E55 vs E63

[DaveAMG]

Hi all I'm new to the forum and also to Mercedes. Im looking to get a w211 E55 but am struggling to find a nice low mileage example so Im looking at a w211 E63. Is there much difference in performance as I have driven a E55 and it was brutal!

 

[developer]

Welcome Dave, you'll get differing views on here as there are fans of both.

55K's (M113 engine) produce their power at lower revs due to the supercharger.

The 63 (M156 engine) revs higher and needs to be worked more, however, the M156 engine is recognised as one of the best V8 engines ever made, with an exhaust note to die for, being naturally aspirated.

M113, 5 speed box.
M156 7 speed box.

Again, some like one, some the other.

Figures on paper are close enough not to worry about, though the 63 is more fuel efficient - ho ho!

Either way, you'll have a ball.

Go for service history rather than mileage in both cases - good luck.

 

[E55BOF]

The E63 is somewhat slower off the line, at least on paper, due to the massive torque of the E55K - "crushing, unrelenting acceleration" seems to fit the bill. The tyres would be a significant factor, though, as would an LSD if fitted. Either way, I doubt an E63 would disappoint...

If you find a decent E55, best if it's a facelift model without SBC; but it will not be cheap to run.

"though the 63 is more fuel efficient - ho ho!" Only relatively... They're both thirsty beasts.

E55BOF (Now E55K estate, 525 hp)

 

[developer]

The E63 is somewhat slower off the line

Not according to the published figures.

In standard form they weigh about the same, but the 63 has some 40bhp more.

"Both the sedan (saloon) and wagon had a 0-60 mph (96 km/h) acceleration time of 4.4 seconds. Compared to the previous E55 AMG, the E63 AMG had more horsepower but less torque, enabling it to be mated to the newer 7G-Tronic automatic transmission, making it quicker than the E55 AMG."

 

[DaveAMG]

Hi guys thanks for the replies. I had actualy bought an E55 at the weekend. It was a black 2004 E55 AMG 71k miles with part service history. I spoke to the seller on the phone as the car was over 240 miles away from where I live, he said the car is in pristine condition other than a few stone chips on the bonnet. When I got there the car looked like it had been painted in a silicone factory with an aerosol can down the drivers side and the drivers A pillar (by the windscreen) was full of filler!! Funnily enough I walked away from the car and drove the 3 1/2 hours back home very disappointed.
Ive decided to up my budget and found a low mileage E63 with full MB history so I think this is the route Im going to take

 

[developer]

Hi guys thanks for the replies. I had actualy bought an E55 at the weekend. It was a black 2004 E55 AMG 71k miles with part service history. I spoke to the seller on the phone as the car was over 240 miles away from where I live, he said the car is in pristine condition other than a few stone chips on the bonnet. When I got there the car looked like it had been painted in a silicone factory with an aerosol can down the drivers side and the drivers A pillar (by the windscreen) was full of filler!! Funnily enough I walked away from the car and drove the 3 1/2 hours back home very disappointed.
Ive decided to up my budget and found a low mileage E63 with full MB history so I think this is the route Im going to take

Very frustrating, buying 2nd hand cars.

A while ago I met up with a member to look at an E55K in my neighbourhood - also described as "mint" etc.

What a dog .

Needless to say, he also walked away.

 

[Major774]

Hi guys thanks for the replies. I had actualy bought an E55 at the weekend. It was a black 2004 E55 AMG 71k miles with part service history. I spoke to the seller on the phone as the car was over 240 miles away from where I live, he said the car is in pristine condition other than a few stone chips on the bonnet. When I got there the car looked like it had been painted in a silicone factory with an aerosol can down the drivers side and the drivers A pillar (by the windscreen) was full of filler!! Funnily enough I walked away from the car and drove the 3 1/2 hours back home very disappointed.
Ive decided to up my budget and found a low mileage E63 with full MB history so I think this is the route Im going to take

Don't forget to factor in the cost of the brakes for a E63... £1k per corner I believe.

I guess Merecedes moved the costs somewhere else... Remove SBC and add expensive brakes in the E63.

 

[DaveAMG]

Don't forget to factor in the cost of the brakes for a E63... £1k per corner I believe.

I guess Merecedes moved the costs somewhere else... Remove SBC and add expensive brakes in the E63.

Is that for discs or calipers?

 

[Rashman]

Hi guys thanks for the replies. I had actualy bought an E55 at the weekend. It was a black 2004 E55 AMG 71k miles with part service history. I spoke to the seller on the phone as the car was over 240 miles away from where I live, he said the car is in pristine condition other than a few stone chips on the bonnet. When I got there the car looked like it had been painted in a silicone factory with an aerosol can down the drivers side and the drivers A pillar (by the windscreen) was full of filler!! Funnily enough I walked away from the car and drove the 3 1/2 hours back home very disappointed.
Ive decided to up my budget and found a low mileage E63 with full MB history so I think this is the route Im going to take

lol
Jesus, don't blame you for walking away from that one!
Sucks to have travelled that far for nothing but you did the right thing in leaving it.
I had an identical situation back the day when I was looking for CLK55.
Travelled all the way to Birmingham to see a car that was advertised as "immaculate" only to find a complete rust bucket
Mind you, I shouldn't have been that disappointed.. My definition of "immaculate" seems to be vastly different from most people's

Nice to hear you are opting for a 63

 

[whitenemesis]

Floating discs, less unsprung weight = very much lighter wallet! Pads aren't cheap either....

 

[Major774]

Is that for discs or calipers?

About £1k just for 1 disc

 

[Abb]

Just out of interest, where are you located Dave?

 

[John]

The E63 is somewhat slower off the line, at least on paper, due to the massive torque of the E55K - "crushing, unrelenting acceleration" seems to fit the bill. The tyres would be a significant factor, though, as would an LSD if fitted. Either way, I doubt an E63 would disappoint...

If you find a decent E55, best if it's a facelift model without SBC; but it will not be cheap to run.

I understand from the Santa Pod gang that an LSD made no difference to take off in those conditions. Obviously pulling out on a wet road up a hill it would but you probably won't do the best 0-62 in those conditions...

You will never find a facelift E55K as it became the E63 at facelift. All E55Ks have SBC unless it has been removed by the owner.

Not according to the published figures.

In standard form they weigh about the same, but the 63 has some 40bhp more.

"Both the sedan (saloon) and wagon had a 0-60 mph (96 km/h) acceleration time of 4.4 seconds. Compared to the previous E55 AMG, the E63 AMG had more horsepower but less torque, enabling it to be mated to the newer 7G-Tronic automatic transmission, making it quicker than the E55 AMG."

In standard form, I've always understood the 0-62mph for the E63 is 4.4s and 4.5s for the E55K.

So it is faster but 0.1s is a fraction of the difference between a 'good' getaway and a reasonable one.

I know this from my extensive research at Bruntingthorpe with a Race Logic box.

 

[developer]

In standard form, I've always understood the 0-62mph for the E63 is 4.4s and 4.5s for the E55K.

So it is faster but 0.1s is a fraction of the difference between a 'good' getaway and a reasonable one.

Absolutely - I'd be happy with the performance of either.

 

[DaveAMG]

Just out of interest, where are you located Dave?

I'm from Essex mate

 

[After Shock]

I often wonder when people describe a car as "perfect" have they deluded themselves? They must realise that some one turning up will be .... Ummmm ... Surprised at finding a car totally different to how it is described!

 

[DaveAMG]

I often wonder when people describe a car as "perfect" have they deluded themselves? They must realise that some one turning up will be .... Ummmm ... Surprised at finding a car totally different to how it is described!

was funny because I was the one who did a 7 hour round trip to see it, spent over £100 on fuel and after having to point out each and every problem with the car that was conveniently missed off the advert HE was the one with the ump!!

 

[After Shock]

was funny because I was the one who did a 7 hour round trip to see it, spent over £100 on fuel and after having to point out each and every problem with the car that was conveniently missed off the advert HE was the one with the ump!!

Is it still listed?

Be interesting to see if it sells, price drops or it vanishes!

Wonder if some one would turn up and just not see the flaws!

 

[AMGeed]

It is a huge disappointment to travel miles to view a car that has been wrongly described. Apart from the cost, and the inconvenience, it's such a waste of time.
I have been lucky so far in that almost every car I have viewed has been close to the condition claimed, but I think I would be quick to let an owner know if I had traveled a long way for a dog.

Hopefully the OP will have better luck with the E63

 

[After Shock]

It's worth posting any ad you see for a car on here. If it looks very promising but is miles away someone on here will often be happy to go and have a look at it. The offers you get are from Mercedes Enthusiasts too so you get a good idea if it is worth the trip in the first place.