W211 E55 AMG - A perfect storm
Discussion
Ph1listine said:
Cheers, is that what you run on your RS6? How's that running? Always fancied 1 of them and I remember reading in Evo they feel a lot faster and you feel more involved. While the E55 is faster from a roll the RS6 is blisteringly quick 0-30 mph, 1.5 vs 2.2 seconds iirc.
Yes I do. I usually run mid range tyres (Kumho/Falken) and was quite sceptical that I wouldn't notice the difference. I was completely wrong, the grip especially in poor conditions is very impressive. I can plant the throttle in the wet and there is a tiny blip from the traction control and it just grips and goes. No washout on wet roundabouts anymore. For Scottish weather conditions they are ideal.
RS6 is going really well, I have a readers cars thread for it and to be honest it's a bit boring as not a huge amount has happened.
There are a lot of myths surrounding the car regarding maintenance costs, but if you are careful they do not have to be as expensive as people claim. Especially if the DRC has been replaced for a conventional setup.
Still love the old beasty, they are getting a rare sight now. They drive is okay, maybe not as involving I would say as your AMG to be honest.
The engine is a gem though and dominates the experience and even in its old age is still a seriously quick car
Uggers said:
Ph1listine said:
Cheers, is that what you run on your RS6? How's that running? Always fancied 1 of them and I remember reading in Evo they feel a lot faster and you feel more involved. While the E55 is faster from a roll the RS6 is blisteringly quick 0-30 mph, 1.5 vs 2.2 seconds iirc.
Yes I do. I usually run mid range tyres (Kumho/Falken) and was quite sceptical that I wouldn't notice the difference. I was completely wrong, the grip especially in poor conditions is very impressive. I can plant the throttle in the wet and there is a tiny blip from the traction control and it just grips and goes. No washout on wet roundabouts anymore. For Scottish weather conditions they are ideal.
RS6 is going really well, I have a readers cars thread for it and to be honest it's a bit boring as not a huge amount has happened.
There are a lot of myths surrounding the car regarding maintenance costs, but if you are careful they do not have to be as expensive as people claim. Especially if the DRC has been replaced for a conventional setup.
Still love the old beasty, they are getting a rare sight now. They drive is okay, maybe not as involving I would say as your AMG to be honest.
The engine is a gem though and dominates the experience and even in its old age is still a seriously quick car
Uggers said:
I can't comment on the difference between S versions and non S versions.
But for the S versions they came to just over £800 for a set of 4 in 265/35/19 which I didn't think was too bad.
S versions are only available in 19" and above for some reason. Hoping the non S 18s are all good.But for the S versions they came to just over £800 for a set of 4 in 265/35/19 which I didn't think was too bad.
Ph1listine said:
Cheers, is that what you run on your RS6? How's that running? Always fancied 1 of them and I remember reading in Evo they feel a lot faster and you feel more involved. While the E55 is faster from a roll the RS6 is blisteringly quick 0-30 mph, 1.5 vs 2.2 seconds iirc.
For future reference I've ordered:
- 2 x Michelin Pilot Sport 4 265/35 ZR18 97Y XL, MFS
- LEMFÖRDER Track Control Arm, Front Axle, Right, Lower, Front, Control Arm, with rubber mounting
- BOSCH Aerotwin Wiper Blade, Front, Driver side, Passenger Side, Length: 650mm, Beam
Bought off https://www.buycarparts.co.uk/ which ought to deliver faster than 2 weeks being a UK based operation although it looks like it might be a locally branded alias of Autodoc.
Needs the parking brake seeing to which means the brakes need to come off. Does take a fair bit of pulling to activate it to be fair.
I’ve ordered from Buycarparts several times and each package came from Germany and took at least 10 days!For future reference I've ordered:
- 2 x Michelin Pilot Sport 4 265/35 ZR18 97Y XL, MFS
- LEMFÖRDER Track Control Arm, Front Axle, Right, Lower, Front, Control Arm, with rubber mounting
- BOSCH Aerotwin Wiper Blade, Front, Driver side, Passenger Side, Length: 650mm, Beam
Bought off https://www.buycarparts.co.uk/ which ought to deliver faster than 2 weeks being a UK based operation although it looks like it might be a locally branded alias of Autodoc.
Needs the parking brake seeing to which means the brakes need to come off. Does take a fair bit of pulling to activate it to be fair.
Edited by Ph1listine on Tuesday 10th March 10:17
Ph1listine said:
Stegel said:
I’ve ordered from Buycarparts several times and each package came from Germany and took at least 10 days!
When they did eventually arrive were they the right products? Been reading their reviews they aren't very confidence inspiring!Stegel said:
Yes. I’ve read reports of brand substitution (I had that with another German site) but they were always the correct brand. Did you get a better diagnosis between posting the ball joint photo and ordering the arm? On the ball joint comment above, they certainly are a tight fit and I don’t know if you’re meant to, but I used an air impact wrench on the ball joint press tool and that did the trick.
Guy on the Facebook group for this car mentioned it's the track control arm that needs replacing; I'm hoping the 'track control arm' is the same thing as the 'suspension arm'.https://www.autodoc.co.uk/lemforder/7619078
Autodoc have done a vid for the installation which doesn't look too taxing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYJaOnn44r0
Ph1listine said:
Guy on the Facebook group for this car mentioned it's the track control arm that needs replacing; I'm hoping the 'track control arm' is the same thing as the 'suspension arm'.
https://www.autodoc.co.uk/lemforder/7619078
Autodoc have done a vid for the installation which doesn't look too taxing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYJaOnn44r0
There are only two lower arms in 211s, the spring control arm is the one that fits onto the press in ballpoint you showed first (and has a hole for the ball joint to bolt to, rather than containing a ball joint) and the other arm which is the track control arm. I suppose either could be “suspension arms” but if it’s one with a ballpoint integrated into it it sounds like you’ve ordered the correct one. Once you have split the joint it’s pretty straightforward. https://www.autodoc.co.uk/lemforder/7619078
Autodoc have done a vid for the installation which doesn't look too taxing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYJaOnn44r0
Just been catching up on this, interesting read as usual!
With the 77mm pulley, it seems to make the most of the potential power gains you need to upgrade the headers too. The second thing is there are mixed reviews with it slipping if you don't have a belt wrap kit, but then belt wrap kits seem to destroy pulleys..... This is where the bigger crank pulleys come into their own, as the bigger pulley provide more belt contact so slip a little less. So although you could run a 77mm pulley, the slip may make it slower than an 83mm. Well that's some views from the internet anyway, in reality I think there are many factors in play!
Pilot Sport 4S are available in 18" now, but not in E55 sizes. However some tyre reviews reckon on the whole, if you aren't taking your car to the race track, the 4 has 97% the performance of the 4S, but with 10% more comfort. I'll be going 4 when I replace mine. Was having the debate on the front tyres, as both 93Y & 97Y XL are available. Either is fine, as only the rear dictates XL (on an estate at least), and you are allowed XL on non-XL applications. Oddly XL is cheaper, however for the couple quid I think I'll go 93 just because that's what Merc intended (possibly softer sidewalls/more grip? - the efficiency rating is worse so I think that means more grip!)
Regarding your puncture, do you not have any form of TPMS? I thought this was standard on UK E55's, even if it was just pressure drop warnings rather than the individual reading system.
With the 77mm pulley, it seems to make the most of the potential power gains you need to upgrade the headers too. The second thing is there are mixed reviews with it slipping if you don't have a belt wrap kit, but then belt wrap kits seem to destroy pulleys..... This is where the bigger crank pulleys come into their own, as the bigger pulley provide more belt contact so slip a little less. So although you could run a 77mm pulley, the slip may make it slower than an 83mm. Well that's some views from the internet anyway, in reality I think there are many factors in play!
Pilot Sport 4S are available in 18" now, but not in E55 sizes. However some tyre reviews reckon on the whole, if you aren't taking your car to the race track, the 4 has 97% the performance of the 4S, but with 10% more comfort. I'll be going 4 when I replace mine. Was having the debate on the front tyres, as both 93Y & 97Y XL are available. Either is fine, as only the rear dictates XL (on an estate at least), and you are allowed XL on non-XL applications. Oddly XL is cheaper, however for the couple quid I think I'll go 93 just because that's what Merc intended (possibly softer sidewalls/more grip? - the efficiency rating is worse so I think that means more grip!)
Regarding your puncture, do you not have any form of TPMS? I thought this was standard on UK E55's, even if it was just pressure drop warnings rather than the individual reading system.
MOT passed! Just in time for the biggest pandemic of recent times.
While the E55's been off the road I've been running a 1.0 Toyota iQ which has been brilliant! Runs on thin air and is the antithesis of this V8 uberbarge.
As above it's been fitted with Pilot Sport 4s rather than 4Ss, which have made it feel so much more stable than the old 4s which were illegal.
Also needed new parking brake 'boots', didn't know they were even a thing lol but they were knackered whatever they are.
With all this coronavirus b
ks I'll be taking her off the road until it all blows over, but took for a 20 minute drive earlier as my understanding is if a car is left alone the first things to go are battery, wheel bearings and tyres get nobbly so need rotating every once in a while. Considering a trickle charger.
Until then..
And to the NHS:
While the E55's been off the road I've been running a 1.0 Toyota iQ which has been brilliant! Runs on thin air and is the antithesis of this V8 uberbarge.
As above it's been fitted with Pilot Sport 4s rather than 4Ss, which have made it feel so much more stable than the old 4s which were illegal.
Also needed new parking brake 'boots', didn't know they were even a thing lol but they were knackered whatever they are.
With all this coronavirus b
ks I'll be taking her off the road until it all blows over, but took for a 20 minute drive earlier as my understanding is if a car is left alone the first things to go are battery, wheel bearings and tyres get nobbly so need rotating every once in a while. Considering a trickle charger.Until then..
And to the NHS:
I’ve just sold my E55 AMG last week. Wasn’t using it & with the world appearing to be going belly up I got rid. They’re epic cars, much underrated & great value for money when you think what kind of car they are.
I notice you have your car for sale at the moment too on eBay?
Here’s my one 😀.
[url]
|https://thumbsnap.com/dhbuyJny[/url]
I notice you have your car for sale at the moment too on eBay?
Here’s my one 😀.
[url]|https://thumbsnap.com/dhbuyJny[/url]adbarns said:
I’ve just sold my E55 AMG last week. Wasn’t using it & with the world appearing to be going belly up I got rid. They’re epic cars, much underrated & great value for money when you think what kind of car they are.
I notice you have your car for sale at the moment too on eBay?
Here’s my one ??.[url]
|https://thumbsnap.com/dhbuyJny[/url]
Now you've sold it go on spill the beans what did it go for if you don't mind me asking?I notice you have your car for sale at the moment too on eBay?
Here’s my one ??.
[url]|https://thumbsnap.com/dhbuyJny[/url]Yes for the same reason I put it up for 10995, it owes me 10k so just testing the market really, lots of watchers but no offers. You did really well to sell in this climate! Presumably it was a hurried antibacterial affair exchanging documents?
I had it up for £10k. Had quite a bit of interest but not many viewings.
Mine had done 64k Miles, one owner before me from new, Full Mercedes service history, optional 19” alloys etc etc. But, was a recorded Cat D unfortunately due to the cost of repairs after a small accident.
Sold it for £9k
Mine had done 64k Miles, one owner before me from new, Full Mercedes service history, optional 19” alloys etc etc. But, was a recorded Cat D unfortunately due to the cost of repairs after a small accident.
Sold it for £9k
adbarns said:
I had it up for £10k. Had quite a bit of interest but not many viewings.
Mine had done 64k Miles, one owner before me from new, Full Mercedes service history, optional 19” alloys etc etc. But, was a recorded Cat D unfortunately due to the cost of repairs after a small accident.
Sold it for £9k
Nice, you did well there I guess the Cat D adds a fair few miles. Mine was up for 10995 when i bought it, paid 8500 plus my old Saab 9000 which he sold for 800 so effectively 9300. Cost 700 to get it through MOT. 2 tyres alone were 320 the rest was parking brake boots, control arm, oil and service items. Would like to do map and pulley and if I get say 9k for it in a year's time then will only have cost say 100/month ownership.Mine had done 64k Miles, one owner before me from new, Full Mercedes service history, optional 19” alloys etc etc. But, was a recorded Cat D unfortunately due to the cost of repairs after a small accident.
Sold it for £9k
Ninjacj said:
Just been catching up on this, interesting read as usual!
With the 77mm pulley, it seems to make the most of the potential power gains you need to upgrade the headers too. The second thing is there are mixed reviews with it slipping if you don't have a belt wrap kit, but then belt wrap kits seem to destroy pulleys..... This is where the bigger crank pulleys come into their own, as the bigger pulley provide more belt contact so slip a little less. So although you could run a 77mm pulley, the slip may make it slower than an 83mm. Well that's some views from the internet anyway, in reality I think there are many factors in play!
Pilot Sport 4S are available in 18" now, but not in E55 sizes. However some tyre reviews reckon on the whole, if you aren't taking your car to the race track, the 4 has 97% the performance of the 4S, but with 10% more comfort. I'll be going 4 when I replace mine. Was having the debate on the front tyres, as both 93Y & 97Y XL are available. Either is fine, as only the rear dictates XL (on an estate at least), and you are allowed XL on non-XL applications. Oddly XL is cheaper, however for the couple quid I think I'll go 93 just because that's what Merc intended (possibly softer sidewalls/more grip? - the efficiency rating is worse so I think that means more grip!)
Regarding your puncture, do you not have any form of TPMS? I thought this was standard on UK E55's, even if it was just pressure drop warnings rather than the individual reading system.
Cheers! Don't think this has a TPMS. Would like to install bluetooth, I hear there's a phone connector for them. Until then I can live with the thunderous V8. It really does turn heads (the noise) and then people are like 'oh a family saloon'.With the 77mm pulley, it seems to make the most of the potential power gains you need to upgrade the headers too. The second thing is there are mixed reviews with it slipping if you don't have a belt wrap kit, but then belt wrap kits seem to destroy pulleys..... This is where the bigger crank pulleys come into their own, as the bigger pulley provide more belt contact so slip a little less. So although you could run a 77mm pulley, the slip may make it slower than an 83mm. Well that's some views from the internet anyway, in reality I think there are many factors in play!
Pilot Sport 4S are available in 18" now, but not in E55 sizes. However some tyre reviews reckon on the whole, if you aren't taking your car to the race track, the 4 has 97% the performance of the 4S, but with 10% more comfort. I'll be going 4 when I replace mine. Was having the debate on the front tyres, as both 93Y & 97Y XL are available. Either is fine, as only the rear dictates XL (on an estate at least), and you are allowed XL on non-XL applications. Oddly XL is cheaper, however for the couple quid I think I'll go 93 just because that's what Merc intended (possibly softer sidewalls/more grip? - the efficiency rating is worse so I think that means more grip!)
Regarding your puncture, do you not have any form of TPMS? I thought this was standard on UK E55's, even if it was just pressure drop warnings rather than the individual reading system.
Would love to get headers as well. Money no object around 4k on mods at MSL would see this to 630 bhp and 700 lb ft although that would worry me as while the 65 engined V12 biturbo AMGs had the same gearbox as this E55 they did have reinforced internals. I think 77mm and heat exchanger would be nice. Headers and bigger throttle body could be the next stage but it really does start to get pricey at this point.
Quick update, been a while!
The E55 is now on 103k miles so done nearly 7k miles in 7 months, averaging 17 mpg.
Last weekend the E took on camera car duties to shoot a DB6 video (for my website) and to help carry camera gear around, in the Mendips.
Since lockdown I had a pay cut and launched an online store selling car wall art: https://www.limited100.co.uk
The Benz averaged 24 mpg and I managed to get from Nottingham to Birmingham to Bristol, round the Mendips for a couple of hours stopping and starting and then back via Birmingham all on one tank! 380 miles. Not bad for a supercharged V8.
DB6 was surprisingly hard to keep up with!
Recently acquired a Toyota iQ which is free to tax and does 50 mpg everywhere, to keep mileage down on the V8. Best of both worlds
Other than that, I've had the merc up for sale to check the market and have had a few offers, but every time I sample the power I can't think what I'd replace it with!
The E55 is now on 103k miles so done nearly 7k miles in 7 months, averaging 17 mpg.
Last weekend the E took on camera car duties to shoot a DB6 video (for my website) and to help carry camera gear around, in the Mendips.
Since lockdown I had a pay cut and launched an online store selling car wall art: https://www.limited100.co.uk
The Benz averaged 24 mpg and I managed to get from Nottingham to Birmingham to Bristol, round the Mendips for a couple of hours stopping and starting and then back via Birmingham all on one tank! 380 miles. Not bad for a supercharged V8.
DB6 was surprisingly hard to keep up with!
Recently acquired a Toyota iQ which is free to tax and does 50 mpg everywhere, to keep mileage down on the V8. Best of both worlds
Other than that, I've had the merc up for sale to check the market and have had a few offers, but every time I sample the power I can't think what I'd replace it with!
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff