So as I said a couple months ago, I was planning on selling my car and moving over to the AMG crowd. Now here's my dilemma. I found a 2004 E55 with 90k and a 2006 CLS55 with 70k.
I originally wanted a E55 now my attention has shifted over to the cls. I still love the E55. Now I just need some help deciding which one.
2004 E55 90k miles
EXTENSIVE service history. Every single maintenance thing on the car has been changed since the owner had it. The car fax has about 32 different service forms.
Suspension, trans, engine mounts, everything. But my question is, why did everything have to be changed? Is it a lemon car or is the owner just ****?
The car is in virginia and I am in CA. I have no problem shipping and paying taxes on it I just want to know if it's worth it.

The cls has lower milage and newer but off my specific car history application nothing besides emission testing has been shown. It is in CA.

Now I'm leaning towards the e55 since I can buy it this week and the cls in 25ish days.
Your opinions.
I'm 18 and Family is in the auto parts buisiness.

Hopefully I can join the amg crowd and learn some new things.

 

are you planning on doing e63 front end on the e55?


if not go for the cls ... both sick cars but which one is in better condition will be just luck...they are pretty much the same car.

 

Already found a buddy that has an E63 front bumper with a carbon fiber lip on it. Missing the grille so will have to find that. Also planning on ordering a carbon fiber diffuser if I chose to pick the e55.

Only thing holding me back on the cls is the front end. Not a huge fan. And the lack of service history. But maybe I'm just using a cheap car history website.

As far as I can tell the e55 was a 1 or 2 owner car.

 

My opinion is the e55 even without the updated e63 conversion has a better look then the older model CLS.

As for the e55 did all the parts really have to all be changed, or was the owner meticulous and did preventative work on his car?

 

Will you ever need to carry 5 people? If so, the CLS won't work for you.

However, the CLS55 was only available for one or two years, so I would think it might hold value better.
You can also fit larger wheels onto the CLS, if that is what you are into.

 

I'm guessing things had to be changed.
I could post the whole car history report if you guys would like.
the e55 is in a rare color, tectite grey, so that's a huge plus. But shipping from east coast to CA is 1300 plus another thousand for registration fees and taxes. Also another for the online sale fee. Plus I have to hire an inspector to take a look at it before I even place a bid on it.

 

If you're racing get the E. If not get the CLS.

 

$1300 to ship??? I paid $450 from AZ to AL had it 3 days later

 

Doing enclosed shipping. Not taking any chances during the transport cross country.

 

Planning on doing a couple reliable mods and some tasteful appearance mods also. If the e class doesn't go over my budget I'll be an E55 owner by the end of next week!

 

100% e55 in my opinion, I bought mine from a member here with FULL service history like the one your looking at seems to have and it's not because it's lemon it's because it is most likely cared for, things go out on these cars which have to be changed, make sure SBC pump is done and maybe airmatic struts, other than that good luck. PS I spend like 2k on it and it has 600hp now

 

There are only 1200 CLS55 ever made so it's kind of rare to see another one. What's the price on both cars?

 

I'm gonna pull the trigger on the E55 this week, gotta get my financials In order. I went over to my nearby carmax and sat inside a cls500. Headroom In the back isn't enough. Felt too cramped IMO.

 

What part of VA is the car? Did you have anyone local check it out for you? I'm near northern VA and could check it need be. I remeber a Tectite E55 for sale when I bought my car. It looked great in pictures but not in the best condition. But that tectite paint was soooooo sweet.

 

CLS was only 1 year production and thus very rare (and will hold much more value) compared to a E-class that was 03-06.

 

CLS ultimately has a better suspension, a 30% firmer chassis, updated electronics, and the non-030 car has the largest torsion bar you'll find on practically any car.

Only reason to go E is the price difference. Backseat is quite usable on the CLS. Remember, the CLS is only 3 years or so out of lifecycle (so it will look brand new for a while).

Besides, when in doubt, buy a car you can actually see and drive in person.

 

I currently have CLS55 and 06 E55. The CLS handle much better than the E55 but E55 is faster and more responsive. However, the CLS feel more refine and luxury. To be honest, I will keep my E55 instead of CLS if I need to sell. The E55 is much more practical. You have to sit and drive to realize.
Having my E55 for 7 years, no regret and will never sell it unless something major break down.

 

I'd love to know how cars with exactly the same drivetrain and weight could have one be any faster or more responsive than the other?

I agree the e55 is more practical based strictly on the back seat and ability to seat one more person and have more head room but I regularly have friends over 6' in the back of my cls55 with no complaints.
This decision is almost purely an emotional one and you should choose the car that gets you most excited. I think both are great cars.

 

I actually prefer the E55 front over the E63 front end...

 

CLS55 weight definitely more than E55.

 

😒

 

well I would love to see some proof on that one as the statics vary quite alot online. For Instance CarandDriver reported the CLS55 at 4300 lbs while the E55 at 3950lbs and MBUSA said the CLS55 is 4095lbs and the E55 4050 lbs

 

Everything fell apart with my purchase. Didn't get an E55 or a CLS55. But not to bad I picked up a E46 M3 with 70k. I know that's a whole different type of car. But car came up and was a deal so I pulled the trigger. I WILL be back with an E55!

 

I am very sure this info is not right. No way CLS weight less than E55.


http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...t-specs-page-2
Curb weight: 4327 lb

 

M3 is nice. Different universe from this area, but like them. Put an SC or turbo on it maybe.