Jul 9th 2025

Like the E55? How about the ‘other’ supercharged AMGs?

The E55 was the fastest sedan at the time, capable of a low 12-second ¼-mile pass in stock form. But, do you know the other models that share the same legendary engine?

We all know and love the E55 AMG, that is, the one with the 5.4L supercharged V8. The thing is, there are a handful of other Mercedes that came with the same engine. Despite being just as powerful, sometimes these others get forgotten about.

Today, we’re going to cover each vehicle that came with the infamous M113-Kompressor engine. If you’ve ever browsed Marketplace for an E55, you’ve probably stumbled across these ‘other’ models. You might have even seen an S55 at a suspiciously low price. By the end of this article, you’ll understand why certain models can be so cheap, often getting parted out, while others are steadily appreciating.

In case you don’t know, the M113K is pretty good.

The main thing that separates the AMG from the others is the engine. After all, you don’t see people getting excited about a V6 E320, do you? If you clicked on this article, you probably know a thing or two about the supercharged V8, but if not, here’s a summary:

What makes the M113K special?

The ‘Kompressor’ or supercharger is its distinguishing feature. This isn’t the same thing as the roots blower on your Grandpappy’s Pontiac. It’s a twin-screw style, which is a lot closer to a turbo in terms of efficiency than those old-school hair dryers of the past. And to keep the air cool, it uses a water-to-air intercooler.

They didn’t just stick on a supercharger and call it a day. The ‘K’ engine got a stouter bottom end. Overall, the basic architecture stayed more or less the same–simplicity was king: single overhead cams w/ 3 valves per cylinder and no variable timing. The heads were also updated with a better flowing port design, valve train, and bigger cams.

All together, the M113k makes 493 crank horsepower. More expensive models got a higher HP rating by Mercedes, but all of them have been found to make the same figures.

M113k engine bay

What’s great about this platform is how tunable it is. With just a smaller pulley, some headers, and a tune, you can pick up an easy 50HP. If you want to go farther, no problem, there is tons of aftermarket support.

There’s really no weak point or common failure on these engines, unlike the NA 6.2 that replaced it, which suffers from breaking head bolts. These engines are known to reliably hold 600+ HP and love it. Not only that, they’ve been known to go well over 200K miles if properly maintained.

The only real downside we could come up with is that the supercharger is an extra part that needs maintenance. In reality, they only need an oil change every 30K and don’t fail very often

M113K’s transmission

The transmission is nothing special, but it gets the job done. It’s a ‘5G-Tronic’, or in other words, a traditional 5-speed automatic. It doesn’t have the lightning-fast shifts of a modern DCT, but it supports the power and can give you countless launches.

Like the engine, the transmission can be tuned. The transmission controller (TCU) can be tuned to make it feel a bit more snappy.

All M113K-equipped cars

Despite having the same drivetrain, each model has its own vibe. We’re going to go through each one, weighing their pros and cons.

E55 AMG 2003-2006 (W211)

e55 amg

If you’re only familiar with one of these cars, this is the one. But why is the E55 AMG the most well-known? Well, probably because it’s the lightest, and therefore, the fastest (excluding the ultra-rare CLK DTM). It comes in at 4,087 lbs. Heavy, but remember: it has seating for 5 and a big trunk.

Note: weights vary depending on year, trim level, and who you ask. We used the same source for all the curb weights. They may not be 100%, but they give a rough comparison across the lineup.

For an example with a clean title, normal mileage, and no major issues, expect to pay in the range of $10-15K. A running car needing some TLC should be priced between 7-10K, depending on what’s needed.

If you were trying to buy one at the absolute price floor, you probably missed the boat. Prices are starting to go up. With that said, these cars are still excellent value for money. At the price point, what else is capable of a low 12-second pass in stock form? And because they were the most heavily produced model between 03-06, there are still plenty to choose from.

In terms of looks, the E55 is neither offensive enough to make anyone hate it, nor bold enough to get unnecessary attention–it’s the perfect sleeper. If it’s too tame for you, try an E63 bumper, splitters, lowering links, and you’re left with a pretty aggressive looking sedan.

If you want a more aggressive look from the factory, check out the E’s close relative.

CLS55 AMG 2004-2006 (C219)

CLS55 amg

If you’re looking at the E-Class AMG, you should also consider the CLS-Class. The CLS55 is basically the same car, just wearing a different outfit. When it was introduced in 04, Mercedes tried to push it as having a ‘stiffer, more sporty chassis’. In reality, it’s virtually identical to the E55, just with a different look and extra 50 or so lbs.

These cars have a sleeker, aggressive look and can run wider wheels and tires. Some people love them, others prefer the E-Class. The interior is slightly less spacious due to the shape of the roof. As a tradeoff, the instruments are more driver-centric.

CLS55 AMG

The CLS and E are the only AMGs with AirMatic. This is a big perk considering the alternative. We’ll explain suspension later.

From our research, we found that these are trending a bit higher than the E55: somewhere in the region of 12-18K. This is probably because of the rarity factor due to lower production.

It all comes down to your opinion of how the CLS looks. The extra weight can easily be dropped, either by removing some baggage (like the spare tire) or going for some lighter flow-formed or forged wheels.

S55 AMG 2003-2006 (W220)

S55 AMG

Now for the supersized sedan–the S-Class. This one is towards the bottom in most categories, but practicality isn’t one of them. These cars have tons of interior and trunk space… and that's about where the pros run out.

Why do people not like the S55 AMG? It’s not specifically the AMG, but the entire W220 platform. The first thing is that it’s the heaviest, not including the G55. It’s generally considered to have a ‘cheap’ feel, sharing components with mid-tier models. It’s still super luxurious compared to, say, a pickup, but this is a flagship Mercedes.

Also, while completely subjective, it’s considered to look a bit bland. Frankly, a stock W220 doesn’t stand out in traffic.

But, the S55 still has that V8 Kompressor, and once you start seeing how well they're priced, you might have a change of heart, but there’s a reason you can consistently find them between 6-12K. The main reason for this is the ABC suspension (more on this later), and also electrical gremlins that are unique to this chassis.

The prices on these cars make them seem appealing, but you need to know what you’re getting yourself into.

CL55 AMG 2003-2006 (W215)

CL55 AMG

The CL-Class is the coupe version of the S55, it even shares the same rear end. The CL is slightly lighter and more sporty, but still 100-200 lbs heavier than the E55 or CLS55. This is also an ABC car, which accounts for a lot of the weight. It uses aluminum and plastic body panels to help offset some of those extra pounds.

The advantage of the CL over the S-Class is that it doesn’t have the same electrical issues, or, at least, it doesn’t have any more than the average early-2000s luxury car. Naturally, you’re going to sacrifice a bit of utility–it’s a coupe after all.

CL55 AMG

The CL55 has the lowest production of what we’ve looked at so far: only 2,658 made. You would think this adds to the price, but we’re seeing them trend at similar prices to the E55: 10-15K, or, less for cars needing some work.

If you’re willing to ditch the ABC for coils, the CL55 could be a good choice. Again, it kinda comes down to your opinion of the looks. Some people think the front end doesn't match the car. If you’re in this crowd, the next model might be more appealing.

SL55 AMG 2003-2008 (R230)

SL55 AMG

Just like the E55 was the fastest sedan at launch, this was the fastest convertible. The SL55 is by far the sportiest, but also the least practical. It’s only a two-seater and has about ⅓ of the trunk space compared to an E-Class .

Despite their looks, they’re still pretty heavy. While lighter than the S and CL, these also have ABC, making them heavier than the E and CLS. If any model on this list is right for a coilover conversion, this would be the one. They're less practical, so it would make sense to have a suspension with a bit more feedback. If only Mercedes had offered these with a manual…

At first glance, the prices can seem a bit outrageous, but if you look a bit closer it starts to make sense. The SL-Class isn’t meant to be a daily driver, leading to many of them having low mileage compared to the rest of the lineup. The majority that we saw had under 100K. Because of this, prices start around 14K for a car with no major issues, but they’re regularly priced around 20K+ for clean examples.

Besides the typical ABC issues, watch out for failures in the convertible top. The hydraulics are known to fail, and these can be just as expensive to fix as the suspension.

All said, it’s hard to match the looks of these cars when they're lowered on some nice wheels. If you get an SL, you should definitely look into aftermarket wheels–and that’s where we can help. You’re not going to get a full set of wheels and tires packed in a roadster, but if you order from us, we’ll mount and balance the tires, then ship them straight to your door ready to be installed.

G55 AMG 2005-2012 (W446)

G55 amg

The G-wagon is completely different from anything else we’re looking at today. It’s a truck, so it’s going to be the most spacious; however, it also weighs a ton. Still, it’s got that supercharged V8, which is why it’s on our list.

Forget air or hydraulic suspension, these are a body-on-frame design with solid axles front and rear. Even if you’re not an SUV fan, you have to admit that the G-wagons have a special presence that commands respect–possibly because your favorite rapper mentions them in every other song.

The prices on these are going to be outside the budget of most people shopping for an M113K car. They start at about 30 grand and only go up from there. But that’s okay considering the G-Class caters to a completely different niche.

So, cool? Yes, but probably not what you’re here for. Let’s move on to the last car.

CLK DTM AMG 2004-2006 (C209)

CLK DTM AMG

To complete our list, there’s one more vehicle that comes with the M113K, it’s the CLK-Class. BUT, basically every CLK55 you’ll find comes with a NA 5.4 V8. Only the CLK DTM comes with the supercharger… and, there were only 180 produced.

Unless you're Jay Leno, you probably aren’t buying one of these. Given the rarity, they’re mostly found in museums. If you see one cruising around, it’s probably a replica. For curiosity's sake, here are the specs:

100 coupes / 80 cabriolets produced
Widebody version of CLK
Never sold in the US
Factory coil and spring suspension
3,854 lbs
More than you can afford, pal

Did the word ‘replica’ pop out to you? There have been a number of M113K swaps into the CLK. The stock, non-supercharged engine is very similar in dimensions, so technically it shouldn’t be that hard to fit.

AirMatic vs ABC vs coil conversion

Considering the motor is rock solid, the suspension type often makes or breaks these cars.

AirMatic: Is it really THAT bad?

If you look through the forums, you’ll see a lot of complaints about the air suspension system found on the E55 and CLS55. A lot of people claim that it's bound to fail and you should just go to coilovers. While the former is true, we’re here to tell you that you shouldn’t be afraid to fix and maintain it yourself.

Broken down into its constituent parts, the AirMatic system isn’t too different from an aftermarket air suspension kit. You got a compressor, tank, air springs (bags), valve block, distribution block, and lines; then the brains of the operation: level sensors, a control module, and damper control switch.

AirMatic problems start to happen around the 100-130K mile range. You might have to deal with a bad compressor, valve block, or most commonly, a leaking bag. If all of these problems came up at once, sure, it would be expensive. Most of the time, however, repairing the Airmatic isn’t too bad. Usually, it will be one component at a time. The key is to probably diagnose the faulty part the first time, rather than throwing the whole catalog at it.

There’s even aftermarket support for most AirMatic components if you’re trying to keep costs to a minimum.

While it might not be the sportiest suspension, it’s more comfortable than any coilovers, and after all, we’re dealing with luxury cars. Plus, you get the benefit of lowering via lowering links.

Sl55 amg on bbs LM

AirMatic is usually worth keeping, unlike the real bogeyman–ABC.

ABC: Another Benz Collapsing

Okay, it actually stands for Active Body Control. It’s an electronically controlled hydropneumatic dampening system, and yes, it’s as complicated as it sounds. It can be found on the S, CL, and SL-Class AMGs. It seems like it’s designed to fail, with problems as early as 60k miles.

But make no mistake, when it works, it WORKS. Original owners got to enjoy a silky smooth ride… like, hitting bumps on the highway and having your drink in the cup holder barely make a ripple. As the first owner, you could have enjoyed this for a few years before the inevitable happened.

Common failures can be fluid leaks, pump issues, and accumulator or valve problems. These systems operate at 2000-3000 psi, meaning when they fail, they often fail big. A burst line will make a giant mess and render your car undrivable as one corner will be sitting on the ground.

We’re not going to cover every component in the system, but to give you a taste: each corner has a nitrogen-filled self-leveling accumulator… They cost $400 each. Cheaper replacement parts are available, but the complexity makes this system very expensive to maintain. So, what do you do if you want to buy one of these ABC-equipped models?

Buy a car that has such low mileage that the ABC can’t be a problem
Get a car that has been well-maintained and has receipts for major ABC work
Either budget a coilover conversion, or buy one that already has them

Coilover conversion

Just slap on a set of coilovers, right? That’s what we thought too, but unfortunately it’s a bit more difficult on ABC cars.

You can convert both air and hydraulic cars, but ABC comes with extra challenges.

ABC uses a ‘tandem’ hydraulic pump to power both the suspension and power steering. You’ll need to replace the pump with a normal PS pump.
ABC cars don’t use sway bars. While optional, sway bars have been pretty standard for the past 50 years, so it makes sense to add them to the total conversion cost.
Finally, deleting all ABC lines can be a PITA. For max weight savings, you want to remove everything. The problem is that removing some of those lines is almost impossible with the engine in the car. The easiest way is to leave a few lines installed and remove what you can easily access.

The major upside of coils is not having to worry about the ABC. At the same time, you can shed 100-200 lbs, depending on how much you’re willing to delete. Coils are going to be harsher, but also give better driver feedback. We’d say they’re perfect for an SL, as it’s more of a driver’s car, while coils are kind of out of place on an S-Class.

Wrap up

Besides suspension, what should you be looking for if you’re in the market for an M113 K-powered car? They all have their unique issues. On a 03’ E55, you want to make sure the car has an updated radiator due to a recall. For the S55, check every electrical system you can for possible failures (this is a good idea on any model). And on the SL55, make sure the top works.

On all models, you should be checking for leaks and corrosion. You’ll probably find hydraulic leaks on an ABC car; that’s okay because you should be budgeting for coilovers anyway.

As far as value goes, the cheapest way currently to get a running M113K is likely with an S55 AMG. If you can do the coilover conversion yourself, you’re looking at under 10K. However, it might be worth paying more upfront.

We expect that the CL and SL will be more collectible in the future. A lot of W220 S-classes get parted out, and there’s a reason for that. If you’re looking for the fastest and most DIY friendly cars in the lineup, look no further than the ol’ reliable E55 and CLS55.

Like the E55? How about the ‘other’ supercharged AMGs?

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