E430 or E55? Maintenance costs/overtaking speed imperative factors

[samm]

E430 or E55? Maintenance costs/overtaking speed imperative factor

Whats up W210 owners,
I am seriously considering purchasing either E55 or E430 as I need a V8 connected to the pedal (had enough of low torque of V6). I mainly do 70% freeway mileage with 30% city driving on average. So I need a car that can accelerate really well through the gears (not necessarily from stand-still) for overtaking etc. My 320 is ok but you know how it is, you always want more. I had an Audi A8 4.2 Quattro all during last summer and I really got to feel what I was missing. That sound of the engine. That PULL on accelaration that is unmistakably a V8. As far as the figures show on the internet, the A8 is more or less the same as the E55 0-62mph. Is it 6.2 seconds? There are varying figures on the internet so Im not sure. The A8 certainly seemed faster than this as I wiped the floor with an E46 M3 4 times in a row off the lights along the A4 and Cromwell road in London. Maybe he didnt know when to change gear? Or maybe the Audi is that fast?
In any case the E430 shows 0-62mph as 6.8 seconds.
These are the only figures I have for these cars, if anyone has personal experience that can help me I would really appreciate it because I can understand that internet sites may get these figures wrong and provide misleading ideas of certain cars.
Next point is Maintenance costs?
Is there a huge difference apart from the brakes and shocks, whats the difference in terms of parts and maneuverability in the engine bay (which affects labour time)?
If you pleasant gentlemen have facts on these issues then I would be very grateful.
some of your W210s look so good in the picture thread. I especially like the all black E55 reminds me of the Italian Mafia. i cant remember the owners name but it has black rims, grille and no hood star. Bad-boy car.
Anyway thanks for looking and I hope to get some facts straight from you.

[8D]

[E55pvan]

I'll bite since I used to have an S8 and now I have a 210 E55.
First off the 4.2 Audi will not run with a 210 series E55, 0-60 in an E55 is low 5's. I think an S8 is low 6's. An Audi V-8 Quattro is a very nice car probably close to the performance of a E430.
As far as maintenance Audi's in my opinion are not as reliable as MB's.
I'd take the Audi V-8 quattro over the E430 but neither of these cars are anywhere near the performance,look, and feel of an AMG E55.

[Birdman]

Well, I have an E55 and have used the E430 both in standard avantgarde spec and also with AMG bodykit and specially lowered suspension.

No contest.

The E430 was quick and sporty. The E55 is in an entirely different league. It equates with my 5-litre Porsche 928SE for its ability to lunge past traffic. It surpasses the Porsche for comfort, tranquility, appearance. And it has a similar nose-heavy feel when you push hard through the bends. But it's a true Q car.

The performance figures I see in UK road tests are quicker than Mercedes claims. It does 0-60 in around 5.2 secs and 0-100 in 13.5 secs. Quarter mile comes up in about the same, around 13.8 secs. Top speed with limiter removed is around 168-172 mph. Don't switch off the ESP on public roads or you will swap ends before you know it. I did it - but only once!

Maintenance costs are the same as the E430 and I spend around £200 on the A and £300 on the standard B service. But I don't live in London so you can add up to 50% for the higher labour costs. I don't need to say this but I will. Get one from either an authorised dealer or a reputable specialist like George Fraser of Wimbledon. They must have a full dealer/independent specialist service history because however robust the mechanicals, any previous neglect on consumables will cost you. And check for the usual E class rust - an AMG badge is no deterrent to the tin worm.

New discs, exhaust cat and any special AMG parts will cost you. Otherwise, garage bills are around one third what I paid on the 928 and less would you believe than it cost to run my '97 E320 which had a set 9000 mile service interval.

Tyres are expensive at the back end - £300 plus per set and the power shreds them after 12-15000 miles.

Watch those alloys - a refurb will set you back £60 per wheel and its impossible not to kerb them. I'm on my second refurb.

Go for the E55, if possible get the facelift model. It is better looking and more refined imo. The pre-facelift model is a bit too ready to lunge on a light throttle, which is hell in heavy traffic, and seems noisier to me. But either way, it's the best value big performance saloon on the market imo and they last and last. Mine's on 84K and never a missed beat. I wouldn't sell it for less than, I don't know, lots. Which sort of sums it up.

[samm]

Hello Birdman [8D][8D]
I thank you for the time to share your valuable experience on this matter and you pretty much let all the air out of the baloon,
It will definately be an E55 that I will be looking for now, for sure!
I am definately looking for a completely clean car that has been garaged all its life. Rust is my worst enemy [}:)]
When it gets a grip on a car its so off-putting, there you are taking care of your car meticulously and then something you cannot readily just 'replace' or repair starts spreading all over your baby like a bad skin condition. The body is of the highest priority and I will scrutinize any prospective E55's body very carefully. I'll pay the extra cash to get a brilliant one.
I have been told and I had previouly heard that the AMG label means that dealers 'automatically' have higher prices for the product. I guess its fair as they are performance parts. However most regular parts such as the ball joints, bushes, pumps etc, I gather will be the same as an E430's parts?
You are absolutely right about the catalytic converters, I know how much they cooooooooooost for my S and I dont want to even entertain a guess as to the E55's............[B)] Some real bruising there..
Tyres Im ok with and its clear to see that they will wear rather more quickly than a E430. I do usually drive quickly (freeway) but not recklessly so they will last at least past the average life span.
Brake discs/pads, thats ok.
So I guess its as you and many other have told me Birdman, its all about picking out a REALLY clean 55 and no settling for anything less than pristine.
Well I certainly will be setting more cash aside for it then [8D]
Thank you Birdman

[JamE55]

Get the E55 and then get a Kleemann s/c to finish it off![:D]

[samm]

Yes thanks for the suggestion!
I had a word with E55Cent and I am very encouraged by his S/C and his E55 in general. Very impressive and I saw another gentleman's car with a clean S/C job too. It was a CLK430 with some sweet modifications. S/C is a definite possibility. However I have to research and get you guys' opinion on which S/C setup is the best. Only quality will do, I dont like putting anything on the car that is not of the highest possible quality. I'd love to achieve the S/C setup cheaply but I do not want it to be cheap.[:D]

[E55Cent]

samm - 4/5/2006 5:29 PM

Yes thanks for the suggestion!
I had a word with E55Cent and I am very encouraged by his S/C and his E55 in general. Very impressive and I saw another gentleman's car with a clean S/C job too. It was a CLK430 with some sweet modifications. S/C is a definite possibility. However I have to research and get you guys' opinion on which S/C setup is the best. Only quality will do, I dont like putting anything on the car that is not of the highest possible quality. I'd love to achieve the S/C setup cheaply but I do not want it to be cheap.[:D]

Good choice on the 55, Sam. Since you live out of the U.S. your only real choice will be Kleeman. I think it is about $14,000 U.S. installed and with ECU tunning. I'm guessing you might have to pay more in the London area.

[Birdman]

samm - 4/5/2006 I'd love to achieve the S/C setup cheaply but I do not want it to be cheap.[:D]

What about taking a Kleeman system out of an insurence write-off. I've seen numbers mentioned on US sites of $12K+ retail for the upgrade kit and I expect it'll be the same in pounds over here.

Obvious question - claimed output of the M113 Kleeman system is around 500bhp and then there's the power the s/c absorbs, around 30/40bhp. So a big increase in load on the normally aspirated engine from 350bhp, including another 140+bhp through the transmission. The question is whether the W210 engine/transmission needs beefing up to take the extra power? I suppose someone has written about this regarding a s/c W210 E55.

W210 E55's will be at or well past four years old. There's a four-yearly service schedule item which if done properly costs around £1,500 and besides the regular items includes fuel filter, air filter, 16 plugs, brake fluid and other wear items. Best check it's been done. And remember, anyone can tick a service box, including the seller, so best look at the bills.

Despite a sealed-for-life autobox the transmission benefits from an occasional oil/filter change (including torque converter) at 4 years/60,000 miles. I wouldn't let it go past 5 years/75K without a full autobox oil change - about 8 pints inc converter. Replacement/rebuilt boxes are big money and oil always wears out in the end.

Keep us up to date on your purchase.

[samm]

thank you kindly Birdman,
I will keep all what you have advised in mind when looking for the E55.
Ive been busy enjoying my Uncle's new W221 S600 for the past few days that I've not thought about any other cars!! Ive posted pics on the W221 forum. It drives me crazy how amazing that machine is [:p][:p]