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M
http://www.germancarfans.com/News.cfm/NewsID/2030821.001/mercedes- -benz/1.html
What you all think?
M
Of the AMG cars, I like the E55, SL55 and C32 the best. The S55 and CL55 seem too large and isolated. The C32 is like an M3, the SL55 like a German muscle car, the E55 is on the edge between luxury and performance and the CL/S55 are firmly planted in the luxury side of the equation. I feel like an old guy when I drive the CL even though it is beautiful. I don't have these feelings in the C32/SL55/E55.
Or maybe it is just me.
If I am not mistaken the torque on both the SL55 and E55 are the same, as is the engine for that matter.
So is there a way to unlock the additional 30 ponies that the SL has on the E55? I have heard rumors that the dealer's mechanics can flip a couple of switches and unlock the horsepower...
The CL is actually my favorite car of the Merc line up these days. I am very partial to GTs, and think it's a beautiful car. But their electronics have a terrible reliability record, pity. A friend with a CL600 gets stranded so often...
I am really impressed with this car, but as a high mileage driver, I am still slightly cautious about how reliable it will be in the long run. I have had such a solid service history with Infiniti, so I am curious to see how the "new Jaguar" holds up.
I would like some help from other E55 owners who live in snow climates with some opinions on:
1. How the car handles in winter with and without snow tires.
2. What snow tires are best for the E55 especially given the hp/torque and RWD.
3. Any other suggestions on improving traction/handling in inclement weather.
Thanks.
Check out tirerack.com for winter tires and rims. The site allows an user to enter his make and model. It will then recommend a tire and wheel package.
Also, Benz enthusiasts sites would probably give added insight into winter tires.
This will take some research but here are two high-traffic MB enthusiast sites with forums:
mbworld.org
mbnz.org
For my M5, I'm going with a combination of what Consumer Reports recommends for tires and what tirerack suggests for rims:
Dunlop Winter Sport M2 tires on Borbet Type E rims.
Also, my M3--a RWD, high-HP car--handled great in the snow with Michelin Pilot Alpins, which are meant for low-to-medium snowfall conditions. This will be my first winter with the M5.
Know of any good jaguar pre-owned sites?
thanks
I had a 1994 Jag XJ-12, but did not like the handling and electrical problems. Test drove the 2002 XJR and loved it ; more horses and better handling.
All these are super high performance cars. I did not like the BMWs, but they are very good also. I am seriously thinking about a new E55 or RS6. I sold the 2000 Boxster and Jag and Previa. Now I have 2 SUVs, but need a sedan.
By the way, these cars have really blurred the line between sedans and sports cars.
For mercedes there is also another tuner, Kleeman.
I, too, am considering an E55. But with the new CTS-V coming, I might just get that instead.
The CTS-V looks to be a top performer, at a great price, but the looks of the CTS seem to be somewhat of an acquired taste...
The E55 is much prettier to my eyes...It is also more refined and subtle...Of course, it is much more expensive too.
http://www.edmunds.com/new/2004/jaguar/xjr/100284195/roadtestarti- cle.html?articleId=100586&tid=edmunds.e.landing.featurereview- s..2.*
If it doesn't work, check out the latest Reviews.
I really like the looks and performance of the E55, and XJR. I have the Cayenne Turbo, but would like a sedan. It would be "her" car..heh heh heh.!!(big smirk on my face).
I don't mind the new look of cady's, like the SLR.
M
Thanks,
Scott
The Thread should be titled "The Middle Class Super Sedans"
M
M
Just tested the Volvo S60, twinturbo, and it was great fun on the slalom. We took it thru the course 5 times, and it was good fun. I think XJR, E55,& Rs6 will be faster and more fun. The seats of the Volvo were excellent, soft leather but very supportive and adjustable.
I ask because it's rare that you hear people talk about taking the big S80 out for a slalom but the new 4C sounds perfect for the job so I'm very curious of your impressions.
Thanks.
-rollie
rdollie@att.net
There is a lot of talk about the E60 version of the M5 but I wouldn't expect it for 2005.
Options ordered:
DVD COMAND
Active Bi-xenon lights
Dynamic Seats
Ventilated Seats
Automatic Trunk closer
Parktronic
Very balanced and smooth. Highly recommended. Much better in all respect than the old W210 E55.
M
Enjoy your new car!
Scott
Color - Silver with dark grey/dark grey
Scott:
How long did I wait for it - I waited a long time as I ordered it a year ago, well before anyone has heard about the car.
I was offered a 2003 in May 2003 but I declined as I rather have the DVD navigation Mine was built in the 2nd decade of September 2003 as the first batch of the 2004 E55.
I paid sticker.
I really like the dynamic seats. The side bolsters in the W211 E55 give much better support, even at the widest setting, compared to the W210 E55.
I'm 6 foot 1 at 185 lbs and find the seats perfect. For those who are really overweight, they may find the seats a bit too narrow.
When you corner with the dynamic seats, they do give gentle support, very cool and 'civilized'.
Tell me more about the car... How much do you like it vs. other cars? Acceleration is obviously unbelievable. How does it corner? What do you love, dislike about the interior?
Should I go out and order one??
About the W211 E55, it is very different from the E500 as it is much tighter with a firmer ride. If you do test drive an E500, look for a model with the sports package, and do remember to set the AirMatic suspension to the firmest setting.
The E55 corners very well although you can feel that it is a heavy car, very solid and stable. It is a luxurious sedan with a killer engine. It does not corner as well as the R230 SL500 although it feels a lot more substantial and solid.
Let me cut and paste some notes I posted on another board:
+ Throttle very smooth, meaning you can drive it very gently in city. Believe it or not, even my wife commented on how user friendly it is. It is surprisingly easy to slowly accelerate from stop, unlike my old W210 E55, which begged me to step on it.
+ Truly excellent view of the road ahead. Hood slopes down sharply reminding me of the 1993 Saab 9000 CSE.
+ Brilliant headlights. I ordered the active bi-xenons. Simply the best headlights I have ever used, much better than the R230 SL500 and W210 E55. Yes, these lights swivel when you corner as well, a subtle improvement.
+ I enjoy the dynamic seats and rear automatic trunk - very civilized and neat options.
+ Huge trunk and very supportive front seats.
+ Very smooth ride, far better than the R230 SL500 (with standard wheels) and the W210 E55. The W211 E55 (in the sportiest suspension II setting) has marginally more lean than the R230 (with ABC set on firm), but perfectly acceptable for a sedan. Excellent trade off considering the smooth ride.
+ Very rigid body no creaks and rattles like the R230 SL500.
+ DVD COMAND is CD Text compatible! Now I want to copy all my CDs adding the CD Text feature so that the CD title and tracks will be displayed on screen. CD Text works not only in the single dash player but also in the changer (where it would also display the CD title). (For those who are familiar with the R230 CD COMAND, the W211 COMAND does not allow one to program and name a CD on screen but the CD Text feature is even better, well at least for those who can burn their CDs).
+ Brake by wire is fine, a huge improvement over the R230 SL500, for street use at least, as I do not late brake and will have little idea how the brakes behave on the track.
+ In dash CD changer is nice and I would recommend going for the Pro-logic 7 with the improved sound.
+ So is the double sun visor.
+ Very luxurious interior with the nappa leather, the climate controlled ventilated seats are useful for long trips. I read some others concerned with the seat width, for me at 6 foot 1 and 185 lbs., it fits me very well.
+ I did not go for the double glass moon roof as I just have enough head room.
- Did not order distronic as I find the option too expensive for what you get.
- Glove box is smaller than I expected.
- As far as ease of use, I find the DVD COMAND not as good as I expected. The CD COMAND on the R230 SL was actually a bit more user friendly, with more marked buttons. In the W211 DVD COMAND, one has to press one of the blank buttons before one can magnify the map. However, obviously the DVD is miles ahead as far as content goes with North America in a single disk.
- Marginally less rear seat room than the W210.
- The car sounds like a muscle car, a bit too noisy for my taste but no where as bad as the R230 SL500 with the annoying whine at 1,500 rpm. Most enthusiasts would enjoy the engine sound. I enjoy the speed more than anything, and would prefer Lexus like quietness for my music.
+ And have I mentioned the immense power reserve? It’s simply amazing. You can pass most cars in traffic like a reckless crazy driver before hitting 3,000 rpm!
+The greatest asset of this car is how well it can handle the power, its smoothness in comfort setting and overall civility. I thought the W210 E55 was a balanced super sedan, the W211 E55 manages to be just that much better.
• Isn't the Logic 7 system standard on E55?
• Can you confirm that the radio station select buttons on the steering wheel do NOT allow for preset selection. In other words, you can't surf radio presets from the steering wheel controls.
• Any XM or Sirrus radio capability or AUX connector allowing for iPod hookup?
2. You are correct, unlike the W210 or R230, the W211 steering wheel buttons do NOT allow one to surf radio presets.
3. On Canadian cars, we do not have SAT or XM however, for those with DVD COMAND, there is an Aux input for iPod, in the glove box. In the Audio menu, you can select Aux. I am quite sure this is a feature in the US COMAND equipped cars as well.
Thanks...
I am amazed that a car that is so advanced and filled with computerized engineering cannot allow you to change a radio preset using wheel controls.
I know it sounds picky, but when an entry level compact car has this you would think an $80K plus car would also. Sounds like a slip up as opposed to a planned design "feature". Then again maybe I should just stick with a song for the entire song ;-)
Have you made up your mind about the E55?