shoes

I sold my 2003 E55 back to my dealer this weekend. I had 6,000 miles on the odometer. While this was one of the best cars I have ever owned, as time wore on, little problems began to emerge.

1. Electronic gremlins- the keyless go and electric seat would sometimes have a mind of its own. Periodically, I get weird messages in German on my dash.
2. Ride quality has deteriorated and become objectionable to me.
3. Throttle input has become lumpy, not sure how else to describe it. There is not a linear response to throttle input and it makes it very hard to drive smoothly.
4. Brake pedal response has become more mushy with time.

Fortunately I have a 2004 on order and ready to pick up in Germany in May, but now I am little hesitant to own another and considering a 545.

norb

You could always trade it in after 6 months! If you think the E55 has problems, check out the 5 series boards.

jl88

That's the risk with purchasing a first model year car.. there's a chance it can go horribly bad..

But don't think for a second that BMW isn't susceptible to the same kind of poor quality control.. My brother has a 2002 745i and that thing is PLAGUED with problems.

Your dealer did the right thing by buying back the car.. I would push them for a discounted 2004 E55 or even a 2005 E55

gs4rx3

Shoes,

Your post concerns me. During your ownership of a W210 E55 you consistently posted that you believed the E55 was the best sedan out there. I thought I saw similar posts at Edmunds during the past year with respect to your W211 E55. Given your history of ownership of a lot of different high end cars (Porsche, BMW) and the way you have (as much as possible) objectively posted about the E55, I have looked to you as one of the best critics of the car. Now you may be bailing on it, albeit the 2003 first year production.

What about the ride quality is objectionable? Is the throttle input an issue when you drive slow, fast, or both? Do you feel the braking has become less responsive over time? Is your SL55 having the same issues (assuming you still have it)? What about the 545i makes you believe it would be a better choice?

shoes

It seems like everytime I get a new Mercedes the old one doesn't compare as well. Last year I picked up an SL55. Of course I loved it at first. I then got an E55 a few months later and now the SL55's brakes seemed finnicky (they were very noisy and hard to modulate), the chasis seemed not as stiff and the throttle seemed less smooth. I dumped the SL55 while the market was still hot for them.

So for the past six months, the E55 was the light of my life. Recently I got a 2004 SL500. I was supposed to get an SL600, but I liked the SL500 much better. Now that I have the SL500, the E55 feels much worse by comparison- the suspension not as compliant, the throttle and brakes more difficult to modulate smoothly.

So maybe it is just my frame of reference has changed?

Dr Chill

Seems like you are never satisfied. I think a SL65 would put all hesitations or dissatisfaction aside!

gs4rx3

I'm hoping your dissatisfaction and issues with the W211 stem primarily from it being a 2003 and that MB has remedied the electronic, braking and perhaps throttle issues with the 2004. Unfortunately, I doubt the suspension has changed at all. Any opinions out there on this?

The E60 545 Sport has a sportier ride, and from what I could tell from 2 hard test drives, the suspension and handling are outstanding. With the sport package it corners almost as well as a P-car. Plus, recent test data by one of the car mags suggested 0-60 mph in 5.3 seconds. I would have bought one if it weren't for the 1) banglelized-Pontiac appearance; 2) poor luxury appointments; 3) production delays; and 4) early arrival of first production year issues. BMW appears to be hurting.

shoes

And the upside of getting a BMW when they seem to be down is that the leases are really good, almost half what I was paying on the E55.

Sorry to say, but a Bangle BMW is soon to be in my life.

awiner

My condolences.

FIXEDupW209

isn't there a huge price difference in the 545 and the E55? i am sure that is why there is a huge price difference in the lease. most member who have traded or sold back there 03 E class and have gotten an 04 have come out pleased with the outcome so i am sure you will be satisfied. I just can't stand the appearance of the new 5 series. If you really want to get a bmw then try and get a 2003 m5.

Marcus Frost

Just my opinion...

But if you consider a 545i suitable competition to the W211 E55... then I don't think the 55 was right for you to begin with. A 5.3 0-60 time in comparison to the E55s acceleration times, which will obliterate any production BMW ever produced, is a humorous comparison, at best.

-m

Belmondo

What if someone wakes up one day after 6 month and simply realizes that he just pays too much for a particular car and he no longer cares for it to be one of hte fastest from 0 to 60?
For example you could put another 1000HP in your Toyota and that would still be car I would not want or need.
What can you do about it?
THere are those that will love E55 from day one to the day they give it up and than even miss it and there will be those that will give it up and be better off. THat is just the way it is, dude.

W210

If the trend continues, a few months later, you'll start getting sick of the 2004 SL500. The 2004 E55 would appear much more exciting with all the freshness and the new features...

Between the E55 and the SL500/SL55, you can afford to play this game but with the 545i, your depreciation will be so huge you will be forced to live with it.

FIXEDupW209

he makes a very good point. Hope you enjoy whatever you get though.

EDWARD CONROY

You sound like the automotive version of a hypochondriac.

Marcus Frost

We are in total agreement, then. The E55 is about power, luxury and comfort. It's having a 4 door sedan that's going to be pacing 911 turbos on the highway. If after 6 months you don't feel the need for that kind of power... then as I said in my original post, the E55 wasn't for you to begin with.

This is coming from a guy with a W210 who after 6 months is realizing 350hp/400tq and a 5.0 0-60 time is just not adequate for a daily driver.

-m

shoes

If I wander away from the E55, it will only be for a short time. I have owned 3 now and I would rate each to be the best sedan available at that time.

I am beginning to feel like a kind of guinea pig for Mercedes: they come out with the SL500 and I got one of the first ones in April, 2002 and it was full of problems and was an unhappy ownership experience (with no financial pain). Then the SL55 arrived and I got one of those, also full of problems (again no financial pain). The E55 was much better at first, but the 2003's seem destined for problems.

I have owned 9 BMW's and they have always been my preference before AMG. Maybe I need to shop on the other side of the street for a time to understand how good things are with Mercedes.

saber

I have 8,500 miles on mine and have not yet had even one problem. I can only hope that this will continue, maybe just maybe I got one that is unusual.

shoes

I am also thinking that since the 2004 SL500 has been so much more satisfying to own than my 2003 SL55, maybe power isn't everything?

Dr Chill

Since when have the 2003's been plagued with problems. The W211 platform was already out almost 1 full year when the E55 was introduced and the 5.5L Kompressor engine and drivetrain was out for several months in the SL55 before appearing in the E55. Yes, it doesn't have Comand but that's about the only SIGNIFICANT difference between 2003 and 2004 that I know of.
Reading this forum daily has not turned up recurring problems in our cars like those seen in the W211 forum involving the earlier build cars. Only a superchager pulley chirp seems to be the common annoyance.

RedBaron

First, I've got 8,000+ miles on the car, and it runs great, never been in the shop!! Knock on veneer wood.

Next, I really take this car for granted until I travel and have to drive a rent-a-car. Not that Hertz is a reasonable comparison, it's not, it's just a reminder of how refined the car is over your average daily driver.

Finally, I'm guessing any perceived shortcomings with the '03 can be fixed with a software upgrade. Runs good as-is to me.

EDWARD CONROY

I know what you mean, Baron. I have the car at the dealership and have a loaner C class. Makes me realize how great every facet of the E55 is.

Eddie Knopp

Eddy C - keep your snow shoes on !

EDWARD CONROY

I hear you there, Eddie. Man, I don't know what tires they had on my loaner C class, but I barely got home with it in the snow. I picked the beast up last night. I hate to be without this car even for service.

vraa

It's a part of you now!