Any E53 owners here?

I’m considering getting one and was hoping to get some insight on this model. The good, the bad, what to look out for, etc. and any bugs or shortcomings to be forewarned about.

Wheel offsets wise are the offsets the same as non- AMG W213 models?

Common mods for the E53?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

 

Hi! I have an E53 coupe that I just got two months ago.

The Good:
- I got a coupe, which I think is beautiful and far better looking than the C63s coupe.
- EQ Boost gives you instant power, no waiting for turbos to spool up. 0-30 times are often sub 2s in conditions that are less than optimal in my experience.
- Exhaust sounds good, but naturally not as good as an E63s
- Price is a lot better (about the same as a C63s but less than E63s)

The Bad:

- EQ Boost is experimental tech. I’m already having serious issues with my car (I’m about to post a separate thread about it), where my car’s exhaust stops cracking and popping, and gauges show no turbo boost and power is cut to 200HP. CEL is also on. Dealer so far is unable to diagnose it (they blamed it on a blown fuse but there is no blown fuse this time), my code reader shows an overboost fault. - Technically, not an AMG but that’s nitpicking and I personally consider it a real AMG.

Not sure about wheel offsets, but car has 265/35 20’s in the front and 295/30 20’s in the rear.

Aside from this annoying defect they’re great cars!

 

I have a 2019 E53 Convertible, with just over 20,000 miles on it. I had a 2015 650IX Convertible, and I think the E53 is significantly better. 0-60 the cars are just about equal, The E53, sounds better, has more interior room, handles better, the interior is gorgeous (mine is highly optioned) The negatives are few, but bear mentioning. The 20" wheels with runflats, are attractive, but very vulnerable to every pothole you don't successfully avoid. I have already had to replace 4 tires, had two wheels replaced, and 2 "straightened". Make sure you buy tire/wheel insurance. I'm glad I have the insurance, but make sure you understand, most policies only cover the OEM wheels and TIRES. My winter snows, on the OEM wheels, were not replaced by the insurance. I had one instance where the car, after sitting at my office all day, when I started it to leave, the power steering was no where to be found. This car was very difficult to steer without the power steering, no codes showed up, and it hasn't happened again. A couple of month ago, after a drive with the top down, I went to raise it, and the front passenger window, wouldn't go down, therefore, the top couldn't go up. I brought the car back to MB, and they reprogrammed the car, and that seems to have cleared up the problem. Other than service personnel, taking my car out for a joy ride (I have a dash cam!), or the MB Roadside service tow company (when being flat bedded in for tire/wheel fix) destroying the front bumper by trying to load it first without using ramps (I watched, heard the scraping and winced), and then denied they were responsible! The car has been a pleasure to drive.

 

I have the E53 cabriolet. Plenty fast, though my friend with the 63 with the V8 has more power. Love the hybrid battery, as it makes the stop/start seamless, and the car takes off without hesitation like a Tesla. Had a couple of issues with the top that the dealership sorted out.

 

Hey guys, been looking for an E53 thread.
Got my 2020 E53 Coupe about nine months ago. Love it BUT !
This is my 3rd AMG in a row. the last 2 were a 2015 C 63 S sedan cause I didn't make a Coupe yet. Then ordered 2017 C63 Coupe when they became available.
This is E53 with Seamless power, coupled with the AWD and Air suspension all very nice in a sport coupe for and alll around comfort in sport driving That exhaust sound on the C 63 is just awesome, the E53 sound has certainly grown on me.
I found two things that need to be worked on.
The S and S+ modes have no legs on them.
I find myself driving this car in the manual mode around town most of the time preferring to run to higher RPM's before changing gears. Also, the auto modes never downshift like C63's in the same modes.
2nd - This suspension system set up, eats tires. The fronts were warn to the tread on the inside on both front wheels at 9000 miles. I got rid of the OM Pirelli's I switch to all 4 to non-runflat OM Michliens..( bought TireJect Sealentt to use incase of a flat) Much quieter ride and better handling.
My dealer was so concerned about the ware he contacted AMG and had the front suspension recalibrated with some shims to stay within tolerances but should substantially decrease front tire wear. We're going to check it at 5000 miles and consider rotating the front tires right to left to increase mileage.
Overall great car, love driving it. Wonderful accommodation of performance and comfort for every day driving.
I'll post a tire ware updatet at 5000 miles w results !
JWIV

 

Had my E53 sedan since December. IMO, it's an awesome daily driver. The interior is simply amazing, it's got enough power for what I need, and it rides really nice. If I were to change anything I'd add a little more pop to the exhaust -- even the performance exhaust option is a bit too quiet for an AMG.

 

Thanks guys for replying. Haven't heard much in my neck of the woods about E53 issues with the hybrid system.... yet. I hope username "E53" gets his issues sorted out soon.

I'm making a guess here and thinking that the offsets are standard W213 and we can look to the other guys on the W213 forum for reference.

Its strange though that there is a E63 and E43 forum here, but no E53.

 

I got a 2020 E53 convertible. Had it about 8 months, have 6k miles on it. Love it. I had a 2019 SL550
that even with a V8 felt underpowered and it eat a lot of gas and I did not drive it fast. Live in SWFL
and the top is down a lot. Wish the cooled seats worked better, my Porsches and my wife Lexus freeze
you out. The cooled seats are much better than the SL550. I have Pirelli runflat 20's they ride a tad hard
even when not in sport(+) modes. I can live with it though. Mileage is about 22mpg overall. The inside
cannot be beat. Messaging seats, fragrance fills the car and the stereo is great. My complaint is that
skinny transmission stick, on the steering wheel looks and feels flimsy. I'll change the tires to Michelin
when these expire. Pirellis are nice but I'm a big Michelin fan. Have had zero problems with it. Have changed the
oil by the dealer twice, once around 2k mile and then 6k miles. At 2k they used the 0w-30 oil, at 6k they used the 0w-20
oil recommended. The first oil change the dealer had no 0w-20 oil. I asked for the 0w-20 second time and they found some.

Great car I would highly recommend it. The 2021 didn't change much except for the front grill.

 

Thanks for the insights. The feedback definitely helps. I believe the major difference for the 2021 is the 4Matic+, which I think is a quite a big deal.

 

No the 2020 has 4 matic as well.

https://www.mbusa.com/en/vehicles/mo...ss/coupe/e53c4

 

2020 has 4Matic+ too? That’s great.

 

All E53's have 4Matic+, my 2019 does too. The E43's that they replaced had the older 4Matic.

 

Good to know. Thanks.

Are E53’s usually equipped with switchable Performance Exhaust or standard? Or are they more or less 50/50 out there.

 

Performance Exhaust is an option, but I think pretty much every E53 that wasn't special ordered without it came with it. When I was shopping around it was a requirement for me, I'd say it was on 75-85% of the cars I checked out.

 

E53 Convertible too
just upgraded the exhaust... the OEM is way too quiet.
Love it so far

 

That exhaust upgrade should not even be an option on an AMG !
The other option I like is the AMG dynamic drive buttons on the steering wheel.
Use them every time I crank up !
JWIV

 

My dealer is replacing the turbo boost actuator, hopefully that’ll solve my issues with the car.

Other than that though, it’s the perfect coupe in the Mercedes lineup if you ask me.

And for those who have stock performance exhaust, optimal popping is achieved in 3rd gear, by revving to about 4500 rpm full throttle and then letting go when turbo spools up all the way... try it out, you’ll thank me later

Edit: Also important to note that while the 2020 has 4matic+, the 2021 will come with drift mode, launch control, and race mode. Other than that (talking about coupe and cab), everything physically looks the same save for the headlights/grille and some minor led placements in the taillight.

 

OEM switchable Performance Exhaust or non-switchable exhaust is too quiet?

 

yes, OEM PE is too quiet for me
upgraded to Capristo

 

Not an option for me, cos it seems Capristo is made for Left Hand Drive E53 only.

 

mine is also right hand drives, just do not install one of the parts.

 

Which part? Tell me what to do, cos I want Capristo too.

 

I’ve had a 19 sedan e53 since April 2019 in the flat grey. 15 k miles so far and the only issue is fuel door wasn’t lined well for a trim close.

I’ll won’t go with flat paint again unless it’s a wrap bc of handwash requirement - miss the auto washes more often.

Have most features but miss the top of the line audio and the HUD.

No ragerts except it’s not an e63s. I would have rather held out and spent about the same on a 1-2 yo e63s or just popped the additional 20-25k for a new one.

 

I have a E53 and purchased new in May 2019. Put about 20K kms on it currently and it's an absolutely amazing car. Power is great, hybrid system is amazing and fuel economy which I don't really care about, but it's amazing as well. The interior, no explanation needed, amazing.

My only complaint and this is a weird one...is my door panels keep detaching at the top part of the door panel (under the window). I've this happen on two separate doors, and it's going back to the dealer to get it clamped back on. I'm definitely not slamming the doors, so I have no idea how this is happening. It's actually quite funny that this would have to a benz. But not that big of an issue...

 

I also have the 2019 E53 (in Iridium Silver), purchased in June 2019. Zero issues so far. Great fun, adequate power for my needs. Just can't wait to dump the Pirelli runflats for the Michelin Pilot Sports. Never actually looked forward to buying tires before. Been complaining so much about them that my wife finally said that she didn't care if they were worn out or not, just buy the damn Michelins so she doesn't have to listen to my *****in".