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They estimated 5-10 months. While I was there I saw someone picking up their Mocha Designo edition E55 AMG. It was the nicest car I have ever seen. It looked black in the garage but when it was taken out into the sun you could see the hints of deep chocolate at certain angles.
I have time to change any options so I'd like some input. (1) Is the tire pressure monitoring system only if I plan to use runflats? (2) Does anyone have experience with the ventilated seats and are they worth the money? (3) Most importantly, I'd love to hear anyone's experience with the different colors, i.e. Black vs. Opal Black vs. Obsidian vs. Jade Black. Kind of hard to tell which was the best...
Is it possible that you are just not used to a firm sport type seat with side/theigh bolsters? My XJR seats keep me "in the pocket" when I am driving my car hard.
I agree that the 20" wheels are not necessary. In fact I think that they create an in increased ride harshness. They are also a very costly $$ add in price.
Run-flats simply allow you to get to the nearest repair center.
The system is worth it, with or without run-flat tires.
Keeps me fresh and alert. I wish they put these seats on airplanes.
I am considering trading my 2003 911 TT on it. I rarely drive the Porshe, and I think that I would get a lot more use out of the CL. If an E55 were available, I would be even more tempted because of the price.
I really meant that the CL is easier for me to drive because it has an automatic transmission. The Porshe has a 6-speed. I am usually worried about stalling. The Porshe does seem to handle better, and has great road feel. I enjoyed the smooth ride of the CL. I will see what they offer me on the Porshe.
I thought that might be what you meant, with the auto trans.
If you do move towards the Benz, I would be interested in what they would give you for your Porsche, as well as the particulars of your TT.
"The Bottom Line: Pure perfect power. A scary-fast sedan that begs to be driven hard at even the hint of an open road."
What do you think?
If the weather is good tomorrow, I will drive it to work. I don't know if I can give it up yet.
you are right , I drove the S89R, with the twinturbo. Yes, Volvo let us drive it hard repeatedly on the slalom course.
It did have significant body roll, though not bad overall. Power was adequate, slight turbo lag, but not in league of the E55. But one thing was the great seats....very comfy, but supportive at the same time......Had the traction control and AWD.
I'm still leaning towards a E55.
the green side of me is curious: what is the mpg of the E55 ? Not worried about the price of fillup, just trying to balance my fleet, since already have 2 gas lions.
M
Your mileage may vary as the E55 is still quite new and I'm slowly running it in.
As for the next M5, I would be surprised if the it didn't out handle if not outperform the E55. You can't make generalizations but my impression is few if any E55 owners drive as aggressively as M5 or RS-6 owners. At least they seem a lot less likely to bring their cars to the track. Sorry I don't mean to offend anybody it just the demographics between M5 and E55 owners seem quite different.
Lastly the reviews have been all over the board on handling and ride as usual. If you haven't read them yet comparisons can be found in "Car and Driver", "Road and Track", and most recently in "Sportcar".
+ acceleration
+ interior finishing
+ exterior looks
+ smooth luxurious adjustable ride
+ ergonomics
+ safety
- rear seat room
- lack of traction
RS6
+ AWD traction means usable power
+ roomy rear seat
+ sharp handling
+ low profile
- unsupportive front seats
- very harsh ride
- replacement model next year
- dated interior
- weak navigation
- squeaks and rattles
- high price
- huge depreciation
E60 M5
+ *should* handle very well
+ roomy rear seats
- unattractive exterior design
- unattractive interior design
- poor ergonomics
- one year away, at least
It was actually the BMW dealership that wanted upwards of $20K above MSRP for the new M5's when they arrive. The E55's can be had with haggling, a long wait, or luck for MSRP. I actually drove an E55 today. I already placed a lengthy post on RS6.com but in summary I was disappointed. Don't get me wrong it's a great car. It just is... well boring to drive. Luxurious... yes. Fast in a straight line on dry pavement... yes. It's not, however,a race car tamed for the streets and imo doesn't like to be tossed around like the M5 or RS-6. I guess I'm not sophisticated enough yet to appreciate a MB.
I have my name down for one but I'm still debating whether the handling can outshine its unattractive interior/exterior design. My deal was at MSRP.
The RS6 is a fine car although personally I will never get one as I'm particularly sensitive to squeaks and rattles. Every single A6 I have been in (I have driven half a dozen as loaner cars when we service our A4 Avant) always makes some kind of rubbing, squeaking noise over bumps, and I can't imagine what the RS6 will be like, with the stiffer suspension.
It sometimes does seem that the car is all about the engine, but that is because the engine is so amazing, it overwhelmes all other aspects of driving the vehicle. I feel that this is the most balanced AMG package out there. Handling, steering, braking, suspension all work well in harmony with the entire package.
I can put the suspension and transmission in comfort mode and my wife falls asleep. I can turn off ESP and pretend I am 17 again. I can carry four people comfortably. I can keep ahead of anything on the road.
Last week I was being annoyed by some guy in a TT (admittedly not much competition). I stepped on the gas for maybe 4-5 seconds. Once he disappeared in my rear view window, I glanced down to see that I was driving 140 mph. I really thought I was doing 90, officer. The car is just that capable, comfortable and competent.
I had an SL55 a few months back. This car really is about the engine and nothing more. Not as comfortable or practical for sure, but also not as well rounded, not as balanced. I liked the E55 better than the SL55.
Sure BMW used to make the best cars. But that was before AMG and that was before Chris Bangle.
Shoes, speaking of wives mine falls asleep in my Porsche even at 130mph. Proves the point that comfort is more than isolation from the road. Most people equivocate the sensation of floating in a big leather sofa with a comfortable and sophisticated ride. There's nothing wrong with that but it's not to my taste. I once offended a Lexus owner who couldn't accept my viewpoint by telling him his car was like a coffen...the quietness and comfort couldn't be appreciated until you're dead. Obviously that's not true but everyone wants something different from their cars. It gets complicated when some reviewer decides he(she) knows what's best. I trust my own backside for the most part.
TIA, Randy
The 4 door format is certainly practical and I also enjoy the quieter cabin.
Yes, those suspension tuning buttons do make a pretty big difference don't they!
Any comments on this?
The SL500 while corners very well and looks very sporty, is not as agile to me as it lacks the power of the E55.
For 99% of the general public, they would think the SL500 is a sports car while the E55 is a boring 4 door.
Far from the truth.
You're right, of course we cannot factor in the topless experience but we're speaking strictly from a performance standpoint.
Are you sure the Homelink unit is defective and not your mistake in programming? Rolling codes can be tricky to program.
What kind of COMAND difficulties are you experiencing?
Everything works well...NAV is NOT nearly as sophisticated as the Lexus Nav system...very tight car and unbelievable responsive...front seats are very firm...huge trunk but who buys an E55 for trunk space? Gas mileage is a little under 20 mpg
No satellite radio yet but supposedly coming in early 04
Hot car and very understated.
Homelink was defective, buttons 2 and 3 held a code, but 1 would not.
All is well so far... I'll keep my finger crossed.
Your dealer will call you for an unannounced service after about six weeks to do a "courtesy"
check on all systems and to answer any questions about the vehicle.
Enjoy your new ride.
M
"the current M5 can't light a candle anywhere near the CTS V..." - really?? You mean... kinda like a Corolla vs. a Corvette? A Corolla can't light a candle anywhere near a Corvette!
You must not be a true car guy, as this statement is just not based in reality. Emotional perceptions can make us say unsupportable things.
A close scrutiny of empirical performance numbers tells another story! Hardly enough difference to serve as round-off error. Of course, there is so much more to performance than 0-60.
Cadillac is making a fine effort and they are to be applauded. Gonna take them a while to build the sort of reputation "earned" by the BMW M cars. Let's see how the "V" cars hold up before claiming them to be the 2nd Coming.
Don't get me wrong, its about time an American Mfgr got serious on the world performance stage. Once Cadillac EARNS the reputation, they'll see me in their showroom.
I do see where Car and Driver said that the M5 wasn't worth the price difference over the CTS-V, but no where did I see anything about the CTS-V beating the M5 to the point of it not being able to hold a candle to the CTS-V.
Futhermore, as so many GM fans love to point out when one of their cars is in question, the M5 is no longer in production. The new M5 will be the car thatthe CTS-V won't be able to "hold a candle" too.
So far what I've actually seen is that the CTS-V has not performed up to specs, and has also been beaten by the Jaguar S-Type R, of all cars(!)....and this verdict was handed down not by a foreign car loving magazine, it was given by Motor Trend...an American car on the cover every month, V8 this and Corvette that, said their pick was the S-Type R.
A STS-V with those specs is pure fantasy, and will probably never be, so lets stick to reality-based posting.
M