mmorcill

Hi Folks,

It's been awhile since I've posted and it looks like a few things have changed and some have remained the same like the enthusiasm around the 928! I'm posting because for the past few days I've been contemplating the difficult/lucky task of choosing between ad 1991 928S4 and a 2000 AMG E55.

I have come upon a couple of great deals: 2000 AMG E55 and a very nice Guards Red/Black 1991 928S4 (Devek maintained,Documented,Great Price, etc). I have two kids (6 and 4) who would fit nicely in a 928s4 but the E55 is quite impressive in performance and space. I have owned a 90 S4 which I sold when my first child was tiny(infant - rear facing seat). Now that the kids are toddler + sizes I've started shopping for a 928S4/GT but as different as the E55 is (read sedan) I can't help but think that the E55 might be a better bargain. I have owned many p-cars and an AMG car (914, 911SC,951S,968Cab,928s4,AMG C36,BMW M6, ALFA 164Q).

I'm not afraid of wrenching and in fact I prefer it but I can only choose one. So for the owners of both out there, which one would you recommend to someone who takes the long road even with a 6 and 4 year old?


Somebody please talk me out of the E55!

A Tormented Michael

Nicole

I own a 1991 S4 and recently started to work at a Mercedes and Porsche dealership here in the Bay Area. I have driven the E 63 (6.3 Liter, 507hp) a few times, and just this afternoon took another spin in the SLK 55 (5.5 liter, 355hp). I have also driven the CLS and SL 550 models, but not their AMG counterparts (don't want to put any miles on those).

I have to say that if I was not specifically attached to the 928 for so many reasons, the AMG Mercedes are clearly the better cars. Of course, that's not a surprise when you consider that they have been designed more than 25 years after the initial 928.

What I'm trying to say is that if you look for something practical and reliable, you are better off with a modern AMG Mercedes. But if you prefer a uniquely beautiful classic that your heart is attached to, then go with the 928.

The 928 is still an impressive and plenty fast automobile - even though the AMGs make it feel really slow by comparison... The 550ies are also a nice step ahead in terms of power, and their air suspension is awesome! Besides, Mercedes had the resources to engineer a better HVAC and electrical systems...

Leon Speed

Buy the AMG

linderpat

the feeling of uniqueness of the 928 can not be duplicated in the Benz. The only things more ubiquitous than an MB are cell phones and BMWs. go with the 928 ...

Marine Blue

I had a 500E which is the predecessor to AMG's for a while and eventually was bored since I couldn't row my own. MB's are also relatively heavy and not capable of the same type of handling you'll find in a 928. If you're after a rock solid high speed highway cruiser the MB can't be beat but if you prefer a weekend toy which can carve through the back roads but still has the long distance cruising capabilities then the 928 is hands down more fun to drive.

Art_Z

AMG is a sweet car, but they look exactly like all other Benz sedans. You never see a 928 on the road, and when you do, heads turn. I had to make the same choice between CLK55 and my 928 and glad I went the way I did.

JEC_31

A Rennlister I know owns a nice '85 AMG 500SEL. You can't even buy head gaskets for it. There is very little support for used AMG cars, apparently their entire business caters to wealthy buyers of the newest thing.

Marine Blue

Older AMG's (before the late 90's) were aftermarket only similar to RUF or RennTech. AMG was purchased by MB in the late 90's so they could offer a performance oriented car with an established name. Not the same really.

Jim Nowak

I have both. The 210 E55 wil be MUCH more dependable and handles just as good as the 928. It also has more hp than a stock S4 and is quicker to boot. For a daily driver with the added fun factor, the E55 is very hard to beat.

I've driven my E55 for over 100,000 miles and the only time it has been in the shop for anything other than oil changes was for a faulty crank position sensor. The other items that failed, MAF & window regulator, were very easy to replace and I did it in my driveway. No job was over 40 minuites and a complete novice could do the repairs.

There were more 928S4's produced than the 210 E55. Sure, it shares the same basic body as the other E classes but it has different bumpers and sides as well as all the performance goodies that AMG adds. Daily driver = E55. Weekend cruiser = 928.

Glen McCartney

It's simple, buy the 928 for yourself and the AMG for your wife. That's what I did, '85 928 for me, '02 E55AMG for her! She absolutely loves the AMG, one of the best grocery getters there is. Good luck, not an easy decision. If it had to be one or the other, I would buy the 928 for it's uniqueness.

David L. Lutz

Glen,
Same here I just couldn't part with the S4, so I bought a S55 AMG for the family. We all love it, but its just not the classic the S4 is, but boy will it fly.

BC

And the E55s are already supercharged. For a road car, it seems like a great package. And they are quite affordable right now.

Bill Ball

Does the NorCal MBZ AMG owners group have funrides and other events?

justin

Bill, man that looks like fun, nice pictures.

ShawnSmith

If I could just talk the wife into it, I'd set us up with an E55 wagon as our "practical" car.

Alas, no luck with that one yet. I am allowed lots of slack playing with my "fun" car though...