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It was a blatant case of misalignment of the ssupension setting or something in the chassis. I did get about the first 2001 model year...
But Jaguar service stated it's normal for tires to get misaligned and use unevenly (in the *identical* spot on *all* tires?), and that is not covered my warranty. Tire replacement and alignment: $2,500 or so.
That was Jaguar brand loyalty for me: I have spent well over $120,000 on their cars over the last 7 years, and that's what I got.
I wrote two letters, never received a reply. Since the arrival of S and X types, Jaguar simply is not the same brand, at least not in my opinion. The personalized service is gone.
In the future, I shall follow the path of smaller brands with a reputation for caring.
I still think Jaguars fantastic cars, but cars are not important enough to me to put up with such disappointing buying experiences. If you get me once, shame on you - get me twice, shame on me. Won't come to that...
Thanks,
Paul
Auto, Motor und Sport just did a comparo between the M5 and the RS6. Their conclusion: The M5 still is THE car in this segment.
Automobile Magazine (Dec issue) has a comparo between the S-Type R, RS6, E55 and M5. Their conclusion: The M5 is still king.
Both of these comparos are very telling. The M5 gets it's motor handed to it by the RS6. I mean 0-60 in 4.3secs is true sports car territory. Curiously the E55 in Automobile's comparo didn't perform up to spec. The S-Type R was just too soft to compete in the hardcore realm of the three German sedans. Check the 0-100 times for the S-Type R and the E55. The E55 does the job in less than HALF the time of the Jaguar!!
The M5 wins it for them based in it's body control, steering precision and overall balance. Automobile states that the M5 weighs 250lbs less than the E55, yet on the data page they show the E55 weighing only 26lbs more than the M5?? They also knocked the E55 for fuel economy, but all the other cars got like 1-2 MPG more. Silly to be even talking about such a thing for cars of this caliber. They all drink gas!
Naturally I like all these, but my ranking would have been: E55/RS6 (tied) M5 and then the S-Type R. Love the RS6 and E55, "like" the M5 and S-Type R.
If the M5 is truly this good (waiting to see more comparos) to triumph over brand new competitors, I'm even more impressed with BMW......didn't think that was possible.
I'm awaiting the all mighty Car and Driver to do this comparo. The best one of the U.S. mags will most likely be Road and Track.
paulchiu,
Car and Driver says the E55 is due in May.
M
One thing especially interested me. Automobile mentions how important the M5's lower weight is regarding the M5's advantage in steering, handling, and braking. Text talks about the M5 weighing 250 pounds less than E55 and 350 pounds less than RS6. But their data sheet lists the M5 at 4,023 pounds, E55 at 4,046 pounds, and RS6 at 4,057 pounds. So I'm wondering if the M5 actually weighs a lot less. Thinking it should over the AWD RS6.
Is it me or is Automobile getting more and more like CAR and EVO? Not on the same scale or depth, but in their comparisons and the level of cars they're comparing. I see that Georg Kacher writes for both CAR and Automobile. Very good stuff.
M
Did Auto Mag test the upcoming E55 and M5 or the current versions?
Paul
M
Auto hasn't hit my newstands yet. Sucks!
As I said before, my lease runs out in Sept 2003, so I had my eyes on the new E55. But if Auto mag says that the older M5 is better, my decision might just get a little easier.
Paul
Paul
M
Paul
Paul
Do any of you know what the name of this leather might be?
Man! They surely did not refrain from trashing the Jag and to a lesser degree the Audi and even the Benz, which was the most expensive car in the group.
Now I am thinking M5 for 9/03. I wonder if it will still be available by then.
Better relearn how to do the stick shift, fast.
Last time I use that was over 20 years ago with an Accord.
Paul
I will always remember driving from New York to Toronto one July 4th weekend with a newly broken right hand in a cast and driving a manual Honda through a 2 hours traffic jam through downtown NYC traffic, then 7 hours to Canada. Things we all do right out of college.
Now, driving a manual from time to time makes me wonder why.
Paul
Pricing seems to start at $75,000!
Any news?
The speed numbers are most impressive, but handling is suspect, as it only pulled 0.83g, nowhere near the near 0.9 level of the M5, and even less than the previous E55.
The reviewer also made bad comments on the brakes and steering.
The seating comfort ratings were excellent. And the driver commented on no wind noise even in the triple digits.
As for how outrageous is the speed. How's 9.8 seconds for 0-100 mph.
The E55 has that high-speed stability that German cars, Mercedes-Benz in particular made such a desirable and sought after trait. The price paid for that is somewhat less agility when asked the change direction. Getting .83gs on the skidpad doesn't tell the whole story about it's overall handling.
M
M
That is why C&D, Automobile, etc. think and write what they do. Not too hard to understand.
BTW
Read in the WSJ that you can lease a Maserati GT for $999 a month for 4 years. This is for a car that lists for 88K. This might have some effect on the pricing/leasing on the E55. Then again, might not, as I am paying north of $1400 a month on my S500 with ABC and distronics.
M
pablo_1... Offering a manual transmission makes a certain statement in the market. Some marques want to make it, others don't. Jag and MB don't have the sort of performance image in buyers minds as say BMW or Porsche. That is one reason why both offer manual transmissions. It is just too bad MB and Jag won't get truly serious with their SUPER sedans.
M
For better or worse, having an automatic seems like losing 100 HP. Not to mention the loss of control. And the general loss of being in touch with your car. A slushbox in combination with all of the MB's computer-controlled braking, handling, steering, etc. systems might make one wonder whether you or the computer is actually in charge.
M
Personally, the degree of responsiveness a manual offers is something I value in a more compact, agile and sports-carish package. A motorcycle with an auto would be an aberration. A small, agile convertible or coupe with an auto is a shame. A full-blown sedan with an auto - that's in character.
All in all, it's a good thing the market provides a choice. Personally, in California, I would never consider the M5 - but I know people who own one and adore them, and more power to them.
If Mercedes and Jaguar offered manuals, I am willing to bet most buyers would shun that version of the car, and opt for the auto.
For M5 owners, is the clutch tighter than the one in a 540i sports?
I want Mercedes to do a naturally aspirated E600 with a true 6.0L V12 with about 420hp, fat fenders and every E-Class option standard...in the tradition of the W124 E500 model.
M
My last 2 Benz had been brilliant silver/charcoal and I wanted to try something new on my 2004 E55 order.
Thinking :
1) Pewter
2) Desert silver
3) Obsidian Black
All with Ash interior.
My main concern is that the blacks seems to show scratches very easily. Am I wrong?
Thanks for any ideas.
M
Have you had a black Benz in the past? If so, how hard was it to keep it protected from elements?
After today I'm once again convinced that Mercedes' best car is the CL Coupe. Such a stunningly timeless Benz design thats just the right size. One of the Benz reps told me that MBUSA is still trying to decide if the 605hp CL65 is coming to the U.S! Also got a chance to see the new CLK55 AMG. The new CLK is growing on me, the cabriolet should put it over the top for me. The only Benz that fails to wow me is the C-Class, though the reps claim some "significant" changes are in store for 2004, due to tons of customer feedback about the C's interior, and it's feature/price ratio. Sorry for rambling.
M
I put in the reserve for a pewter/ash. The sales guy called earlier.
Actually, I do not think such a combo exists for the E55. Doesn't it have 2 tones interiors?
I think pewter should take abuse, similar to my brilliant silver. I did see a pewter 2003 SL55 at the showroom. If I were not married with kid, I just might....
Agree on the CL class, it's a classic. Where the CL is the hottest, the G wagon is butt ugly. Just do not understand why people prefer it over a Range Rover. Even the Hummer 2 looks better....
The C class is just too small for me. Probably too small for my son. He has grown accustomed to the palatial rear seats of the S500 over the last 2+ years.
The G-Class has this following because for one it's "new" here, as most folks didn't know that Europa of New Mexico had been quietly importing them for years, but at 120K+ a piece. I suspect if the G's popularity increases we'll get the G500 2-door cabriolet and possibly the G400 CDI version too. While I like the look of it (Nato rescue vehicle and all) I'm not too fond of the interior. Around Chicago they're a common sight now and people still gawk. Amazing.
Theres nothing wrong with the C-Class that an interior gutting, engine revamp and price freeze won't cure. I will say that I am disappointed by Mercedes' decision to sell that "Kompressor" 4-cylinder engine in the sedan bodystyle again, after they swore it was gone from the U.S. sedan lineup forever. The C's last chance to impress me will be this fall when the "facelift" happens.
M
Isn't the C already revamped just 2 years ago? Wouldn't any change be in 2004? That said, the C32 AMG is a beast, almost as wild as a M3. Think the M3 is still the best compact sports sedan, the C32 very very close 2nd.
After driving the E500 for 15 miles last week, I have to say it's almost as sporty as the current 528i, or even the 540i. The body seems tighter over rough roads than the BMW, but the handling is not as good. Since the reports had better steering on the E55, I am not concerned about my "blind" order. In order to test drive a E55 these days, I'll probably have to wait for the 2005 model year.
I wonder if I have to get these so called "value" packages to get xenon lamps with washers on a E55. The dealership still has no info when he called for my color choice.
As for the ash, years ago, I loved the lighter creme leather interiors of my Lexus ES300. It was a 98 ES with metallic white pearl/creme leather. The interior looked so nice, and worked well when my baby was born. Then I went to a ML430 starting with the brilliant silver/charcoal with I still have in my S500 today. The charcoal, if not kept cleaned, looks pretty bad, especially after these snowy months. Sure, ash probably looks awful too, but probably can hide/blend dust better. Who knows....
A G500 2 door? Sounds like an ice cream truck to me.
With the new E-Class Mercedes seems to have hit the nail right on the head. It's good looking inside and out, of higher quality than the previous car and everyone seems to love the new Airmatic DC suspension.........even Car and Driver does! So far I haven't read about nearly as many problems with the new E compared to when the current S and C cars were introduced.
Good luck with your choice of colors.
Yep there is a 2-door G-Class in Europe, it's the same type of bodystyle as the Land Rover Freelander SE3.
M
My wife has a S430 and it's black (charcoal interior).
Wax with the Zaino stuff. Looks very good
newly waxed (for about 2 months) - looks
almost liquid (but i guess some people hate
that polymer wet look - they prefer that
Brazilian wax stuff).
However, difficult to keep clean during
the California winter (rain) - have to
wash it every few weeks or so.
Park outside 24/7/365 (garage is filled
with household junks...).
Yes i do get scratches but not from washing,
though (i use water blade, 100% USA cotton
towel, etc...).
I got the deep scratches from the bushes/branches when we go to visit various state parks.