luvmyc55

Hi guys,

How would the C55 do against the new 550?

My best buddy is looking for a car and I went with him to test drive the new 550. It seemed pretty fast. Handling definitely not as good (for me).

He's now considering getting either the C55 or the 550. He's leaning toward the C55 cause it's cheaper and he likes the handling better. Part of me wants him to get the 550 cause I'm a bit selfish and don't want anyone else I know driving the same car that I have. (Bad, I know.) :v

genechien

well assuming he gets the auto tranny, bmw says that the 550 will 0-60 in 5.5 secs. it's also a fatter car...3814 pounds vs. the c55's 3540 pounds. so performance wise, the c55 will definately walk away from the bmw 550.

the things that the 550 has going for it is that it's roomier and more luxurious than the c class. oh yeah, and bmw still have free maintainence i think!

has he considered the m3? that's a close match to the c55 if he really likes the bmw brand. you could recommend that to him and thus keep the exclusivity of your c55

luvmyc55

He initially was going to wait for the new M3 to come out, but it looks like it won't come out anytime soon. He doesn't really like the current M3.

FrankW

550i SMG ...Mtech body kit...drool!!

luvmyc55

Any reccs on where one would get a good Mtech body kit installed?

cntlaw

All I would say, all new European cars/models are getting bigger engines; thus they will be faster than we used to familiar with. e.g. C230 becomes C280, C320 becomes C350, BMW is going to launch a Biturbo E90 called 335i over the 330i E90 in 2006, BMW 535i becomes 540i, 545i becomes 550i, 2006 S500 is 388hp than 306hp. The good news is C55 is still very fast 0-100 4.8s-5.2s and brilliant torque , not to say those lucky guys who can do a Kleemanization too. Have all said, also need to check if the upcoming facelift of E500 will get a 32valve engine like the new S500 , which makes the E500 to be 388hp. It will be nice to compare 550i with a 388hp E500 in 2006.
I have great hope to the W204 C63 in 2007 and with the introduction of S-class technology to the new C-Class; I have a vision that the new C-Class ( C63 for AMG lover) will be plenty of new technology to make it a luxury and safer car to drive and no less in handling and power than the new 420hp M3/4. Thus, I won't have much hope for a 550i as it will just be the same old bulky car don't even have airmatic and the adaptive steering needs big improvement. Comparing the E-Class superior interior , the interior of BMW 5-series is a monkey house.

deedee545i

I haven't seen any C55s on 1/4mile track yet, my guess of its 1/4mile time would be 13.2sec.... since 545i's 1/4mile time is 13.7sec and 550i has 40hp and 30lb/ft torque more than 545i, I guess in a 1/4mile run, it'll be really really close unless someone really think 0.1 or 0.2sec decides how good your car is....... Handling part is really personally, what I like about 545i is the steering feel and reponsive chasiss... but the ride is kinda harsh and seats are not comfortable..... Sound system in 550i will be much much better than C55's system and resale value will be better since C-class is going to be replaced in about a year or two and in Vancouver, C55 depriciates like rocket...... 550i is roomier and has much much bigger trunk..... but afterall, you have to test drive both to decide which one to buy, listen to others' opinions doesn't help much..

TopGun32

keep in mind that the 550 has SMG 2 with Launch Control.

360 hp/360tq 6 speed SMG, good handling +++

sorry interior and saggy butt ---------


i'll drive it before I get a used 2004 e55 in about 6 months. Hopefully the 388hp E-class is out, maybe i'll have a chance to compare the 7sp auto with the 388hp engine.

By the way, there are rumors of a C55 bump up to 400 hp (if only the put the 7sp) only then I would by the C55 over the E55 and 550. Much lighter car and better gearing.

My budget is $65k....

I like the fact the 550 has full warranty, not as fast as the E55, but fast enough.

E55, was the king of the road until E90 M5, but faster than my C32 and lots of more room for my 2 boys and my wife. Chip and Pulley can help me keep up.

I

FrankW

right now only dealership offers it.

cntlaw

Can anyone tell me is the 550i SMG the same as the M5's SMG III?

TopGun32

sorry, the smg 2 is 6 speed

smg 3 is 7 speed.

the new m3 (4.0 v8) will get the smg 3 as well.

SolidGranite

I would bet money the E90 M5 will still have a hard time keeping up with the current E55.

TopGun32

i think you are probably right....

but all the videos I have seen, seem to point that once the tripple digits arrive 120+ the 7 speed SMG3 is far more supperior than our 5sp.

If you look at a recent video...against a SL55 with Chip and Pulley (allegedly)... the M5 pulled on the higher speeds. It pulled on the E55 as well, 996 TT, Audi Modiffied RS4 (only on the top speed).

Lesson learned:
In real world freeway and stree driving, the M5 will suffer lots of kills. In open road and empty freeway scenerios, you better have a pulley, chip, and a better cooling system on the E55. Basically you better have k2, renntech stg2, or Evo stage 2.

As you know, heat loss is the biggest gripe from Kompressor owners.

Mr.PS

*E60* M5 and M6 will own the E55 in both the straight, and obviously track and braking capabilitiys. It is truely the better car even though I am a Benz fan I would take the new M5 over both the CLS55 and the E55.