I had an 05 E55 and stupidly sold it for a 2010 E63. I missed the smooth powerful E55. I want to go back to that smooth shifting car. What is the newest E class AMG can I buy and still get the earlier tranny? Did the tranny get changed when the car went to the 6.3?
Any other input / comments would be appreciated.
Thanks

E55 has the 722.6 5 speed. E63 got the 722.9 7 speed.

Isn't the w211 E63 the 7 speed 722.9 with torque converter, and the w212 E63 got the MCT which replaces the torque converter with a computer controlled wet clutch?

Correct

Thanks Rocman. I'm assuming its not my imagination that the 63 got a much rougher shifting tranny. Probably stronger and better in every other way....?

I wouldn't say stronger. The 722.9 couldn't handle the torque that the 722.6 could for a long time. I think its the wet clutch torque converter setup that you are not liking.

I've "heard" and even read on this board that the E55 seems to have a cult following and deemed by some as a better car than the E63. Any truth to that or is this just an urban legend spun by those whom do not want to spent the money to go E63?

What sets them apart is the blower on the E55 vs na E63. Reliability issue with the later, reduced torque of 6.2 na, and the tremendous mod ability of the E55 engine explain it's cult like following.

and the E55's 5 speed transmission is generally known to be extremely tough, solid, reliable. Can handle much, much more torque than what the E55 puts out in stock form. That's in addition to the E55 motor also being known as relatively bulletproof, all things considered.

But on paper, the early E63's marketed better (higher HP, more gears).