Thinking Of getting an E55...What do you Think?

[s5aif]

Hi All,
I am think of getting an e55 amg 2003+ and was wondering what your thoughts are on the car and if you own one how is your experience. Also should there be anything i need to look out for and what options are a must or are a great benefit. Thanks.

 

[Alex G]

I bought a 03 E55 AMG about 4 months ago, 50,000 miles, with every possible option fitted, plus a special In Car Entertainment system with TV DVD iPOD Sat Nav etc.

I have to say it's the best value car I've ever owned in terms of power, prestige, comfort, and general driving experience. I get it looked after by a Merc Specialist Independent in Godalming and I am not suffering any horrible Merc Main Dealer experiences or bills.

I paid £28,000 for it and it's been an absolute joy. For perspective I've owned everything from C43 AMGs to TVR Tuscan Rs to Porsche 911's and none of the come close to all the things the E55 can offer.

And, I got 27mpg going to Wales two weekends ago without dawdling. It's is quite godawful on short runs in terms of MPG but you can't have everything.

 

[ricky s]

In my ongoing learning experience of the 55, the one thing that you MUST have is a MB warrenty, if some thing should fail, you will count the cost, in my own opinion the extended warrenty, whilst expensive is a must. in regards to performance, in the dry you will give most cars a run for their money, in the wet, I dont take mine out!, I take the wifes C200! However it is a joy to drive, and in the world of a 55 AMG engined car the E class is currently great value.

 

[Alex G]

Ah good point Ricky, it's certainly very interesting in the wet, but then as Clarkson once said when reviewing it whilst in horrible conditions " the computer is the only thing that's stopping me going into a hedge. Marvellous!".

 

[ricky s]

A fair comment Alex, prehaps I am a fair weather driver, (only go out in mine at weekends), but further comment to S5aif, regarding spec of possible purchase of a E55, and possibly Alex has these fitted and can comment further, I do regret not having
1 . panoramic roof and 2. comfort ventilated seats. a 3rd would be dynamic pulse massage seats.
My car was eight months old, ex MB demo, when I purchased, so lumbered with the original spec, albeit got a really good deal, and have had a couple of items retro fitted by braybrooks, as previously posted, so as to enhance spec, and for my own useage. Be intrested to veiw the spec of the car that
S5aif is intrested in.

 

[Alex G]

I didn't get the Panoramic roof (wish I did actually, I think that's a lovely feature) but I got the heated/cooled seats and dynamic pulse seats.

In the wet I drive niiiiiiiiiiiiice and carefully Ricky, and rain messes up my weird polishing fetish, but my E55 is my every day drive (100 mile commute) and so I take the rough/wet with the smooth/dry.

 

[ricky s]

For a 100 mile a day commute Alex, what a car to do it in! Lucky you, I do mine in a ford transit ugh!.

 

[Alex G]

I suspect we average the same speed though mate!

 

[s5aif]

hey guys, so what colour are your cars

 

[ricky s]

obsidian black, looks great and cant beat it for looks when its polished. However, its not good, as you are always cleaning it, and its very vunerable to show scratches. I personally, if buying another car, would not go for black.

 

[Alex G]

Mine is Blue/Black, quite a strange colour in some respects as it looks like deep blue in the light and black in the dark. As with Ricky it looks fabulous when it's polished but does mark up a little on stone-chips.

 

[s5aif]

Might go for a silver but then again i do prefer black but as you have said stone chips and such will be a bit more obvious. So hows the performance, can you feel the power and what is your insurance costs. Thanks.

 

[ricky s]

my insurance, protected full comp was £620, with clean license, at 50 years old. However, I know of someone who got theirs for under £500, albeit not sure of his age. Performance wise, I have never had a car anywhere near this sort of performance, so probaly not the best person to ask, but it still gives me a buzz, even after 8 months of owership, and friends who have test driven mine, always seem impressed.

 

[Dave's E55 AMG]

my insurance, protected full comp was £620, with clean license, at 50 years old. However, I know of someone who got theirs for under £500, albeit not sure of his age. Performance wise, I have never had a car anywhere near this sort of performance, so probaly not the best person to ask, but it still gives me a buzz, even after 8 months of owership, and friends who have test driven mine, always seem impressed.

£450 - clean license, no claims, fully comp with protection, remapped, de-restricted and spouse (not that I let her drive it) and I'm 46.

 

[Alex G]

about £850, 6 yrs NCB, 3 points, 33 years old.