Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG Saloon

Launched in 1995 the W210 Series of E-Class Mercedes were luxury mid-sized models aimed firmly at the upper end of the market. 

A wide range of petrol and diesel engines were offered in a variety of sensible sizes but at the top of the tree was the frankly bonkers E55 AMG. Produced from 1998 until 2002 (with a facelift in 2000 and a mild power hike in 2001), it was powered by a 349bhp 5.5-litre V8 that could launch it to 60mph in just 5.4 seconds and hit the 155mph limiter with ease. Just 12,000 were sold worldwide (the vast majority in left-hand drive) and they have something of a cult following today.

This particular E55AMG was bought new by Olympic gold medal-winning horseman and one-time husband of Princess Anne, Captain Mark Phillips. A former Queen’s Dragoon Guards officer and a personal Aide-de-Camp to Queen Elizabeth II, Phillips first came to public attention when he won a gold medal at the 1972 Munich Olympics as part of the British three-day event team. However it was when he married Princess Anne in Westminster Abbey in November 1973 that he really became a household name, although the marriage was finally dissolved in 1992.

Phillips then married an American dressage rider, Sandy Pflueger, in 1997. Pflueger was based in Germany at the time and we understand that Phillips registered the car in her name to begin with, finally putting it into his own name earlier this year. The present garage proprietor owner acquired the car from Phillips in June, having previously been responsible for its upkeep for several years.

Making many journeys between Pflueger’s base in Germany and the Phillips’ family home in Gloucestershire, the car now has some 99,000 miles on the clock but is said to remain in excellent condition throughout, having been maintained regardless of cost for the last 13 years with many bills and service records to prove (recent expenditure includes £1,008 for new Xenon headlamps, £3,000 for a new centre display screen plus a further bill for refurbished alloys and four new tyres).

The car is packed full of all the luxuries that any self-respecting blue blood would expect (heated electric memory seats including headrests; pneumatic lumbar support; electric steering wheel adjustment; electric rear sunscreen; electric rear headrests; front and rear parking sensors; automatic rain-sensing wipers; full climate control; air conditioned glove box etc.), and still retains all its original handbooks. Freshly MOTd and serviced just before the auction, the vendor states that it “drives superbly with ballistic performance that will humble many a Porsche.”

Any E55 AMG gives you instant bragging rights down at the pub but this particular car will heap kudos upon the new owner thanks to its aristocratic provenance. Pick the right pub (preferably full of horsey types and monarchists) and it may even get you free pints all night as people try to win your favour and a chance to sit in the same seat as its illustrious former owner. Just don’t be tempted to drive off when you have finished exploiting their generous hospitality!