Thoughts on this E53 estate!

[malcolm E53 AMG]

Yes Dean, it’s currently sat on the drive. I’ll post pics sometime this week after it’s had a wash

 

[Dean Fletcher]

Yes Dean, it’s currently sat on the drive. I’ll post pics sometime this week after it’s had a wash

Can’t wait, you heading to Bristol with it in April ?

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

Well son has just done a 10 mile stint in it - another AMG convert - from steering, handling and power he’s completely blown away

 

[Blobcat]

Well son has just done a 10 mile stint in it - another AMG convert - from steering, handling and power he’s completely blown away

As he had a W213 he’ll have a good comparison

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

As he had a W213 he’ll have a good comparison

The problem for him is he’s comparing it to his current 21 plate BMW 530d he said there is no comparison with his W213 220d.

 

[sl500amgsport]

Bet his 530D doesn't sound as good either ;-)

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[malcolm E53 AMG]

Bet his 530D doesn't sound as good either ;-)

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Funny you should say that he did mention it - when the BM goes I’ve got a good idea what it will be replaced with

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

As an aside I obviously need a 12V charger for the E53 and the user handbook advises a maximum charge rate of 14.4V due to the 48V lithium ion battery. The CTEK MXS 7.0 charger I already have states a rate of charge 14.8V for AGM batteries so I emailed CTEK technical for advice and they replied that it would be ok to use the normal battery setting which charges at 14.4V - so there we have it hope this helps anyone with a MB MHEV

 

[fabes]

Oh, I thought with these torque boost hybrids, they just charged off the over run / normal engine coasting

I didn't know you had to or could wall charge them also

 

[sl500amgsport]

Oh, I thought with these torque boost hybrids, they just charged off the over run / normal engine coasting

I didn't know you had to or could wall charge them also

You can't charge from the wall, they are hybrid but have a 48v battery as well as a 12v, the 12v charges off the 48v I believe.

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[Woodleigh]

You can't charge from the wall,

I charge mine from the wall with my CTEK twice a week if I’m doing shrt runs in the winter months

 

[sl500amgsport]

I charge mine from the wall with my CTEK twice a week if I’m doing shrt runs in the winter months

Lol I meant they are hybrid not electric so run on petrol not a wall charger

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[malcolm E53 AMG]

Finally managed to get the car washed yesterday - never feels mine until I’ve washed it

Senelite with Hazelnut brown leather:

 

[Monday]

You can't charge from the wall, they are hybrid but have a 48v battery as well as a 12v, the 12v charges off the 48v I believe.

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Confusion here between MHEV and PHEV? My CLS is MHEV (mild hybrid); this is simply a 48v system with an integrated 10kW motor, starter motor and alternator. The 10kW motor can cut in to provide power assistance if needed but AFAIK the car cannot run on electric alone. The battery charges from the engine and you cannot charge from a wall charger - not that there is any need to. I have had the CLS nearly 3 years, do low mileage and never had any battery problems. Indeed the 48v starter motor gives an instant start in all conditions.

A PHEV of course is just that, a plug in hybrid with a much bigger battery that can run on the electric motor (much >10kW) alone.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

Thought’s on the E53 after two weeks of ownership:

As most of you know I was undecided regarding buying a E43 or E53 and eventually opted for the latter. The E43 is the last of the traditional E class ICE cars and appealed due to this and the neat twin turbo V6 engine set-up which I’m sure in the long run will be less problematic and cheaper to maintain.

The E53 got the vote due to having an IL6 engine and new technology incorporating a turbine smooth start/stop starter generator and 48V ancillaries and compressor which I think is probably the ultimate ICE design before they are phased out for EVs. Time will tell how reliable the M256 engine proves to be but to date there has been few problems reported and there are some high mileage cars out there.
The E43 in my eyes was very much a prototype for the E53 regarding the cabin interior with a mixture of piano black and metal dash finishes which left me unimpressed. I haven’t driven the E43 but I’m sure it’s a very competent car and the C43 appears to be very popular which isn’t surprising.

As regards driving the E53 it is a heavy car but with 400+bhp and the 48V electric compressor assisting the standard turbo set-up from low revs it has a very linear power delivery. The car sits well on the road and has great straight line stability, the suspension is relatively hard even in comfort mode but this will improve when I change the standard Michelin runflats for conventional tyres. Petrol consumption is as expected 20-30mpg locally and 35 on long trips.

All things considered I’m very pleased with the purchase especially the colour combination, engine, steering and quality of the cabin.

I’ll keep the thread updated regarding ownership experience

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

This YouTube video is well worth watching especially the underpinnings of the E53 range of cars

 

[sl500amgsport]

I am surprised you have the run flats, mine was fitted with Michelin Pilot 4s standard tyres, I thought run flats were fitted to USA stock, perhaps a previous owner chaged mine.

Have you experienced any crabbing on full lock with cold tyres, I do get that from time to time at parking speed?

Even with pneumatic tyres in comfort the ride is a little stiff but that is the price for having a performance AMG, interestingly the ride is no harder than my standard suspension on the R231 SL.

SWMBO has now banned me from Sport+ or using the driving package whilst she is in the car, apparently sport+ is too embarrassing and she does not trust Tech

I am now seriously considering buying her her own car again!

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[malcolm E53 AMG]

Yes, the crabbing is present especially as the temp drops nearer zero degrees I think it’s made worse by the stiff sides of the runflats. I’m not too fussed knowing that it’s a characteristic of the car and doesn’t cause damage to my knowledge. My son’s 16 plate W213 was on runflats so I would imagine they are standard fit nowadays.
The village and B roads are pretty bad around here so looking forward to getting rid of the runflats it transformed my BMW just wish the steering was as good as the E53

 

[goldy]

Lovely motor. Enjoy!

 

[fabes]

Run flats aside, what are the 20s like and what profile / size tyres come on these?