It's impossible to make everyone happy,what is comfortable to one guy ,may be a torture chamber to another.
Personally ,I like the tightness.(not only around my torso)
12-27-2003, 05:31 PM
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04 E55 tectite grey/charcol....traded 01 E55
congrats on the new car...I'm picking up my 04 e55 this week...and also trading in or selling my 01 e55 with 31k miles. What did the dealer give you for your 01?
Jeff
Jeff
