+1^

 

+2. Make it a Bluetec and it makes for a very economical commuter too.

 

Perfect!

I just re-read the OP's post. I didn't see that his daily commute was 100 miles a day.

100 miles a day is no joke. Even if you're babying the M5, you'll get 12-13MPG. So, you're looking at at least 9 gallons of fuel a day. You'll be at the gas station daily with the M5's puny 16 gallon fuel tank. My commute is about 20-25 miles a day. My fuel bill per month just for the M5 is about $550-700. With a commute that's five times as long, imagine that.

 

+3 to the E-Class

 

Get an 05 s4 my opinion

 

When you say KIDS, i hope your talking about Mac Millers Kicking Incredibly Dope Sh.t. :P
I would go E55 all the way, that junk is sexy

 

+4 to e class
my dad had an 05 e320 cdi great car great mileage love the engine but find one with sport suspension.

 

Great input guys! Much appreciated!
Now Audi's are out of the question...with that much time inside i need to like the interior...my original search back so many ears ago was for an A4 audi...but when i saw the benzo and interior..had to go with the benzo, cause interior of Audi is just fugly to me...
Talkignto my wife, rationally , last night i think it doesnt make sense to get an M5 or E55 as off right now...commute would be great, driving wise...but gas mileage would suck...
One more car to add to the equation of possibility is Acura RL...2008 or 2009 ( 2009 being the first year of the new styled) Any takes or experience with either one? pro's cons?
Regarding the E class...I think a 350 would be a slowsky for me...although if i go with non 4 matic it might have some pep i am looking for...
BMW...still have to explore since never actually driven one...Xdrive is just another way of saying 4x4 right? But i am better off getting a 2 wheel drive since its only winter that i need the 4 wheel... deff a 5 series
I am going to test drive 2008 Volvo S80 T6 this weekend to kick off the search...i mean my parents had one back in 2000 when the first S80 T6 came out...as i recall it being extremely fast and economical gas mileage wise...
So here is what i think i am going to test drive in the next few weeks and report back on:
2008 Volvo S80 T6
2010 Nissan Maxima SV
2008 E350 4matic and non4matic
2007 E500
2006 CLS500
2008 535XI
2007 530 XI
2008/09 Acura RL (always loved them inside out, but never driven one)

 

Yes. It's also a way of saying reduced gas mileage, additional repair bills, and one more set of electronics that can go wrong. It would be better (and cheaper) to get dedicated snow rims/tires instead. Also gives you the benefit of being able to have summer tires instead of all-seasons.

Unless you see snow/mountains for a good deal of the time, of course.

 

2005-2006 S500!

 

or 2006 S430... I get almost 30mpg highway and its not too shabby performance wise

 

I spent 2 weeks in an Acura RL when this design came out in 2005. It was a great drive/ride.. a lot of very nice features. Gas mileage wasn't great, but should be equal to your C320. It's a good pick, too, as it gets excellent crash scores.

I am so turned off by the CVT in Nissans that I can't recommend it. To each his own, though.

535i I think would be the best one of the list from a driver's perspective but not from a cost-to-own or potentially reliability perspective.

I say RL if buying used, Camry SE-V6 if buying new.

 

Are you asking him or are you telling him?

 

Tommy, thats exactly has been my approach in the past...set of snowies and good to go...I have to aagree for the 3 months out of the year in my opinion isnt worth spending extra at a sticker and at teh maintanence of a 4x4...
No shizzle?! Wow...i wonder is MB 8 cylinders are created equal for those years then?
the only SVT i have been in has been an Altima...i didnt mind it bu ti know what you mean!
The RL is extremely atractive choice for size+interior+awd= same fuel consuption as much smaller C, less HP and no AWD...deff deff on my list, the question would be the end model for the 2005 body style ( 2008) or the new body style/model ( 2009)...i guess will test drive both
M3 would be on a small side...i would actually consider to stay in the c family if it wasnt that " lets have another kid idea" that has been floating around for couple of months not really sure how serious she is about it though

 

Look around for a E-class then bro. Not a E55 tho.

 

test driving a 2008 Volvo S80 T6 tonight... and will swing by the BMW dealership to see if they have a 530 or 535

 

535 is a nice car (as well as other 5 series) but unless you have an extended warranty, it will be a nightmare, if you think that MB are not reliable my bud's 07 530 wagon has been a disaster, most was done under warranty but just an endless list and every month there is another electrical gremlin. Strangely the crash test results for the 5 series is not great either.

Someone mentioned the M5 over the E55, while the 505hp is nice it is a bit of a wimp when it comes to torque considering the engine ( I would rather have an engine that hp and torque have similar number values), my other bud has an M6 and 'thirsty' is being too kind to describe its appetite, it is a PIG for fuel, does anyone really need a V10 in this day and age? You have to drive 100miles a day so that has to be a major consideration and we know that gas prices are not getting cheaper

The Camry will bore you to sleep, the Maxima is too funky and besides I hate FWD. Since you are used to a German car feel, the Volvo will not even come close, not to mention that the company has been struggling and owned in China

Since you will be pounding on the miles a good choice would be an E320 Bluetec. The acceleration will be about the same as your C320 and actually faster than the E350, can't argue with 388lb-ft

and finally if it comes to winter driving, I manage fine here where it is snow half the year in my RWD car, though you have to make sure you have a dedicated set of winters with a little ballast in the trunk. I would take a RWD car with snows over a FWD with snows (once you lose traction you lose steering) and over an AWD with all season tires. Since you live in MA, your winter is generally much milder and lighter than what we have to endure here

my 2cents or 2.1 cents US$

 

All cars past 2005 are zinc plated right?

 

Look at the S60 while you're at it tonight, too. I think that the increase in space isn't worth the increase in $$. Just looked - damn, it's $6k!

 

Need a V10? Why not? As for being down on torque, yeah, it is, but the whole philosophy behind the N/A M engines is that it has the high horsepower to pull its full torque all the way to 8,000 rpm effortlessly and regularly. You really need to drive one.

As for the fuel costs, well, now I guess it became a consideration since the prices have tanked. But if you bought the car new at 100k, it's shouldn't really be much of a consideration, or at least it wasn't to me. Read my comments above, I've daily driven mine since I bought it new. For the cost of fuel, I could have leased a new C300.

I think if money is a big factor, then one should not be looking at used high line cars due to the operating costs and maintenance. They should buy a new car that's reliable and won't have the costs of maintenance or repair.


Strange, my M5 has been perfect and hasn't had any issues or left me stranded. I had some minor issues like a taillight, but that's about it. My M3 was the same as well.

 

What about a Infiniti M45? or M35x? They are actually good cars, I was looking into to one before my C280.



To be honest with you, the only Volvo I like is the S60-R because Volvo's have no SWAG LOL

 

The E320 BlueTec is a quicker car than the E350? Got numbers? Diesel torque doesn't translate into blazing speeds. A 425lb-ft 335d is still smoked by a 300lb-ft 335i.. a 236lb-ft Golf TDI is smoked by a 207lb-ft Golf GTI, etc.

That said, the fuel efficiency makes it a real consideration. Still, if I were you, I'd go Japanese and keep your costs to a minimum.

 

I have a MB Canada brochure for the 2007 E class and according to the specs posted by the company it is as follows Acceleration 0-100km/hr

E320 Bluetec 6.8s
E350 4matic 7.1s
E550 4matic 5.5s
E63 AMG 4.5s

top speed for all of them is 250km/hr

 

2 cars i was able to test drive:-)
2008 S80 T6....very roomy very smooth and got quiet good accel!
2008 caddy Cts4... With 300+hps its was pretty slow clunky and very hard suspension wise...on the positive very comfy, but equivalent rear seat room to the c class....so it falls to the bottom of my list
Next weekend i got a 2008 528i and 2010 Maxima lined up

 

Gene, we bought '06 530i. We are very happy with it. I recommend you to test drive one with your family.

08 535 would be even better, or M5.