Mercedes E55 AMG Kompressor Estate 2004
Discussion
Ph1listine said:
Love it, you got it for a right bargain, should sell on pretty quick being estate AND lpg.
Mine's running around the same, around 14 mpg average, only Shell VPower is £1.43 / litre, brutal!
14, really...!? I don't think Dads V12 E Type was much worse than that! Mine's running around the same, around 14 mpg average, only Shell VPower is £1.43 / litre, brutal!
It must get mid 20's on a motorway run?
Hi Ross, thanks for the write up, I'd been following Philistines thread and saw your car on that too.
Also love reading about Michael's adventures in his E500 wagon too.
Oh also Rhys and his amazing E63 W213.
I've a E320 CDI V6 7 seats and it's a great car for long distances and bumpy roads and chucking things into.
I also have an SL55 so the same engine as yours. Funny enough it's also black with same wheels as yours. Love those alloys 19" split rims. Huge brakes too.
Part of me would love to sell both and buy something like yours so it's best of both worlds. Have you or would you get it tuned? Personally I don't think it's necessary but I read Phil thinking of it.
I'd not bother with my 55 as it's F1 spec and it's already a bit higher performance anyway and I don't want to sully it, keep it genuine.
I'd be keen on a LPG kit too but some say it causes wear or issues? How common or serious that is I'd be interested to know.
Lots of love for it on YouTube, all USA guys and specs though but the vids have educated me on my engine too. Wish some UK guys would do some videos.
Oh the SBC I had to replace on my 55, wasn't able to reset it. Also pair of struts on back of the estate. Obviously loads of other stuff. If you're not already join the MB Club it's a bit old school, older folks than us etc but gets discount on parts. I get 10-15% off at my dealer then Indy fits them cheaper. Also scrap sites are good. Check out Traynors they're in NI but probably deliver.
Now go do a Sunday drive report for us all to read tonight hahahaha.
Also love reading about Michael's adventures in his E500 wagon too.
Oh also Rhys and his amazing E63 W213.
I've a E320 CDI V6 7 seats and it's a great car for long distances and bumpy roads and chucking things into.
I also have an SL55 so the same engine as yours. Funny enough it's also black with same wheels as yours. Love those alloys 19" split rims. Huge brakes too.
Part of me would love to sell both and buy something like yours so it's best of both worlds. Have you or would you get it tuned? Personally I don't think it's necessary but I read Phil thinking of it.
I'd not bother with my 55 as it's F1 spec and it's already a bit higher performance anyway and I don't want to sully it, keep it genuine.
I'd be keen on a LPG kit too but some say it causes wear or issues? How common or serious that is I'd be interested to know.
Lots of love for it on YouTube, all USA guys and specs though but the vids have educated me on my engine too. Wish some UK guys would do some videos.
Oh the SBC I had to replace on my 55, wasn't able to reset it. Also pair of struts on back of the estate. Obviously loads of other stuff. If you're not already join the MB Club it's a bit old school, older folks than us etc but gets discount on parts. I get 10-15% off at my dealer then Indy fits them cheaper. Also scrap sites are good. Check out Traynors they're in NI but probably deliver.
Now go do a Sunday drive report for us all to read tonight hahahaha.
Being a ex merc mechanic I will always have a soft spot for the old supercharged 5.4 lump of awesomeness, one of the main problems that I have heard from gas conversions is the carbon build up on the back of the inlet valves due to no fuel washing off the carbon when solely on gas .
But this problem of carbon build up is exactly what’s happening with all direct injection engines , so maybe regular petrol only runs on a gas converted indirect injection petrol engine may help , but I am sure there are gas experts on here to provide a better insight as I too feel the need for V8 .
But this problem of carbon build up is exactly what’s happening with all direct injection engines , so maybe regular petrol only runs on a gas converted indirect injection petrol engine may help , but I am sure there are gas experts on here to provide a better insight as I too feel the need for V8 .
Fuzzy69r said:
Being a ex merc mechanic I will always have a soft spot for the old supercharged 5.4 lump of awesomeness, one of the main problems that I have heard from gas conversions is the carbon build up on the back of the inlet valves due to no fuel washing off the carbon when solely on gas .
But this problem of carbon build up is exactly what’s happening with all direct injection engines , so maybe regular petrol only runs on a gas converted indirect injection petrol engine may help , but I am sure there are gas experts on here to provide a better insight as I too feel the need for V8 .
It really is quite a special engine isnt it. When you floor it just at the right time it surges forwards with that V8 soundtrack accompanied by a jet thrust like noise, quite addictive and possible the greatest engine ive ever sat behind. The thing with the E55 is that it does the Jeykell & Hyde thing better than all of its competitors, if you want to just potter about taking things to the tip/moving furniture or doing the school run it feels like a 'normal' car. If you want to go a 'little' faster its just as eager to please and never feels like its running out of power. I think it does this better than my E39 M5 and RS6 used to, also unless your a car man it is just an old Mercedes Estate, people think im a proper grown up doing my mature parental tasks sensibly, until it lights up both rear tyres in huge clouds of smoke, allegedly. This one is fitted with a Quaife LSD so she can really dance when she wants to...But this problem of carbon build up is exactly what’s happening with all direct injection engines , so maybe regular petrol only runs on a gas converted indirect injection petrol engine may help , but I am sure there are gas experts on here to provide a better insight as I too feel the need for V8 .
No expert on LPG. It definitely feels stronger and faster when you run it on Super than LPG. Might be that it needs an LPG service or might be the LPG system cant keep up with near 500bhp/500lb ft+...
Spent the weekend in the Boxster so finally cleaned up the interior of the E55. Like I said earlier in the post its our only family car that fits us all in, 2 adults, 3 children and a Pug. Hence usually the interior is covered in trodden in Doritos and Haribo stuck to the windows. It really has no rattles and very little wear for 161k miles. Heated seats front and rear, front seats are also cooled, massage and dynamic (like e60 m5 squeezy seats) but they only work when they feel like it on this function. Do nothing for ages and then all of a sudden there showing there love for you with little cuddles around corners.
Rear 7 seats were a big thing when we first started using these E class estates, my children are now 14 and 9 year old twins and they no longer race to jump in the boot seats like they used to but they are handy to have when we take out the elderly father in law etc. I think 9/10 is getting to the height limits of these seats anyway.
The rear load area is HUGE. Not as big as the old 210 E class but ive never not managed to get anything in the back including a dining table and 6 chairs and an entire en suite shower room. The rear seats fold flat to the floor too so it really is a very practical estate if needs be.
The Boxster makes me realise how heavy the E55 is, but it also feels like half the engine is missing coming from near 500bhp to 260bhp ish? Havent worked out power to weight but I guess it would even out things slightly. The E55 would DESTROY the Boxster over 60/70mph.I suspect it would also struggle to keep up with the little Porsche around twisty lanes!
A starter button on a V8, my life is complete...
Rear 7 seats were a big thing when we first started using these E class estates, my children are now 14 and 9 year old twins and they no longer race to jump in the boot seats like they used to but they are handy to have when we take out the elderly father in law etc. I think 9/10 is getting to the height limits of these seats anyway.
The rear load area is HUGE. Not as big as the old 210 E class but ive never not managed to get anything in the back including a dining table and 6 chairs and an entire en suite shower room. The rear seats fold flat to the floor too so it really is a very practical estate if needs be.
The Boxster makes me realise how heavy the E55 is, but it also feels like half the engine is missing coming from near 500bhp to 260bhp ish? Havent worked out power to weight but I guess it would even out things slightly. The E55 would DESTROY the Boxster over 60/70mph.I suspect it would also struggle to keep up with the little Porsche around twisty lanes!
A starter button on a V8, my life is complete...
RossOCD said:
Very awesome! Does everything so well. Have bought a smaller pulley so may have that fitted next week and a mapping session 
Hi Ross where did you get the pulley from? I've been quoted 1k for pulley and map with MSL and wondering if your solution is much cheaper and same quality. Thanks 
Ph1listine said:
Hi Ross where did you get the pulley from? I've been quoted 1k for pulley and map with MSL and wondering if your solution is much cheaper and same quality. Thanks
Someone on an AMG forum on facebook was upgrading to an even smaller pulley so I bought his old 83mm pulley off him. Its recently had a new bearing so should be good for a while. Will get it bolted on next week, give it an oil and filter change while its there and then take it somewhere local to be mapped.Decided to be nosy, after you mentioned your 986 in my own thread - reminded my of my first one in a (different shade of) blue, with the same wheels.
Always liked the W211 E55K. A friend's dad had one in 2004, when I was still in sixth form. The shape in general, is less ostentatious and blingy, compared to more modern stuff (even cooking versions!), and it goes about its business quietly - haven't hear one on full chat; could you elaborate?
Great to hear these holding up well at higher mileages. If I needed a family car, one of these, or the contemporary CLS with the same engine would be on the shortlist. Although, do have a soft spot for a C205 CL...
Always liked the W211 E55K. A friend's dad had one in 2004, when I was still in sixth form. The shape in general, is less ostentatious and blingy, compared to more modern stuff (even cooking versions!), and it goes about its business quietly - haven't hear one on full chat; could you elaborate?
Great to hear these holding up well at higher mileages. If I needed a family car, one of these, or the contemporary CLS with the same engine would be on the shortlist. Although, do have a soft spot for a C205 CL...
Rosewood Red said:
Decided to be nosy, after you mentioned your 986 in my own thread - reminded my of my first one in a (different shade of) blue, with the same wheels.
Always liked the W211 E55K. A friend's dad had one in 2004, when I was still in sixth form. The shape in general, is less ostentatious and blingy, compared to more modern stuff (even cooking versions!), and it goes about its business quietly - haven't hear one on full chat; could you elaborate?
Great to hear these holding up well at higher mileages. If I needed a family car, one of these, or the contemporary CLS with the same engine would be on the shortlist. Although, do have a soft spot for a C205 CL...
Yes it's very understated looking, no bulging arches, vents or spoilers. The noise is a wonderful burbly V8 bit like an old American car noise then when pushed hard you can hear the supercharger. This lne sounds very boosty almost like a turbo charged car. My first one sounded more like American supercharged whine. Both very cool noises. First one had different exhaust so I guess that's what makes them sound different. Always liked the W211 E55K. A friend's dad had one in 2004, when I was still in sixth form. The shape in general, is less ostentatious and blingy, compared to more modern stuff (even cooking versions!), and it goes about its business quietly - haven't hear one on full chat; could you elaborate?
Great to hear these holding up well at higher mileages. If I needed a family car, one of these, or the contemporary CLS with the same engine would be on the shortlist. Although, do have a soft spot for a C205 CL...
It's a brilliant family car, I love the CLS55 and would definitely have one but no where near the practicality of the E especially the estate. Biggest issue for us was the CLS only has 2 rear seats and we have 3 children!
Drive report :
Did 240 miles in the car yesterday, unfortunately to attend a family funeral but a good excuse to blow the cobwebs off the car properly.
The journey was from deepest Essex around to Kingston, SW London ish so a virtual semi circle of the beautiful M25 and a nice stretch on the A12, a road I believe may be one of the worst in the country! i Knew full well there would be a good chance of sustained City esque traffic so ruled the Boxster out immediately, London is no place for a Manual gearbox imo.
Hit the starter button on the top of the gearstick (I like this alot!) instantly feel like Tom Cruise in Top Gun, in reality look more like Tom Kerridge before he stopped enjoying eating and drinking. Set off with a full tank of LPG, about 1/3 tank of V power, heated seat on, sat nav on and working (surprisingly), suspension set to comfort, cruise control set at 70mph (wishful thinking!). Fuelled by a Packet of mini Creme Eggs and Chilli Heatwave Doritos we were off. A few miles out of town and onto the A12 the car settles in to 70mph, its pretty quiet, faint thrum from the exhaust that I think you definitely hear more in the Estate than a saloon.
At 70mph the E55 AMG is totally at one with the world, soaking up bumps better than any other performance car ive had, around 2k rpm, its absolutely in its element. There are no rattles in the cabin, its very comfortable, seat slightly inflated to provide a bit of support, backside nicely warmed. The slightest push on the throttle and it surges forwards, a little more applied pressure and you hear the supercharger building up steam and really going to work. Push too hard and the LPG cries off and switches to Petrol. This is where the car is most at home however, very settled at higher speeds it genuinely feels like the car is enjoying having a good stretch of its legs and eager to push forwards.
A12 dissappears surprisingly quickly and we decide on a North bound trip around the M25, once again the car settles in to a very nice pace and even the wife comes out with "this is a nice car on a run isnt it"
The M25 is dispatched equally effortlessly and there are no hold ups in sight! Even passed heathrow Coming off the motorway heading in towards Kingston things slow down as come into more built up areas. Brakes are powerful with no fade, feels like it will stop at will although definitely lacks a bit of feel, the SBC brakes system taking away a little, the Boxster can teach the E55 a lesson in braking feel. To be fair the car feels just at home trundling through SW London, the autobox is actually fairly good and even the sat nav is keeping up. We arrive at our destination feeling pretty fresh.
Funeral done, we head off to the wake a few miles down the road, the car is faultless, a family member comments on how nice it sounds and is stunned when i tell him what engine is in it. "Oooo wouldnt want your fuel bills" rings out as usual, dont worry mr distant relative - I wouldnt want your Dacia Duster either.
A few scotch eggs, sausage rolls and some triple cooked chips, catching up with lots of old people. Im sure in my twenties my social life revolved around going out with friends, in my thirties it was going to weddings and now in my forties im in the funeral zone.
Back in the car to head home, at 154 miles the LPG says its had enough and the car switches to V Power. £26 Lpg = 154 miles. Equivalent to 35mpg? May have worked that out wrong, im sure someone will correct me if so. Sitting at a cruise of 70mph it doesnt really feel any different to on gas, but I think its slightly keener to pick up, maybe a psychological thing. By the time were back on the A12 night has fallen, the wife has nodded off and my mind wonders to what else could fill its shoes next. An E63 AMG estate appeals, especially with that NA 6.2 V8 despite the internet telling me the 5.5 bi turbo is the car to have. BUT is it worth 3/4 times what i paid for my beloved E55? I think not.
Quick pit stop for a McDonalds at Chelmsford, im a Professional Chef of 25 years by trade but I feel no guilt at polishing off a Big Mac. I moan at the wife at how much smaller they are nowadays. We set off for the final stretch and I floor it hard down the slip road, the V8 roars off, minor slippage of the rear tyres before the TC corrects my wrong doing, supercharger thrusting away, ketchup sachets flying everywhere. A quick telling off from the wife and I settle back down to a steady 70mph, Ed Sheeran now croning on about some Irish crumpet he has his eyes on.
I park up outside the house & go inside. One last look back out the kitchen window at the filthy AMG and in my mind i can hear " great car, great car Ross". I may even keep this one longer than 12 months
Did 240 miles in the car yesterday, unfortunately to attend a family funeral but a good excuse to blow the cobwebs off the car properly.
The journey was from deepest Essex around to Kingston, SW London ish so a virtual semi circle of the beautiful M25 and a nice stretch on the A12, a road I believe may be one of the worst in the country! i Knew full well there would be a good chance of sustained City esque traffic so ruled the Boxster out immediately, London is no place for a Manual gearbox imo.
Hit the starter button on the top of the gearstick (I like this alot!) instantly feel like Tom Cruise in Top Gun, in reality look more like Tom Kerridge before he stopped enjoying eating and drinking. Set off with a full tank of LPG, about 1/3 tank of V power, heated seat on, sat nav on and working (surprisingly), suspension set to comfort, cruise control set at 70mph (wishful thinking!). Fuelled by a Packet of mini Creme Eggs and Chilli Heatwave Doritos we were off. A few miles out of town and onto the A12 the car settles in to 70mph, its pretty quiet, faint thrum from the exhaust that I think you definitely hear more in the Estate than a saloon.
At 70mph the E55 AMG is totally at one with the world, soaking up bumps better than any other performance car ive had, around 2k rpm, its absolutely in its element. There are no rattles in the cabin, its very comfortable, seat slightly inflated to provide a bit of support, backside nicely warmed. The slightest push on the throttle and it surges forwards, a little more applied pressure and you hear the supercharger building up steam and really going to work. Push too hard and the LPG cries off and switches to Petrol. This is where the car is most at home however, very settled at higher speeds it genuinely feels like the car is enjoying having a good stretch of its legs and eager to push forwards.
A12 dissappears surprisingly quickly and we decide on a North bound trip around the M25, once again the car settles in to a very nice pace and even the wife comes out with "this is a nice car on a run isnt it"
The M25 is dispatched equally effortlessly and there are no hold ups in sight! Even passed heathrow Coming off the motorway heading in towards Kingston things slow down as come into more built up areas. Brakes are powerful with no fade, feels like it will stop at will although definitely lacks a bit of feel, the SBC brakes system taking away a little, the Boxster can teach the E55 a lesson in braking feel. To be fair the car feels just at home trundling through SW London, the autobox is actually fairly good and even the sat nav is keeping up. We arrive at our destination feeling pretty fresh. Funeral done, we head off to the wake a few miles down the road, the car is faultless, a family member comments on how nice it sounds and is stunned when i tell him what engine is in it. "Oooo wouldnt want your fuel bills" rings out as usual, dont worry mr distant relative - I wouldnt want your Dacia Duster either.
A few scotch eggs, sausage rolls and some triple cooked chips, catching up with lots of old people. Im sure in my twenties my social life revolved around going out with friends, in my thirties it was going to weddings and now in my forties im in the funeral zone.
Back in the car to head home, at 154 miles the LPG says its had enough and the car switches to V Power. £26 Lpg = 154 miles. Equivalent to 35mpg? May have worked that out wrong, im sure someone will correct me if so. Sitting at a cruise of 70mph it doesnt really feel any different to on gas, but I think its slightly keener to pick up, maybe a psychological thing. By the time were back on the A12 night has fallen, the wife has nodded off and my mind wonders to what else could fill its shoes next. An E63 AMG estate appeals, especially with that NA 6.2 V8 despite the internet telling me the 5.5 bi turbo is the car to have. BUT is it worth 3/4 times what i paid for my beloved E55? I think not.
Quick pit stop for a McDonalds at Chelmsford, im a Professional Chef of 25 years by trade but I feel no guilt at polishing off a Big Mac. I moan at the wife at how much smaller they are nowadays. We set off for the final stretch and I floor it hard down the slip road, the V8 roars off, minor slippage of the rear tyres before the TC corrects my wrong doing, supercharger thrusting away, ketchup sachets flying everywhere. A quick telling off from the wife and I settle back down to a steady 70mph, Ed Sheeran now croning on about some Irish crumpet he has his eyes on.
I park up outside the house & go inside. One last look back out the kitchen window at the filthy AMG and in my mind i can hear " great car, great car Ross". I may even keep this one longer than 12 months
Edited by RossOCD on Friday 17th January 10:44
Edited by RossOCD on Friday 17th January 11:06
Edited by RossOCD on Friday 17th January 12:07
Haha what a nice read...I agree that the A12 is never ending and dismal with a poor road surface (at least it was a few years ago), unless you catch it traffic free!
I feel much the same about the E500, it's most comfortablecrushing cruising the road at 105mph, 2750rpm. Mrs Bolide likes driving it on the motorway too ("It really eats up the tarmac, doesn't it?") whilst I chill in the rear with my daughter and bemoan the never-quite-right height adjustability of the C-pillar mounted belt adjuster.
I honestly think that I'm saving myself from myself with no 6.2L or supercharger, as the 5L is plenty for my varied requirements (in reflectful, non-racing-head mode). I would've showed the distant emasculated relative the party trick of reversing up to his Dacia, opening the power boot and swallowing his car whole
In summary, a professional chef should know better... it's twenty chicken nuggets with n+1 sauces, where n is the sauce that you fancy and Ed Sheeran gets switched off at the first opportunity before we're assimilated into his cult.
Long live the motoring evergreen that is the fast S211!
I feel much the same about the E500, it's most comfortable
I honestly think that I'm saving myself from myself with no 6.2L or supercharger, as the 5L is plenty for my varied requirements (in reflectful, non-racing-head mode). I would've showed the distant emasculated relative the party trick of reversing up to his Dacia, opening the power boot and swallowing his car whole
In summary, a professional chef should know better... it's twenty chicken nuggets with n+1 sauces, where n is the sauce that you fancy and Ed Sheeran gets switched off at the first opportunity before we're assimilated into his cult.
Long live the motoring evergreen that is the fast S211!
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