you can still semi shift it........And it will out handle and be faster than most out there.....Are you saying you wouldnt take an e55 because it only comes in auto

 

Great!!! After all of the positive feedback, I have decided to buy the Mercedes. And I think I'll buy two of them so the exclusivity factor becomes heavily diluted.......LOL

 

oh well your not getting the coupe :p

 

wat everyone said and congrats.

 

Bling factor and fast, and in this price range - look for used. You could probably find an older M3 or C43 in the same price range. You could probably get a 1-2 year old Audi TT or Porsche Boxster.

The best bet for luxury and performance is the G35. Its a 350Z in luxury clothes (yet I think Infiniti isn't your idea of 'bling', its not mine either).

It seems like you want a canyon racer, and the BMW 3-series can't be beat for that for the price. It will become outdated soon, yet that may be a good thing cause the new 3-series will be 'bangled' and probably not very attractive.

 

doesn't it have the F1 style shifting like the C55?

 

Correct. Will never buy *any* car with an auto tranny. Or maybe - when I hit 70, give or take. "Semi shifting" is nothing compared to the real manual box. Even SMG is not the same. No denying, it is fast, but the "fun factor" is just not there. Sadly, in every market except for the U.S. MB offers amost any model with a manual tranny

 

the thought of a manual on my commute makes me gag.

 

For that, you don't even need a MB

 

What do you suggest?

 

Never say never
I was the same way from age 16 to 32. The thought of autmatic performance car was nauseating. Then Atlanta traffic finally became too much for a manual. Pump a Porsche clutch every day in stop and go traffic for a few years, and perceptions change a bit.
That's why I love the MB tranny. I can have the control of the gear shifts when I want, without the daily grind of the manual. Definitely not as fun as a pure manual, but a nice compromise for the daily grind.

 

I did say "never" - this covers me until I hit 70 I have had my share of slushboxes - and still am ecstatic about the 6-speed. No turning back.

 

i would want a manual for my next car. after that at least auto trans shifting like the C55.

 

Cole W

I didn't know you could fully disable traction and brake assists; I assume it resets itself when you restart the car?
Has anyone ales tried this with success?
Jkw

 

I have a TSX and I LOVE it. Burnouts no, but the car begs to go faster. I have gotten up to 120, and it still wanted to go, BAD. Just by opinion. I have no experience with BMW, but you can also never go wrong with MB.

 

i don't mind auto, esp. MB autos because compared with most other competitor's auto trannies, MB has one of the best and most aggressive. but my next car will definitely be a manual, or if i upgrade to an AMG class car, that auto with sport-tuned SMG-like shifting would be just as good. i just can't stand how delayed and not enjoyable the touch shift mode of the normal auto is. i rarely use it.

 

The super charger!
A little lag from start until the SC spools up.
Then the shift to 2d gear: If you shift @ 6000 rpm, the SC is spooled and second gears jumps, then lags a little as the transmission syncronizes.
3d and 4th gear are fine.
I liked the V8 power and gearing of my 5 sp 2001 Mustang GT much better. 1st gear went to over 35 mph. 60 mph was easy in 2d gear and at least 90 mph for 3d gear.
Best Trick: enter the highway at 5 mph and catch a car going 65 mph in 100 yards or less. Try that with my 230k SS, not.

 

Interesting.....

The reason there are no huge number of Mustangs in Germany is that the motors just will not put up with going that kind of speed. After doing 120 - 130 mph (considered slow on some areas of the Autobahn) for about 40 or 50 miles....ka-boom. No more engine.

Guess the 'Stang can handle only short bursts of speed.

Ed