E55 AMG

E55 AMG

In 1999 Mercedes Benz introduced the E55 AMG sedan to the USA market. With only 500 units produced, dealer allocations were slim & of course demand far outweighed supplies. Today, it is nearly impossible to find a clean, low mileage example. I had been looking for over a year when I found this one. Although I SWORE I wouldn't buy another car online, sight unseen, well... You know the saying, "Never say NEVER!" It took over 2 weeks of dealing, but the icing on the cake was the additional Starmark warranty in effect until December 2006. Then, the nail biting began as I tracked the car's progress on the transporter's website as it made it's way across the country. It took another 8 grueling days in transit, but it finally made it here!

First produced in 1998, the E55 AMG is the performance-enhanced version of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Powered by a 5.5-liter 349hp V8, the E55 AMG completes the 0 to 60 sprint in 5.4 seconds.

But the numbers alone don't tell the complete story. To ensure the E55 AMG is as reliable as it is race-ready, heavy-duty cast aluminum pistons and specially developed oil injector nozzles are strategically located to provide sufficient cooling. Another engineering feat is its hand-balanced crankshaft equipped with pre-selected connecting rods and pistons to ensure optimum weight.

engine

type.

90 degree V-8, high-pressure die-cast alloy block, alloy heads.

displacement.

5.5 L

bore.

3.82 in.

stroke.

3.62 in.

compression ratio.

10.5:1

output.

349 hp @ 5,550 rpm

torque.

391 lb-ft @ 3,150 - 4,500 rpm

valve gear.

Belt-driven SOHC, 3 valves per cylinder.

redline.

6,000 rpm

drivetrain

type.

5-speed automatic with Touch Shift.

final drive ratio.

2.82

1st gear.

3.59

2nd gear.

2.19

3rd gear.

1.41

4th gear.

1.00

5th gear.

0.83

reverse gear.

3.16

performance

acceleration¹ .

0-60 mph in 5.4 sec.

top speed.

155 mph (Limited).

suspension

front.

Independent double wishbone with coil springs, gas-pressurized shock absorbers and stabilizer bar.

rear.

5-arm multilink with coil springs, gas-pressurized shock absorbers and stabilizer bar.

brakes

front & rear.

Hydraulic dual-circuit braking system with vacuum servo unit, disk brakes, internally ventilated, two piece front rotors and 4-piston calipers.

steering

type.

Rack-and-pinion with speed-sensitive power assist and integrated hydraulic damper.

turns lock-to-lock.

3.20

turning circle curb-to-curb.

37.2 ft.

wheels and tires

wheel size(front).

8.0J x 18 in

wheel size(rear).

9.0J x 18 in

wheel type.

Aluminum Alloy

tires.

245/40ZR18 front, 275/35ZR18 rear

dimensions and weight

wheelbase.

111.5 in/2,833 mm

front track.

61.4 in/1,560 mm

rear track.

60.8 in/1,543 mm

length.

189.4 in/4,810 mm

width.

70.8 in/1,799 mm

height.

56.9 in/1,445 mm

curb weight.

3,768 lb/1,715 kg

coefficient of drag.

0.29 Cd

power-to-weight ratio.

0.09

standard features

features.

Power adjustable front seats, sport steering wheel, leather upholstery, leather shift knob, 5-speed automatic transmission, Brake Assist System (BAS), Electronic Stability System (ESP), automatic climate control with charcoal filter, heated front seats, front and side airbags, power windows, metallic paint, xenon headlamps.

Delivery day, tied down on the transporter.

The first look as it rolls off the transporter.

It's pretty much your basic 4 door sedan, right? Riiight! :)

About the only tipoff is the "E55 & AMG" lettering on the rear of the car.

The clean lines contribute to it's low drag coefficient of .29 cd.

These are NOT wheels one wants to get curb rash on!

The US cars came with 275/35/18 rear tires & 245/45/18 fronts. Wide, low & MEAN looking!

Again, not much to give away it's performance potential.

Pretty plush, with full electric seats + memory & even an electric telescoping/tilt wheel.

Finally, a back seat that will actually hold passengers!

A good look at the Xenon HID headlights. I've changed out the high beams to Hella Optilux 100W H7 bulbs.

My E55 is EXTREMELY fast, (MUCH faster than the "official" specs say it is) & what a sleeper it is! Low key, stealthy, nobody gives it a second look, unlike the Porsche 928. I have NEVER driven an automatic transmission car that shifts as intuitively as this one does. The ride is firm but certainly not harsh, and the cornering grip is unbelievable! Best of all, the acceleration will flatten my 928. Yup, it is quicker to all speeds, but the electronic limiter (at 155MPH) gives the top speed advantage to the 928. Bottom line, it doesn't beat me up like the 928, has much better air conditioning, corners as well, is quicker & faster & doesn't command attention like the 928. Might have to keep her for a bit... :)

Some road tests of the E55 AMG

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