E55 or S55?
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From: San Diego
996 Turbo, ML320
E55 or S55?
How do they compare, what are the characteristics of both? Does the E completely outperform the S? Comfort? Performance?
I am 6' 3" 230lbs, will the back seat be usable in the E compared to the S?
I am 6' 3" 230lbs, will the back seat be usable in the E compared to the S?
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From: Palm Beach, FL
'03 Yukon XL Denali, '06 Eclipse GS
The E outperforms the S only slightly. Not sure if your body will be suited comfortably on that back of the E, but surely the S. I'm not sure about the technical aspects of performance and comfort between the two, but obviously both are loaded with power along with luxury. What more can you ask for in sporty sedans? 
Thread Starter
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From: San Diego
996 Turbo, ML320
Back seat
You may have misunderstood regarding the back seat. I am certainly not going to be driven around. I meant being tall I push the seat all the way back. How will the rear passenger sit with the front seats pushed back in the E? Does it give them much room?
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From: Los Angeles, Ca
2016 GLC300 sport
Originally Posted by Max (SD)
You may have misunderstood regarding the back seat. I am certainly not going to be driven around. I meant being tall I push the seat all the way back. How will the rear passenger sit with the front seats pushed back in the E? Does it give them much room?
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Originally Posted by MBE55AMG
The E outperforms the S only slightly.
I spent an 8 hour day this summer at the AMG Challenge running each of the AMG's to their maximum capacities...slalom, drag, spin-out, track runs, etc.
The S55, while a remarkably well engineered car (that is, remarkable that the AMG sedan, as large and heavy as it is, can be tossed around at all and maintain its composure is impressive) was very obviously inferior to the E55 in every performance test.
If you need the space, the S55 is a great road car with some nice performance capabilities for a car its size.
If you're looking for the most athletic of the AMG sedans, it's the E55.
The majority of the professional drivers I spoke with that day preferred the E55 to every other AMG on the track, even the SL55 and CL55.
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From: San Diego
996 Turbo, ML320
Amg55
How does one go to the AMG challenge. That is probably what I need to do prior to making a decision. I have been finding that I am taking more out of town clients around. I want to make sure that they fit comfortably in the back seat but not give up the performance objective of the car. Note; this would be a replacement to my 996 turbo. I don't want to lose the thrill of the drive when I am on my own.
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From: vienna
2001 E55 & 1988 BMW M6
I'm 6-2, 225 - there's plenty of room left behind my seat. I frequently have three other passengers in my car (albeit a w210). Absolutely no complaints from them - even the larger folks...
The S is nice and spacious, but not the same "athletic" feel as the E...
Also - I think the AMG challenge is a $1,000 ticket. Seems like it would be a nice "client event" but certainly hasn't rated high on my list of things to spend my own $$ on...
The S is nice and spacious, but not the same "athletic" feel as the E...
Also - I think the AMG challenge is a $1,000 ticket. Seems like it would be a nice "client event" but certainly hasn't rated high on my list of things to spend my own $$ on...
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2000 W210 E55->2003 R230 SL500->2004 W211 E55->2007 997TT+2007 E63->2010 GLK350->2012 E550 4matic
The S55 is roomier but I like the trim and finishing in the E55 better. Don't forget new S will be out next year.
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From: WOT somewhere in the Bay Area
1951 Caterpiller D6
I've been comparing the E and S bodies side by side all day today. I'm 6'03" and find that the rear seat leg room is barely acceptable for an average adult if you want to keep the seatbacks clean. Both are beautiful but if you want to impress your rear seat passengers, go for the S. The E55 is a better car in all performance categories than the S55. However, the S600 (with a few minor tweeks) can make your 996TT look like grandma's Buick at the stoplight drags.
