rake55

I recently picked up my 2005 E55. It's the 3rd E55 I've owned as I've previously owned a 2000 and a 2002. The 05 is the worst AMG I've ever owned. I love the power, the looks and the amenities but the brake feel and the steering is absolutely unforgivable. The steering is so loose that it reminds me of an old Cadillac. The brakes feel way to synthetic. How do other E55 owners feel about their cars?

MBAMGPWR

Love it! I think the brakes are average and I expected the steering to be the way it is. I don't need to hit corners doing a large amount of speed to please me, to me it's all about the straight line.

W210

The 2004 is also my 3rd E55, had a 2000 and 2001. I much prefer the W211. The brakes are the same as the SL500 which I have gotten used to in no time. The steering is a little numb but perfectly acceptable for my use. You find it loose meaning you can move the steering wheel back and forth and nothing will happen? Perhaps you may want to bring it in, my steering is very sensitive and responsivev.

How does the typical Cadillac steering feel like anyway? Like a Lexus? I recently test drove the mid size Cadillac and find the steering very similar to the C-class, actually.

eagleeye

Your post should be titled "I hate the E55's brakes and steering". No one is pretending them to be world class. The car is more about power, beauty, and luxury, which is what you said you love about the car.

saber

I think the brakes take some getting use to but after you get the feel you will find that they stop the car very effectively for a 4200 lb sedan. The steering is average to me.

awiner

Funny you mention that. After driving a friends E55 these were the exact two complaints I had as well.

I got used to the brakes after a while, however, the steering was very artificial feeling. I am sure after some time you will get used to it.

The suspension is something I would be more concerned about however.

neoprufrok

What would you have done differently? More specifically, what car would you have bought otherwise?

AMGfan

If you want a better handling AMG...get the new C55 or SLK55...I'm personally not a very skilled driver (adequate), so what I paid for is what suited me.

I could've been on a waiting list for an M5...but it's appearance can only be loved by a true BMW homer...

moa4r

I bet one of those smaller diamater/thick rim steering wheels would imrpove the steering feel a lot. sensotronic brakes just take getting used to IMO

jefrose55

interesting....i traded an 01 e55 for a new 04 a year ago and couldn't be happier... i think the car is much improved over the 210 e55. I replaced the original conti tires with mich ps2's and the car tracks better. Just put dunlop m3's on the car for winter. I recently traded an 02 M3. While the m3 handled much better it was harsh for daily driving.

I couldn't think of a better car for the money for a daily driver/commuting. Power, comfort, lux/style. I guess it depends on your purpose for the car..."hate" is a harsh word

jeff
04 e55 tectite.. every options but phone and adjusting cruise.
04 range rover

traded 01 e55
traded 02 M3 conv.

scorchie

If you hate the car that much, just send it over here and I will take it off your hands for you. I'll even include a token monetary sum to HELP cover shipping costs!

-s-

MB SF

When I put the 19" wheels with the new (but "Low End" Fuzion tires ) on my E-500 it REALLY livend up the steering input. The only 2 cars I drive are my E-500 and my Ferrari 355 Spider. I kid you not, going down the road at 50 puls MPH, the E-500 "slots" as well as the Ferrari. Of course after initial turn in the E-500 has a ton more understeer, but the steering input is quite impressive for a mid-size sedan!

moa4r

agreed, handling and steering feel also improved a lot with 19" wheels and fat performance tires.

MB SF

Yes, I really beleive that what he is feeling is purely the side wall flex of the tires. I think (other than the inherant understeer) that with the 19" wheels and lowered just a bit that it would surely remedy this issue. These Fuzion's are a great value ($710 per set of 4) but are not the stiffest sidewall. Again, with the 19's it is a great improvement.

BoBcanada

I dont know, After ML55 This car is better in many ways lol I think it has enough steering, and i have no problems with the brakes too i think they are awesome... Some of you are just too picky!!

CynCarvin32

a steering wheel will never make a car turn in better... it just makes your fingers feel good. You need serious work to fix this flaw.

CynCarvin32

But do keep in mind the E500 is far more dynamic than a E55. I ahve both and I swear the E500 is 10x more fun to drive. THe E55 might be stupid fast but its so bad when it turns that I feel no need to push the car anywhere but on an on-ramp.

My E500 just got a new set of tires and it is more fun than ever. Enjoy your car.

Econprof

I too am dissatisfied with my new E55 which I purchased in August; to date it has only been driven 600 miles. Specific dislikes are the steering, brakes, and suspension. Perhaps too much was expected or perhaps I simply prefer the responsiveness of a smaller car. Hope to replace the E55 was a SL55.

CynCarvin32

Amen.. I have stopped driving the car. I put 600 miles on it in the last 3-4 months. As of late I started using it for long distance driving but passengers stated that it had a terrible ride and that it felt unstable at speed. They all prefer the SL55's ride and I must say it drives 500% better

Dr Chill

Recommendations to diminish the hatred.

#1) Invest in a wider front rim and wider tire. This improved the steering feel and decreased understeer. When I track the car. I use identical wheels front and back-265/35/18 on 18 X 9 Stock (rear) rims

#2) Lower the car 1 1/2 inches by whatever means you prefer. Star diagnostic manipulation is by far the least expensive but this assumes you can find someone to do it.

#3) The brakes are not bad, they just require more time to get used to them. A pad upgrade may help. I use Porterfields which stop the car better than stock.

If these steps don't help you feel the love, you need a different car. Remember the W211 E55 is not a sports car, but is the best 4 door sedan available at the present time IMO. If only the new M5 didn't look like dog****.

awiner

Carvin, do you feel the ABC suspension on the CL / S and SL class would help the E class if avaialble ?

I swear, I push my 4000 lbs CL around and it feels and handles like it weighs 200 lbs. ABC is an amazing system. I wonder if the E Class will ever get it.

HarveyKorenzo

I gotta run out to my garage and check.... i must have a completley different car. I love the brakes, but you cant just mash them down or you will go thru the windshield... the steering is perfect for a "LUXURY PERFORMANCE" car like the E55. It's not a Porsche and I think too often because of the awesome power this car has, we tend to compare it to the more edgy sports cars out there. ( I cant imagine a passenger getting into my E55 and saying it has a terrible ride... as compared to what I would ask them.) This car is awesome. Just my .02

CynCarvin32

Adam,

I would say an E55 with ABC would be the worlds best sedan. If it is 200 lbs less than my SL55 and your CL55 ABC would make the car a real M5 killer. The system allows for an ideal ballance between chassis dynamics and ride quality.

The ABC system CAN be tricked if driving on a terrible road and the SL55 will bottom the rear suspension more often than some (short wheel base issue) but the SL and CL (even the S) are fantatic cars with ABC.

But ABC is not set to continue past the current generation of cars so the W211 or W212 will never see the system in production. True shame.

If my E55 had ABC I would take out every 996 on every canyon road (or track event) for 90% of the porsche owners drive like 90 year old women. Think of the fun!

CynCarvin32

What can I say. The E55 is not that great

Ask the lady what she thought of my car when it woke her up on the 91 freeway when going 90 mph. She said this car rides like crap ... thats a quote. She really loves the SL55 for it rides far better. I love the SL55 for it drives better.... I just need a 4 door SL55...

awiner

Let me get this straight ... Your saying the E500 handles better than the E55 ? How can that be ?