Is an 05-06 E55 worth it over an 04?
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Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 81
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From: Greenwood Village, CO
2006 E55 AMG
Is an 05-06 E55 worth it over an 04?
Hi guys, I'm currently looking into buying my second E55 and specifically wanting a Tectite grey car. However, Tectite stopped after the 04 model year. I've been doing my research and know that the 05-06 cars had quite a few upgrades including the steering rack and suspension that many say make them drive a lot better. Having never driven an 03-04 I was wondering if any members who have driven both could chime in with some more input as to if the 05-06 are significantly better and would be worth me giving up the Tectite grey for.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 852
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From: Sleepy Hollow, IL
65 Chevelle Wagon w/ C5 frame, 08 ML63, 04 S600, 04 E55,(sold) 00 ML55,(sold) 98 C43-55K Swap
I find the 03-04 arm rest more comfortable and the esp is off when it's off. 05-06 esp won't let you do burnouts like the 03-04. I would never buy a 03 as a tech but 04's are my personal favorite. Just find the best car in the best condition you can. Mileage is not as important as how well it has been maintained. I have owned amg's with over 200k mi and they were just as reliable as low mileage cars, they were just well maintained.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 955
Likes: 127
From: Kansas
2003 E55, 2003 SL55, 2014 CLS63, 2018 q50 Redsport, 1968 Camaro SS, 1999 Trans am Firehawk
on 2003 double check what radiator is in it. About 1/2 of them had a problem where a leak would develop and dump coolant into the tranny. Some 03s also had a smaller differential in them that requires a different LSD if you're into that sort of thing.
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Joined: Jun 2014
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2005 E55, GMC Whipple Supercharged Quadrasteer Denali Pickup,Big Bored Hyabusa with nitrous
I find the 03-04 arm rest more comfortable and the esp is off when it's off. 05-06 esp won't let you do burnouts like the 03-04. I would never buy a 03 as a tech but 04's are my personal favorite. Just find the best car in the best condition you can. Mileage is not as important as how well it has been maintained. I have owned amg's with over 200k mi and they were just as reliable as low mileage cars, they were just well maintained.
The ESP difference is a plus . That is if you plan on modding the car. Even with ESP OFF my car still try's to shut me down in second gear when it comes loose . Doesn't happen all the time. It's inconsistent . But when you do a roll on race it can be aggravating. Nobody wants to have to drive in dyno mode to prevent this. Sometimes random races present them selves . It isn't always convenient to pull over and cut the car off to put it in dyno mode.
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Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 203
Likes: 1
From: Mercedes-City, Germany
E55 AMG (W211)
Advantages of MY05/06:
- MY06: CLS steering rack (different steering ratio, same rack than Facelift)
- easier upgrade of shift paddles because of new steering column module
- improved pistons and conrod bearings
- SBC 1.2 instead on SBC 1.0 (more reliable)
- cheaper to change cabin filters, because it is only one filter instead of two filters
- retrofit of Distronic is easier/cheaper
Disadvantages MY05/06:
- Solar panel for pano roof is no longer available
- No separate Activated charcoal filter --> AC- mode/button is no available
ESP:
My 05 US-spec E55 also makes burnouts without any problems...
- MY06: CLS steering rack (different steering ratio, same rack than Facelift)
- easier upgrade of shift paddles because of new steering column module
- improved pistons and conrod bearings
- SBC 1.2 instead on SBC 1.0 (more reliable)
- cheaper to change cabin filters, because it is only one filter instead of two filters
- retrofit of Distronic is easier/cheaper
Disadvantages MY05/06:
- Solar panel for pano roof is no longer available
- No separate Activated charcoal filter --> AC- mode/button is no available
ESP:
My 05 US-spec E55 also makes burnouts without any problems...
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Philadelphia, PA
2005 E55 AMG Renntech ST 5, 84 500sec AMG, 87 560sec
Careful with 03-early 04, stick to late 04 and up. They have different trannys , that are pretty much bulletproof. As was stated above 03s and early 04s do have coolant into tranny problems. 03s have several electrical problems also that were fixed later. Personal advise, 05 or 06 ..
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,187
Likes: 239
From: Santa Clara, Ca
2003 SL55 / 2002 SLK32
As previously indicated, there was a change made to the auto tranny between 2003 and 2004. For 2004, the xmission valvebody was upgraded with one that included the "bluetop" solenoids along with an updated TCU that allowed steering wheel buttons to shift in all modes, manual, sport, and comfort (they only shift in "manual" mode on 2003s).
Worth noting,
The valvebody and TCU can be swapped as a pair to bring a 2003 tranny up to 2004 spec and functionality.
Also as previously indicated, the 2005 and later E55s are electrically compatible with the E63 Aluminum paddle shifters (changing the connectors on the aluminum paddles is all that is needed to make them plug-n-play)
WHILE the 2003 and 2004 E55s require the "Paddle converter module" in order to make the aluminum paddles plug-n-play.
Also, keyless-go for most mercedes models in 2003 required you use a standard key AND a credit card shaped transmitter (that you carry in your pocket or wallet to make the keyless go work) ... WHILE for 2004 this RFID functionality was incorporated into a newer version of the standard looking smartkey (meaning you only needed to carry the key, not the triple thick credit card as well).
Cheers,
Chris
Worth noting,
The valvebody and TCU can be swapped as a pair to bring a 2003 tranny up to 2004 spec and functionality.
Also as previously indicated, the 2005 and later E55s are electrically compatible with the E63 Aluminum paddle shifters (changing the connectors on the aluminum paddles is all that is needed to make them plug-n-play)
WHILE the 2003 and 2004 E55s require the "Paddle converter module" in order to make the aluminum paddles plug-n-play.
Also, keyless-go for most mercedes models in 2003 required you use a standard key AND a credit card shaped transmitter (that you carry in your pocket or wallet to make the keyless go work) ... WHILE for 2004 this RFID functionality was incorporated into a newer version of the standard looking smartkey (meaning you only needed to carry the key, not the triple thick credit card as well).
Cheers,
Chris
