Hammer Wagon: 2001 Mercedes-Benz E55 – Sold?

October 29, 2022, Update – We just confirmed the listing for this “Classifind” expired, so with no replacement found we’re assuming this ride “Sold?” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call us directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

The Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG sedan remains one of the stronger performance bargains today. Sure, it’s still a mid-$20,000’s purchase at the bottom end, but you’re getting an incredible amount of car for the money. Knowing this, we should all be looking at our local classifieds pages for one to bring home, but if you prefer to up the ante, you’ll look for the forbidden fruit we never received stateside: the E55 AMG wagon. Well, there’s one that’s quite close to home (if you consider Canada close compared to Japan or the UK) and in seemingly very nice condition, originally listed in September 2022 on Craigslist in West Vancouver for $26,500 with 166,000 miles on the clock. Comparing that price against the Classic.com model guide shows an average sale price of just over $17,000. Still, it isn’t a perfect science because the wagon was unavailable stateside – and is significantly rarer on our shores.

The Mercedes W210 series strikes me as a relatively unloved era of the E-Class that may soon wake up in a big way. Although it was a let-down for no other reason than following in the footsteps of the mighty W124, think about what has come afterward. The company has continuously evolved into a marque of the unexceptional, with only its most exclusive and expensive models likely to become automotive icons. This, of course, it not a pattern unique to Mercedes, as most automakers seem stubbornly opposed to offering any models with sporting characteristics outside of its most expensive offerings, save for some of the Japanese brands and, of course, the domestics. The W210 was the last era where Mercedes gave every driver the option to drive a striking, timeless car with simple controls and powerful engines regardless of cylinder count. The E55 was an exclamation mark, representing the last of the truly hand-built AMG cars. In many ways, the W210 was the final chapter in the history of overbuilt Mercedes vehicles.

The Roads Untraveled YouTube Channel features this video of a similar 2001 E55 Wagon that provides a great perspective on just how capable these long roofs are:

The E55 is a proven powerhouse, with a 5.4 liter V8 under the hood churning out a still-respectable 349 horsepower and close to 400 ft.-lbs. of torque. A 5-speed automatic managed the power with no option for a manual. The production numbers totaled around 12,000, which means there’s a decent supply out there compared to other limited-production super sedans. In the case of the wagon, I couldn’t dig up specific production numbers, but it’s a safe bet that far fewer were produced. The seller claims this rocket ship wagon benefits from all the necessary engine and transmission services, along with new engine mounts, H&R lowering springs, new spark plugs, and recently refinished AMG “monoblock” wheels. The paint has also been detailed and looks to be in fine shape. There is no information provided on the history of this particular E55 wagon, but one of the last ones we saw imported came from Japan. Hot rod wagons are a car enthusiast’s delight, and this one would definitely be a tasty piece of forbidden fruit.

Here’s the seller’s description:

“E55 AMG Station Wagon, Rare in Canada and USA, Black Package, Clean Title, Clean Carfax, No rust no accident, 3rd-row seat as an Option, all Engine and Transmission services Done recently, brand New H&R performance Spring, Mew Engine Mounts, AMG Monoblock 18 inch Rims refinished, the body had 2 stage Polished, new spark plugs, new Pioneer Stereo (Bluetooth, HD radio, CD, USB) A/C on, Limited Production = Collector Plate

USA customers – on the NHTSA eligibility list (NHTSA 03-5887) for USA imports through a registered importer.

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2003/03/12/03-5887/decision-that-nonconforming-1996-2002-mercedes-benz-e-class-w210-passenger-cars-are-eligible-for “

Gray market hot rod: have you ever seen a W210 E55 AMG wagon in the flesh before?