So indecisive... W211 E55 or W212 E63 TT
#1
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2016 E63s Wagon - CCB & CF package
So indecisive... W211 E55 or W212 E63 TT
Hey guys,
I currently have a fantastic condition 2005 E55 with 75k miles. Very well taken care of and stock. All maintenance is 100%. However, i have an itch to get into an M157 car, the 5.5TT is just soooo appealing.
What are your thoughts? I am debating between selling the E55 and picking up a 2012/2013 E63. It will be about $40K and i will have to make payments on it. I will also be looking into cooling mods and tuning so figure another $5,000.
On the other hand, if i keep the E55, i will finally mod it. Nothing crazy, but add a pulley and maybe headers. And tune it of course. I do have a PLM IC already.
Financially, how much value will I lose by modding my E55 and driving it for another year? Figure it will have 85,000 miles by next year. Will that offset how much the E63 will drop in value? Do i bite the bullet and get the TT E63 I want or is it smarter to wait? Im thinking that the E63 value came down as much as it will, so dont see major price drop happening next summer.
Thoughts?
I know I cant be the only one with this predicament...
I currently have a fantastic condition 2005 E55 with 75k miles. Very well taken care of and stock. All maintenance is 100%. However, i have an itch to get into an M157 car, the 5.5TT is just soooo appealing.
What are your thoughts? I am debating between selling the E55 and picking up a 2012/2013 E63. It will be about $40K and i will have to make payments on it. I will also be looking into cooling mods and tuning so figure another $5,000.
On the other hand, if i keep the E55, i will finally mod it. Nothing crazy, but add a pulley and maybe headers. And tune it of course. I do have a PLM IC already.
Financially, how much value will I lose by modding my E55 and driving it for another year? Figure it will have 85,000 miles by next year. Will that offset how much the E63 will drop in value? Do i bite the bullet and get the TT E63 I want or is it smarter to wait? Im thinking that the E63 value came down as much as it will, so dont see major price drop happening next summer.
Thoughts?
I know I cant be the only one with this predicament...
#2
You're certainly not the only one. It's very tempting to lust for the v8TT, so long as we're discussing the 4-Matic version.
Though I'm a huge proponent of FUN-wheel drive, you simply can't deny the repeat-ability of AWD launches. Again, if you were to consider the S-AMG.
Another point to consider is volumetric efficiency. The turbos will win every time. Sure, they might not pull like your E55 does OOB, but with a turbo swap, some downpipes and tuning, and those concerns are abated quicker than you can stomp the pedal.
Keep us posted!
Though I'm a huge proponent of FUN-wheel drive, you simply can't deny the repeat-ability of AWD launches. Again, if you were to consider the S-AMG.
Another point to consider is volumetric efficiency. The turbos will win every time. Sure, they might not pull like your E55 does OOB, but with a turbo swap, some downpipes and tuning, and those concerns are abated quicker than you can stomp the pedal.
Keep us posted!
#3
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Joined: Dec 2008
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From: Socal, Chino
E55 2006 / CLS55 / S450 / Jag XKR2011
I think you better wait for other year since new body of E is coming out. The W212 will depreciate even more by summer next year. Plus, you have a clean low mileage E55 to play for now. The price of E55 is already very low and I don't think will drop much more in a year. Good luck !
#4
Pay to play. If you want to wait for it to depreciate then your already in a dated chassis. I love my e55 and have had it since new but have also had many newer AMG vehicles since then. The new biturbo with a tune is a fantastic vehicle that has modern looks and a monstrous silky-smooth power delivery.
The e55 is timeless now in regards to what is brought to the table in 2003, but honestly with the new drivers of these vehicles over the past 4 years now, I don't have respect for them as any sort of status. It's a great bang for your buck car at this point in my opinion and that's pretty much it. So if your into what's the best dollar for dollar car the 211 is for you. If you want a newer look, better tech, higher status symbol, and superior drive train the choice is yours. If your worried about economics no MB should ever be considered.
The e55 is timeless now in regards to what is brought to the table in 2003, but honestly with the new drivers of these vehicles over the past 4 years now, I don't have respect for them as any sort of status. It's a great bang for your buck car at this point in my opinion and that's pretty much it. So if your into what's the best dollar for dollar car the 211 is for you. If you want a newer look, better tech, higher status symbol, and superior drive train the choice is yours. If your worried about economics no MB should ever be considered.
Last edited by 1ForcedBenz; 08-24-2016 at 12:57 PM.
#5
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Joined: Oct 2014
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2016 E63s Wagon - CCB & CF package
Ive had nothing but MB's for a long time. Im not concerned about the financials of it, i just want to make the best financial move. If my W211 with an additional 10k miles and mods will depreciate less than a W212 in a year, that sounds like a smarter financial move. But thats the part that I dont know. Its the mods that are the unknown. Stock for stock i know that the W212 will depreciate faster.
Im also dreading a new car in some ways... I like to do every little bit of maintenance when i get a car so i have to consider a few grand in that alone. Fluids/filters/plugs, etc... they add up.
CharlyE500, good point on the new E class coming out. I totally forgot about that even though i was in the 2017 E300 just the other day. Which IMO is just a slightly larger C-class. They look nearly identical to me... I'd much rather have the 2014-16.
Im also dreading a new car in some ways... I like to do every little bit of maintenance when i get a car so i have to consider a few grand in that alone. Fluids/filters/plugs, etc... they add up.
CharlyE500, good point on the new E class coming out. I totally forgot about that even though i was in the 2017 E300 just the other day. Which IMO is just a slightly larger C-class. They look nearly identical to me... I'd much rather have the 2014-16.
#6
didn't read every post but................TWIN TURBOOOOOOOOOO, but the W211 has miles better interior.
#7
^ ignore that. Build the engine, big blower PKG, built trans., 9" rear end, standalone, NOS, and go run 9s for about $30K.
Last edited by Speedriven1; 08-24-2016 at 01:29 PM. Reason: Forgot I'm supposed to be on here selling stuff. :D
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#9
You're certainly not the only one. It's very tempting to lust for the v8TT, so long as we're discussing the 4-Matic version.
Though I'm a huge proponent of FUN-wheel drive, you simply can't deny the repeat-ability of AWD launches. Again, if you were to consider the S-AMG.
Another point to consider is volumetric efficiency. The turbos will win every time. Sure, they might not pull like your E55 does OOB, but with a turbo swap, some downpipes and tuning, and those concerns are abated quicker than you can stomp the pedal.
Keep us posted!
Though I'm a huge proponent of FUN-wheel drive, you simply can't deny the repeat-ability of AWD launches. Again, if you were to consider the S-AMG.
Another point to consider is volumetric efficiency. The turbos will win every time. Sure, they might not pull like your E55 does OOB, but with a turbo swap, some downpipes and tuning, and those concerns are abated quicker than you can stomp the pedal.
Keep us posted!
Then you mention turbo swap, do you realize that a turbo swap will be making 1000hp on the M157? An E55 has never gotten close to that.
You talk like someone who's never driven or owned an M157. I love the E55 but it's not even close, it's in a different league.
By the way if anyone wants, I'm selling a low mileage M157 out of my smashed CLS63. Good price and includes shipping.
#10
M157 with tune...doesn't it make 760hp? LIKE STOCK, with bolts ons!?!
#11
From a financial perspective only: Why ditch a perfectly maintained low mileage vehicle? Depreciation aside, you need to make payments. Financially, the best decision is to spend as little as possible on a car. I am not talking about buying some ****box Mitsu.
Spending a few bucks on headers, tune, pulley etc.. will have you trapping 120mph - way more than enough for the streets. Are you interested in the Bi-Turbo just for the speed?
Spending a few bucks on headers, tune, pulley etc.. will have you trapping 120mph - way more than enough for the streets. Are you interested in the Bi-Turbo just for the speed?
#12
If you're loaded, why not step up to the 5.5TT? otherwise just be content with what ya got. Also, you likely wont get as much as you think for your w211. I just bought one and am pretty familiar with the market after shopping the county. For for around 75k miles the range was $11k-$30k but most had been for sale for months (even years on the higherend). I ended up paying just a bit over that lower number for a perfect 1 owner with 58k miles on it.
As for speed, we all know its addicting, but so far im loving the e55 because its ~not~ crazy fast. Im coming from a 750hp cts-v, 600hp c6 z06, 640hp camaro... all which i categorize as "scary fast". The e55 and my f355 are "fun fast". Im finding i overall get a lot my enjoyment from that... or maybe its cuz I finaly past 30 lol
As for speed, we all know its addicting, but so far im loving the e55 because its ~not~ crazy fast. Im coming from a 750hp cts-v, 600hp c6 z06, 640hp camaro... all which i categorize as "scary fast". The e55 and my f355 are "fun fast". Im finding i overall get a lot my enjoyment from that... or maybe its cuz I finaly past 30 lol
#13
Originally Posted by Rob CL
Another point to consider is volumetric efficiency. The turbos will win every time.
To wit, I also mentioned that the OP might consider looking for an S-AMG, as putting the power to the ground gets to be trickier otherwise. This is a clear indication of which platform I find superior.
With that, I'll leave you to your cherry picking, and hope that the OP finds what he's looking for most.
Last edited by Rob CL; 08-24-2016 at 04:19 PM.
#14
While the argument is a matter of perspective, I'll concede that the stock dyno sheets certainly do not favor one engine over the other (nor do I for that matter). The average stock torque output is almost identical from each engine at peak from 2,750rpm for both, and remaining through more-or-less redline for the M157. The dynos are all different, of course, and surely there are freak runs out there for each platform, but I'm making an attempt at presenting a fair and unbiased opinion.
You write like a lot of forum trolls. I haven't purported the M113k to be 'in the same league'. I have indeed experienced the M157 and also quite plainly admitted thus:
I admire that you have such passion for what is after all a more modern engine, versus one which was developed over 15 years ago.
To wit, I also mentioned that the OP might consider looking for an S-AMG, as putting the power to the ground gets to be trickier otherwise. This is a clear indication of which platform I find superior.
With that, I'll leave you to your cherry picking, and hope that the OP finds what he's looking for most.
You write like a lot of forum trolls. I haven't purported the M113k to be 'in the same league'. I have indeed experienced the M157 and also quite plainly admitted thus:
I admire that you have such passion for what is after all a more modern engine, versus one which was developed over 15 years ago.
To wit, I also mentioned that the OP might consider looking for an S-AMG, as putting the power to the ground gets to be trickier otherwise. This is a clear indication of which platform I find superior.
With that, I'll leave you to your cherry picking, and hope that the OP finds what he's looking for most.
Again, I respect each engine and the E55 is timeless and has it's own character but for sheer power, there is no competition. By the way the M157 has pretty much no turbo lag. Mid range is just insane. I hated this engine but once I drove one I realized how crazy they are. It sounds better in real life than in videos as well.
I do agree on the E55 being enough for the street though. The M157 is OVERKILL with a tune only. Unless you're getting the 4matic this thing really really struggles for traction even from a 50 mph roll. It's very very violent. I think for the street, a nicely modded E55 is very nice and you won't be depreciating much more. Maybe wait for the W213 to really come in and then the previous gen will drop.
#15
Simple financial answer...your E55 will depreciate less than the the newer 5.5TT will. If you planned to throw $5k at that car you could do that to your E55 & it will wake it up a lot. As others said keep it stock however if simply waiting a year to make a move.
#16
Love this discussion. V-AMG, whatever you decide to do it won't have anything to do with $. Emotion always prevails and my sense is the answer is already in the envelope on what you are going to do...
Please post pics when you pick up your E63 TT!
TK
Please post pics when you pick up your E63 TT!
TK
#17
The E55 doesn't dyno anywhere close to the M157. The M157s are putting down at least ~480whp stock whereas a healthy E55 will put down ~415whp stock. With just a tune though, it's all over for the E55. My car has (had) a trunk tank/split cooling, catless downpipes and tune and made 661whp. An E55 just won't get that without being heavily heavily modified.
#18
#21
OK maybe I used the wrong words but yes trunk tank in a CLS63. Why can't you have a trunk tank on the BiTurbo? It's not an exclusive M113 thing.
#23
When you said trunk tank & split cooling I figured both were an m113k thing but both are perhaps not?
#24
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Joined: Dec 2014
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From: Indianapolis
2004 E55.98 SS Camaro.Jetta TDI. Expedition
Depends what you want want now. The bi 63'3 are dropping. Every car drops for the first 10 years. Then they even out. If you can afford one and want one get it. If you want a good investment then don't buy a car. Interesting fact for American cars is this. The ford gt500 is the only car that gained value in the last 40 years within 5 years of production. They drop for 10 years straight. Everything My advice buy the E63 and liVe it up
#25
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2016 E63s Wagon - CCB & CF package
Hahahaha, have we met??