Mercedes E55 AMG Kompressor Estate 2004

[MercedesClassic]

Great roadtrips Ross. Really like your boxster as well, it's the spec is have if I had one.
Bring in NI 250 mile day trips are rare as we're a small place, unless I go cross border to Cork, Kerry etc then it's for a stay.
Although last Saturday did about 150 miles in E and Sunday about 100 in SL55. As was a dry albeit cold day, we wrapped up warm, dropped the roof and turned up the heat. Toasty. SL averaged about 20mpg mostly tootling along country lanes with the odd pedal to metal overtake.
Both great cars until there's another big bill to swallow hahahaha.
Enjoy.

[djtom]

These cars come into their own on long-distance trips. Took mine over to Brussels over the Xmas break to see friends for a few days. Effortless cruising at whatever speed (albeit lower now than on the previous visit, as it appears they now have average speed cameras on Belgian motorways), and an average of 23mpg for the round trip - not too bad considering we stopped at calais on the way out and filled the boot to overflowing at the wine supermarket.
They just cover big distances in complete comfort and always have rather a lot in reserve! Had a bit of a play with a 997-series Porsche on the way down the M20, and it was absolutely no competition (until playtime was called to an end by a rather unamused wife!)

[RossOCD]

They certainly do, fantastic engine and I like the package as a whole.

MercedesClassic - What's the SL55 like round the twisties?

[MercedesClassic]

RossOCD said:

They certainly do, fantastic engine and I like the package as a whole.

MercedesClassic - What's the SL55 like round the twisties?

Hey Ross just seeing this. Well if you think of it as an American muscle car rather than a nimble Boxster. It's great on a big open road, B roads too fine, sweeping bends, the ABC especially in sport mode will keep roll in check. However there will be increased harshness probably due to the state of the roads here.

Muscle cruiser GT with the option to drop the roof for added drama, all the better to hear the noise bouncing off the scenery.

[r.g.]

Interesting to read your thoughts on the E55. I tried a couple when looking for a fast 7 seater a few years back and liked them, but condition wasn't great. I eventually upped my budget and went for a low mileage (at the time) 2007 E63 estate. Seven years and 50k miles later I still love it. It's taken us to Spain and back and Italy on holidays. Other than a centre resonator delete it's standard, but sounds lovely. I keep toying with the idea of selling it as I've never kept anything this long, but I can't bring myself to do it...

I see you're in Colchester? I'm not far from there. If your looking for a good indy to look after it, I can recommend Chris at Cowdray Car Centre. Top chap.

[RossOCD]

r.g. said:

Interesting to read your thoughts on the E55. I tried a couple when looking for a fast 7 seater a few years back and liked them, but condition wasn't great. I eventually upped my budget and went for a low mileage (at the time) 2007 E63 estate. Seven years and 50k miles later I still love it. It's taken us to Spain and back and Italy on holidays. Other than a centre resonator delete it's standard, but sounds lovely. I keep toying with the idea of selling it as I've never kept anything this long, but I can't bring myself to do it...

I see you're in Colchester? I'm not far from there. If your looking for a good indy to look after it, I can recommend Chris at Cowdray Car Centre. Top chap.

Hi

I'd be REALLY interested to see what the E63 is like compared to the E55. Any pictures? There a very hard car to replace the 211 AMG estates arent they!

Funnily enough I've known Chris at CCC for many years, he did some work on my E30 M3 about 20 years ago, worked on both my old E55s and did a huge amount of work on my E46 M3, bucket of trouble that was! He actually recommended Boxsters to me, said they were great value for money and great fun. Haven't been to see him since I sold my M3 actually! Like you say - great guy and hugely knowledgeable.

[MickyveloceClassic]

Good luck with the E55 OP.

After a lifetime of performance cars, I discovered AMG over thirteen years ago when I bought my C36 (which I still own).

They appeal to me for all the reasons mentioned previously here, but also the juxtaposition of super-sensible Mercedes traditional qualities with eye-swivelling lunatic engineering.

I looked at the E55k a few years ago, although decided to stay with the 36 and buy a c63 too; the 55 is a torquier unit and different enough from the 63 to warrant buying both.

[RossOCD]

Yeah I definitely fancy trying a 6.2 engined car, a C63 is just too small for me as a family car though and I like the current combination of E55 and Boxster, there pretty opposite cars in most ways so compliment each other well. Both great value for money too which is great because I dont have much

[LetsTryAgain]

E63 is the one.
Look the dogs danglies.

A la -

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-Benz-E63-AMG-6...

Edited by LetsTryAgain on Friday 24th January 08:28

[bolidemichael]

That's very highly specced; dodgy colour though and just approaching the mileage where lots of little bits need refreshing.

[RossOCD]

That looks nice that one but at over double what I paid for mine I think I'd want to be in the newer 212 6.2 cars. Would really like to go out in a 211 E63 to see the differences in the engines...

[bolidemichael]

RossOCD said:

That looks nice that one but at over double what I paid for mine I think I'd want to be in the newer 212 6.2 cars. Would really like to go out in a 211 E63 to see the differences in the engines...

Go kick some tyres?

[MercedesClassic]

Correct me if I'm wrong but did I read those early 6.2 AMGs had issues in a way the M113K didn't. Later ones were improved and the subsequent 5.5 bi turbocharged was better again?

Last summer coming back from Causeway coast in my diesel estate I could see in my mirror it's E63 estate variant. It was fulla kids and holiday gear. He passed me full throttle like a missile. Very impressive and sounded great but maybe not as fabulous as the 55s Kompressor engine.

I think the ideal would be the facelift body with the m113k engine!

[TheAnimal]

Lovely car. Your low MPG doesn’t sound normal? My CLS55 AMG has the same engine, though tuned a bit to 530hp, however I get an average of 21mpg on mixed motorway / city driving - and I have one of the heaviest right foots / feet in history

Edited by TheAnimal on Saturday 25th January 10:08

[RossOCD]

TheAnimal said:

Lovely car. Your low MPG doesn’t sound normal? My CLS55 AMG has the same engine, though tuned a bit to 530hp, however I get an average of 21mpg on mixed motorway / city driving - and I have one of the heaviest right foots / feet in history

Edited by TheAnimal on Saturday 25th January 10:08

On a recent run it was showing 24mpg on mixed roads. Problem is my work is less than 3 miles away as are both schools that I pick the kids up from so the majority of it's journeys are very short hence the low mpg. My previous 55k estate did roughly the same.

[RossOCD]

Any pics of the CLS55? Love the styling, I'd have one if they had 3 rear seats!

[big_rob_sydney]

Can understand this totally. I had a modified 22B side by side with my lexus ls, and eventually ended up spending more time in the lexus.

I would probably do the same again, in a similar vein to the OP. Well played, sir.

[don logan]

We bought one of these brand new in 2003, we REALLY REALLY REALLY loved it for lots of reasons, I once had an encounter with a Testarossa in a foreign country that had him moving over and being embarressed by a “wagon”, several times, everytime I hit the speed limiter he’d eventually cruise past, this happened 3 times after slowing back down, it was a lot of fun and all the passengers still laugh about the guy in the Testarossa!

Unfortunately we had such big problems with the rear suspension collapsing several times within it’s first 18 months that MB took it back at full value and gave a big discount on an SL55, the SL was NOTHING like as fun or as cool, I have an S63 now and I prefer the E55’s supercharged oomph

[TheAnimal]

RossOCD said:

Any pics of the CLS55? Love the styling, I'd have one if they had 3 rear seats!

Yes, not having 3 seats in the rear is an issue when I'm taking more munchkins out. I'm running Michelin Pilot Supersport 18" tyres, which i highly recommend as they transform the ride / handling and grip better than the old Goodyear Eagle F1s. I need to do a 6 year ownership review for PHers, and also don't want to hijack your thread, so here are just a few piccies

[Ph1listine]

TheAnimal said:

Yes, not having 3 seats in the rear is an issue when I'm taking more munchkins out. I'm running Michelin Pilot Supersport 18" tyres, which i highly recommend as they transform the ride / handling and grip better than the old Goodyear Eagle F1s. I need to do a 6 year ownership review for PHers, and also don't want to hijack your thread, so here are just a few piccies

Lovely, did you get it dyno'd before pulley and map?