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Don L · 12-17-2005, 07:22 PM

My opinion, based on spending time driving and from my Mercedes mechanic friends, is that the pre and post Chrysler merger cars are worlds appart in build quality and durability. The older cars are far more solid and built with higher quality materials "behind the scenes". Their service track records are also far better than the newer cars. Post-merger cars are constantly in the shop for CAN-BUS issues as well as other glitches, I'm told. I can certainly appreciate the power of the w211 E55s, but for me, the styling and quality of the w210 E55 is far and away superior.

Comparing my wife's W209 CLK500 (2005) and my W210 E55 (2001), the E55 looks to be in equal-to-better condition as far as wear and tear to the interior at 55k miles than the CLK at only 8k miles. The CLK has already begun to develop rattles and creaks and has spent 3 weeks (combined total) in the dealership for repairs versus 2 days for the E55 that has nearly 7x the mileage. . . . go figure.

12-17-2005, 07:22 PM	#2 (permalink)
Don L BenzWorld Junior Member Date registered: Mar 2005 Vehicle: 04 E55 Location: SoCal Posts: 28	RE: W210 vs. W211 My opinion, based on spending time driving and from my Mercedes mechanic friends, is that the pre and post Chrysler merger cars are worlds appart in build quality and durability. The older cars are far more solid and built with higher quality materials "behind the scenes". Their service track records are also far better than the newer cars. Post-merger cars are constantly in the shop for CAN-BUS issues as well as other glitches, I'm told. I can certainly appreciate the power of the w211 E55s, but for me, the styling and quality of the w210 E55 is far and away superior. Comparing my wife's W209 CLK500 (2005) and my W210 E55 (2001), the E55 looks to be in equal-to-better condition as far as wear and tear to the interior at 55k miles than the CLK at only 8k miles. The CLK has already begun to develop rattles and creaks and has spent 3 weeks (combined total) in the dealership for repairs versus 2 days for the E55 that has nearly 7x the mileage. . . . go figure.