PMP 300

So I have seriously been thinking about up grading the GS Its currenty Twin turbo To an W211 E55 AMG. My friend has a CLK 500 W209 and she loves it. She wanted some work done on it so I did it for her and after a week of having her car im hooked for a stock 5.5L v8 its amazing. But coming from the GS imm used to a bigger car now and the E class seems more suited to me And before you say it No I cant afford a C63 here in Australia. But I can get an E55 AMG w211 for about 30K whick is a 5.5l supercharged for anyone whos not into mercs. So whats peoples thoughts Keep the Gs and single turbo Or go the factory 470HP torque monster?

JeffTsai

iTrader: (1)

The E55 is a beast. You can do some pretty serious stuff to it as well. It's definitely a fun car though. Turn off the traction and the AMG will burnout for days on end

Now the downside....it's a Merc. So be prepared to spend $$$$$ for replacement parts especially since it's the AMG model. The engine is pretty solid, but there are your general wiring harness and electrical issues to deal with every once in a while. The last thing is that the cost to increase power is an insane amount for the power gained. You can spend $10k+ on a custom upgraded supercharger kit/full exhaust/headers and expect to gain 150whp/150trq. Stock E55 makes about 400whp, after you spend $10k you will make around 550whp

The 2JZ can easily surpass that power for a significantly cheaper price while still being reliable.

If you are wanting to compare a single turbo GS vs a E55 stock. Then the comparison isn't even close. The GS will walk the E55 all day long. Now comparing stock GTE vs stock E55, of course the E55 will be faster. Now compare a single turbo GS to a $10k+ upgraded E55 and they will be quite close. However the money spent is going to be quite different. You could get the GS to the same point with probably about $3-4k or so.

I have a few friends with highly modified AMG's, and I pass them like they are standing still even when I give them the head start lol. But of course, my GS isn't your typical run of the mill setup either

However, with that said the E55 is still a nice car
It's all just boils down to what you want.

tmf2004

iTrader: (15)

no one has a chance Jeff with 800 HP under your hood lmao... Although i like the E55 as well there just to common unlike a single turbo GS... Be unique and different is what i always say... You have a great car...

AVSRacing

I'm kinda facing the same issue, I can most likely get a E55 for less than 10k on top of my 430. and the power is so tempting, I don't plan to mod much though. maybe exhaust, tune, bolt ons. I just haven't driven a 55 myself to see what its really like, but I sat in a 500 and it was quite comfortable.

Ava92

iTrader: (3)

E55 are really nice, but i would rather have a modded GS for the same money. With a BMW/MBZ you look kind of poserish unless you have the current gen imo. Plus the cheap prices on the old AMGs scare me, why are they so low? It must make up for it with high maintenance costs right? just my thoughts..

TTurboPimp

iTrader: (12)

I will echo everyone else......the E55 is a beast and a hell of a nice car, but you best have deep pockets when it breaks, and it will eventually.

MikeFoxx

iTrader: (8)

I had a 2004 E-class... no where near the E55 but i still had the Merc repairs after 120k like clockwork synched to my paydays lol. Great cars if you got the money for them. The airmatic suspension went out on two struts and the cost to buy parts and install them at the dealer was pretty much what 209John in Stockton is charging for a full Airrex install.

If you got the money it'll be a fun purchase... if you don't have free money to let go of i'd keep the GS and go wild with that.

dapimpee

One rule my mechanic tells me..Buy new German cars, or buy used Jap cars.

TTurboPimp

iTrader: (12)

I would 100% agree with your mechanic.....i have learned the hard way with both Benz's and Bimmer's. I will never buy another one that is out of warranty.

tmf2004

iTrader: (15)

I always seem to check eBay from time to time on the E55 and find some pretty good deals for years 2004 to 2006. I really like that style. but turbo pimp is right. definitely need a warranty .

MattyG

There's no doubt about the styling and presence of the w211 and the e55 is a beast. But I agree with others PMP... how deep are your pockets and how much patience do you have for constant glitches vs driving performance.

If I had the dough, I would use it as an occasional hobby driver not a daily driver.

Lukas99GS

It's a sexy car for sure, and a beast performance wise, but I couldn't deal with what it would cost to keep it running right, I'd go for an ISF, or an IS350, not quite as luxurious but fast and more reliable

PMP 300

Thanks for all the input guys its good to get a few different perspectives on the idea. A few pros and cons are . Mines a 99 model and starting to get to an age where if I leave it any longer I wont get anything for it, It has noises IE squeeks and rattles that I have looked for for months and cant find and it now almost has 200,000 kms on the clock. Cons are its unique, easy to fix, somewhat reliable.
Problem with Australia is everything is expensive so for me to get an ISF im looking at 65-70k an is350 is 40k plus the E55 I can get for 30K which is my limit.
Both the GS and E55 will use the same in fuel. My GS gets 400kms per tank which is sad.
And even tho its a merc ill be happy to do 90% of the repairs myself. Iam quite switched on in that sense.

AVSRacing

400 per tank sounds about right. I do around that with 100% city on my 430

gsean400

Do some reading on the amg forums and see what people have paid for a new engine on 1 of those e55s. It was enough to keep me away. I really like those cars and they sound beautiful with the right exhaust. Iv just seen too many threads where they get a smaller pulley and boom.. Even stock after some highway pulls. Theyre good cars tho, if you get 1 just hope your not unlucky.