Facelift W210 E55 or W203 C55
Discussion
I know there's the other thread currently running on AMG cars, but I just like to start a new one, regarding the 2 cars in the title.
I'm looking to buy in the next 12 to 18 months, so I've get plenty of time to shop around for examples. I know the quality issues surrounding some of these cars, and the rust problems with the W210. The idea of the next car, is that it will have a warranty, so I should imagine we will be buying through a Merc Dealer.
But my questions are as follows:
What are these cars actually like to live with?
I'm hoping for some input from owners (past and present), mechanics who service these cars, people who have bought and sold them
What is the resale like on these cars? Does colour have much effect of resale? I'm tempted by Silver or Black, with a black leather interior. But I've seen dark blue with black interior, which appears to be nice.
The practicality of the cars? I know the C-Class is getting bigger from generation to generation, so what is a '203 like vs. '210. I currently own a '124 Coupe, so do we have anyone here who has owned a '124 and now owns a W210 or W203 saloon? How much space is there for driver and passengers. I'm 6'2", me being the tallest amongst my friends.
The car will also be a daily, year-round driver. So how would these cars handle in the rain and snow? My '124 has no LSD or traction control, so I'm guessing these AMG cars would handle rough conditions better?
Some 210 E55s are getting up on miles, even the facelift ones are knocking on the door of 60,000 and 70,000 miles, so how many miles car this AMG tuned engines take before gearboxes/diffs/engine seals will need replacing?
Finally, real term performance.....on paper the 0-62mph times of the E55 and C55 is 5.7 and 5.2 respectivly. How does this translate in real life?
Many thanks in advance,
Darren
I'm looking to buy in the next 12 to 18 months, so I've get plenty of time to shop around for examples. I know the quality issues surrounding some of these cars, and the rust problems with the W210. The idea of the next car, is that it will have a warranty, so I should imagine we will be buying through a Merc Dealer.
But my questions are as follows:
What are these cars actually like to live with?
I'm hoping for some input from owners (past and present), mechanics who service these cars, people who have bought and sold them
What is the resale like on these cars? Does colour have much effect of resale? I'm tempted by Silver or Black, with a black leather interior. But I've seen dark blue with black interior, which appears to be nice.
The practicality of the cars? I know the C-Class is getting bigger from generation to generation, so what is a '203 like vs. '210. I currently own a '124 Coupe, so do we have anyone here who has owned a '124 and now owns a W210 or W203 saloon? How much space is there for driver and passengers. I'm 6'2", me being the tallest amongst my friends.
The car will also be a daily, year-round driver. So how would these cars handle in the rain and snow? My '124 has no LSD or traction control, so I'm guessing these AMG cars would handle rough conditions better?
Some 210 E55s are getting up on miles, even the facelift ones are knocking on the door of 60,000 and 70,000 miles, so how many miles car this AMG tuned engines take before gearboxes/diffs/engine seals will need replacing?
Finally, real term performance.....on paper the 0-62mph times of the E55 and C55 is 5.7 and 5.2 respectivly. How does this translate in real life?
Many thanks in advance,
Darren
Edited by iluvmercs on Monday 6th August 01:22
Hi Darren
I've just returned from a family holiday, driving an E55 W210 Estate, from Sussex to Swanage in Dorset. Car was fully loaded with 5 people, with all their suitcases, the odd pram & a travelling cot too! Saw lots of other people having to stick roof boxes on their cars & families looking really cramped/uncomfortable in their family saloons, but the E class estate is truly cavernous & just swallows anything you feed it! Despite the extra weight it still inspired confidence, going round roundabouts etc.
Traffic conditions were terrible, with heavy congestion & high outside temperatures, both there & back, so quite a good test. What should have taken 3 hours travelling time took 5 hours. Lots of static traffic on motorways & then the occasional high speed cruise for a few minutes before the next traffic jam.
Despite these far from perfect conditions, car still returned 20.8mpg! I'm truly staggered & yet I measured this very carefully i.e. brim to brim fuelling, keeping the fuel receipt/recording the litres & resetting the trip meter after refuelling. Return journey was admittedly slightly better at 3 hours, but still with heavy traffic & being static on a motorway for a couple of occasions. I reckon when not travelling during peak holiday season, fuel consumption must be at least 23/24mpg & if you drive like a nun then goodness only knows what might be possible.
Car was also very comfortable. Not least because the children & us weren't getting all hot & bothered. The air conditioning was very effective. Even our 7 month old baby seemed to sleep through most of the journey. I've just had the windows 35% tinted rear of the B pillar & this was a godsend too, in all that blazing sunshine, children quiet & content! Thoroughly recommend doing the tinting, looks a lot better than those crappy stick on smiley face things, that fall off half the time.
Seats were perfect for me & the missus (wouldn't say not to air conditioned seats though!)
Automatic gearbox clearly helped too in the stop start conditions & was faultless. When I did get a chance to open her up, the gearbox holds on to each gear right up to the redline, instead of perhaps changing up far too early.
All in all, the experience reinforced my belief in the E55 engine being an amazingly capable engine/car & utterly bullet proof. The temp gauge even in those static conditions with high ambient temperatures of 27 degrees celsius, barely moved. Think it was showing 80 degrees, which is about halfway round the gauge or just slightly above normal.
Good luck with your search/decision.
Chris
I've just returned from a family holiday, driving an E55 W210 Estate, from Sussex to Swanage in Dorset. Car was fully loaded with 5 people, with all their suitcases, the odd pram & a travelling cot too! Saw lots of other people having to stick roof boxes on their cars & families looking really cramped/uncomfortable in their family saloons, but the E class estate is truly cavernous & just swallows anything you feed it! Despite the extra weight it still inspired confidence, going round roundabouts etc.
Traffic conditions were terrible, with heavy congestion & high outside temperatures, both there & back, so quite a good test. What should have taken 3 hours travelling time took 5 hours. Lots of static traffic on motorways & then the occasional high speed cruise for a few minutes before the next traffic jam.
Despite these far from perfect conditions, car still returned 20.8mpg! I'm truly staggered & yet I measured this very carefully i.e. brim to brim fuelling, keeping the fuel receipt/recording the litres & resetting the trip meter after refuelling. Return journey was admittedly slightly better at 3 hours, but still with heavy traffic & being static on a motorway for a couple of occasions. I reckon when not travelling during peak holiday season, fuel consumption must be at least 23/24mpg & if you drive like a nun then goodness only knows what might be possible.
Car was also very comfortable. Not least because the children & us weren't getting all hot & bothered. The air conditioning was very effective. Even our 7 month old baby seemed to sleep through most of the journey. I've just had the windows 35% tinted rear of the B pillar & this was a godsend too, in all that blazing sunshine, children quiet & content! Thoroughly recommend doing the tinting, looks a lot better than those crappy stick on smiley face things, that fall off half the time.
Seats were perfect for me & the missus (wouldn't say not to air conditioned seats though!)
Automatic gearbox clearly helped too in the stop start conditions & was faultless. When I did get a chance to open her up, the gearbox holds on to each gear right up to the redline, instead of perhaps changing up far too early.
All in all, the experience reinforced my belief in the E55 engine being an amazingly capable engine/car & utterly bullet proof. The temp gauge even in those static conditions with high ambient temperatures of 27 degrees celsius, barely moved. Think it was showing 80 degrees, which is about halfway round the gauge or just slightly above normal.
Good luck with your search/decision.
Chris
Edited by Chris French on Sunday 5th August 22:47
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