Mercedes E55 AMG Kompressor Estate 2004

[RossOCD]

Well after many years of lurking around here I thought it was time to share some pics of my current daily love. Ive always been a hopeless car addict from very early years and started off being from Essex with Fords of course. My love for Sierra Cosworths was strong for many years and I owned multiple examples of 3 doors, saphs, a few Escort Cosworths and a beautiful Sierra RS500 Cosworth when they werent a million pounds. I dont keep my cars long and progressed very quickly through BMW M3s, M5s, Audi RS4 B5, Audi RS6 C5, Williams Clios, Focus RS - just about anything that was quick and cheap! Not that alot of that list are cheap anymore of course.

With the family growing as they do I stumbled upon a Mercedes E Class estate, a 2001 E320 CDi with 7 seats, alot of toys and a fair bit of rust that I bought for around £700. Despite it being a little wafty it was a fantastic family car and soon became an essential part of family life with 3 kids and everything that brings with it. There is also always appeal from driving a car that your not too obsessed with keeping immaculate, the odd dent and knock was acceptable and soon became part of her charm! However being obsessed with fast soon led me to the AMG version. I purchased a 210 series E55 AMG estate only a few years back and was really impressed from the off, old school grunt, handled like an old desk, supremely practical and comfortable. Joining the AMG forums of course led me to the 211 series E55 AMG Kompressor, the newer, faster, sleeker, better handling version of my old bus. I test drove a really nice Tectite Grey (?) saloon and knew i wanted one but didnt want to give up my estate so the wait began for the right car.

She had 157k miles on her and a service history that makes you think yep im happy to take a punt on this one. Sometimes as soon as you speak to certain car owners you know your going to be happy to buy and this was one of those situations, a Mercedes enthusiast that cared.

The current car you see here is actually my 2nd obsidian black e55k estate, I sold the first one for all the wrong reasons in only a few hours of it being advertised and instantly regretted it. A brief fling with a 211 E320 CDI estate led me back to this... but for the money there fantastic old family wagons and if you get a good one you will never look back. The AMG version is of course totally unnecessary, in E320 CDI estate format it does 95% of what the AMG does for a fraction of the cost but hey, we only live once right?

On to my daily - a 2004 E55 AMG Kompressor Estate. Harmon Kardon, command, keyless go, heated/cooled/massage/dynamic seats, heated rear seats, 7 seat option cargo seats, dvd, sat nav, electric tailgate and of course THAT engine. The 5.4 supercharged V8 is the greatest thing since Mr Hovis thought I know ill slice that loaf up ready for you. Grunt, torque, noise, surging relentless performance - ok a bit a drink problem ( i average around 12-15mpg). The LPG conversion almost put me off this particularly car but the previous owner assured me it was a good thing and wouldnt dampen the experience. 65p a litre cant be bad when your avergaing 12mpg, it doesnt feel quite as right on gas as it does on Super and switches back to petrol when your really pushing on but for everyday use its fine. So far in 6 months I have added 4k wonderful miles, shes eaten a pair of rear tyres and a battery and is coming up due a service.

I recently added a low mileage 986 Boxster S as a fun car but I seem to find myself reaching for the keys to my '55' more often than the Porsche...



previous owners must have really looked after her, 160k miles and still looking soooo good...

shiny...




school run - earning her keep...

thats an entire ensuite shower room in the back right there...



big ass brakes...

pretty little Boxster S, the story of the rhino and the wasp.

Edited by RossOCD on Friday 10th January 09:22

[RossOCD]

BrettMRC said:

Very nice OP!

Be intresting to know how they hold up with that sort of mileage? I've been looking for lower mileage ones, but if they are a good prospect with higher mileage then thats worth knowing

From what ive experienced they hold up very well, engines are allegedly bomb proof. Issues tend to arise around the complicated SBC brake system and air suspensions struts but neither are as expensive to fix as they once were. Theres quite a few on 200k plus and one on youtube on 400k miles plus i believe. There a bit of a performance bargain at the moment in my opinion!

[RossOCD]

scottos said:

Ah man, thats awesome. I wanted a fast estate a few months ago but just didn't have the balls to get something like this, i nearly did but the prospect of saving a little bit of money won over and i decided to get my first more modern car, a Golf R Estate and whilst its fast and massively capable, it doesnt have a big stonking V8!

I do around 1k a month, sometimes more so i dont feel so bad hearing you're getting 12-15mpg but the itch is definitely still there!

Yeah i sometimes think I should move with the times but i paid less than £7k for this and it sounds soooooo good... plus i have a soft spot for ropey old high milers

[RossOCD]

d_a_n1979 said:

Superb car OP; very jealous

These are on my want list for when I start looking at selling my current BMW touring and move onto another... Audi's leave me cold, but the Merc estates with the big V8s in them really appeal

I had a C5 RS6 estate and a B5 RS4 estate, both great cars that I enjoyed but I never LOVED them... I do generally prefer rear wheel drive though.

[RossOCD]

TurboRob said:

Great writeup and great pics - thanks.

Does this era of E-class rust?

Thanks! They dont rust anything like the previous 210 series E classes.

[RossOCD]

djtom said:

Cracking car - I have one too, few more miles than yours though and just about to hit 170k. Mine's also a lot less shiny! Sounds like you got a bargain there at under £7k, that's one of the cheapest I've ever seen.

Yeah i was surprised at how cheap it was, id never seen an estate at that money. I sold my previous black estate for nearly £5k more!! Only half the miles of this one though. Glad to hear there are more knocking about with proper mileages like yours, have you had it long?

[RossOCD]

d_a_n1979 said:

The main issue for me is that I don't fit in them well; the're a weird design inside and being 6ft 4 and wide with it, they're not comfy. A pal has an RS6 and the drivers position, for me, is terrible

I've sat in a few Mercs though and they're very good.. Like you, an E55 AMG would need to be the estate for me; they look the best IMO

Yep im a big lump, Merc definitely the comfiest of that era of supersaloons/estates for me... I love the practicality of the estate, there doesnt seem to be anything it cant manage. It has the boot seats but my 9 year old twins are getting to the point where there a bit big for them and they would rather sit in the 'normal' back seats but I prefer the estate still like you say!

[RossOCD]

LetsTryAgain said:

I have the E200, 2003, really like it.
This looks an absolute beauty and must sound emmense!

We do a run down to Paris most years, ive done it in all sorts of different cars from Range Rovers, E39 M5, RS4, Toyota Verso (dont ask!!) and actually one of the best was my 2004 180k mile E320 CDi estate, paid about £1200 for it and it was fantastic, swallowed a family of 5, suitcases, food and a plastic 6 foot christmas tree, did 1k miles, averaged about 45mpg, comfortable and pokey enough to overtake and feel great at speed. Im a big fan of the 211 E class

[RossOCD]

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...

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+...

[RossOCD]

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...

[RossOCD]

Located in door card by window switch...

No - Never seen one with heated steering wheel was it an option?

[RossOCD]

Very awesome! Does everything so well. Have bought a smaller pulley so may have that fitted next week and a mapping session

[RossOCD]

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.

[RossOCD]

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.

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!

[RossOCD]

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

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

[RossOCD]

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

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

[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.

[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

[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...

[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.