Considering a W211 E55K

[AngryDog]

Hey guys,

I currently own a BMW E39 M5 but I am looking into getting an E55K. Has anyone here owned both of these cars?

I am looking for experiences etc and what to look out for etc.

Thanks.

 

[jamiet1986]

Haven't had an m5 but I've had an e55k for 5 years and the main problem I get is electrical faults

 

[merc85]

Haven't had an m5 but I've had an e55k for 5 years and the main problem I get is electrical faults

I'm on my 2nd 211 e class, and tbh neither have suffered electrical gremlins, my current e55 suffered the usual wear n tear of suspension components due to being driven hard by the last owner and lack of maintenance during that ownership.

Ive covered most asociated parts in my project thread, I've intitially been unlucky in my purchase but have now turned the car completly around.

One issue which im in the process of fixing is the dueo valve.

Have read of the thread below

https://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/mbclub-projects/215529-brutus-e55k-project.html

 

[JimGreen]

I currently drive a 2012 C63 AMG, but did own a BMW E39 M5 for many years. It's one of the cars that I really regret selling.

Obviously now I'm a converted M5 owner, but one thing is for certain, E39 M5 prices are appreciating, the good ones at least and have now entered the modern classic status.

A nice pic of my M5's rear end, hard to beat.



Don't forget to put up a link to your ad when you sell the M5, i have a few buddies who keep an eye out for the good ones.

.

 

[JohnBell]

I am quite certain the m5 is a far more rewarding drivers car, I have owned a e55k and for me it's a big heavy car that handles quite poorly if wanting to make rapid progress or enjoy some twisty roads.

 

[JimGreen]

I enjoy driving powerful saloons much more than outright sports cars, but the E39 M5 is a very special car in my humble opinion, and takes some beating for driver enjoyment and certainly a better car than the E60 M5 which I also owned.

.

 

[merc85]

I am quite certain the m5 is a far more rewarding drivers car, I have owned a e55k and for me it's a big heavy car that handles quite poorly if wanting to make rapid progress or enjoy some twisty roads.

You can enjoy twisty roads with a e55k quite easily with its adjustable dampers, haven't found it poor handling at all perhaps your suspension was worn?

 

[AngryDog]

Haven't had an m5 but I've had an e55k for 5 years and the main problem I get is electrical faults

I guess it's a risk with any car of this ilk?

I'm on my 2nd 211 e class, and tbh neither have suffered electrical gremlins, my current e55 suffered the usual wear n tear of suspension components due to being driven hard by the last owner and lack of maintenance during that ownership.

Ive covered most asociated parts in my project thread, I've intitially been unlucky in my purchase but have now turned the car completly around.

One issue which im in the process of fixing is the dueo valve.

Have read of the thread below

https://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/mbclub-projects/215529-brutus-e55k-project.html

Thanks Gav, currently reading! (I think you may have responded to my post on FB).

I currently drive a 2012 C63 AMG, but did own a BMW E39 M5 for many years. It's one of the cars that I really regret selling.

Obviously now I'm a converted M5 owner, but one thing is for certain, E39 M5 prices are appreciating, the good ones at least and have now entered the modern classic status.

A nice pic of my M5's rear end, hard to beat.



Don't forget to put up a link to your ad when you sell the M5, i have a few buddies who keep an eye out for the good ones.
.

Thanks Jim - Looks nice, and I agree, the E39 rear is a nice thing. Mine sadly isn't in the best of shape so if and when I do sell then it'll be cheaper than most.

I am quite certain the m5 is a far more rewarding drivers car, I have owned a e55k and for me it's a big heavy car that handles quite poorly if wanting to make rapid progress or enjoy some twisty roads.

It is all relative I guess - the E55K is a continent crusher imo.

I enjoy driving powerful saloons much more than outright sports cars, but the E39 M5 is a very special car in my humble opinion, and takes some beating for driver enjoyment and certainly a better car than the E60 M5 which I also owned.

.

Same here - I've always tended to have 4 door cars, preferably with power A few Cosworths when I used to live in Hull but they're too expensive now. I've never driven an E60, but the horror stories put me off ownership.

The original plan was to supercharge my M5, but I just don't think I can spend the money now, hence why I am looking at the E55K.

 

[RossMB]

HI

Ive had a few E39 M5s in the past. Really loved them to bits. I find the E55k that I have now does more things better. The M5 is the sharper driving tool, no doubt but the E55 makes up for it in other ways with different party tricks and the 55k engine is a wonder of the world!

I always said I would have another E39 M5 one day UNTIL I owned my E55k. So far prices for parts have been cheaper like for like, MPG slightly worse.

Mine is an estate too which obvioulsy the E39 M5 was never offered as.

Ross

 

[Tarling]

Hi

I also used to own a e39 m5 it was my dream car for so long, the ultimate sleeper! I feel the m5 had a more modern feel to the interior which I thinks partly due brushed aluminium trims, in the gadget department a well spec'd e55 defiantly wins.

I never tracked my m5 but compared to the e55 it felt a little sharper and more nimble, let's not forget there both big v8 powered saloon cars that will never be amazing in the handling department. M5 wins for me but not much in it!

You may be worried about swapping manual to auto as I was but trust me as soon as you floor the e55 you'll forget all about it, the engine is magnificent with it power delivery although it is more thirsty than the m5 but who cares about that. E55 definitely gets the vote!

So far the reliability of the e55 has been great alert from a random flat battery although I've only had six months!

Here's a pic of my m5

 

[nickjonesn4]

Buy a good one and enjoy. Iconic car and incredible bargain if you look hard for the right one.

 

[AngryDog]

I'm on my 2nd 211 e class, and tbh neither have suffered electrical gremlins, my current e55 suffered the usual wear n tear of suspension components due to being driven hard by the last owner and lack of maintenance during that ownership.

Ive covered most asociated parts in my project thread, I've intitially been unlucky in my purchase but have now turned the car completly around.

One issue which im in the process of fixing is the dueo valve.

Have read of the thread below

https://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/mbclub-projects/215529-brutus-e55k-project.html

Wow, a lot of time, attention to detail and skill has gone into your car!

 

[AngryDog]

What does it take to get one of these over 600bhp?

 

[Gbrowncls55]

I dont have an e55 but have a cls55 on 80k (lower ,stiffer, faster steering better sound but only two seats in the back.)
Only problems I have had are Keyless go door handles (x3) engine mounts which suffer due to the huge torque and just yesterday a leaking front airmatic strut which does happen and is not cheap to fix. That said my previous E500 airmatic had done 120k with no airmatic problems at all.
Otherwise its a great car with a truly great engine but as others have said even in cls form it is more of a trans continental express than a b road hero.

 

[John]

What does it take to get one of these over 600bhp?

My previous E had Kleemann exhaust manifold, full decat, larger of the two smaller supercharger pulleys, uprated IC pump and a proper remap.

That was running 492WHP.

If the losses through the transmission are 18%, you are talking 580BHP.

So with the smaller of the supercharger pulleys, and probably an uprated heat exchanger and possibly split system cooling, I think the estimate was mine would be running 630BHP > 650BHP but you can't tell until you do it and get it on the dyno. Probably you would need more free-flowing back boxes too.

Of course if you increased displacement to 5.7 (I think it was) and changed the supercharger to a Wiestec, uprated the injectors - you could well be into the 700s but this is expensive for someone not doing it themselves.

Then you would need to consider gearbox strengthening too as the limit is 800BHP / 1000NM I think.

That was what I understood anyway.

 

[merc85]

Mine i was told was around 560Bhp, 835nms But i haven't any dyno report, It does go really well, although i reckon its closer to 535bhp tho.

Mods, Vrp intakes , 2ndary de-cat, resonator delete, Free flowing rear box's, 83mm Pulley, Tcu remap, Ecu Remap to suit Pulley etc, Uprated H/E And H/E pump

You will be talking of spending quite a few ££s to get it a reliable 600 -650bhp imho

 

[John]

Mine i was told was around 560Bhp, 835nms But i
haven't any dyno report, It does go really well, although i reckon its closer to 535bhp tho.

Mods, Vrp intakes , 2ndary de-cat, resonator delete, Free flowing rear box's, 83mm Pulley, Tcu remap, Ecu Remap to suit Pulley etc, Uprated H/E And H/E pump

You will be talking of spending quite a few ££s to get it a reliable 600 -650bhp imho

I think how it goes is the important thing. Numbers are only part of the story anyway.

I think I spent over £3k on all my mods so you've got to be talking around £4k to £5k to get in the mid 600s with all the cooling too.

Then bore changes, Weistec blower etc. you are into 5 figures.

Watch the total go north quickly as your pursue your ultimate level although it can be done for less if you do the work.

 

[Alex]

I think how it goes is the important thing. Numbers are only part of the story anyway.

I think I spent over £3k on all my mods so you've got to be talking around £4k to £5k to get in the mid 600s with all the cooling too.

Then bore changes, Weistec blower etc. you are into 5 figures.

Watch the total go north quickly as your pursue your ultimate level although it can be done for less if you do the work.

'Tis true, you've got to pay to play, however your own labour doesn't always equate to spending less money. It certainly helps but I've ended up redoing everything pretty much from scratch and changing what's already been designed by some big name companies. In large part because a lot of stuff you buy off the shelf is actually untested crap designed by a 12 year old.

 

[AngryDog]

I haven't managed to look at any yet, hopefully next weekend I will have time to.

 

[jimiE55]

If your car is running healthy to start with, 600bhp is achievable with a upd 77mm S/C Pulley and Kleemann headers. Acid did mine, give him a buzz. Mine's used most days, and have been running the pulley for a couple of years now I think. Obviously it depends how hard you are planning on pushing the car (tracked etc), cooling is then needing much more work. I've split my cooling running two pumps with an under bonnet tank.