Buying Advice for W211 E63 or E55 AMG

[John Laidlaw]

Wasn’t corrosion it was stretching and as Alex says I imagine they’ve all been seeded out - head lots that is. It was engine number 60658 and earlier if my memory serves...
As we said, due diligence is key, if you’re fortunate buy one from an enthusiast who will more than likely know if the headbolts and cam lifters have been attended to...

 

[alexanderfoti]

Wasn’t corrosion it was stretching and as Alex says I imagine they’ve all been seeded out - head lots that is. It was engine number 60658 and earlier if my memory serves...
As we said, due diligence is key, if you’re fortunate buy one from an enthusiast who will more than likely know if the headbolts and cam lifters have been attended to...

Definitely a corrosion issue:

 

[John Laidlaw]

Definitely a corrosion issue:

Was it both then Alex? I only heard about the stretching?

 

[alexanderfoti]

Was it both then Alex? I only heard about the stretching?

Ive only heard about corrosion? Maybe different circles.... Wouldnt be suprised if its both.

 

[John Laidlaw]

Ive only heard about corrosion? Maybe different circles.... Wouldnt be suprised if its both.

Wouldn’t be surprised either! German engineering ...(did I say that out loud?)

 

[V6Matty]

If it was my money I'd go for a 55, the SBC isn't really a problem theses days with spares quite easily available, here are other things to think of like disks and pad, but if you are capable with a spanner most things on these are DIY, use known parts (including your local Mercedes parts department) and good quality fluids and you'll have a car to keep for a while. Just note servicing will be more expensive that's a fact but not obscenely so by what I can tell, just don't think it will be as cheep as your current 211 and as long as you budget for it you'll be good

 

[AMGeed]

Two sump plugs actually.

Yes you are quite right. I watched Cole do the oil change too and saw him remove both sump plugs.

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

Two per cylinder on the E55, only one on the 63.

Matty makes a good point above too. Check the wear on the discs and pads if you go for an E63. They are a very expensive item in comparison the the 55 parts. Also bear in mind the road tax is £540 on a 63 and £315 on the 55.

 

[AMGeed]

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?

I bought mine in July 2013 with 98800 miles on it and its just turned 119k. Hardly uses any oil between services and touch wood not a problem at all engine wise. The electrics on these cars seem to be the weak point. Make sure everything works on whatever you buy. (Heated and dynamic seats, keyless go handles,mirrors etc can cost a bit to put right)

 

[Adamki83]

Sorry for a late reply guys had a very hectic weekend!
I think im leaning towards an E55 the insurance was around £700 actually cheaper than my E270
And like everyone said they seem to be alot more sensible to run, and it seems like a good starting point! The only things i worry about is supercharger problems im not sure if thats a common issue but like the mini cooper s (completely different car i know) the superchargers are a nightmare!

 

[Adamki83]

I bought mine in July 2013 with 98800 miles on it and its just turned 119k. Hardly uses any oil between services and touch wood not a problem at all engine wise. The electrics on these cars seem to be the weak point. Make sure everything works on whatever you buy. (Heated and dynamic seats, keyless go handles,mirrors etc can cost a bit to put right)

With a 10k budget i can just about get an E55 with sub 90k miles which i assume helps alot! When it comes to buying cars i do check them like a fine tooth combe i get so worried that i may end up buying a lemon!

 

[Adamki83]

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!

Power is somthing i may consider in the future, what sort of popular upgrades are there for an E55?

 

[Adamki83]

Also unrelated question, just out of interest does anyone know what the de restricted top speed is of an E55?? (Obviously done on the autobahn)

 

[alexanderfoti]

Power is somthing i may consider in the future, what sort of popular upgrades are there for an E55?

Common first upgrades are smaller supercharger pulley and a remap, which nets around 65hp/80NM, and goes upwards from there.

 

[alexanderfoti]

Also unrelated question, just out of interest does anyone know what the de restricted top speed is of an E55?? (Obviously done on the autobahn)

180+

 

[daveenty]

Sorry for a late reply guys had a very hectic weekend!
I think im leaning towards an E55 the insurance was around £700 actually cheaper than my E270
And like everyone said they seem to be alot more sensible to run, and it seems like a good starting point! The only things i worry about is supercharger problems im not sure if thats a common issue but like the mini cooper s (completely different car i know) the superchargers are a nightmare!

E55 is a good choice with a superb engine. No real problems with the chargers, a few on the cooling side, though easily remedied by fitting a new/upgraded pump. The oil can be changed on the charger though it's certainly not a 10 minute job and requires aircraft quality stuff, so not cheap either. Not many actually bother with this.

Also unrelated question, just out of interest does anyone know what the de restricted top speed is of an E55?? (Obviously done on the autobahn)

Removal of the limiter on a standard car should see it doing over 180mph

Power is somthing i may consider in the future, what sort of popular upgrades are there for an E55?

Several off the shelf solutions available, including mapping and pulley swaps, though I'd be having a look at the cooling initially. This always seems to let them down after a few high speed "tests". Split cooling seems a good solution. Not tried it myself as my E55 went years ago, but a mate of mine had it on his and he ran constant high speed runs without any issues down at Wooodbridge.

 

[alexanderfoti]

+1 on the cooling. Many overlook this, I recomend it on any modifications over standard, as the E55 W211 is the worst/smallest cooling system of all the 55k's

 

[Adamki83]

E55 is a good choice with a superb engine. No real problems with the chargers, a few on the cooling side, though easily remedied by fitting a new/upgraded pump. The oil can be changed on the charger though it's certainly not a 10 minute job and requires aircraft quality stuff, so not cheap either. Not many actually bother with this.



Removal of the limiter on a standard car should see it doing over 180mph



Several off the shelf solutions available, including mapping and pulley swaps, though I'd be having a look at the cooling initially. This always seems to let them down after a few high speed "tests". Split cooling seems a good solution. Not tried it myself as my E55 went years ago, but a mate of mine had it on his and he ran constant high speed runs without any issues down at Wooodbridge.

I think if i do end up getting one i will look at the cooling side first, i wont be taking it up anywhere near those speeds often at all espeically not in the uk! I have got a good mechanic friend of mine whos pretty good with Mercs in general!

 

[Adamki83]

+1 on the cooling. Many overlook this, I recomend it on any modifications over standard, as the E55 W211 is the worst/smallest cooling system of all the 55k's

I'll bear that in mind when i come to look at one! Is the CL55 anybetter?? Just seems alot slower than the E55!

 

[alexanderfoti]

I'll bear that in mind when i come to look at one! Is the CL55 anybetter?? Just seems alot slower than the E55!

CL55 has better cooling. Performance is simliair between them, only difference is final drive gearing and weight!

E55 - approx 1850KG curb weight
CL55 approx 1950KG Curb weight

Keep in mind, pre-facelift CL55 AMG has the NA 5.5 V8 making 355 bhp vs the FL with the 55K

 

[Wearsafoxhat]

E55k. I had a Johnstone electric cooling pump fitted along with a smaller pulley and re map at MSL. Have had no problems though have never ran it at high speed for too long.
This mod and remap added a lot to the drivability of the car and still fell into the “below 10% “ increase limit on my insurance.
AMG re restrict the limiter to 300 kph (186 mph) so guess it should be capable of this.
There are some neglected ones around though, just buy wisely. I looked at a few before buying mine.


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