W210 vs W211 controversy

[LCat]

Trying to choose between thouse 2 cars. I'm choosing betwee 2003 W211 and 2001 w210. I understand what acceleration is night and day. But to me 1/4 mile runs are not that important. What about driving experience, handling, quality of ride, highway behavior, etc. I unerstand what 211 should come with more ammenities but this particular specimens I'm looking at 211 seems to be a base load and 210 is full load with nav/phone/vented seats/designeo(and I love it), parktronic and anything else availiable. What do you think. What about build quality - matereials used etc... Also from a standpoint of relaiability - I know what w210 are relaible cars - what about 211s? Any ideas greatly apreciated

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[UCIMBZ]

Let’s start by saying that, yes they are night and day. The 210 has a nostalgic value being the last model ever to be assembled by hand at AMG’s Affelterbach factory. Witch may or may not be appreciated by every one. It started as one of the best platforms that MB created and from then went on to receive special treatment to become an AMG thoroughbred. All AMG models built after 2003 had only their engines build by hand at the new AMG plant and the rest is assembled alongside the regular non-AMG models on the assembly line. The 2003 AMG Kompressor engines are not flawless and there are a lot of problems reported about them that you might need to do some search on. Other things you may consider is the fact that 211’s are newer and more refined with more advanced technology implemented into them but 210’a have sort of a raw performance image about them that dates back to pre Chrysler era that some might also appreciate. Performance wise 211’s can beat not only 210’s but also a lot of other sports cars on the road and they are hardly surpassed by any. Maintenance cost is also more with 2003 211’s witch is the first model year unlike the 2001 210 being almost the last model year witch pretty much most of the bugs have been worked out. Having said that most w210’s must have hit rock bottom price by now while the W211’s still have a long way to go down. Another issue you may consider is the rarity of 2001 W210 (about 500 imported) whereas thousands imported for 2003 W211. One thing that has bugged me for quite some time is that MB changes AMG engine configuration during the same body platform. They did that to W220 S55 buy going form 5.5NA to 5.5K thus making the 2001 and 2002 W220 S55 obsolete. They did the same thing to W211 by changing the 5.5K to 6.3NA thus making the 5.5K in the same body style obsolete and less desirable witch in return caused their prices to drop dramatically. W210 E55 AMG doesn’t suffer from that syndrome so they are unique in their own way. If you have notice most of the issues I have pointed out are more of an emotional state than technical but these are the things that made me buy mine.

[Timeless]

Very nice write up UCIMBZ.

I would add that IF you go the 211 route, go with a 2004+ model as I have heard/read many problems in the 2003 model that they seem to have ironed out in the later models. That being said, an FI engine like the 211 is always going to be more maintanence oriented than a NA engine like the 210.

[Eurosport]

well put

[thebenzbar]

Good analysis UCIMBZ.

I too like the W211 AMGs but cost wise, the w210 AMGs are quite a bargain nowadays... These E55's had a sticker north of 70K and now you can find a real nice example for 20K or less. Not bad of a deal IMO.

Now if I had all the money in the world, then I'd get a newer W211 E55 or a brand new E63 which I would prefer due to its n/a engine - but I would still keep my W210 E55. To me, the W210 retains the classic MB look along with its timeless qualities while still looking modern and quite attractive & handsome in today's standards. It may not be the fastest AMG sedan now, but it's still a very powerful beast that's a handful for many out there!

[SleepersRock]

Fantastic write up.

My only advice would be if you desire sheer performance above all else then get 2004+ W211. If you are an MB nut like most of us, you will get more pleasure out of the better built 210 knowing what it is. My car may not be as fast as as a 211 but there are still few non-sports cars out there that do 0-60 in 5 flat. Plus you can still burn actual sports cars like I burn mustangs, camaros, beemers etc. all the time.

[ABALONE]

I agree with you.

To me the W210 is the classic E55 and a favorite of mine among all cars out there, far more classic and yet more brutal looking then the W211 wich to my eyes has more the look of a sport limousine with the more slope back window.

Of course not as fast as the W211, but on the other hand the W211 isn't the fastest car out there, there will always be a faster car then the one you buy.

[LCat]

Now, just to give everybody idea and put things in to prospective - price difference between them is $7K + w211 has t6 be shipped from SF which will cost me extra, but tax benefites of me buying W211 will make price difference only $3K after all. What I like about W210 is what it's practicly MINT with perfect interior and 2 small scratches on exterior and comes with OK warranty for next 33K miles. Also like look of designeo. I love fast cars but if I need to scratch that bug I have highly modified SHO which lays out 404hp at front weels, weights 2950 lbs, 0.93g on skidpad and I did slalom at 70.2 mph also goes 60-0 in 112 feet . Do not ask me what I did to it but over 8 years of active mods I dumped $90K + and whent through 3 engines. Sadly enough I have driven it maybe 3-5 times in a last 2 years. So I'm not really looking for a monster as my daily drive. I do not mind extra hp - well who does but it's not going to make or brake it. What I'm looking for is a built quality, ammenities, safety and RELAIABILITY. My brother has twin turbo CL 600 - 2003 - it goes from repair shop to repair shop. And although he has warrnty which takes care of most oh $$$ - his feeling is NEVER MORE. It really gets to you if` you can't rely on your car to be there for you in the morning. BTW gas milege is also important to me since I do drive a lot. And what bothers me in the W211 what I would not be able to integrate my phone in it easliy since it does not come with phone system. It also does not come with navigation but given quality of W210 command nav by today's standarts I'm probably going to use external unit anyway. Parktronik is a nice option though cuz I do drive in Manhattan a lot. Space is important - which one is more spacios? So what do you guys think )))))))))))

[Yacht Master]

Something is wrong with your prices, the difference is way too close. Either the W210 is way over priced or the W211 is on a salvage title. Car for car all things equal the W211 should cost at least 2X as much as W210.
The lowest auction price on a W211 E55 I have ever seen was $29K.
Even the cleanest W210 E55 low miles can be had for $14K.

I own both (210 is a 430 sport) and have no bias. Don't ask me what car I prefer, there really is no controversy.

[xlr8tin]

I know I loved my 210,and miss it very much right now. The 210 owners will tell you to go 210 and the 211 owners will tell you 211. As far as being reliable, my 210 wasn't too bad. Mostly electrical, but usually switches. Not a big deal.

I know it costs more to add HP the 210, when you can get the 211 with the HP already there.

I personally would love to own a 211 E55. If you can't afford a 2004+ 211,than you may need to buy a 210. Plan and simple.

[LCat]

Originally Posted by Yacht Master

Something is wrong with your prices, the difference is way too close. Either the W210 is way over priced or the W211 is on a salvage title. Car for car all things equal the W211 should cost at least 2X as much as W210.
The lowest auction price on a W211 E55 I have ever seen was $29K.
Even the cleanest W210 E55 low miles can be had for $14K.

Price for W210 is 19K and is a best price I could find givenall the options, condition and WARRANTY. Price for E55 is $26K and it's a car with NO options and not in the greate shape - scratches, etc + I will be buying 2 cars from that same dealer - which affected price. None of them are salvaged or has beein in accidents since they have a original paint

[thebenzbar]

Originally Posted by LCat

Price for W210 is 19K and is a best price I could find givenall the options, condition and WARRANTY. Price for E55 is $26K and it's a car with NO options and not in the greate shape - scratches, etc + I will be buying 2 cars from that same dealer - which affected price. None of them are salvaged or has beein in accidents since they have a original paint

If I was limited to only those that you mentioned then I would likely buy the W210 E55 as long as it's in great condition.
A W211 E55 that is "not in the greatest shape" could spell disaster ahead!
If you're not in a rush, then take your time and wait until a gem comes along your way... good luck!

[LCat]

Not limited to thouse 2 cars but budjet is limited to $26-28K tops.

[thebenzbar]

Originally Posted by LCat

Not limited to thouse 2 cars but budjet is limited to $26-28K tops.

With continuous searching and some perseverance, you can hopefully find a clean w211 E55 for that budget. OR you get a real clean W210 E55 and likely still have about $10k+ leftover for whatever else you need to spend on (or save).

[RAFFIE55]

I would go for the W210. I have been really happy with mine and mine is the first year (1999). With the little Mods I did I think my 0-60 is less then 5 seconds. And the w211 is 4.5? The W210s are a bit lighter hence don't need 469 to go almost the same 0-60. I have raced a few W211 and let me tell you if you get the jump on them you will be ahead for a little while. If you race 1/4 then they will pass you. bottom line W210 better looking and more reliable

[geo1400]

I think with the reported reliabilty issues on the 2003 211, your going to end up blowing your budget wthin 6 months of putting miles on it. I agree with Benzbar on that one.

I own a full option Designo 210 and it is a tremendous car. The looks are far more masculine in my opinion and I get comments from strangers on how striking the Designo is. Ok, i've got a couple of switches that don't work but with 105,000 kms on the clock it pulls like a train on speed and is showing no signs of letting up. The only time you might feel like your missing that little extra performance is when you try and chase the likes of a 911 Turbo or Lambo... if that bothers you then buy one of them instead!!

My opinion - I would buy a Mint, full optioned, rare, cheaper 210 anyday over a basic "ropey" more expensive 211.

Best of luck and make sure you post up some pictures of the Designo!!

Geo

[SleepersRock]

Originally Posted by LCat

What I'm looking for is a built quality, ammenities, safety and RELAIABILITY. My brother has twin turbo CL 600 - 2003 - it goes from repair shop to repair shop. And although he has warrnty which takes care of most oh $$$ - his feeling is NEVER MORE. It really gets to you if` you can't rely on your car to be there for you in the morning. BTW gas milege is also important to me since I do drive a lot. )))))))))))

This means you need a 210 hands down. Bullet proof tranny and engine comapared to the 211. Hardly any major work with regular maintenence. The most I spent was replacing the motor mounts and maybe the MAF. Mine is a DD and is great at it.

Plus 25mpg crusing at 75mph on the free way. 15-16 city. Combined for me 30-35 miles a day 90% city 10% freeway = 18-19 mpg. When it was opposite 90% freeway 10% city and 120-180 miles a day I was getting 22-23mpg.

Hope that helps.

[thebenzbar]

^ Again, I agree. Even though the mighty w211 E55 is to crave for, a w210 E55 is still a good one to get especially for a first-AMG'er...

As for safety and amenities - we all know that MB makes one of the safest sedans in the world, and newer MB's from the late 90's to present are loaded with desirable amenities/options.

As for reliability - sometimes it's a hit or miss... there are always a few rough ones in every batch of gems for any MB model. But it's known that the w210 will cost less to maintain than a w211.

My plan also is to keep & enjoy mine... and eventually (hopefully) get a CPO w204 C63 in a few years or so down the road, after the depreciation has taken its toll.

[MrMotul]

Hello all, I have just transfered from a W124 E500 Limited, to a 2000 (Facelift) E55 AMG, and whilst I think the Build Quality on the Latter is not in the same ballpark as the W124, the Sheer Power and Handling Capabilties of the W210 are OVERWHELMING, As Ronnie McDonee says " Im Loving it""

Regards,

Terry.

[ProV1]

i'd stay away from all 03 W211s. warranty or not

w211 e55k is a fantasic car, the power is unreal, but where can u really go that fast? 11-12mpg city gas mileage is not worth the extra power for my uses. w210 e55 is plenty fast enough

[trinitony]

and prices for the W211 is at all time low. Would you guys upgrade to a 2004+ now? And it's not gonna cost you any financial stress etc....

[Timeless]

2005+ would be the way...some are going as low as $30K right now.

[Tacjam]

Hmmmm....I think I'll be keeping my W210....W211's are awesome cars, if I were to upgrade...it would be an 07 (facelift model) but I'm happy with mine.

[armaniE55]

Bringing this one back to life.... Don't think I read this one before...

Armani

[CONDEMNED]

If you want power grab the w210 and then build it to the world record car specs. Then walk the w211.