RE: Mercedes E55 AMG: PH Used Buying Guide

[flatso]

Beautiful MB model, the best looking E-Klasse this side of the w124, especially as an estate version. The interiour is equally stylish. Too bad they never did an AMG with awd

[JaredVannett]

This car had one of the best car ad's of all time.... "the beast":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmQp1pBhPis

Edited by JaredVannett on Wednesday 31st October 22:18

[Hairymonster]

I would love one of these - stick an E220D badge on it

But by 'eck, when it goes wrong, you better know a good specialist that can fettle it properly, and you better have a good chunk of unused credit on one of your cards.

[Daniel1]

Francis85 said:

Gerradi said:

Edited by Gerradi on Wednesday 31st October 15:06

Yours looks great.

The pics in the main article are horrible. Make the car look awful.

That is a handsome car.

[sr.guiri]

Heaps available on the continent currently, about 25 in estate form, from what I've found. But prices are more for Correct Hand Drive (for me, not being in the UK).

Struggling to find an estate for less than 13.000€ where I am.

Any idea which way these prices are going? Is this a buy now, or wait a couple of years?

[anonymous-user]

JaredVannett said:

This car had one of the best car ad's of all time.... "the beast":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmQp1pBhPis

Edited by JaredVannett on Wednesday 31st October 22:18

[anonymous-user]

nicfaz said:

These were rated as 469bhp just because Merc wanted some distance between the cheaper E55 /SL55 and the top of the range S55/CL55. They should all have 500bhp+ from the factory if fit. This means that a standard E55 is close to cracking 200mph without mods (apart from de-limit), maybe even would on a cool day given enough road. They will run mid 12s quarter mile without mods too. Seriously fast cars.

The power quoted being less on the E than the CL/SL is a bit of a myth.

The M113K engine has had 4 official power outputs:

2001 476Bhp
2004 493Bhp
2006 510Bhp
2008 517Bhp

Changes down to mapping and throttle body sizes.

Any model (E/CL/SL) from these years will have these power outputs or would have done when the car was new.

[TheAngryDog]

JaredVannett said:

This car had one of the best car ad's of all time.... "the beast":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmQp1pBhPis

Edited by JaredVannett on Wednesday 31st October 22:18

That advert wouldnt be allowed today!

cb1965 said:

nicfaz said:

These were rated as 469bhp just because Merc wanted some distance between the cheaper E55 /SL55 and the top of the range S55/CL55. They should all have 500bhp+ from the factory if fit. This means that a standard E55 is close to cracking 200mph without mods (apart from de-limit), maybe even would on a cool day given enough road. They will run mid 12s quarter mile without mods too. Seriously fast cars.

The power quoted being less on the E than the CL/SL is a bit of a myth.

The M113K engine has had 4 official power outputs:

2001 476Bhp
2004 493Bhp
2006 510Bhp
2008 517Bhp

Changes down to mapping and throttle body sizes.

Any model (E/CL/SL) from these years will have these power outputs or would have done when the car was new.

I had a 2004 (805 build) E55. so it was 493bhp as standard?

[Alex_225]

WCZ said:

Alex_225 said:

I absolutely love these but then I own an E320 CDI of the same era and despite it's near 130k mileage, is one of the best overall cars I've owned.

I can only imagine it being much the same but with more power and a decent chunk of torque, plus the sound. A bit of tweaking to 600bhp would make it all the better.

Absolute bargain of a car now although as with any older V8, potential for expensive bills.

I had both, the 55 was so much better than the 320cdi! both were decent though

the following e63 was one of the best cars I've ever owned - also an insanely good second hand buy today @ ~£15-20k!

Oh I don't doubt that for a moment. My CLS63 is not a dissimilar car and it certainly cranks the drive and power up to 11!

The E320 makes a fantastic budget mile muncher. Does probably 85% of what my CLS63 does but for less than £4k and with 45mpg.

I do love the idea of one of the AMG v8s as a daily car but can't quite warrant the 25mpg with the mileage I do.

[pSyCoSiS]

I came so close to buying one of these back in 2016, but ended up with an S55K instead.

What an engine, what a thunderous noise.

I doubt these will get any cheaper. There was one on eBay last week for less than £6k, and it actually had a decent service and mot history, with many major components replaced recently - now that is value for money!

No doubt the 211 would drive better than the 220 in terms of handling, but that big old boat really did shift. Raced many cars in that, all of them surprised why something so big and old was so quick.

In terms of driving pleasure, I'd have an E39 M5 any day over one of these.

As with any high end car that is over 10 years old, they aren't the cheapest things to run and need regular and proper maintenance, so don't buy one for £6k and expect it to be run on a shoestring!

[Daniel1]

Alex_225 said:

Oh I don't doubt that for a moment. My CLS63 is not a dissimilar car and it certainly cranks the drive and power up to 11!

The E320 makes a fantastic budget mile muncher. Does probably 85% of what my CLS63 does but for less than £4k and with 45mpg.

I do love the idea of one of the AMG v8s as a daily car but can't quite warrant the 25mpg with the mileage I do.

From a cls63? I get 16mpg from my sl55, 19mpg

[Alex_225]

Daniel1 said:

Alex_225 said:

Oh I don't doubt that for a moment. My CLS63 is not a dissimilar car and it certainly cranks the drive and power up to 11!

The E320 makes a fantastic budget mile muncher. Does probably 85% of what my CLS63 does but for less than £4k and with 45mpg.

I do love the idea of one of the AMG v8s as a daily car but can't quite warrant the 25mpg with the mileage I do.

From a cls63? I get 16mpg from my sl55, 19mpg

Indeed, I mean that was a very very leisurely cruise at 65mph with an indicated 26mpg. Normal driving though, 15/16mpg is far more the case.

The bulk of my driving is on the motorway (1k a month) as I commute by train mid-week.

[oversteerer]

Is there a more reliable used car that makes this much power? XFR possibly? The modern turbocharged stuff is fragile in comparison and the naturally aspirated stuff can't keep up.

[oversteerer]

cb1965 said:

nicfaz said:

These were rated as 469bhp just because Merc wanted some distance between the cheaper E55 /SL55 and the top of the range S55/CL55. They should all have 500bhp+ from the factory if fit. This means that a standard E55 is close to cracking 200mph without mods (apart from de-limit), maybe even would on a cool day given enough road. They will run mid 12s quarter mile without mods too. Seriously fast cars.

The power quoted being less on the E than the CL/SL is a bit of a myth.

The M113K engine has had 4 official power outputs:

2001 476Bhp
2004 493Bhp
2006 510Bhp
2008 517Bhp

Changes down to mapping and throttle body sizes.

Any model (E/CL/SL) from these years will have these power outputs or would have done when the car was new.

Are you sure that the 510BHP and 517BHP outputs weren't for the 63 cars with the 6.2L M156?

[anonymous-user]

oversteerer said:

cb1965 said:

nicfaz said:

These were rated as 469bhp just because Merc wanted some distance between the cheaper E55 /SL55 and the top of the range S55/CL55. They should all have 500bhp+ from the factory if fit. This means that a standard E55 is close to cracking 200mph without mods (apart from de-limit), maybe even would on a cool day given enough road. They will run mid 12s quarter mile without mods too. Seriously fast cars.

The power quoted being less on the E than the CL/SL is a bit of a myth.

The M113K engine has had 4 official power outputs:

2001 476Bhp
2004 493Bhp
2006 510Bhp
2008 517Bhp

Changes down to mapping and throttle body sizes.

Any model (E/CL/SL) from these years will have these power outputs or would have done when the car was new.

Are you sure that the 510BHP and 517BHP outputs weren't for the 63 cars with the 6.2L M156?

Yep, quite sure.The M113K was used until 2008.

[oversteerer]

cb1965 said:

oversteerer said:

cb1965 said:

nicfaz said:

These were rated as 469bhp just because Merc wanted some distance between the cheaper E55 /SL55 and the top of the range S55/CL55. They should all have 500bhp+ from the factory if fit. This means that a standard E55 is close to cracking 200mph without mods (apart from de-limit), maybe even would on a cool day given enough road. They will run mid 12s quarter mile without mods too. Seriously fast cars.

The power quoted being less on the E than the CL/SL is a bit of a myth.

The M113K engine has had 4 official power outputs:

2001 476Bhp
2004 493Bhp
2006 510Bhp
2008 517Bhp

Changes down to mapping and throttle body sizes.

Any model (E/CL/SL) from these years will have these power outputs or would have done when the car was new.

Are you sure that the 510BHP and 517BHP outputs weren't for the 63 cars with the 6.2L M156?

Yep, quite sure.The M113K was used until 2008.

The M113K was only used in the G55 after 2006. All other cars used the M156.

[TrickyTrevM5]

cb1965 said:

Krikkit said:

rtz62 said:

Back to these, I love them but would I own one? Hmmm, as petitioned on Fifth Gear a week or so ago, they compete with the M5, and both have such potential to empty your wallet faster than an ex-wife that I'd have to think twice. Or thrice....

I'd have one of these over an E39 M5 - it won't appreciate as much, but to me it looks better, sounds much better with a supercharger, and doesn't attract the slightly yobbish image that a sporty E39 does.

Crikey, it's funny how we are all different.. I'd have an E39 M5 every single time over one of these for just about every reason imaginable.... better handling, better looking, more reliable, better built, appreciating asset, more dynamic etc. etc. It's just an all round better car in every way. The E55 is a one trick pony and that trick is the engine!

I've owned both.

The E55 is better more of the time than the M5. Don't get me wrong, I loved the manual M5 and heeling and toeing and the engine - it was a great car. but it needed a lot of fettling.

The E55 was a complete sleeper. Mine was de-badged (LG53 AAX - hopefully still out there somewhere). I disagree that its a one trick pony. I once attended a funeral in Redcar and raced there from london in the E55 to pay my respects. on the way back with everything in comfort mode, i wafted home. the quality of the ride was excellent, and when you were in the mood the engine was sublime. It lost out to the M5 on the last 10% of the committed drive -as it wasnt so point and squirt, but how often do we drive like that daily (which is a shame he moaned.....)

I loved it. sold it after 3 years.

On my list of cars, the E55 ranks 2nd after my M6GC and the my e39 m5. My E46 M3 being 4th.

only downside was leaving the paddock club after the british grand prix a few years ago, some tool knocked on my window and asked for a quote to take him to Birmingham International Airport (quite funny, but at the time i told him to foxtrot oscar)

[EarlOfHazard]

swiveleyedgit said:

JaredVannett said:

This car had one of the best car ad's of all time.... "the beast":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmQp1pBhPis

Edited by JaredVannett on Wednesday 31st October 22:18

Aaand another !

[EarlOfHazard]

I was looking to buy one, back in 2014 (i think). One came up near me (in Poole), it was an 06 (so the last of the last).
It was a black saloon and was up for 10k. Anyway, it turns out it was already sold by the time that I enquired. Booo
Anywayyy, on another car forum, the new owner makes himself known; however, within maybe a month or two, it had been stolen!!
The thief was caught because the was selling the parts on ebay!! Terrible end for a truly great car...and rare being an 06..

[Test driver]

Amazing quality at such a cheap price. I have a clk 55 amg and this would be a worthy replacement.

The power and torque are phenomonal