Living with the E55

Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.

AMGeed

MB Club Veteran
SUPPORTER
Joined
Nov 1, 2008
Messages
18,883
Location
Bournemouth/Poole Dorset
Car
W210 E280 x2, w211 E55, W212 E63 biturbo, S204 C180K
So 5 years is coming up next month and although I've posted a few photos over the years I haven't really written down how the car has behaved, how reliable its been and what I have done to it.

The test drive was fun and showed me how good these cars can be. I'd viewed a couple of others which had faults and didn't have anywhere near the grunt this one seems to have. (Maybe ic pump problems?)

So I took over ownership of the car the beginning of July 2013 with the mileage on 98k and a message saying next service 8k+ miles away.

nnkYXpC.jpg




I had a non fault bump 3 days into ownership that really saddened me. Fortunately I found a great body shop who did a brilliant repair and paint match. So I was in a BMW X5 diesel courtesy car for a couple of weeks while the E55 was sorted and I was glad to hand the X5 back. Horrible thing is the best I can say.

In Aug 2014 I attended my first MSL Dyno day where I met up with a few of the AMG guys and have since made some good friends. I wanted more V8 noise so had Imran remove the secondary cats and resonator and had a x-pipe put in. Much better and I put the car on the dyno to see 479bhp and 571ftlbs which I was happy with. No ponies escaped in the 10 years since production. Still got the dyno printout too.

MSL Dyno day (my car at 7min 01 sec)
To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.


21700075652_8c2766c8cd_b.jpg




So the next service came around in Dec 2014 at 102k miles and I needed a few bits done. MBS in Southampton are my go to indy and I trust Cole and the lads to take good care of the car.
As well as a service I had the duo valve replaced, a new gearbox mount and a new Aux battery.

I wanted a rear diffuser and a helpful member sold me his unused E63 one which fitted pretty well.
I also took the time to fit lowering links to give the car a better stance in the airmatic Sport 2 setting.



21720865771_7cb6ea15fd_b.jpg


zEv7K6z.jpg




2015 saw me visit Ollies Benz on the Green GTG for the first time, and what a GTG it is. So much so I have been back every year since.

Another MSL Dyno Day in 2016 and I got to drive ChrisA's 700+bhp CLS55 up the drag strip. What a car, cheers Chris.

Also, Jerry from Eurocharged Houston was there on the day doing remaps. I am still so tempted, then drive the car and think, yep its still pretty quick.



SblL4tb.jpg




Another service in 2016 at 109k miles and I had the front discs and pads changed for Brembo parts.

Still going great on pad wear and I recommend them although a bit of paint needs shaving from the sides of the pad backing to ensure a loose fit.



Vvqxe5K.jpg



The last service done was in January this year and I had the 16 spark plugs renewed (what a 'mare, they were stuck fast) and the ATF filter and gasket changed at the same time. Still got a couple of suspension bushes to do and a brake fluid change.

So how has the supercharged E55 performed in these past 5 years?

Brilliantly I'd say. I don't keep fuel records so no idea how much I've spent on super unleaded. Doesn't matter anyway. An AMG isn't for economy, its for fun and there has been plenty of that!
Off the top of my head, apart from servicing and additional work done at that time I have needed the following
1 Main battery
3 rear tyres Falken ZE914 265x35x18
2 front tyres Falken ZE914 245x40x18
1 alarm siren
1 CPS
1 O/S/R rear lamp assembly (Thank you Tesco car park)
1 lower o/s/f ball joint

Its let me down once by the roadside. Luckily close to home and I recognised the symptoms of the CPS failing and got that sorted quickly.



Its had one MOT fail, last year for the bi-xenons pointing too low. A quick recalibration on Star and all was well again. I've also had a recent tyre split along the inside wall, my fault straddling a speed hump.

The car has never failed me apart from a sensor and the engine is sublime. A real masterpiece that really shifts when asked. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend any model with a M113K engine, they are that good. I promised myself a 6.2n/a but I think I'm past it for a C63 now. I don't want it in any other model.

So where next? Still got my eye out for a facelift palladium silverW212 E63 biturbo at some point, hopefully later this year. My finances won't stretch to a W213 which is a pity. The cockpit is wonderful.



xUOa3BE.jpg


IN90vnw.jpg
 
Last edited:
Great write-up, I can remember when you first bought it, can’t believe how the times flown!
 
I expect most of us 113k owners will move to the biturbo when it comes to moving on from these great cars.
 
Yes my CL 55 was great, it had a Eurocharged Map and Pulley + the cats and x pipe. After six years of wonderful European trips it was time for a change and the Bi-turbo CL is so different, even before Acid waved his magic wand.
 
Remember meeting you for the first time at the M27 services before a fun run up to brum, happy days, my old beast on the video as well, love the M113K so much i bought another.
Thats my man maths eco credentials proved from a V12 back to a V8:D
 
I feel like Tiny Tim with his nose pressed up against the toy shop window :p

Seriously, my humble S211 e220 cdi has all the style I need and enough power (yes, really) for a coffin dodger.

AMGs are seriously cool cars though :rolleyes:
 
That looks tidy!

My dad has an E55 and I wanted to ask about the wheels. I notice yours and several others have the twin 5-spoke style wheels, while my Dad’s has a single fat 5-spoke wheels. Does anyone know why and if there were two choices of wheel for this car?
 
That looks tidy!

My dad has an E55 and I wanted to ask about the wheels. I notice yours and several others have the twin 5-spoke style wheels, while my Dad’s has a single fat 5-spoke wheels. Does anyone know why and if there were two choices of wheel for this car?

I always assumed the E55 and CLS55 came with the 5 twin spoke AMG 1V rims that I have and the 5 spoke AMG III were optional.
 
I've mostly seen the twin spokes on E55s.

I hardly ever see the single 5 spokes.
 
Great write up and very useful! I've only recently purchased my E55, and I'm looking forward to keeping it for a few years, and write ups like this really fill me with confidence about the engine and general reliability of the car.

Currently, I'm really happy with the car, and can't imagine needing it any faster as it already scares the life of me when I put my foot down!

Sent from my SM-N950F using Tapatalk
 
That looks tidy!

My dad has an E55 and I wanted to ask about the wheels. I notice yours and several others have the twin 5-spoke style wheels, while my Dad’s has a single fat 5-spoke wheels. Does anyone know why and if there were two choices of wheel for this car?
Do they look like this but an inch bigger? If they do, then they are the factory option AMG III wheels. If they're not these or the twin spoke AMG IV wheels on Rog's car then they've come from a different model.

The photo is a C32 but the wheel options were the same for the E55 albeit in a 17-inch fitment rather than 18-inch as fitted to the E55.

AMG III (albeit 17-inch and for sale):

full


AMG IV (albeit 17-inch):

full
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top Bottom