2000 Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG

Mercedes-Benz W210 E55 AMG (Saloon), 1998-2002

The Mercedes-Benz W210 E55 AMG was in production from 1998 until 2002. Styled in house by Steve Mattin, it is a front-engine, rear wheel drive saloon range seating five adults.

The E55 AMG was based on the standard W210 E-class in V8 form, the E430. It used an enlarged 5.4 litre version of the V8, lower, stiffer suspension, and big alloys with low profile tyres to increase grip. Produced by AMG for Mercedes-Benz, it replaced the six cylinder E36 AMG which had carried over from the W124 line. While far less subtle in styling than contemporary big saloons such as the Jaguar XJR and BMW 540i, the AMG Mercedes had earned itself a reputation for blistering performance in comfortable surroundings. In 1999 the whole W210 E-class range received a facelift, and the E55 was no exception. The facelift meant lower front wings, a remodelled grille which more closely resembled the CLK coupe, and new bumpers with quarter strips in place of full width rubbing strips. When production ended in 2002, the E55 AMG was replaced by a new E55 built into the shell of the new W211 E-class series.

All E55s use Mercedes-Benz's M113 series V8 with three valves per cylinder, in 5.4 litre form. They're naturally aspirated, unlike their successor, offering 349bhp and 391lb.ft of torque. A highly developed variant of the same engine was used in the McLaren Mercedes SLR. Mercedes-Benz's own in-house 722.6 five speed automatic transmission was the sole transmission offered, also used in the E55's competitor, the Jaguar XJR.

The E55 feels like a large Mercedes, only faster. Despite the W210 using Mercedes-Benz's first steering rack, it was set up to feel like a traditional steering box, so while it's direct, it's light and it's got a little dead weight around the middle to ensure a poorly timed sneeze doesn't knock you off course. It's firmer than a standard E-class, but still very supple, and while the seats are more supportive than those in a more pedestrian Merc they still retain that quality of getting more comfortable the longer you stay in them. This isn't a car for hooligans - it's too grown up. But it's riotous fun nonetheless.

The biggest enemy of the W210 series is rust. Check the front arches, the rear arches, the sills, around the boot lock, the bottoms of the doors and pretty much any other metal edge you can think of. Mercedes was experimenting with water based paint, and didn't quite get the rustproofing right with that in mind. Beside that, check for accident damage as with any high performance car. Mercs are usually fairly good in terms of optional equipment longevity, though it's as well to check that the air con blows cold. We all know that it's never "just a regas".

Models with Mercedes' Designo trim package can either be worth far more or far less than standard cars, depending upon the taste of the first keeper. However, this needs to be borne in mind if you ever intend to sell - you might like a gold car with red leather, but few will. Best for resale are muted metallics, such as silver or Obsidian Black, with dark interiors in a single tone. Pre facelift cars are more handsome, and have fewer toys to break, but the specification level of cars built after the 1999 facelift is often better and many will find these cars more appealing.

Obvious rivals would include the tamer Mercedes-Benz E430, for those on a budget who still want the majesty of an E class with a V8 engine. It's slower, but should still do 60 in around 6 seconds. Outside Mercedes, the BMW E39 M5 would be well worth a look; produced to compete with the E55, it's a sharper drive and more collectible today. Jaguar's XJR V8 would also be worth considering - just as quick as the Mercedes, but less brash than either of the German alternatives. If you want real performance from your sports saloon, look no further than the Audi RS6.