Raron

Hey gang,

I'm looking for a new daily driver for running errands, airport runs and the occasional customer. I have an 11' XKR as the toy and am about to replace wife's Series 1 Discovery with either a GL550 or Rover. I also plan to get rid of the Jag for a more focused toy as I miss shifting. Thinking GT3, Gallardo or the like in 6spd.

I find the daily driver choice somewhat depends on what I get as my toy and vice versa. I like to have 1 SUV, 1 Sedan and 1 pure toy. I am thinking:

Toy: GT3, Gallardo, Vantage
Wife: GL550
Sedan: 500E - Rare, have always loved them. Cheapest option compared to newer cars, yet more special.

2010 E550 for about $35k. I wonder how reliable they are...

04 E500 - Clean, simple, cheap - same price as 500E but not special. Put some Vossen CV3 and call it a day. This model wears the simple 5 spoke much better than 10+ IMO.

Audi A8 or S8 - 07 or so for about $35k

LS460 - Lexus is boring but I figured if I have a hardcore sportscar I might as well get uber refinement/isolation so and appreciate the contrast more.

I'm digressing...

ZedStyle

with your budget i would look into a w211 e55

CTE55AMG

I dd a 500e, have an LX450 for winter and a 997 GT3 as the toy. Combo works nicely all year round.

Raron

Nice! You have a great combo. So how does the ownership experience between 03 E55 and 500E compare?

RBYCC

It's a difficult question to answer as the two vehicles are really not comparable.
Keep in mind there is about twenty five years difference in the design and technology.
If you're an enthusiast of the marque then the 124036 would be the choice with understanding of it's limitations.
The E55 is just a car, albeit a fast one but lacks character and soul.

Ed A.

P.S.

For a toy...consider the CLK63 Black Series...much more of a car then the ones you consider....

XJguy

Jeep SRT8 you'll have a sh*t eating grin and have room and all weather capability. Brother had one, and he has a stable of cars including a track Porsche and a 750HP road race ready W-30 Hurst/Olds....yet he loved the Jeep, his favorite car ever he said.

Raron

Which was more fun to drive and own 500E or E55?

Also what do you mean CLK Black is 'much more of a car than the ones I'm considering'... How so?

RBYCC

Like comparing apples to oranges...
Can't compare a car designed in the late seventies to a modern build.
It's an enthusiast's car and if you don't like to deal with anomalies and keep up yearly maintenance on an aging chassis then it's not for you...
500E has appreciating value as it's collectable and low production import, E55 nothing special down the road.
E55 not much more different then an E500 until you put the pedal down. 500E feels like a car with a period modified suspension.

First more bang for the buck which to me is a major part of the equation...

More comparable to the 997 GT3 RS

Drive one or at least read the CLK63 Black Series sub forum on MB World...
Like the Porsche it's a street driven race car...feels very brutal much more so then the one's you mentioned...it's more then a handful under power....

And if you prefer newer then the C63 Black Series which is a bit quicker and feels more refined then the CLK...