2000 Mercedes-Benz E Class - Review

Money may not be able to buy happiness, but it can buy the Mercedes Benz E55.

And while this car will not make your life eternal bliss, a drive in it is sure to etch a smile on your face, deeply.

And, unlike some sports cars, you won't have to look as if you’re having a mid-life crisis while you’re driving the E55. With only subtle exterior cues to differentiate it from any other Mercedes E-class, the E55 is stealthy. Casual observers will probably dismiss the car as nothing special — the only cues on the outside of the E55, besides badging, are twin chrome exhaust outlets, 18-inch AMG monoblock wheels and subtle changes to the fascias and side sills.

However, the E55 is not just any Mercedes. While it may look quite ordinary, a 349-horsepower 5.5-liter V-8 lurks under its hood. And the AMG wheels conceal larger brakes with 13.2-in diameter vented rotors in front and 11.8-in vented rotors in the rear.

The five-seater four-door can, so equipped, hurtle to 60 mph in less than five seconds. The car's massive brakes can slow it from that speed to a halt in a mere 120 feet. As these numbers suggest, the E55 is anything but ordinary.

While there are faster cars out there, this one is unlike any other. Routed exclusively through a five-speed automatic transmission, the E55’s potency is visceral but easy to use. With the standard Electronic Stability Program left switched on, the whole affair is relatively foolproof — even an amateur driver can safely approach maximum acceleration with this car. Just plant your foot and hang on.