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Old Nov 17, 2013 | 01:16 PM
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Does anyone here own a Mercedes E55? I am thinking about getting rid of my 392 Challenger for one. I know that Mercedes vehicles can be expensive to work on but I am pretty good at turning wrenches. I know that they respond very well to mods. I would like to ride in one to see if this is something I really want to do.
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Old Nov 17, 2013 | 01:20 PM
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Go to dealer to drive one?
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Old Nov 17, 2013 | 01:27 PM
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Ya know, I just found one in Keller that I am going to look at. I checked the other day and there were not many for sale in the area. Do you know much about them?
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Old Nov 17, 2013 | 01:58 PM
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They're notrious for air suspension issues and oil leaks. I work at an independent shop that specializes in Benz and other euros. Wrenching isn't the issues, parts are quite exspensive!
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Old Nov 17, 2013 | 02:17 PM
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I have heard about the airmatic issues. I know that Arnott has reman airmatic suspension components that are about 450 a piece with a lifetime warranty. You mentioned oil leaks, what areas are more prone to leak? Is it a difficult repair?
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Old Nov 17, 2013 | 07:08 PM
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I work for MB. Pm me. E55 is a badass car, but doesn't run near as well as the e63 or the later turbo e63.
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Old Nov 17, 2013 | 10:10 PM
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Originally Posted by Cam72aro
I work for MB. Pm me. E55 is a badass car, but doesn't run near as well as the e63 or the later turbo e63.
Thanks, I will pm you sometime tomorrow.
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Old Nov 17, 2013 | 10:22 PM
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Originally Posted by RallyBoy
I have heard about the airmatic issues. I know that Arnott has reman airmatic suspension components that are about 450 a piece with a lifetime warranty. You mentioned oil leaks, what areas are more prone to leak? Is it a difficult repair?
Stay away from the 03-04 E55. Gas leaks, oil leaks, electrical issues, etc. You'll want an 05 or preferably 06 E55.
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Old Nov 17, 2013 | 10:25 PM
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Originally Posted by Cam72aro
I work for MB. Pm me. E55 is a badass car, but doesn't run near as well as the e63 or the later turbo e63.
I Disagree. I hadn't seen an W211 NA E63 edge or runoff on an E55 yet.

I've driven both the W211 Naturally Aspirated E63 and '06 E55 and the E55 felt more responsive and faster.
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Old Nov 17, 2013 | 10:27 PM
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Originally Posted by RallyBoy
I have heard about the airmatic issues. I know that Arnott has reman airmatic suspension components that are about 450 a piece with a lifetime warranty. You mentioned oil leaks, what areas are more prone to leak? Is it a difficult repair?
Just do a coilover conversion and you'll never have to worry about airmatic issues again.
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Old Nov 18, 2013 | 07:12 AM
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Originally Posted by Cam72aro
I work for MB. Pm me. E55 is a badass car, but doesn't run near as well as the e63 or the later turbo e63.
Nothing a pulley swap, tune and drag radials wont fix, high 10's @ 125 mph isn't out of the ordinary.
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Old Nov 18, 2013 | 02:07 PM
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Originally Posted by RallyBoy
I have heard about the airmatic issues. I know that Arnott has reman airmatic suspension components that are about 450 a piece with a lifetime warranty. You mentioned oil leaks, what areas are more prone to leak? Is it a difficult repair?
Valve cover gaskets and rear main seals. Arnott makes a great product and I steer my customers to them whenever I can!
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Old Nov 18, 2013 | 02:23 PM
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Are you looking at W210 or W211?

Lots of good info on both of these sites: http://www.benzworld.org/forums/ http://mbworld.org/forums/index.php
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Old Nov 18, 2013 | 04:11 PM
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My buddy had an 05 E55 S/C and it was fast and nice. What wasn't nice was the purposely cheap engine gaskets and lack of oil dip stick. It's like they do that **** on purpose so you can take it back to the dealer and spend big bucks.
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Old Nov 18, 2013 | 05:58 PM
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Originally Posted by 427LS7HCI
I Disagree. I hadn't seen an W211 NA E63 edge or runoff on an E55 yet.

I've driven both the W211 Naturally Aspirated E63 and '06 E55 and the E55 felt more responsive and faster.
I never discredited a 211 e55, but I drive these cars on a daily basis. I didnt say the 211 e63 would walk it. The E55 makes more torque at earlier Rpms, therefore it will feel more responsive. If the e55 had a pulley, tune, etc. it would win. The e63 power wise is close. The E55 was rated at 469hp and 516ftlb torque, the E63 was rated at 507hp and 465 ftlb torque. They are pretty close. To each his own. . .
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Old Nov 18, 2013 | 08:08 PM
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Originally Posted by Cam72aro
I never discredited a 211 e55, but I drive these cars on a daily basis. I didnt say the 211 e63 would walk it. The E55 makes more torque at earlier Rpms, therefore it will feel more responsive. If the e55 had a pulley, tune, etc. it would win. The e63 power wise is close. The E55 was rated at 469hp and 516ftlb torque, the E63 was rated at 507hp and 465 ftlb torque. They are pretty close. To each his own. . .
Both the 211 E63 and 211 E55 both dyno 410-420rwhp stock regardless of bhp ratings.

I'm not sure why Mercedes rates them at 469hp and rate the SL55/S55 at 493hp and they dyno within ~5rwhp of one another.


I forgot to mention the many issues with the 7spd auto in the e63.
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Old Nov 19, 2013 | 08:59 AM
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Originally Posted by 427LS7HCI
I'm not sure why Mercedes rates them at 469hp and rate the SL55/S55 at 493hp and they dyno within ~5rwhp of one another.
Most likely due to the same reason GM rated the LS1 F-bodies @ 305 and Vettes @ 345.

But yea, the 7spd is a bit of a weak link, in almost any newer MB. You really need to keep up with the fluid changes a least. Which actually reminds me that I need to get that done on my wife's C350 soon...
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Old Nov 19, 2013 | 09:27 AM
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Every 40k on .9 trans services. I will agree, the trans is a weak link. I wish they would do a true 6 speed or a smg. It would making driving way more enjoyable.
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Old Nov 19, 2013 | 07:48 PM
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Originally Posted by Cam72aro
Every 40k on .9 trans services. I will agree, the trans is a weak link. I wish they would do a true 6 speed or a smg. It would making driving way more enjoyable.
A true 6spd? as in manual transmission? Nah, not on a 4dr Mercedes. They need a 7spd or 8spd that is as strong as the AMGs 5spd.

The closest tranny they have to SMG is the MCT. Supposedly, they have a 9 speed in the works as well.
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Old Nov 20, 2013 | 05:48 PM
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Originally Posted by 427LS7HCI
A true 6spd? as in manual transmission? Nah, not on a 4dr Mercedes. They need a 7spd or 8spd that is as strong as the AMGs 5spd. The closest tranny they have to SMG is the MCT. Supposedly, they have a 9 speed in the works as well.
9 speed will come out for my 15 I think.

Just a 6 speed manual. V10 m5 had it. It would make it not fun to drive. I want to be able to control shifts. Even the mct shifts are too mushy and won't shift if you have the slightest turn of the steering wheel.
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