BklynMarc

I've been doing research for the better part of a month on my next car and have fallen in love with the E55. My current lease expires in April '05 and my auto broker has found a production slot for my E55 in late January, with delivery to me by March. This works out perfectly and gives me some time to tinker with my order. Here's the current configuration of the car:

2005 E55 AMG
Obsidian Black
Charcoal/Charcoal Leather
319 Lighting Package
Panorama Sunroof
DVD COMAND Navigation
Keyless Go
6-Disc CD Changer (Factory Installed)
Rear Side-Window Roller Blinds
Power Rear Window Sunshade
Active Ventilated Seats/Front

Here are some of my questions:

1) Does anyone have any pictures of the Obsidian Black on the E55? If not, can someone give me a detailed description of the difference in appearance between the Obsidian Black and the standard Black paint?

2) What does the Alcantara liner look like in the E55? I sat in an SL55 this weekend and the sales rep told me that all AMG cars have the same headliners. Is this true? Is it a dark headliner (akin to the liner in the BMW M5) or some lighter color? (FYI-- the headliner in the SL55 I saw was beautiful dark grey-black -- I hope it's the same in the E55s).

3) The sales rep told me that all AMG cars have the massaging seat function. Is this true? I see it as an option. Is it an option that anyone would recommend?

4) Same question with the ventilated seats-- do they function well and/or is this an option worth getting?

5) I have not decided whether I like the black bird's eye maple or the regular burl wood finish better. I know the car is normally configured with the black wood, but was wondering if anyone ordered their car with the burl wood and whether this took away from the sporty nature of the interior. Any comments from owners on which finish looks richer on the E55 would be appreciated.

6) Any comments on the illuminated door sills? Anyone get this option?

gmdebruyn

i'll let you know in 3 weeks. i ordered the black, w/Walnut Burl wood.

ventilated seats are nice if you sweat a lot down your back.

Gareth

DRCrowder

I think the massage is only with the drive dynamic seats

MB Fanatic

The massage is with the Drive Dynamic only, and also not all AMG's comes with the Alcantra headliner, it is an option.

DRCrowder

The alcantra headliner was not offered to me, I'll be pissed if it isn't standard

cte430

1) The only difference is it's metallic vs. "flat" black. Some I know who have it say it hides swirls a little better than the flat black.
2) The headliner is a light grey color.
3) The massaging seats are an option and I do not have it
4) Ventilated seats are also an option. Some love it, some don't think it does much.
5) I chose the regular burl walnut. Some think the black/black is too much. I like both, but I thought in the long run I would tire of the black birds eye. Had I leased or did not plan on keeping the car very long, I probably would have gone with the black. MB has improved with the black as it has more wood grain than when the new E first came out. I had an '03 E500 and came very close to getting the black, however when the sun was not shining on it, it looked like plastic. It looks better now.
6) I do not have the door sills. There are lots of pics here.

cte430

I thought it was standard

MB Fanatic

I would be pist too if it were standard. Though I have an early build 04'.

BklynMarc

I don't think they offered the Alcantra headliner standard in the 2003 or 2004 models, but I was under the impression that it is standard on the 2005 model. That may be why you weren't asked about this option.

The liner that I saw on the SL55 with a Panorama roof was so sweet. It even had the Alcantra on the dash above the instrumentation panel. It certainly adds to the rich feeling of the car. In the SL, it was rather dark too. I hope they have kept with this color scheme.

Are the Drive Dynamic seats worth it?

MB Fanatic

I just asked my dealer and the Alcantra is an option and it is not standard or any AMG vehicle. even on the SL 65 its part of the Silver Arrows edition.

The Drive Dynamic seats are worth every penny. They are so comfortable I cant even describe it. It loosk like that this is the only option you are missing.

gmdebruyn

http://www3.mercedes-benz.com/omb/am.../interieur.htm

for door sills (OEM).

you can get ones from Harris as well which apparently you can install yourself.

front two doors are available readily in the US, all 4 doors have to be special ordered from Europe or through your dealer.

eagleeye

I love the ventilated seats. They work as advertised. There are three fan speeds, and the fans are silent.

Alacantra headliner is standard on the 05 E55, and is light grey.

I test drove an 04 with burl, and I thought it did not fit the sporty nature of the car. I much prefer the black birdseye.

Here are a pic of my obsidian 05 E55. The metallic is beautiful IMO.

Beowulf

Agree on all points - we think alike!

The Alcantara (not "alcantra") headliner covers pillars, sun visors and ceiling on the '05.

My replacement E55 will have both the Drive-Dynamic & active ventilated seats - I've driven a car so equipped and liked both the adaptive seating during cornering, as well as the massage feature for use on extended trips. The ventilated seats are a necessity in a warm climate, IMO.

To be honest, I didn't like the black birdseye maple trim when I first saw it. Now I think it perfectly complements the nature of the beast. I see burl walnut on so many cars, it's nice to have an alternative.

BTW, eagleeye, your Obsidian E55 is indeed a stunner!

BklynMarc

Thanks for the information, EagleEye and Beowulf. It has been very helpful.

Beowulf -- I'll have to give the Drive Dynamic seats some serious consideration now. The adaptive seating during cornering sounds like a well-designed feature. One test of an option's worth is imagining your life without the option. For example, lately I've been wondering how I watched non-HD TV for so long. Is it the same with the Drive Dynamic seats?

EagleEye -- I echo Beowulf's sentiments. Your car is a stunner! The Obsidian Black looks great -- I'm sold. One question -- are your windows tinted? From the vantage point of your photo, it looks as if you have a nice light bluish-grey tint. If so, what percentage and manufacturer?

eagleeye

20% all the way.Tint is Formula One, Pinnacle Series. Has a lifetime warranty. I had the windows tinted by the dealer (my salesman agreed to take it to the local shop for me) prior to delivery. Also, I got the eruo front bumper strips from Steve at MBenzNL.com, which are a must. I took them with me to delivery and the service guy popped them in while I was signing the papers. That is the way to do it!

Here are a few more pics to drool over. OBSIDIAN RULES!

BTW The OXO car duster (check Autopia.com) is the true secret to keeping a black car looking good. A 30 second dusting of the upper half of the car per night will keep it looking just washed for at least a week.

norb

Alcantra was alway standard on the E55. Its light grey and I love it, its a nice break from the blackness of the interior.

About the massage, be ready to be dissappointed as it doesn't really massage your back, its more like a very slow pulse, just to keep you from getting bed sores while driving.

eagleeye

The best thing about obsidian is how bad it looks at night. Here's one of the beast just gettin' ready to hunt. Hide your women and children!

MB Fanatic

Looks like Fletcher Jones has some explaining to do if it was always standard on the W211 E55.

norb

Did you not get it on your E55? My parent's S55 doesn't have the alcantra and its not offered as an option, they reserved it for the 600.

Hussain

My E55 is obsidian and I absolutely love it. It is my new favorite color. I have also chosen the exact same options as you minus the panorama. I will post pics of my ride tomorrow

theitalianjob

Would you consider the black/blue leather combo? I think it adds more flavour to the interior and makes yourself stand out from the other benzes.

AMGe55

The alcantara headliner was standard on my 2004 e55 and is light grey in color. I think it was standard on 2003 as well. I have the drive dynamic seats and massage and really like it. The ventilated seats-you can't actually feel the ventilation but you notice that you don't sweat and you don't stick to the seat in the summer.

BklynMarc

I have thought about the black/blue combination. Quite a bit actually. I saw some other posts and thought the blue offset the black nicely. Arghh. So many choices. In fact, I've been toying around with getting the illuminated sills with the black/blue option, just to pull out all the stops. Thanks for thought, ItalianJob. Saro' pazzo apiu presto!

theitalianjob

I'm not actually Italian

gmdebruyn

are the blue seat inserts available after you have the car, or is it a one time choice? i read somewhere you could interchange. i could be wrong though.