It's Hammer Time In A Cheap 1999 Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG

"DailyTurismo" (thedailyturismo)
09/23/2014 at 14:03 • Filed to: Daily Turismo, Blog

Mercedes-Benz redefined executive class performance when it released the E55 AMG in 1999 for the US Market. Sure, BMW's M5 had been around for a few generations, but it was sabre with manual gearboxes that tempted its driver to carve up corners. The AMG was a hammer, a big tire smoking cudgel meant to bludgeon the pavement into submission, but at the same time it could be docile and liveable in traffic. What more can you ask for in a 15 year old $5k driver? Find this !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! offered for $4500 in Torrance, CA via craigslist.

Image from !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! on flickr of the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery and Memorial near Romagne-sous-Montfaucon, France.

The recipe for the E55 was simple, start with a standard W210 luxury sedan and add a brutish 5.5 liter V8 rated at 354 horsepower and 391 ft-lbs of torque. No forced induction or supercharged wizardry, just a bunch of air flowing into DOHC V8 that produced zero-60mph times in the low 5 second range. A subtle body kit and AMG badges are the only external clues that something is special.

See a better big sedan for impressing the neighbors without breaking the bank? !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

Originally published as !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! on !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

DISCUSSION (81)

Imirrelephant > DailyTurismo
09/23/2014 at 14:08

The thing I love about these E55s is that they are subtle. If you de-badged it, most people wouldn't know what you had until you literally smoked them off the line.

Jagvar > DailyTurismo
09/23/2014 at 14:17

It's nice to see one in such nice shape. On the rare occasion I see a W210 E55 these days, it's been thoroughly beat to hell.

BZiel > DailyTurismo
09/23/2014 at 14:19

Those cars are absolute brute force.

While not the quickest off the line, once you get the mass moving, from 50 to 150 they bitch slap about 99% of anything you'll ever want to run against in a 4 door sedan with a kid strapped into their safety seat.

DailyTurismo > Jagvar
09/23/2014 at 14:21

The only question would be around the lowering and if it was done properly.

BZiel > DailyTurismo
09/23/2014 at 14:34

I actually saw a '99 for sale beside a driveway in Black Mountain, NC about a year ago that was in perfect condition and had only 31,000 miles. Black on black. Beautiful. Being sold by the estate of the man that had owned it since new.

Unfortunately they were asking $19,000 for it and they wouldn't negotiate.

DailyTurismo > BZiel
09/23/2014 at 14:38

The later supercharged ones are even stupider in brute force, but the W210 is gonna cost much less in maintenance and still pushes you back in your booster seat.

BZiel > DailyTurismo
09/23/2014 at 14:49

Agreed.

We've had many through our shops over the years, and I'll take the NA version for maintenance costs alone any day.

There are actually some great, easy, and cheap mods that can take 210 performance to an entirely different level. (Not to mention getting rid of the 155 limiter:-) )

Dunnik > DailyTurismo
09/23/2014 at 16:22

You know what they say, "There is nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes-Benz."

H4N5 GRU83R > Dunnik
09/24/2014 at 10:28

As a fan of sleepers I wish this was documented more. You know this isnt the first time someone has thought of this and it would be nice to know how deep the money pit actually went.

Parth985 > DailyTurismo
09/24/2014 at 10:29

This is my favorite car of all time I was going to buy one but never found one that wasn't best to hell so had to get a e39 m5 but instill lust after this

Fragile_this_side_up > DailyTurismo
09/24/2014 at 10:29

The E55 is nice, but this is what i'd have instead for about the same price. I don't care about complexity or repair issues. I lust after these so hard.:

Kinja'd!!!

alexdc > DailyTurismo
09/24/2014 at 10:30

Nice cars but I would probably pick a C43 AMG over this. still 300hp and more nimble and smaller package

DipodomysDeserti > DailyTurismo
09/24/2014 at 10:31

I'm a little confused as to why there is a picture of a German car sitting in front of a cemetery for American soldiers in France. Seems a little uncouth. Maybe the next Cadillac article should feature a CTS-V sitting in the streets of Hiroshima. And then maybe pose an NSX at Pearl Harbor?

DipodomysDeserti > Dunnik
09/24/2014 at 10:32

...unless its a diesel made before 1990.

Rock Bottom > DailyTurismo
09/24/2014 at 10:38

I like E55s fine, but C36s make my pants tight...

Dream Theater of the Absurd > DailyTurismo
09/24/2014 at 10:39

I just picked up a very nice '02 E320 a couple weeks ago for my wife. Since she won't let me drive it, I've started thinking I'll just have to get a Benz of my own. This just might be the ticket; how quickly can I get from San Jose to Torrance?

damnthisburnershitsux > DailyTurismo
09/24/2014 at 10:50

NP especially compared to today's NPoCP eagle turd for the same ducats

Kinja'd!!!

ConfusedEeGuy > Fragile_this_side_up
09/24/2014 at 10:51

They are worth every bit of that lust.

I just finished getting mine all sorted out (hopefully) - now with all maintenance caught up, all major design problems taken care of and a few cosmetics done it stands me at about 7K.

It puts so many smile son my face. Love it. Go get one.

E_Fahlman > DailyTurismo
09/24/2014 at 10:53

#becausewagon

http://vancouver.craigslist.ca/bnc/cto/466958…

Way Above zthe 5K Limit But still... Wagon

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > Fragile_this_side_up
09/24/2014 at 10:53

I don't care about complexity or repair issues .

The perfect car for date night. Sitting in the back seat, in the garage. Because the trans won't shift out of park.. :)

Fragile_this_side_up > ConfusedEeGuy
09/24/2014 at 10:56

What's worse is that my CEO has one. I have to do some work on it and every time she thinks she has a flat or a tire that is low, i get to drive it. Doesn't help my lust at all..

damnthisburnershitsux > DipodomysDeserti
09/24/2014 at 10:57

a Mitsubishi Evo at mount Rushmore, a Jeep Cherokee at Wounded Knee, a Dodge Charger in Hanoi, a Ford F-150 at Mecca, and for a grand finale a 911 in front of the Isreal Holocaust museum

Fleetwood T. Brougham > DailyTurismo
09/24/2014 at 10:57

That sweet Pep Boys steering wheel cover had better be included or GTFO.

Busslayer > DailyTurismo
09/24/2014 at 10:57

Here is a 2000 one in the Chicago area for $5k w/ only 120k miles.

http://chicago.craigslist.org/nch/cto/467826…

tobythesandwich > DailyTurismo
09/24/2014 at 11:02

Kinja'd!!!

Yeah but this is what you'll have to do just to keep it running and on the road.
*Sidenote: I apologize for any seizures induced by my .gif
*sidenote sidenote: I don't care if your grandmother's cousin's lover's third niece twice removed owned one and it went for 50000000000 miles with out an oil change. You're still an idiot.

Jcarr > DailyTurismo
09/24/2014 at 11:06

My boss has one in black that he bought new. You can always tell when spring is here to stay because the AMG emerges from hibernation and is parked in front of the office.

GrayHays > Fragile_this_side_up
09/24/2014 at 11:07

That car is 15 years old and you'd still look like a rich dick (in a good way) driving it and fishtailing around corners. I've pined for one of these since they were v6's.

NYSS > DailyTurismo
09/24/2014 at 11:10

"Run vin check before calling to verify title & history" when I see that, that leads me to believe it was at one point a salvage, stolen, repo, or other shinanigans.

kyle242gt > DailyTurismo
09/24/2014 at 11:16

No pic of the front in the article - that's where the 210's have become seriously dated looking. Almost bought a 211 E55 (the supercharged one), but ultimately decided I didn't need a car that nice. A few cars later, I wound up with a gen1 CTS-V (the nonsupercharged one) because it was like an E55 except not so nice.

josephmgreen@cuvox.de > DailyTurismo
09/24/2014 at 11:28

<<< Start working at home with Google! It's by-far the best job I've had. Last Wednesday I got a brand new BMW since getting a check for $6474 this - 4 weeks past. I began this 8-months ago and immediately was bringing home at least $77 per hour. I work through this link, go to tech tab for work detail

> www.jobs700.com

Fragile_this_side_up > GrayHays
09/24/2014 at 11:29

Inline sixes. ;)

nrj > DailyTurismo
09/24/2014 at 11:39

I think the W210s are almost 500 pounds lighter than the supercharged W211s. I've driven a W210 E55 and was surprised at how nimble it was and how quick it felt considering the low (by today's standards) power output. I used to have a W210 E430, with the smaller version of the M113 and even that car was impressively quick.

melikecars > Dunnik
09/24/2014 at 11:40

No kidding. At that price, might as well try to find 2 or 3, buy them all, and pick the best chassis and use the other 2 for parts.

DailyTurismo > Fragile_this_side_up
09/24/2014 at 11:40

You know what is funny — I just posted a $2500 XJR yesterday!!

http://www.dailyturismo.com/2014/09/2k-che…

nrj > GrayHays
09/24/2014 at 11:43

They had an inline-6 before the V8.

DailyTurismo > DipodomysDeserti
09/24/2014 at 11:44

Honestly I hadn't thought about that aspect of the pic, it was just about the best creative commons pic of a W210 E55 AMG I could find in a quick search of flickr. Next time I'll see if I can find a Jaguar in Belfast or something...

chucchinchilla > DailyTurismo
09/24/2014 at 11:45

In my mind the handicap plate (old man driver?) raises the value. Considering a big flat screen or fancy road bike can easily cost more than this car, I can't see how you could lose on this one. I'd do it. I'd do it so hard.

DailyTurismo > Rock Bottom
09/24/2014 at 11:45

I owned and daily drove a C36 a few years back. Great car, incredible engine, decent automatic, good build quality. My only complain was the steering feedback. Might as well have been driving it with a playstation controller.

DailyTurismo > Dream Theater of the Absurd
09/24/2014 at 11:46

San Jose to Torrance — 6 hours. But the trip back home would be much shorter!

DailyTurismo > tobythesandwich
09/24/2014 at 11:51

I always change the oil on my seizure inducing animated gifs every 3000 seizures.

DailyTurismo > E_Fahlman
09/24/2014 at 11:52

Whoa - super rainbow unicorn. Nice find.

DailyTurismo > Fleetwood T. Brougham
09/24/2014 at 11:53

I approve of this message.

GrayHays > nrj
09/24/2014 at 11:57

I suppose that makes more sense.

DipodomysDeserti > DailyTurismo
09/24/2014 at 11:59

I think the Irish killed more people in Belfast than the English. Maybe a Jag in Dresden.

LongbowMk2 > E_Fahlman
09/24/2014 at 12:01

A LHD Japanese market, German station wagon with a needlessly powerful V8.

Gets my Jalopnik seal of approval.

DailyTurismo > DipodomysDeserti
09/24/2014 at 12:10

Maybe in the 20th Century, but the Irish were being oppressed for centuries, check out the Great Potato Famine. But perhaps a DeLorean in London would be okay too?! This conversation is rapidly deteriorating...

foxhound > Dream Theater of the Absurd
09/24/2014 at 12:19

You bought her a car and she still won't let you drive it? That sucks.

Struts MacPherson > DailyTurismo
09/24/2014 at 12:20

Cheap to purchase. Expensive to own.

fintail > DailyTurismo
09/24/2014 at 12:24

I had a W210 E55 for 7 years. Great cars, but not without quirks and achilles heels. $4500 is one of the cheapest I've seen, so I'd be really leery.

Fleetwood T. Brougham > DailyTurismo
09/24/2014 at 12:29

Man, you're actually a contributor and your stuff is greyed out too???!!!

Kinja'd!!!

DailyTurismo > Fleetwood T. Brougham
09/24/2014 at 12:33

There is a color other than grey? I've tried taking Claritin, but that just makes my tongue numb.

lecrab > DipodomysDeserti
09/24/2014 at 12:34

Truth! Had a '87 300TDT fully loaded. Got incredibly irritated with the speed, or lack thereof. Otherwise, a tank.

Dream Theater of the Absurd > foxhound
09/24/2014 at 12:38

She was telling some friends about "her" car the other day, at which point I reminded her that both our names are on the title. If she insists on calling it "her" car, I may just have to remind her that it was paid for with MY money.

And she has let me drive it a couple times, just not as much as I'd like to. While it's not an AMG, it's still a pretty sweet ride.

AMG OMG > DailyTurismo
09/24/2014 at 12:43

the indie MB repair shop I take my AMG to has one of these as a loaner car. It's got over 100k miles and a bit of rust, but is an absolute hoot to drive. Plus I always liked the looks of the w210.

MannyBones > Fragile_this_side_up
09/24/2014 at 12:46

The last generation with the I6 (even the supercharged ones) is supposedly very reliable, especially compared to the V8's that replaced them. I was too late to jump on one I saw on CL recently.

Rock Bottom > DailyTurismo
09/24/2014 at 12:48

Sadface about the steering. They are absolutely fantastic sounding and looking cars though. And the size is just about perfect, too.

Would dragon.

DailyTurismo > Rock Bottom
09/24/2014 at 12:58

Maybe it was just mine, but it uses a reduction gearbox instead of rack-and-pinion. Gearbox steering is great for ox-carts, semi-trucks, and e39 M5s, but I'd like my sport sedans to have some more rumble in the thumble as they say. With more aggressive toe settings you might get better feedback, but my next car was an E36 M3...yeah...apples and bazookas.

Vince Pack > Dunnik
09/24/2014 at 13:17

A cheap Range Rover would give it a close race for expensivity - and some completely ridiculous crap breaks on (especially pre-bmw) Range Rovers.

Fragile_this_side_up > MannyBones
09/24/2014 at 13:32

Yeah, I like the 6's better too. They look awesome with those huge OE 5 spokes.

TheMau5master > Dunnik
09/24/2014 at 13:53

I was introduced to this saying about BMWs.

kevinspann > DailyTurismo
09/24/2014 at 13:54

VIN in the ad was wrong, it's WDBJF74H0XA820383. Car was brought from Canada in 2002 (So should have KM speedometer and odometer), and had a "minor" accident reported in 2000. All per Carfax, but you never know what isn't reported.

davedave1111 > DailyTurismo
09/24/2014 at 13:55

Delorean in London shouldn't be too hard to find, if you're going with the Troubles.

Captain_Spadaro > DailyTurismo
09/24/2014 at 14:31

The engine was SOHC, not DOHC.

soney gande > DailyTurismo
09/24/2014 at 14:53

Start working at home with Google! It's by-far the best job I've had. Last Wednesday I got a brand new BMW since getting a check for $6474 this - 4 weeks past. I began this 8-months ago and immediately was bringing home at least $77 per hour. I work through this link, go to tech tab for work detail

www.Jobs7000.Com

Weber's Benz > Rock Bottom
09/24/2014 at 16:43

I know this guy.....he sold the car to the passenger. See GWS Mercedes Club!

johnhef > Rock Bottom
09/24/2014 at 16:48

ahh the memories. I miss that car. might have to find another one someday.

johnhef > E_Fahlman
09/24/2014 at 16:53

that is awesome. can't say I've ever seen nor heard of a 210 55 wagon before.

gm0n3y > E_Fahlman
09/24/2014 at 16:59

Hey, that's in my hood. I'll have to keep an eye out for it, though I really dislike the front end on the Mercedes of that era.

I keep seeing a white JDM Mitsubishi wagon around my place, can't remember the model. It's definitely unique.

gm0n3y > E_Fahlman
09/24/2014 at 17:09

This one is pretty awesome too:

http://vancouver.craigslist.ca/van/cto/467312…

$10k for a 93 W140 600SEL with the V12. Only 40,000km. Also JDM.

syaieya > DailyTurismo
09/24/2014 at 17:50

The thing about the W210's that I've seen is that even though they can be prettied up, there's still a good chance that it's rotting in weird places.

These can be very fickle cars, They'll break and burn out in areas and though it's cheap now, I'd be very wary of getting it unless you know how to do your own work.

GBond > MannyBones
09/24/2014 at 19:32

My dad has the Vanden Plas from 1996, the last year for the I6 and although he doesn't drive it much it hasn't given much trouble. Cost him 9k over 5 years ago and all that's gone wrong was a steering fluid leak (right on top of the exhaust so there were big clouds of smoke that made us think it'd be something more serious), an O2 sensor and some electrical gremlins with the heated seats, sunroof, radio and steering wheel adjustment but that's expected from an 18 year old car.

E_Fahlman > gm0n3y
09/24/2014 at 21:51

i think Ive seen that same wagon. Does it have gold wheels?

Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura > DailyTurismo
09/25/2014 at 00:14

I can't remember if I drove the V6 variant of the E320 (Maybe a I6) but it felt nice to drive and everything worked. They wanted it a $4K and the mileage was at 130,000.

To this day, I still ask myself why didn't I buy it, maintenance be damned.

nrj > johnhef
09/25/2014 at 00:16

We never officially got the W210 E55 wagons in North America. I remember reading years ago on some of the MB forums that there are a few examples somewhere in California. Weirdly enough, it seems that most of them were 4Matics.

yamanote > NYSS
09/25/2014 at 03:00

Ran an Autocheck on it and the only odd thing is that it appears to be a Canadian market car (imported to NY from Ontario in May 2002).

MannyBones > GBond
09/25/2014 at 09:41

I was really wanting one of those to replace my wife's car (and as the "long trip/family" vehicle), but even the normal, non-LWB version is too big for her to be comfortable driving.

NYSS > yamanote
09/25/2014 at 13:29

thats wierd considering they have a higher sales tax in Canada, you would think people would do that the other way around.

also, how did the person get around the fact that it didn't have NE1 emissions?

gm0n3y > E_Fahlman
09/25/2014 at 15:01

I can't remember the wheels.

yamanote > NYSS
09/25/2014 at 15:51

Not only higher sales tax, but also a higher initial purchase price... I would think it more likely that the owner moved from Ontario to NY and brought his car with him, as opposed to someone buying the car from the owner in Canada, for those reasons.

Kinja'd!!!

NYSS > yamanote
09/25/2014 at 18:26

very interesting... the reason why Im so interested is that I just left my sales job at a dealership that I've been at for the last 5 years, and I am in the process of getting my own wholesale and retail license in NY. Trying to get a feel for the world of craigslist and auction cars before I jump in.

If your wondering why I left, I was fired for a silly reason, and Ive had enough of the bullshit being employed by a New Car dealer, long hours, little pay, abusive management... but I love selling and dealing with customers, so I figure open my own place.

Thanks for the info!

yamanote > NYSS
09/25/2014 at 20:37

Ahh I see. Just read your piece on Oppo... best of luck with your new venture!