The Replacement

[fxjackso]

With changes in my personal situation, mainly a new job with a 4 mile commute, vs the old 50 (each way!) I have treated myself to a replacement. I picked up a 2002 MB E55. Like a lot of these , it is near new, having been owned by a fanatic who put 8,000 miles on it in 3 years. And yes, he changed the oil (Mobil 1 original fill) 6 times at the dealer.

Driving wise, it is everything you imagine it should be. I often think about, and some of you know, what is must have been like to drive a Q in 1990. Instead of being way above 85%+ of the cars on the road, like it is now, it must have been at the 99th percentile. That, friends, is what the E55 is like. I can't imagine the supercharged one (current model). The combination of engine, handling, ride and brakes, oh, those brakes, is what you would design if you could.

I will be cleaning up my 1990 and selling it. It is basically maintained to NICO standards, but it has two weaknesses. First, the shocks (Black/Blue) have 60,000 miles and its time to replace them. More seriously, it uses oil. It seems to be a valve seal problem, since it will load up with a long idle or deceleration. It runs and idles well, and when I replaced the plugs 10,000 miles ago they were not fouled. But it has all the original body panels, and glass, with only the hood having been repainted, and the interior has not a single crack in the leather. Everything works. Maybe someone will love its bone stock looks.

So, I'm not sure how this will go. If I had all the pieces in a pile, some of you would want the two JWT computers and Level 10 PTS 3 as much as the whole car. I just won't have time for anything like that.

[Jesda]

Thank goodness you avoided the S-class.

[maxnix]

Interesting, Ardvarkus just got an M5, so maybe you can race.

He is keeping his Q45 for now.

[HeavyDuty]

Congrats on the new acquisition! I hope it gives you as much pleasure as the Q has.

Funny you mentioning what it would have been like owning a Q in 1990. Good analogy.

A friend has a 04 E55 I have dibs on when his lease expires in June 07.

By hook or by crook, I'll be ready.

[AlabamaDan]

Are the Q owners on a decline? I hope not, but given that the new Qs aren't comparable, it doesn't surprise me. Just sad.

[elwesso]

Are the Q owners on a decline? I hope not, but given that the new Qs aren't comparable, it doesn't surprise me. Just sad.

Unfortuately, as much as it hurts me, our fellow Q owners are moving onto bigger and better things

I wont be doing so anytime soon!

[squeefoo]

Congrats. I'm also looking at those -once I buy my exurban slice of heaven. You mentioned the brakes -I thought in '02 they went to wire control, and the blower was available in '02 also. Anything else strike you about it as an owner now as compared to a Q?

[fxjackso]

It is drive by wire, but no blower. The car was built 11/01. I think that the AMG's are usually introduced in June-, so they are like 2001 1/2's.

[maxnix]

Even with the retro 3 valve heads, the car will have to be a lot cheaper to maintain without the supercharger.

[Q45tech]

I keep dreaming of a 5.6 liter long block and transmission sitting in a 90 Q as OBD1 allows a more modern engine from the same family [not in California].

Hope lots of Titan QX56 owners have wrecks [not at fault] soon.

[maxnix]

You know Dennis, now would be a good time to start a thread on the analysis of the breathing capabilities of the VK56DE.

I noticed another post of yours on a board far away and was surprised the VH45DE had better breathing capabilities than the VQ35DE. Explains alot about the G50 acceleration capabilities once it is underway.

[AlabamaDan]

I heard that this year is the last for th Q45s, no more in 06+. They've supposedly gone back to the drawing board for a new flagship, which won't be the Q45. I actually heard they've produced all the 2005 Q45s that are going to be sold in the US already.

[squeefoo]

I keep dreaming of a 5.6 liter long block and transmission sitting in a 90 Q as OBD1 allows a more modern engine from the same family

I've wondered about that. Also whether the super charger from (whichever) truck would fit the same car engine. I forget which but noticed the same Nissan engine in both. Surely thought I'd see it here first.

[docsmile71]

POST PICS!!!! The old E55's are sweet. Total sleeper.

[texasoil]

Just be sure you keep the warranty in force. MBZ repair parts have skyrocketed 200-500% in the last year. 'Computer boxes' routinely over $3000 now. Lots of computer glitches (system integration done poorely) resulting in lots of running changes to the boxes and lackof backward compatability. Sometimes have to change multiple boxes.

[fxjackso]

Extended to 7 years /72,000 miles. I was skeptical because I heard that warranty companies were allergic to AMG. Local MBZ dealers will service and deal directly with CNA, who povides this.

[AZhitman]

fx - please email me re a couple things relevant to your Q.

([email protected])

Thanks man!

[HeavyDuty]

TTT

fxjackso, please check e-mail.

TIA