Buying Advice for W211 E63 or E55 AMG

[Adamki83]

Hello!

Im thinking of renewing my car in the next couple months and now that i earn a little more money, i was debating on treating myself to an E63 or an E55 i like them both!
Is this a stupid idea??
Tyres arnt too bad in price and servcing i can handle and fuel isnt too much of an issue either, im more worried about reliability as ive seen both models with 100k miles+! Is that sort ot millage good for that car? I havent really seen any major mechanical issues on them only usual W211 issues like SBC pumps!
Also my insurance has taken a big tumble so thats also another reason.
So am i just looking into somthing thats just gonna capsize my bank account or somthing thats fast fun and ralible!
Thanks!

 

[Wighty]

What age and budget you looking at buddy ?

 

[Adamki83]

What age and budget you looking at buddy ?

So age around 07 upwards and budget around 12k! That would be for an E63 obviously!

 

[Wighty]

So age around 07 upwards and budget around 12k! That would be for an E63 obviously!

I'm sure plenty of people will add their experience of these cars later , I've not had either . I would certainly read up on ABC suspension and the related costs so you understand some of the possible downsides

 

[Adamki83]

I'm sure plenty of people will add their experience of these cars later , I've not had either . I would certainly read up on ABC suspension and the related costs so you understand some of the possible downsides

Thanks! I did look into the w212 but i think thats just ever so slightly out of my budget!

 

[John Laidlaw]

I haven’t had a 211, but @AMGeed is your guy, and in fact I believe he is almost ready to move to a 212 so his very well sorted E55 211 might be an option for you (no idea if the prices are right to be honest)
due diligence is the key if buying from an ‘unknown’ source...

 

[GordonTarling]

I bought my E63 about a year ago and haven't regretted it yet! I paid to have it inspected the day after I bought it and the only thing found was corroded front disks. To their credit, the supplying dealer just fitted new disks and pads (£1500+!!) and it's all been fine since. It was MOT'd yesterday and the tester told me he'd never seen such a clean one underneath, so all good there. About 4 months ago, a bearing on a serpentine belt idler pulley failed and chewed the belt up - 3 new pulleys and a belt cost me £200. Other things I've had done are two new rear tyres and rear brake pads replaced. It only had 55k miles on it when I bought it, so little chance to wear anything out. An 07 or later 211 won't have SBC, so one less thing to worry about. You may read horror stories about M156 engine head bolts, but I was told not to worry unless symptoms were apparent - none so far. There was no recall for the problem and not all cars are affected, but it is a bit of a risk you take. If you're buying a higher miler one, then obviously more things may have worn, so check thoroughly. Service history is important, as is condition. I've had three S211s now and this is the best by far! Sorry, can't comment on the E55 engines, I'm afraid.

 

[Adamki83]

I bought my E63 about a year ago and haven't regretted it yet! I paid to have it inspected the day after I bought it and the only thing found was corroded front disks. To their credit, the supplying dealer just fitted new disks and pads (£1500+!!) and it's all been fine since. It was MOT'd yesterday and the tester told me he'd never seen such a clean one underneath, so all good there. About 4 months ago, a bearing on a serpentine belt idler pulley failed and chewed the belt up - 3 new pulleys and a belt cost me £200. Other things I've had done are two new rear tyres and rear brake pads replaced. It only had 55k miles on it when I bought it, so little chance to wear anything out. An 07 or later 211 won't have SBC, so one less thing to worry about. You may read horror stories about M156 engine head bolts, but I was told not to worry unless symptoms were apparent - none so far. There was no recall for the problem and not all cars are affected, but it is a bit of a risk you take. If you're buying a higher miler one, then obviously more things may have worn, so check thoroughly. Service history is important, as is condition. I've had three S211s now and this is the best by far! Sorry, can't comment on the E55 engines, I'm afraid.

Ahh brilliant thanks for the advice! I would prefer an E63, what was up with the head bolts?

 

[Adamki83]

I haven’t had a 211, but @AMGeed is your guy, and in fact I believe he is almost ready to move to a 212 so his very well sorted E55 211 might be an option for you (no idea if the prices are right to be honest)
due diligence is the key if buying from an ‘unknown’ source...

Fingers crossed it could be within my budget!

 

[Wearsafoxhat]

Hi,
I have a 211 55k estate (2005) and have had it for two years now. No problems. Had a few minor issues when I bought it, though it was a very well looked after car.
Little things sorted and have replaced all four tyres, rear battery, wipers and filters and had it serviced and it’s due another one. It is still on its original SBC pump at 70k.
Lovely to drive, even better now;having visited MSL for a few bits on, a few off and a remap by Jerry.
Returns 21 mpg if I drive it sensibly, goes like snot off a chickens lip if I don’t.
The road tax is £300 ish, not sure on the 212 ‘s.
Never had a 212.
I am sure will enjoy which ever AMG you decide on.


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[Adamki83]

Hi,
I have a 211 55k estate (2005) and have had it for two years now. No problems. Had a few minor issues when I bought it, though it was a very well looked after car.
Little things sorted and have replaced all four tyres, rear battery, wipers and filters and had it serviced and it’s due another one. It is still on its original SBC pump at 70k.
Lovely to drive, even better now;having visited MSL for a few bits on, a few off and a remap by Jerry.
Returns 21 mpg if I drive it sensibly, goes like snot off a chickens lip if I don’t.
The road tax is £300 ish, not sure on the 212 ‘s.
Never had a 212.
I am sure will enjoy which ever AMG you decide on.


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So in terms of the filters like air filter fuel filter spark plugs etc, are they all relatively straightforward to do yourself? Then oil service it with someone else perhaps! So its good news that both models are pretty solid!

 

[Wearsafoxhat]

All pretty straight forward, though I always get the garage to change the oil. No sump plug I believe so needs a pump.

There is always plenty of information and help from the people on here if needed too.



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[AMGeed]

I haven’t had a 211, but @AMGeed is your guy, and in fact I believe he is almost ready to move to a 212 so his very well sorted E55 211 might be an option for you (no idea if the prices are right to be honest)
due diligence is the key if buying from an ‘unknown’ source...

Thanks for the mention John
The E55 will not be sold just yet, probably later in the year but yes, I have started looking at W212 E63 Biturbos and getting a good idea on prices before I take the plunge.

Adam, whichever car you choose, the E63 or the E55 in W211 guise you'll not be disappointed.
I would say, get a drive in both cars before deciding which one is for you. They deliver the power in very different ways. With the torque of the supercharger, the E55 has instant power from low down revs. The E63 needs to get up to around 4k revs before it picks its skirts up. Then it flies. There is no argument, the E63 sounds better too.
Both cars have an achilles heel. The E63 with head bolt and worn cam buckets issues on early engines, the E55 with the SBC pump waiting to fail at some point

There have been a few threads about buying the E55 and what to look for. This one I recommend as it covers most points and could also refer to a lot of things on an E63 too.
https://forums.mbclub.co.uk/threads/viewing-and-test-drive-tips.141175/

Good luck in your search.

 

[AMGeed]

All pretty straight forward, though I always get the garage to change the oil. No sump plug I believe so needs a pump.

There is always plenty of information and help from the people on here if needed too.



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The E55 has a sump plug Mr Fox I get my indy to change the oil. 8.5ltrs of 5w/40.
The 16 spark plugs can be a horrible job if they are stuck like mine were. So glad I didn't start to try to remove them myself.

 

[Adamki83]

Thanks for the mention John
The E55 will not be sold just yet, probably later in the year but yes, I have started looking at W212 E63 Biturbos and getting a good idea on prices before I take the plunge.

Adam, whichever car you choose, the E63 or the E55 in W211 guise you'll not be disappointed.
I would say, get a drive in both cars before deciding which one is for you. They deliver the power in very different ways. With the torque of the supercharger, the E55 has instant power from low down revs. The E63 needs to get up to around 4k revs before it picks its skirts up. Then it flies. There is no argument, the E63 sounds better too.
Both cars have an achilles heel. The E63 with head bolt and worn cam buckets issues on early engines, the E55 with the SBC pump waiting to fail at some point

There have been a few threads about buying the E55 and what to look for. This one I recommend as it covers most points and could also refer to a lot of things on an E63 too.
https://forums.mbclub.co.uk/threads/viewing-and-test-drive-tips.141175/

Good luck in your search.

Thanks for that, really useful information, i plan on getting my car serviced + Mot'd + injector seals before i move onto another car!
I would of thought id be getting comments saying how daft i am even thinking about one of these beasts but with the insurance checking out okay and now living closer to work (and using my road bike more) i can afford to sacrifice my MPG!
Being fair (touches wood) my SBC pump has been good as gold currently sitting on 106k miles.
Like you said it will be down to which ever i prefer in terms of power delivery! Also the millage on an E55k is alot lower in the sort of price range compared too the E63!
How many miles has yours done?

 

[Uncle Benz]

The E55 has a sump plug Mr Fox I get my indy to change the oil. 8.5ltrs of 5w/40.
The 16 spark plugs can be a horrible job if they are stuck like mine were. So glad I didn't start to try to remove them myself.

Two sump plugs actually.

 

[Capra]

The E55 has a sump plug Mr Fox I get my indy to change the oil. 8.5ltrs of 5w/40.
The 16 spark plugs can be a horrible job if they are stuck like mine were. So glad I didn't start to try to remove them myself.

I take that these all have two spark plugs per cylinder?

 

[Capra]

Thanks for that, really useful information, i plan on getting my car serviced + Mot'd + injector seals before i move onto another car!
I would of thought id be getting comments saying how daft i am even thinking about one of these beasts but with the insurance checking out okay and now living closer to work (and using my road bike more) i can afford to sacrifice my MPG!
Being fair (touches wood) my SBC pump has been good as gold currently sitting on 106k miles.
Like you said it will be down to which ever i prefer in terms of power delivery! Also the millage on an E55k is alot lower in the sort of price range compared too the E63!
How many miles has yours done?

No one is going to give you grief because you are looking at an AMG MB.
Hope you find one you like. I did look at a W204 C63 before I went with the C350 CDI. In the end I would have had to pay more for the year I wanted, but ultimatly it was the MPG that put me off. Maybe I was being a bit short sighted. They seem to be so rare where I am that it really would have stood out. One day I will have one, when some other bills have gone. Unless I move to the dark side like John Laidlaw

 

[GordonTarling]

Ahh brilliant thanks for the advice! I would prefer an E63, what was up with the head bolts?

As I understand it, some head bolts can shear because of corrosion, though I may have the corrosion part wrong. If a bolt does shear, the head gasket will probably start leaking, with classic symptoms. Modified head bolts were fitted to later engines and can be retro fitted at some cost.

 

[alexanderfoti]

I would say, get a drive in both cars before deciding which one is for you. They deliver the power in very different ways. With the torque of the supercharger, the E55 has instant power from low down revs. The E63 needs to get up to around 4k revs before it picks its skirts up. Then it flies. There is no argument, the E63 sounds better too.

I would also reccommend this, they are very different. Its my opinion that any cars affected with the headbolts have been weeded out by now, seeing as a E63 07 will be 12 years old by now. A bonus if you can get paperwork to show its done. The headbolts are not the engines only weakness, cam/lifters/valve adjusters all can give issues.

The 63 engine is difficult to get more power out of, whereas we can get the E55 113K up to 650hp without too much trouble, if that's your thing!