I had a 2nd gen GS400 for a couple years and just got an E63 a month ago. The interior in the E is so much better and it really looks like an expensive interior (Dakota leather & suede inserts & panorama room). But you will be the one living with it so if you do not like it hopefully it does not overshadow the other qualities of the E.

The only negative with the E63 is the navigation (can't put an exact address, it will only send you to the proper block) and the ipod integration should be better (it doesn't list playlists or by artist).

In the power department, the E55 has so much torque and the horsepower is arguably the same as the E63, plus the E55 is very mod friendly (pulleys, headers, exhaust, etc.). However, the E63 is must smoother and refined, especially with the 7 speed auto.

A lot of people were complaining that the E63 is slower than the E55 stock for stock, but stock E63s have been breaking into the 11.9xx range.

If the interior is your only problem with it I do not think it should stop you from getting it. The E55 is an awesome car: fast, mod-friendly, good looking (IMO), comfortable, and not too many people have them.

However, if you can get the E63 I would do it because it would have the warranty, upgraded interior, and has an upgraded exterior.

 

The E55 and E63 have different brakes. Can't remember the specifics off the top of my head, but they are indeed different.

As for the body kit, I meant the E63 has a revised front end (bumper and headlamps) that coincided w/ the '07 W211 facelift.

 

The E63 has 6-piston fronts, the E55 has 8-piston fronts, and both have 4-piston rear. E55 has Sensotronic Brake Control which they dropped '07+.

 

I agree the current E class interior is very nice, one of the nicest in its class of cars in my opinion and looks much nicer then the 2nd Gen GS although quality wise they are fairly close with some GS peices seeming better quality and other E class peices seeming nicer. There are a few cheap peices in the E class for a car of its price but it is still impressive, especially the AMG models. Just comparing the 2 I don't see how someone could say the 2nd Gen GS blows the current AMG E class interior away and I think my GS has a nice interior but not in the league of the current E class.

The E55 AMG is a very tempting car with it being a very attractive car inside and out, putting out big horsepower numbers with supercar performance 0-60 in 4.3 seconds. The only drawback is the horrid Mercedes reliability and expensive maintenace and insureance on a car like that plus it is more of a cruiser then a great handling car like a BMW 5 series/M5,

 

I think the E63 has the hydraulic brakes and the E55 has the electronic brakes which may have been problematic.

 

oh so they went back to 6 pot on the e63 huh? thanks for the info, didn't pay attention to that. lol so 8 pot is too overkill? LB Lex, do you know what problems they had with the e55 brakes? electronic problem or something else?

 

The Sensotronic Brake Control system shifts from electronic brake mode to standard hydraulic mode because the wiring system prematurely degrades. The braking feel wasn't as good either compared to a standard braking system. I think this system has been modified or completely removed since 2006. Some E55 owners say that the brakes on the E63 are better.

 

nice info eric, thanks. i drove the e63 and felt the brakes are very strong and responsive. never drove the e55 before so can't compare. seriously, other than the clock on the cluster and the nav system (i would much rather have the i-drive like system on the s class), the e63 is almost a perfect car