The Pick of the Day, a 2001 Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG, is a family hauler that’s capable of hitting 60 mph in about five seconds. It’s a limited-production performance model from Germany that will turn 20 years old next year.
When the W210 chassis Mercedes-Benz E-Class debuted for the 1996 model year, it brought with it some notable “firsts,” including being the first production Mercedes-Benz with Xenon headlights and ushering in a new design direction for the brand. That design work had been underway since the early 1990s and had taken a several years to bring to life, largely because of the engineering behind it.
The impressive variety of configurations for the E-Class drivetrain included five available gasoline engines and two available diesel engines. The most powerful of those engines lies under the hood of this Mercedes, a 5.4-liter V8 with 349 horsepower. The badge on the sedan’s trunk lid denotes that this is a special creation from AMG, the high-performance subsidiary of Daimler AG.
The dealership in Rowlett, Texas, advertising the Mercedes on ClassicCars.com makes it clear that this E55 has been very well cared for and still delivers impressive performance at 19 years old.
“It is startlingly fast, with absolutely no lag in throttle response,” the ad reads. “It tracks straight down the road and handles much better than you would expect for a car this size.
“Recent maintenance includes work to the air conditioning system, spark plugs, coil packs, valve cover gaskets, motor mounts and other service items.
The list of options on this car reads about like you would expect for a vehicle that sold for more than $70,000 when new in 1996. The E55 model stood apart from lower models by sporting upgraded suspension, brakes and aero treatments.
And this black Mercedes is said to have a special interior trim called Designo that makes it even more unique and rare; the two-tone seats look to be in nice condition.
The sleek lines of the E55 have aged well over the last two decades, and Obsidian Black is a fitting color for a German muscle car that delivers luxury and performance in one sweet package. It’s available for $14,500 or best offer.
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
