Here's Why You Should Buy a 2003 Mercedes E55 AMG Right Now
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- čas přidán 15. 12. 2023
- Why should you settle for a 4-cylinder naturally aspirated engine? The answer is: you shouldn't. It's time to be a man, double the cylinders and spin up a few pounds of boost into the cloud of smoke you've always wanted. The gift that keeps on giving: the AMG M113K. The 2003 Mercedes E55 AMG might be the cheapest power you can buy in 2023. Enjoy.
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Hey guys thanks for watching! The secret is out now haha.
Just a quick note. I mentioned the later E55s of this generation ditched the SBC electronic brake booster setup... that's not true. The later E-Class AMG of this same W211 generation did indeed ditch the setup for a conventional brake booster, it's just by this time (2007 model year and forward), the car had been upgraded to the 6.2L V8, and thus called an E63 AMG, no longer an E55 AMG. Hope this makes sense! My apologies for the confusion, hate making mistakes like this.
What’s crazy is back in like 2019-2020 when I was looking at 03-06 E55’s they were more in the 8-15k now they’ve crept up to the 20k range around here… 🤦♂️
Just look for the next gen...3 different bodies to choose from!
The 1st rule of w211 E55 club is you DO NOT TALK about w211 E55s
The V8 is being killed off that’s why but I’m finding them for 10k all day
@@mmid8960 yeah, you're finding rebuilt titles and 300k mile cars for 10k. good w211 e55's are 12-25k. but really more like 15-25k you just MIGHT get lucky and find a decent one for 11-13k range which isn't a bad deal. Either way you not finding road worthy w211 e55's for 10k all day bc if that were true I'd be buying them all
@@1n2333 Here in Britain E55s are cheap. 8-12k pounds. No tax on second hand cars either, although you have to pay annual road tax of £360 (capped fortunately on pre-06 cars) and of course fuel is £1.65 a litre... 20k here would see you in an absolutely mint car with 40k miles. Although I saw a wagon meeting that description sell for just 16k at auction where I was looking back in 2021. They don't really have the enthusiast following here like some other places - I'm making the assumption based on how many views legitstreetcars gets from his E55 videos.
They are still super rare here, with probably only 80 or so wagons like mine left, and back in 2004 wagons of all brands were popular here. Since I got mine I've known of 5 wagons getting written off.
What’s great about this generation E55 is the tuning potential it has, there’s a pretty sizable performance aftermarket for it so makes an awesome project for the DIY people out there.
Because the engine is so simple it’s actually very reliable but you need to take care of the abysmal supercharger cooling system, add LTH and a pulley and a tune and you’re at 600Hp all day, there’s options for the slow shifting trans as well that drastically improve its performance, not as crisp as a modern DCT or 8 speed ZF of course but definitely better.
The mushy suspension is easily rectified with various choices of coilovers.
The car is a DIY tuner’s dream trust me!
I owned a 2006 E55AMG. Eurotuned/smaller pulley/mezier water pump/larger water cooler exchanger and reservoir. Thing was an absolute rocket and embarrassed alot of cars that thought they were fast. I still miss that car and kick myself for selling it.
Am looking for a Mercedes but is the E55 worth it?
Can you tell me the good things about it and the bad things about it?
@@XdeathKillerX727 if you let going to buy one you must make sure that it isn’t going to be clapped out find the cleanest example you can with low miles, I can’t say enough good things about this car, but if you buy a beat up one your going to be in over your head with repairs
@@MrYooper appreciate it 🤍
People think that the E55 has 469 horsepower. It actually has 493 horsepower. Mercedes rated it lower than the S55 because they knew that most people wouldn't buy the S55 if they could get the same horsepower for less.
It technically is rated accurately because the S55 has split cooling from factory
I've really thought about this one. For me, the styling of the E-class of this generation appeals to me more so than its successors. Finding one that was taken care of religiously and not modified and spanked within in an inch of its life is proving difficult though.
Agreed. They've fallen hard in price and are now in the hands of people not taking care of them because maintenance is expensive. This is the 944 problem as well...
That’s exactly it. To find a good example with records that hasn’t been abused is becoming increasingly difficult, which is why I paid WAY more than the prices quoted here for a 20k mile car back in 2022. No regrets at all. It’s a wonderful car and you don’t want to own one with a “history”.
@@SonikDethmonkeyI paid 9k for mines didn’t need much but new brake pads oil change and changing a air strut other then that it’s been solid ever since I love my E55 AMG
@@ronslife3396 that’s awesome! They’re great cars for sure. Even if you get a “cheap” one there’s still a lot of value if you’re willing to DIY a lot of the maintenance.
the 2003 that I have is loaded up with some crazy options they offered at the time....the black ebon zebra wood trim, and dual panoramic sunroof with solar panels(pretty rare in USA cars) that run the ventilation fans when the car is off and it still does that 20 years later!
at 9:45 you do a great job of explaining what the E55 does so well and makes it unique, and _because_ it’s NOT a sports car i generally prefer it to what AMG is doing now
do have to address some things though... no E55 ever had electric power steering or a conventional brake booster (it was the E63 by that point), but the SBC unit and controller that operates the brakes now has a 25 year factory warranty!
also you’re driving the original 2003 model, for 2005 they used the updated steering rack from the CLS which is quicker and has better feedback... still feels like a heavy boat lol but one that doesn’t need so much steering input lol
Thanks for the comment! And thanks for pointing out the steering.. I was under the impression it was an electro-hydraulic rack but clearly that's not the case, my apologies.
As for the SBC, yes it was dropped later in the same generation production run, (which had the 6.2 engine upgrade, no longer an E55). I'll make a pinned comment note about this. Stupid mistake.
It is a true AMG in feel and finish in every way. I love it
as an owner (of a 2005) it's tough even for me to keep track some times haha... but 2005 and 2006 are the years to look for imo, there's a bunch of other little upgrades here and there but i'll leave that to AMGmeister's vid
@@stroock6394I agree. I specifically looked for a 05-06 due to the supercharger upgrade and faster steering rack. It took a while to find a good example that wasn’t “tampered with” but I found it in 2022. Awesome cars!
I’m glad the algorithm brought me to your channel. Love your videos bro. Keep up the good work
Much appreciated! Glad the CZcams gods are doing their job
Nothin like that good old torque 😁 I think it’s great you started off with a stock example to experience, they can go pretty wild with mods which will give you some room to have a whole other feel down the road. Btw, the 3 valve was more efficient for low end torque and emissions purposes so kinda on par for era.
Mercedes guys are definitely a weird breed… ask me how I know 😂🤙🏼 thx for the shoutout of the trusty silver steed!
It's the best! I'm glad I drove your C55 before this car as well, gives me a good idea of what kind of sound one could expect if your neighbors are not a concern haha. Looking forward to going for a ride in your build next season. I have a whole new respect for these engines... :D
Paid $12k for my E55, with E63 front end, rear diffuser, Niche 19” wheels, 85mm pulley, Eurocharged Headers, custom exhaust work, IC pump, and ECU/TCU Tuned, with 91k miles.
i dont like the e63 front end for some reason i like the e55 better
These generation of Benz's was beautiful, fast and plagued with wiring and transmission woes. I drove a 02 s430 awd with the amg kit for several years.
Completely different model mate, W211s with M113K are renown for reliability.
Just dropped the subframe on mine to replace the bushes - I thought I would take a look at the differential to see how its fared after 120k miles. Its like new - no wear whatsoever. These things are absolute tanks.
I still need to drop in my creative steel rear subframe bushings & rear diff bushings lol
The m113k motor in the e55 and cls55 amg are actually 500hp...benz said 469 cause they did not want both of these cars to outshine the flagship sl55 amg..which has 507hp..abigger auto throttlebody and different exhaust...i have an 06cls 55amg..dynoed at 500hp 516ft lbs of torque...these cars are beast and these motors are rated up to 750hp with tuning the supercharger.
Perfect for someone who just wants to cruise in comfort but destroy most guys in a straight line with that torque
S55
impractically big at times (that's what she said) and that ABC suspension is a total nightmare though... the E55 at least just has 'regular' airmatic
I had a 2003 S500 with AMG bumpers and wheels. Comfortable car but the W220 costs much more in maintenance and repairs than a W211. And IMO the W211 looks way better than a W220.
Love my CLS55. Has been perfectly reliable.
8:26 i used to own one and when i drove in manual mode i drove it as one. I let off throttle when i upshift and when i downshifted i Noticed there was a 1-2 second delay from when i clicked the downshift button so i would usually blipped the throttle myself
The M113K is a 3 valve per cylinder design not a 5 valve. Owned one before it was a rocketship. I tuned mine to 600hp but it blew the engine, broke the transmission and the airride let go soon after so I sold it
Is the carbon fiber inside a sticker? Or is it swapped? Not sure new into cars not sure if you can even buy or swap different non wooden console parts
I was thinking maybe a 1990;s fox body T bird with the 5.0. have you driven one ?
I recently bought the e55 AMG 03 in silver. My dream car when I was 14
Happy with my choice bc I knew I could’ve gotta some American muscle (ctsv 06)
I then went off reliability, the 03-06 e55 engine is one of Mercedes best and most reliable engine produced m113k
So very happy with my choice
Fun cars for sure. Picked up one not long ago. Had a few tactful mods and the fastest of all the e55s I drove. Unfortunately I broke it already.. going to the shop in a few weeks to get fixed.
What broke?
@@samscl55 unsure.. it’s throwing a code p1106.. I don’t have one of those big code scanners so I’m unsure what the actual issue is. It’s going to the shop next week
The engines and transmissions on these are bulletproof. The rest? 20 year old Mercedes...but it's not like the Audi RS6 is without its own problems...
Overall, the buying price for either of these cars is the least of your expenses - but fun costs money :)
Thanks for the review!
Fun does indeed usually cost some money. Especially if there's lots of noise involved.
Accurate description of older German machines.
Yo Matt it's Sunny... this vid made me regret selling this car lol. I enjoyed it for a bit then sold it to the owner who lent it for this vid for cheap. She needs some work for sure, and it was an R title, but so much fun.
I bought an S55, pulley and tune and a TJ Merry TCU tune and I’m probably 550+ and it’s a monster, take the kids to school in comfort and rip on the way home it’s a beast. Found one w 85k miles and it looks showroom new
W220 is heavier and doesn’t look as good as a W211 though.
2008 has direct brakes no sbc and no air suspension but its e63 or you have Cheap Kit for dele ting sbc and coil over Kit,
RS6 from you mentioned, is a nightmare.. all good, when is not broken, and belive me, everything on RS6 breaks so easy, and person need to take out a loan to fix, like simple things as timing belts, you need to take out half the var front to change, makes the E55 more superior car, easy to work on, and way more reliable, that will make it more suitable to buy..!
Im so happy that I have one and got it when i did I have a 05 E55 AMG black on black
How has ownership been? Thinking about one
@@brandonjefferson3274it’s been great and I’ve don’t prevented maintenance on it and runs good very healthy
@@brandonjefferson3274great I just did the maintenance on it
I’m in Texas and I’m finding almost dozens of 150k e55 for less than $10k Closer to 100k like $13$ and the best examples are like $18k. I’m 10000% buying one sometime this year or next
How many clk 55 amg are there out there
I love mine, pay a lot more in Australia though.
All the E55 w211s had SBC, the w211 e63 (face lift) dropped it.
In Australia these cars are more like $30,000..
CLS550 or e55?
Love those cats!!
I wanna find a clapped or crashed one and swap the motor into my w202 c43
What do you think about the S55 AMG? Same engine, arguably better suspension (when it's working)
Heavier, smoother, bigger, cheaper to acquire, similar maintenance costs 💪 E55 feels like a muscle car in comparison
While I do have a 2016 S Class, I prefer driving my 05 and 06 E55s. There’s something about the Es that just feels right. Even though I’m a big guy, the E class just seems to fit like a glove. 🤷🏿♂️
The reason these big baller sedans are so cheap is the proper maintenance is rather costly .
Only the suspension is costly. The supercharger doesnt break. The transmission has enough headroom to support a 1000nm 6.0 twinturbo v12... its used in the CL65 AMG. The engine is simple and robust, very powerful yet very durable. Oil changes are as expensive as any other 5+ liter V8. Brakes are as expensive as any other 8 pot brakes. Nothing special. Theyre cheap because theyre old, but they already bounced from the bottom and are rising in value fast
got it and i cant afford to pay to get fix air suspension anymore 😂 is my second time of the fault now 😂
I like this
Burnouts = no love ❤ for your car
This, but the wagon version for me
It’s extremely expensive to fix these cars I have one …. I would save my money and buy 2014 or newer e63s more reliably
Sounds like the transmission and the brake need an overhaul. What you are describing is not normal, ecpecially the mushy brakes.
Yeah it's possible.
I wonder if @nemanrqcing, why Mercedes doesn't want to work on a car over 10 years, unless it's a sales job to make more money? I have a the S65 AMG, Reentech at 736hp and 814 tq with 80,000 miles.
Of course, please bring inn to be service as a past customer, and the staff does't know what a 55, 63, and 65 AMG is?? What gives!
The ones available for less than $15K are over 150K miles and have been abused. I bought mine at Mercedes as a CPO many years ago , have had zero mechanical issues and now have over 135K miles! Decent examples are now north of $20K
M113K ftw
I guess he couldn’t do the carbon fiber for the door panels lol.
E39 m5 would my quick even though it's slower
Where i'm from those e55's go anywhere from 12-15k USD and have very low miles like 30,000-50,000
Where are you from?
@@bigqwertycat NZ
this is still a 10-20k vehicle depending on the condition and mileage and honestly i’d buy one despite its looks
Yeah, closer to $20k if you want one in mint condition with low mileage
5:18 what car is that
Nissan gtr
In 5 more years, that car will be 30.000 for a 180k miles rebuilt title 😂😂😂, i got mine for juat 16k cash and 110k miles with only2 owners and all maintenance records, now the poor E55 has become a Mitsubishi, an overpriced teenager car, but was an amazing car
Tbh the car is 9k the most, I really hate the car market
sounds like a fun money pit unless your super lucky
People who usually hunt down these beaters are usually associated with some car business or rich people who have lots of time on their hand
Eh, this model of Mercedes is actually pretty reliable, all things considered. You'll probably run into weird electrical problems over anything else
Dont make them go up in price before i buy one nooo
The secrets out
You live in a country where a super sedan like W211 E55 AMG is an affordable car! I live in a country where even a Dacia Logan is unaffordable for most people!!! What a terrible world we live in!!
1:12 what is that driving?
Racing line? Not me.
I had one of these, they aren't that good. There is a good reason people sell these for under $20,000.
CLS55 never gets any love SMH
I want an e55 so bad but fuck that front end is hideous 🤮🤢🤮😭 i hate the headlights but everything else about the car i love and find cool 😪
Swap the front end with E63 🤷🏼♂️
Bullet proof engines
E55 makes 490 like the sl55 and s55 Mercedes’ lied. There’s no mechanical difference nor ECU difference between the supercharged models. 03 e55 and 03 s55 make the same power
But when it needs a new engine…. 🎉
There's always a catch.
It never need a another engine, best machine ever made!
The engine on this thing is the most reliable component lol. It’s what it’s known for.
lol this guy definitely doesn’t know about the m113k ⬆️😂😂
That price is bullshit. Try finding one for real in even beat-up condition
I sold the owner this car. It was legit 9k
IT NEEDS TO BE SLAVIK OWNED OR ITS GOING TO BE CLAPPED!
c55 > because its lighter
But no supercharger 🤷🏼♂️
Shut up bruh youre gonna make the prices go up☹️
4dr ? Buy a real sports car with 2doors .
Terrible cars super unreliable astronomical to maintain and forget about the gas it eats a quarter tank from the gas station to your house 11/10 wouldn’t own better off with a Toyota Corolla or a frs those swing better transmissions blow up like
No tomorrow consider it 4l60e or a a340,s cousin
I wouldn't say they are super unreliable. However the thought of buying it today at 20 years old, you could easily spend the purchase price in replacing worn parts and restoring it to how it should have been from the factory. Let alone all the possible electrical gremlins that may be lurking.
Wrong. M113K engine in W211 chassis uber reliable.
If you recommend a Corolla, this type of car isn’t for you.
clk55 208/209
For 9k the only W211 E55 AMG you're gonna buy is a fixer-upper.
I actually bought mine for 9k in great condition the guy I bought it from just wanted to get rid of it nothing was wrong from the motor interior and exterior it was good paint as well