E55 handling

[nick-E55]

The ease with which it accelerates, the gear chg in "manual", unbeleivable brakes, comfort, discretion etc etc make this car one of the best i've owned. Is there a robust way of improving the handling/steering feel on the AMG E55 saloon? It's my only criticism.. but then i certainly don't want to turn it into an M5...!

 

[type49]

What type of E55 is it - 210 or 211 as they are very different to each other. The latest 211 facelift does drive a bit better than the first 211 & now feels like a CLS. Whether those parts are interchangable or not, I don't know but I can't see why not. 211 parts won't fit a 210 though.

 

[nick-E55]

What type of E55 is it - 210 or 211 as they are very different to each other. The latest 211 facelift does drive a bit better than the first 211 & now feels like a CLS. Whether those parts are interchangable or not, I don't know but I can't see why not. 211 parts won't fit a 210 though.

hi, it's Sep 2003.

 

[type49]

Is it a 211 supercharged?

 

[daveenty]

211 E55 is supercharged.

As for handling, without going the Kleeman/Brabus route, I'd be tempted to leave it and just play with the settings for the suspension. I have mine on medium (one red bar lit) which is a sort of compromise between a bad back and a very bad back

At the end of the day (hate that saying) it's a 5 seater/4 door saloon car

 

[nick-E55]

Thanks for the advice, i'm sure you're right.

re. bad back... i love the comfort entry/exit :O)

 

[Dave's E55 AMG]

I run mine on standard setting, my other car was a Jag so compaired to that it's quite firm.

Glad the emailed link gave you info Nick.

Dave.

 

[haydar]

Nick-E55, I see you own a Porsche 911 too, I'd like to know your rational for buying the E55! Don't get me wrong, I think the E55 is a excellent car but if you already have a proper sports car, why then go for the E55?

I have a real problem with fast saloon cars now, and in the past I've owned a few. I once had a Mitsubishi Galant VR4, and for those that don't know it's the big brother to the EVO with a twin turbo engine. Being a saloon I thought it would do it all, be the family car and I could race it around like a sports car. However the compromise never worked. Although it was exceptionally fast (and mine had been seriously tweaked) it never 'felt' like a proper sports car. (It was just too heavy) And since the ride was so hard, it never really worked as a family car either.

Maybe the E55 is better but I've just come to the conclusion that rather than try to buy one car that compromises two functions, buy two cars that are the best at what they do!

My ideal garage right now would have a Renault Espace for the family, an S class as the limo, a Porsche 911 as a GT and a Caterham for fun. Time to get the pipe out again.