E-Class W211 Doug DeMuro reviews the W211 E55 AMG

[J.E]

Doug DeMuro reviews the W211 E55 AMG

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[Centurion]

Sensual purity! This car has aged amazingly well.

A friend of mine had one 6 years ago. I drove it once. Overall it was incredibly reliable and I loved how the nose lifted when you floored it. Hot Rod style!

 

[Yaz]

That is one clean W211

 

[LaArtist]

Time less

 

[sako97]

That is one clean W211

Too clean; the want factor is so strong. The best looking 21st century E will remain the W211.

 

[sako97]

That hidden CD charger still amazes me for some reason.

 

[Deleted member 1071]

The W211 was and remains a visually beautiful automobile. And following the mid-2006 MOPF, it also became a GOOD automobile.

 

[Monster]

Every time I look at the W211, I still can't believe the design is nearly 20 years old, and even when I have it next to the W213, it doesn't look dated at all.

The W211 still rides and drives amazingly well after 15 years of ownership. The built and material quality is still superior compare to the W213.

 

[Rolf]

The W211 E55 AMG is one of the finest Mercedes performance saloons ever. It has aged very well and still looks modern. It is still a powerhouse, that 5.4ltr Supercharged V8 delivers thumping low to midrange torque, a massive 700nm even by today supersaloon standards is still mighty impressive. 0-100km/h in 4.6sec, 0-200km/h in 14.5sec and a theoretical top speed of about 325km/h is nothing to be embarrassed about.

Second hand examples are becoming extremely good value as well. Will be a great weekend car.

 

[J.E]

The funny thing is that not long ago, Doug reckoned the W211 aged really poorly when he reviewed the E60 M5. And now he thinks it looks good. I guess he saw the light...

Anyway, I noticed that the E55 that he reviewed doesn't have keyless go, parktronic and being a 2004, it still had the flimsy "clam shell" handle to open the centre console. Mercedes changed to a sliding console lid in the 2005 onwards, because they realised that the wood trim was very prone to come off and they integrated two cup holders in the console, instead of the complex (although cool looking) system in the early W211.

2003-2004 model years.

2005 onward

The integrated cup holders in the console.

 

[Monster]

The funny thing is that not long ago, Doug reckoned the W211...

I believe the change to the center armrest and cup holder lid is only for the North American market.

 

[J.E]

I believe the change to the center armrest and cup holder...

I guess they really didn't like the first cup-holder design. However, it's not unusual to find 211s with the console handle trim pieces missing like in this 2004 E500 4Matic Touring.

 

[Centurion]

The funny thing is that not long ago, Doug reckoned the W211...

I dislike when arrangement of cup holders is vertical instead of horizontal.

 

[Monster]

I guess they really didn't like the first cup-holder design....

Those trim pieces are secured by 3 flimsy plastic hooks, which broke over time. Both of them broke off on our car, we just glue them back in place.

 

[klier]

That is one clean W211

Without the chrome rims, sure. Nasty is an understatement.

 

[J.E]

Without the chrome rims, sure. Nasty is an understatement.[/Q...

It's a California thing, apparently.

 

[Yaz]

Without the chrome rims, sure. Nasty is an understatement.[/Q...

Easy fix. I mean look at those seats.

 

[Centurion]

It's a California thing, apparently.

Were chrome alloys available from factory for the US market?

 

[J.E]

Easy fix. I mean look at those seats.

Chrome rims, pewter and dark red seats; the first owner sure had very poor "unusual" taste.

Were chrome alloys available from factory for the US mark...

No.