I see lots of speculation, and informed guesses on the forum about these cars.
I traded my 03 E55 on an 07 E63. Have had the E63 two weeks, 1500 miles.
These are very different cars. Neither is clearly better, just different.
The E55 was the "bad boy" in the Mercedes lineup. Tons of "right now" torque, a little rough around the edges for a Mercedes (supercharger noise, belt chirping, on/off power delivery). I enjoyed the car a lot, and in fact had decided that if I did not like the E63 sufficiently when I got it, I would simply keep the E55 since there was no other 4-door car around that I liked as much even today. I quite liked the ride/handling/instant power of the E55. It was a very strong/fast car, on par with my 2002 Corvette Z06 and quicker than my later 2005 Corvette Z51. I could do traction-limited 0-60 runs in about 4.2-4.3 seconds. A more interesting test was to lock the car in 2nd gear in the manual mode, and do a 0-60 all in second gear - no shifting- and with all that torque, it could do this in 4.7 seconds!! This car achieved its spectacular performance through brute torque (which I like), and a reasonable 5 speed gearbox.
The E63 is a far more "refined" vehicle. "Feels" like a completely different car. Exceptionally smooth, generally quieter, much better riding, better transmission/gearing, better paddle shifting (I actually drive this one in manual most of the time), more effortless. In purely objective terms, it is a better, more improved car. Unfortunately, as is often the case, as one removes some of the rough edges, one also tends to remove some of the character out of the car. So much so, that the E63 has a sort of Lexus feel - ie. exceptional engineeering, finesse, execution, but lacks a certain character. It handles at least as well as the E55, and is equally fast, but it does not feel better in the process - just different.
Nevertheless, with about 1000 miles on it, I had no problem doing 0-60 in 4.1-4.2 seconds. (Could not do the second gear trick, since this transmission does not allow you to start and stay in second with the accelerator floored). Peak longitudinal acceleration (measured using the same G-tech instrument, on the same roads, and in similar conditions), were actually higher in the E63. ie. .72G vs. .70G in 1st gear; .58G vs .53G in second gear; .41G vs .35G in 3rd gear etc. In other words, the combination of the E63's lower, but still considerable torque, mated to a much improved gear ratio combination (hence torque multiplication), from the 7-speed tranny, results in better utilization of the power band, and produces an overall seat-of-the-pants pull that is at leat equal to, or stronger that the E55, but since it does so with less fury, it does not give the sensation of the brute force one gets from the E55. I am guessing that when the magazines finally report acceleration runs, the E63 will be at least equal to the E55.
So, as you can tell, I did opt to take delivery of the E63 and I am generally happy with the car. There is room for improvement, but it is a good start. I am actually enjoying it more than the E55 at least for now, since the much improved transmission and shifting encourages driving in manual mode. The lower gears allow one to have more fun shifting through more gears in "normal" driving, so more driver involvement - compensating in part for the smoother overall package. The engine sound from outside the car is absolutely spectacular, unfortunately, from inside it is largely muffled - definitely an opportunity for aftermarket exhaust!
(NOTE that all my tests were done using the same G-tech instrument. I actually have a neat little spread sheet, in Word format, that summarizes the G-force in each gear, and the gear ratios and speeds in each gear, but could not figure out how to attach it here and still preserve the format - if anyone can tell me how to do that , I'd be glad to post it - it also includes a couple others of my fast cars - 2006 Z06 and Ferrari 575M).
Nice write up.... Coincedentally, I just purchased a 2004 E55 with 20k on the clock.. After wanting one since 03'.. Finally took the plunge..I have also logged about 1500 miles on my it....
I am VERY pleased with the car. It does have a bit of "rough around the edges" feel, as you describe.... especially when cold, its a bit "jumpy" until it gets warmed up.. I actually like it that way...
It funny, because I just put a post up about the belt chirp thinking there may be something wrong with the car, guess not..
As a current owner of a 2001 Viper GTS, and a previous owner of a semi-modded 2002 Z06, along with too many other cars to name :-)... I am no stranger to torque... But still, this E55 amazes me.. AWESOME CAR...
A guy who works in the office next to me is awaiting his E63, so hopefully he'll let me take it for a spin, so I can see how it compares.. I am sure they have made advances over the 55... Congrats with the E63, sounds like an awesome machine..
As someone who just ordered an '07 E63 (coming from an E39 M5) I find it funny how the more things change the more they remain the same. It's natural for people who have a particular car to focus on its advantages versus something else (e.g. M5 vs. E55, E55 vs. E63, E39 M5 vs. E60 M5) but when it's taken to the level of actually denigrating the alternative things turn distasteful.
The E55 and E63 are apparently different, that's all. Your write up gives a good summary. I chose the E63 because I wanted an '07 and didn't want to deal with cars that had several hundred miles on the odo and had had the tar driven out of them by dealers/customers. I'm used to having less power/torque than an E55.
There will ALWAYS be something else down the road (no pun intended) and hopefully this won't be my last car.
That is, of course, if the dealer ever actually entered the order and I end up getting it. But that's another story.
I was up a ladder - painting, when a brand new E63 AMG rumbled up my customers drive.
My impression was of understated 'Oomph!...
You would need to know that that car is a superstar, as I can see how it could otherwise appear as yet another cross dressed kit added pretender.
Made my day!.
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Thanks for your helpful, "insiders" comparison. I suspect I'd be happy with either car, too. Saw my first E63 on the road the other day...looks nice...but I am thrilled with the E55, which I'll have for another 30+ months.
Nice write-up. I wish I had read it before I purchased my car! It parallels my impression of the two different drivetrains. I was in the market for a CLS and was curious about the difference between a CLS55 and a CLS63. So I found a dealer that had examples of both and took them for a brief spin.
I, also, found the character difference between the two quite profound. The supercharged 55 is definitely rougher around the edges with more of a visceral attitude. The NA 63 is much smoother in its power delivery and overall comportment.
To my butt-o-meter, the torque delivery in the low RPMs compared to the rush of HP at high RPMs tells the story between these two cars. The 55 pushes you seat from the get go. You'd be fast just shifting at 3000 RPM! The 63 needs to work up the revs to make you feel fast. But once you are up there, it is ferocious. They are both very satisfying, but serve up different feelings.
I ended up going with a 55 because I liked to low-end grunt. I also like the more raw feelings that get transmitted in the 55. Although it is still very civilized compared too my 996. I suspect that the difference between the 55 and 63 is akin to the difference between the E39 M5's and the E60 M5's. I have an E39 M5 (which I need to sell now), and the low-end torque was very satisfying in that car as well. I think that BMW has moved onto a different type of engine with the high-revving V10 in the E60's. Both are fast enough to take care of business but they get there somewhat differently.
i've spent some time in both the e39 m5 and the e60 m5 and the entire car is a HUGE improvement. as much as the 63 may be an overall improvement, the same just can't be said about the difference between the 55 and 63.
i've spent some time in both the e39 m5 and the e60 m5 and the entire car is a HUGE improvement. as much as the 63 may be an overall improvement, the same just can't be said about the difference between the 55 and 63.
You are so obsessed that you don't even see that there is a huge difference between E39 and E60 but an overall improvment for W211. You can only compare the two situations when W212 comes.
You are so obsessed that you don't even see that there is a huge difference between E39 and E60 but an overall improvment for W211. You can only compare the two situations when W212 comes.
dude, get a clue. do you even realize that you're arguing the same point i am...that the comparison between the e39 m5 and the e60 m5 isn't the same as the comparison between the w211 e55 and e63. it seems you're the only one obsessed here and i'm beginning to believe that your obsession is simply to argue with me (even if we're on the same side).
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