C32 AMG, C55 AMG (W203) 2001 - 2007

Audi RS6 vs Jag S Type R vs Merc E55 vs BMW M5

Old Nov 5, 2002 | 07:23 PM
  #1  
amguy's Avatar
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
Thumbs up Audi RS6 vs Jag S Type R vs Merc E55 vs BMW M5

Dec 2002 Automobile Magazine.

Article Summary.

BMW M5 is the winner....

Jag S-type R 12 mpg 0-60 5.7 sec 1/4 mile 14.2 sec @ 100 mph
The four valve per cylinder, 4.2-liter V8 from Coventry is seriously strong, yet it still lags a long way behind the three valve per cylinder Benz...

While the three German cars stay hot on each other's heels when pushed, the Jag slowly but surely, drops back. It loses 1.4 sec to the RS6 from 0 -60 mph, it is more than 4 sec behind the E55 at the 100mph mark and it takes almost twice as long as it rivals to reach the electronically governed 155 mph top speed.

Jag's extra gear can't mask its relative lack of pulling power. The Jag in particular is hampered by the fretful demeanor of it digital watchdogs (Electronic stability control)

Pitch, dive and sway are far too pronounced. Brakes are excellent, steering is direct and precise, but the engine does not communicate particularly well with the transmission...

The Jag rides remarkably well. It is quiet and refined, lavishly appointed and nicely assembled. We might be able to overlook the cramped cabin and the small trunk, but we can't ignore the underwhelming straightline performance and the overall lack of agility.

Audi RS6 13 mpg 0-60 4.3 sec 1/4 mile 12.8 sec @ 109 mph
Caught off-kilter, humming along at low revs in a high gear, the turbo V-8 takes a second or two to build up to full boost, but once therem, it loads up the driveline like a Pratt & Whitney jet engine at full afterburner.

thanks to the AWD the RS6 puts the power down with aplomb. It is unfortunately, nose-heavy, a trait that makes it understeer strongly. The RS6 also has the knobbliest ride. especially at low speeds. It also has a heavy steering

The Audi Dynamic Ride Control (DRC) keeps body motions in check. DRC gives the RS6 a speed advantage in the corners, but at the expense of feedback and response. The car remains so consistently flat, discovering the limits is a strangely uninvolving experience.

The RS6 is blindling fast. But little niggles such as wind noises, questionable directional stability on uneven surfaces and the lumpy ride bring it down.

M5 14mpg 0-60mph 4.8 sec 1/4 mile 13.2 sec @ 108mph
It has the best steering, which is accurate, quick enough but never nervous and very three dimensional in the way it transmits messages to your palms

The M5 corner by corner, more elastic and nimble than its rivals.

Five years old, the M5 still manages to beat the new kids on the block. The BMW simply drives better than the rest. ...it strengths are a beautifully progessive and creamy engine, a neatly spaced six speed gearboxm great steering ample brakes, and the best chassis in the super sedan league.

The M5 doesn't ride as well as the Jag, lack the explosive power of the Merc, and can't match the traction and ultimate grip of the Audi. But as a whole, the BMW is a masterpiece.

E55 11 mpg 0-60mph 5.0 sec 1/4mile 13.1 sec @ 112mph

With the stability and traction off, the E55 can't wait to demonstrate its own pirouette, which is more difficul to control because of slower steering and considerably greater mass. In addition, the Airmatic suspension affords too much body roll, to the detriment of at the limit handling.

The Benz does not decelerate as well as expected. It electrohydraulic brakes feel strangely passive, heavy and lifeless that feeling was backed up by the longest 70 to 0 mph stopping distance. The steering deserves criticism for its rubbery response and uneven weighting.
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2002 | 07:30 PM
  #2  
Fikse's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,662
Likes: 1
From: South Florida
STS,FGT,12C,P85D,M4
is that a typo? there is not way the current E55 can pull 112MPH traps....
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2002 | 07:45 PM
  #3  
amguy's Avatar
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
0-60 5.0 sec - 1/4 mile 13.1 sec @ 112 mph per Automobile Dec 2002

0-60 5.0 sec - 1/4 mile 13.1 sec @ 112 mph per Automobile Dec 2002
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2002 | 09:16 PM
  #4  
Regime|Life's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 248
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver, Canada
Don't believe it. No way the current M5 can beat the new E55 AMG. :p
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2002 | 09:39 PM
  #5  
Fikse's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,662
Likes: 1
From: South Florida
STS,FGT,12C,P85D,M4
they were testing the CURRENT E55.... not the upcoming supercharged version.... thats why I'm saying they made a typo in the magazine.... there is no way it could have pulled 112MPH through the traps....
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2002 | 10:14 PM
  #6  
amguy's Avatar
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
Unfortunately it is the 2003 E55. Check the numbers...

Look at the numbers of 0-100 and above. The problem with the E55 is getting the power down in 0-60.

0-60 0-100 0-150 1/4 mile 30-70
RS6 4.3 10.4 26.8 12.8 4.6
M5 4.8 11.7 27.6 13.2 5.4
S-TypeR 5.7 14.3 49.0 14.2 6.0
E55 5.0 10.2 22.8 13.1 3.9
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2002 | 10:25 PM
  #7  
Fikse's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,662
Likes: 1
From: South Florida
STS,FGT,12C,P85D,M4
wow.... guess it is the new E55, those numbers "seem" so disappointing....

although if you look at the 0-150 run, the E55 show's off its horsepower by beating the other cars badly....

I was expecting mid to high 12's @ 115+ MPH from the new E55.... I'm sure with some better traction it will be in the 12's for sure....

that Jag is such an overpriced dog!

did they list a price for the new E55?

Last edited by Fikse; Nov 5, 2002 at 10:28 PM.
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2002 | 11:18 PM
  #8  
amguy's Avatar
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
compared to this group the C32 is a real bargain that delivers

0-60 0-100 0-150 1/4 30-70
c32 5.0 12.6 - 13.7 5.2

With renntech ecu and pulley this car does

4.7 (0-60) and 13.2 (1/4). With some intercooler work I am sure that 4.5s and 12.9-13.0 are in reach.
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Nov 6, 2002 | 12:32 AM
  #9  
Norm C32's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 290
Likes: 0
From: Ashland, Ohio
ex-C32
So if I am reading this correctly it takes the 450hp RS6 the 'about' the same to time to go from 60-150 MPH as the ~450 hp E55 to go from 0-150 MPH?! :-0

Automobile mag is not the most note worthy when it comes to statistics.

Trap speed sounds about right for the E55 compared to others. I pulled up next to a black S-type R in traffic. It had the worst orange peel I have ever seen on a car(from 8 feet away). I hold my thoughts until further examination up close.

Got laugh when non-enthusiast or non-auto journalist write about the M5's recirculating ball steering. The design is ancient and not used any more as most manufacturers are converting to rack and pinion. It is just well engineered around it. Porsche does the same thing.

I'll wait for C&D or Motor Trend to give us some more detailed numbers.

Norm - who is rolling on the floor laughing at the RS6 owner who thinks there is Audi is the ****!
Reply
Old Nov 6, 2002 | 12:46 AM
  #10  
OusterA4's Avatar
Newbie
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Deep in the heart of Texas
2002 A4 Quattro MT5 (modded ;)
Obviously not too many people...The RS6 (not to mention with chip work) WILL still smoke the new and old E55...But laugh away, just know you won't be the last one...
Reply
Old Nov 6, 2002 | 03:34 AM
  #11  
IanPooley's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 204
Likes: 0
From: Munich, Germany
Schrempps C 32 AMG
About those "tests"...

Hi,

I think those tests aren´t that serious. Everytime they test BMW vs. Mercedes the BMW wins cause its cheaper. And when you ask the tester what car he would buy it´s allways the same answer: Mercedes!

In germany Mercedes-Benz is about 4% more expensive than BMW and BMW is about 3% more expensive then Audi.
In my eyes you can´t mess a BMW with a Mercedes. Mercedes is more exclusive than BMW. Mercedes was allways the No1 in the past and will be the first choise in the future. BMW and Audi are fighting for the second place.
Those three companys are producing the same kind of cars: big limousines with much HP. So you can say that if you own a M3/M5/C32/E55 or a Audi S4/RS4/RS6 you drive a car which is possible to reach high speed when you travell arround.
But it´s for sure that those cars are no real sports cars. A Porsche is a real sports car or a Ferrrari/Lamorghini or a AC Cobra (search for "Weineck Cobra").
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:
You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:59 PM.

story-0
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-1
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-4
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-6
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

Slideshow: From bulletproof sedans to surprisingly tough SUVs, these Mercedes models proved that the three-pointed star can go the distance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-08 09:55:49


VIEW MORE