[JustPete]

First,

Hi all, this is my first post and thanks to everyone that takes the time to answer.

The title pretty much says it all. I'm looking to sell my W140 S and get an E Class AMG.

I've scoured the net looking for articles on both cars as well as cars available in my area.

I'm ready to pull the trigger on one of a few cars I've zeroed in on and was looking for some advice from those that know these cars best. I've read through threads here for a day as well and learned a thing or two about both cars.

The E55 seems to be the favorite for tuners and bad boy drivers into the rush of a torque beast.

The E63 seems to be the more refined big brother, less torque but possibly more fulfilling.

So I'm looking for advice on which might really suit me best and what I may miss from one vs the other.

I'm somewhat of a gear head that has personally rebuilt muscle cars, sports cars and motorcycles.

I currently have a fantastic handling sports car that when I want the excitement of a car that drives like it's on rails ... IMO I may have one of the best already.

But saying that ... that really means I also appreciate a good drivers car. Will the E55 disappoint?

I'm not sure I want to work on this car or not though the pulley and belt change sounds very easy. (What's the actual gain BTW?)

I know I want a beast that I can take the wife out to dinner with and have some fun with as well giving some of my buddies and their Cadillacs, BMW's, Mustangs and Corvettes fits with.

So ... any help would be appreciated. What are the pros and cons of the E55 vs the E63?

What will I miss with each. I'm only looking at '05-'07 cars ... so I believe in the E55 I'm looking at ones with the bugs worked out. (True?)

The price difference is $10-15K ... not enough to be worth any buyers remorse, so I'm not really sweating that.

Thanks

Pete

 

[EDUB20]

i would go E63

 

[two2tone]

Having driven all three, my preference in order is:

1. E63 -- a few low mileage cars available for around $50k
2. 2000 -- 2002 E55 -- drove a 57,000 mile 2nd owner car asking $15k
3. 2003+ E55 -- too brutal for around town driving (at least my style).

Of course, $$ plays a big part of the decision. For my $$, #2 above is my first choice.

Twotone

 

[WINDYCITYGRK]

Pete the E's definately are no where near being on rails..can't compare to a 911 or Mcar as far as handling but you can't beat cruising around town in a classy MB sedan with 470+HP. I would say drive both and decide...but keep in mind you can't beat the whine of a MB supercharger and gobs of torque coming out of a car this size!

 

[sfclk]

55 with the k

 

[Stew]

03 or Later E55

Easy decision,

03 or later E55. It's a high torque, high horsepower, very good handling, great breaks, comfortable, and great value !


Regards,

Stew

 

[MJ50]

if u want to squeeze out more hp, then go with e55...
if u want to leave engine parts alone, then go with e63...

 

[lawguy]

I am in very nearly the same boat, and after an obsessive amount of reading and research, came up with many of the same thoughts as the posters.

I am not mechanically saavy, and do not want to do any modding, or any work on the car. I am an enthusiast, but not a track guy. I enjoy a very fine and luxurious car, but also need amazing performace.

I'm heading for an e63, when I can find the perfect one.

 

[1 BAD BURB]

Heres my summary... i have not owned or driven a 03+ e55 k, but i own the other two. i have a corvette which is modded to holy hell so thats why i DID NOT buy an 03'+ due to its ease in modabiliity.

having owned both the 2001 e55 (driven 41K miles) and currently 2007 E63 (2K miles), i think you would be happy with the E63. This car is very easy to drive, smooth and comfy. lots of creature comforts too!!! that is the one thing i absolutely love about my 63.
however, when it comes to driving, i prefered my e55. it was more raw & less refined. just touch the pedal and it takes off. the steering, you feel the road, the brakes, you feel the road. i loved that about the 55, felt like you are in control. the 63, though you ARE driving, feels like you are being chauffered around.

i just sold my 55 yesterday, so i drove both the E55 and E63 back to back for the last 3 months (daily drivers). ultimately, my goal was to sell the 55 to move up to the 63.

If i were in your position, if you can afford it, get the 63. there are deals out there to be had. i bought mine with 24K miles for UNDER WHOLESALE value. the car is MINT too, not a scratch on it. just keep a look out! good luck in your decision!

Aj

 

[c220dd]

my dad had an e63 for about a year and a half and the car will do whatever you want. I've kept up with a lambo gallardo up hill and beat the newer m5 from a 40 roll to 110 ish then ran out of road. my friends bro has the e55 and we drove side by side messing with each other but the e63 is plain faster. i've never driven the 55 but both are good cars. my dad said the e55 which he had for a month was too scary and unstable but i never got to drive it. i saw a silver e63 today and i think its one of the best looking AMG's. e55 looks soft compared to the sharp 63.
go for the e63. you won't be disappointed.

 

[Fast55]

Very little difference between the 2. Stock VS stock, yes, the E63 is a little smoother and I liked the brake feel VS the SBC in my '06. The E55 is faster stoplight to stoplight, stock VS stock (ask me how I know). Anytime a stock E55 is beaten by a stock 63, you can bet the 55 has an issue (probably IC pump and fortunately a cheap fix). If modding is in your future, a stage 1 or stage 2 E55 will destroy an E63 (first hand experience with that too). There is practically no difference in handling (neither will impress you coming from say, a 996), and there is precious little difference in the interior or even the body style, so after driving both, I bought the '06 55K and saved myself a BUNCH of money over the '07 E63. Get an '05 or '06 E55 (improved steering rack and SC clutch over earlier cars) with drive dynamic seats (something you won't get in an E63), and save yourself 10-20K+.

 

[myntk12]

Very little difference between the 2. Stock VS stock, yes, the E63 is a little smoother and I liked the brake feel VS the SBC in my '06. The E55 is faster stoplight to stoplight, stock VS stock (ask me how I know). Anytime a stock E55 is beaten by a stock 63, you can bet the 55 has an issue (probably IC pump and fortunately a cheap fix). If modding is in your future, a stage 1 or stage 2 E55 will destroy an E63 (first hand experience with that too). There is practically no difference in handling (neither will impress you coming from say, a 996), and there is precious little difference in the interior or even the body style, so after driving both, I bought the '06 55K and saved myself a BUNCH of money over the '07 E63. Get an '05 or '06 E55 (improved steering rack and SC clutch over earlier cars) with drive dynamic seats (something you won't get in an E63), and save yourself 10-20K+.

Good post

 

[Pembroke36]

Personally, I like the supercharged engine over the 63. They seem to be bulletproof for the most part.

 

[White-Ghost]

by one of each !

 

[2006E55AMG]

If you're still reading responses

I, too, owned a W140S, in my case a 420. I've owned a couple of Porsche 911s, Vipers, Vettes, Ferrari, etc.

I drove both the E55 and the E63 before buying the E55.

If you want W140S comfort, but with brakes that actually work, in a car that is 700 pounds lighter, and can actually go around a corner with some hustle, you are in the right ball park. Either of these is waaaay more fun for the driver, although not nearly as commodious as the rear seat of the W140S, nor as absolutely tank like.

The E63 was substantially more expensive (almost $20,000 more once you count in taxes) and did not feel as "strong" to me from low velocity. There is a difference in the gearing that makes the E63 feel smoother, and the E55 feel more brutal, almost as though you have a transmission problem as it "jerks" up the gears.

I like "brutal" better than smooth, so the engine and transmission mating on the E55 suit me better. But that is a matter of personal choice.

The interior of both are great, but if you are going to use manual transmission, I think the paddles are superior to the buttons. I used mine for a while, and now I just go back and forth between auto Sport and Comfort, hardly ever using manual.

Seats are equally good, maybe a bit more lustruous in the 63 but maybe a bit thicker leather in the 55, but that's just an impression.

Also, do you like a pointy nose, or a more rounded nose on your car?

Other than that, they seemed very, very similar to me, and the look of the supercharged engine with the AMG builder's signature in the middle was the deciding factor. I just love the look of the E55 engine. It looks like it is built to go forever, at high speeds all the way.

So that's my .02