Art_Z

that started in 2003. Prior to that, the E55 was naturally aspirated. The 2000 E55 the OP is looking at is not supercharged, and the engine performance #s should be similar to that of a 928.

ShawnSmith

I suppose the latest ones are now normally aspirated again, and designated E63?

That could be fun....

Nicole

Yep - that's part of the emotional attachment to the 928. The people involved in norcal928 make you forget any shortcomings the car might have...

mmorcill

Thanks for all the input. I have to say that this photo is does a great job of reminding me why I enjoy these cars. That must have been a nice drive!

...Leaning toward the S4...boy just saying that has me already thinking about projects!

928autobahndreamer

Are the cars equal money? If not, it the 928 is less, plan on doing some upgrades that will put the 928 performance way ahead of the AMG. Remember, this is the 2000 AMG, so some of the comparisons to the more modern AMG E class do not apply. Supercharge the 928 and upgrade the suspension and then I don't see this being a hard choice, especially since you wrench for yourself and sound like you enjoy it.

wds928

Michael:

Get one of each as Glen suggested. I was putting too many miles on my '94 GTS three years ago and bought a 1992 500E for cheap. Now it's my daily driver and is dead-on reliable. I do the periodic service and such. It's a blast to drive every day and does well in the snow.

Good luck.

laneskelton

Newer benz have a lot of problems, little electrical stuff that really bugs. I worked at a Mercedes service center, and would not wish one on my worst enemy. They drive alright, but are rather large and clumsy, and I would much rather drive a BMW.

IcemanG17

I'm sure the E55 is a nice car....powerful and probably fairly sporty too......it "should" be more reliable than the 928 too since it is 9 years newer...."should" being the key term

The E55 will more practical with 4 doors and it is a bigger car....but the 928 will be far more fun....the norcal 928ers haver ALOT to do with this fact...... A diverse group of concours freaks (me, but I'm in rehab), ORR guys (a bunch) and track guys (also a bunch) and everything inbetween.....

One other thing to consider is the depreciation curve of the Benz will be much steeper than the 928.....nice 928's tend to hold their value pretty well....vs a guaranteed looser in the benz.....not that I think 928's are going up in value...they just stay flat-ish or go down slower....

Dan87951

The E55 is obviously faster, I was thinking about buying one and boy was is it a hoot to drive. But the 928 has something the E55 doesn't and thats, uniquness. I love them both no doubt but price/performance the E55 beats the 928 hands down but than again the 928 is an older design.

Panzer9

Recently drove an 03'- S-55 AMG from a lot (on consignment) Black on black- 35K miles -Asking $45K. The S- Class sedans have always been my dream ride, and the S-55 is like an S-500 on steroids- nearly 500 hp, & ft/lbs torque-- just a SICK car!

BC

New info. Thanks. So I should only look at 2003+ then.

Glen McCartney

Yup my 2002 is normally aspirated, rated 349HP and close to 400Ft-Lb torque. With 5 speed auto trans. it flies, has governor at 155 mph though.

Jim Nowak

The 210 E Class didn't have those issues. The cars with all the issues were produced from 2003 to 2006. Mercedes added superchargers to the E55 and twin turbos to the 600 engines. The 2003 and later 600 and 55's are much much faster than the older 600's and E55's but with that extra complexity and hp come more problems.

My old Rennteched CL600 had over 650 hp and close to 800 lb-ft of torque with just an ECU/TCU tune. The CL600 is a blast to drive but is very expensive to repair when it breaks. I recently had to sell it for a more family friendly car, new Mercedes SUV. However, I will buy another one regardless of the issues it had since the issues did not outweigh the fun factor. There are not many luxury cars that can also run low 11's, and I've even seen high 10's without NOS, and be in total comfort with AC, navigation, and messaging seats.

The 928 is a very special car and can be made to go very fast but the newer AMG's are already very very fast and can be made to go even faster with all the aftermarket mods that are readily available. But, the brand new AMG 63's have an achilles heel with the 7 speed tranny because it can't take more than around 600 lb-ft of torque. The old 5 speed in the 55 and 600's can take around 800 lb-ft without an issue and there are some modifications of the clutch packs that enable them to take around 1,000 lb-ft.

It becomes very expensive to get the 928 to run with the newer high performance cars since many start with over 500 hp and there are even some with over 600 hp stock. I'm all for making the cars more enjoyable to drive but it is becoming harder and harder for the 928 to compete. With that said, I still have my 928 and E55 but I sold the CL600.

rhys

Although the above is quite true and I dearly love my 928, I have owned and do own a Mercedes ('87 560 SEL) and the upkeep and repair costs for the Benzes are miniscule compared to the Porsche. I have not driven an AMG 55 and so cannot compare its driveability to my Porsche, but I will say that my 560 will blow the Porsche off the road, stoplight to stoplight. I would say go with the AMG unless you are extravagantly wealthy.

Marine Blue

Jim I love MB's and I would agree that in a straight line they are brutal and unbeatable but do you really feel that your E55 handles as good as your 928? If yes have you updated the suspension in your 928 to replace aging shocks, springs etc?