AMGGuy

Any thoughts on Motor Trend issue? M wins all categories. E55's handling said to have a "too happy of a tail", harder to launch than m5???

Daez_Nutz

I just picked up this issue the other day. Typical bias in favor of BMW, but an interesting read nonetheless. As far as their acceleration tests are concerned, it seems like they had some traction difficulties with the AMGs. I'd be willing to bet that the 55s would've been much closer to the Ms in straightline performance with some meatier rubber on the rear wheels. Also, in almost every comparison, they gave the nod to the BMW because of its pricetag and/or manual transmission. Otherwise, it was a toss up between the two. At times, it almost seemed like they were desperately digging for some valid reason to choose the BMW.

AJChenMPH

Face it, BMW's have always made outstanding handling cars, and I daresay that an M5 would win over an E55 in a straight performance shoot-out. Having said that, I'd still rather have an E55 over an M5 because (1) the E-class's lines are more beautiful, and (2) the E55 is the perfect blend of performance and luxury. The M5 is just a driving machine.

Still, the car is only as good as the driver. Case in point: I was at Lime Rock in November, and rode the *** of a current generation M5 around the turns -- the guy couldn't lose me. Of course, he disappeared on me on the straights. And to rub salt into the wound, click on my sig to see what I drive...

JamE55

I haven't read the issue yet but you know i think this is a matter of personal taste. I mean c'mon M5 and E55 are both nice cars and very close to specs.

BMWMnut

I read the article and thought it was pretty good reading. Of course, I am somewhat biased.

However, the outcome of each comparison was so close that it could have gone either way. In fact, they prefered the CLK55 Cab over the M3 Cab, but were swayed back to the M3 due to its $25k lower sticker price.

I am looking forward to reading a test comparison between the next generation E55 and M5 when they come out.

MPE430

Motor Trend and C&D always favor the BMW because of it's objective advantages(price, 0-60, etc.). However, I have driven both and the bottom line is that the E55 is a better car. The E55 may be the best looking car on the road today. Coupled with the fact that the interior of the E class runs circles around the 5 series(Especially the E55)makes the Merc a superior choice. The M5 may beat the E55 off the line, but from a drivers perspective, the AMG interior is so much more appealing then the numerous black nondiscript buttons and the dull orange lighting on the dash of the M5. Driving an E class on a day-to-day basis is so much more appealing then the sterile feel of the 5 series BMW. The M5 is a world class car no doubt, but I'll take an E55 any day of the week because of the total package.

AolHoward

which MT issue are u guys talking about ?? April ?

vinmanc32

And would still give my money to MB for any AMG product over an M badge. I still have to come out and look at it every day. I will get a charge from looking at my automatic AMG everyday of the week. Even if M offered an automatic, I still..... well lets leave that alone until I see it. Wouldnt wanna have to insert foot later. BMW makes a great product and I am happy for all that have and enjoy them..

BMWMnut

We all have our preferences.

In regards to the battle between automatic and manual transmissions, I think it will continue for the ages. Of course sequential transmissions are an interesting hybrid that will cloud the issue.

Honestly, I do enjoy driving a manual when driving down a mountain road. But I have to admit, an automatic is great for commuting and very consistent for stoplight drags. I have driven an E55 for an extended period and am very impressed about the transmission logic. It holds gears when you want it to and upshifts at redline. However, I do prefer a good manual transmission.

We all have our preferences and that's why some choose BMWs and others Mercedes.

Cheers!

ItsJ2

which issue of Motor Trend are you guys refering ??

March or April ??

thanks, JJ

steve s

if i remembered correctly, patrick hong at car & driver picked the e55 amg over the m5. yaya, no stick, but the amg has a hand built engine

at this price and at this performance, with room for 5 and luggage, who's complaining? perform similarly to a new corvette (not z06), in a sedan??

BMWMnut

JJ,

It is the April issue of Motor Trend.

Steve S,

Complaining? Not me. I read the same comparison, but it was in Road & Track I believe. I love shocking Vettes with my four-door family car.

Otto's E55 AMG

As expected: The usuall BMW "favored uber alles!"
Facts are..the BMW's ride harder than my E55 (I know..I had an M3); the service/parts prices are higher; the BMW's are _not_ as reliable (I've owned 3 before I converted<G>) ); and the resale value isn't as good as any Mercedes! Around here in the Austin TX., area, I must see literally dozens upon dozens of BMW's of all types every day including various M types (when was the last time you've seen _any_ AMG?). Worse yet..due to so many of the damn things (especially the cheaper 3 series) running around here, the used BMW market is really hot around here (quite literally<G>)..which means..you guessed it...used Beemers (read teens) running around with all kinds of gold trim; under carraige lighting and..YIKES..those itty-bitty wheels sticking out a few feet from the sides of the car. I personally have _never_ seen this kind of thing on a used MBNZ around here ..although I'm sure it exists! Just not _as_ prevalent around here anyway's..due again..to the lower resale value of the BMW's!
Sorry for the diatribe!<G>! Otto

Otto's E55 AMG

One other thing re: the tests acceleration numbers:
I've noticed over the many years that I've been reading these types of tests that there is almost always an aprox. half second or so diff 0-60 between a manual transmission car and one with an automatic; I'm assuming due to parasitic losses and probably differences in gear ratios, etc., etc! Taking this into consideration, if all the AMG's in the test had manuals, like the BMW's ..subtract a half second or so (or slightly less?) off the tested AMG's 0-60 times and _then_...compare them to the BMW's!!! Wow..some would fall into Z06 and Viper territory!<G> When will the Auto Mags realize that some people actually prefer an automatic to a manual! MBNZ research shows that an overwhelming majority of Benz customers bought the Benz because it _did_ have an automatic; myself included!!! Otto
cy

steve s

didn't u ever see the commercial where volvo 850 turbowagon automatic takes on a bmw m3 (E36) automatic on a race track? fact is, bmw with autos is slower than the volvo box.

btw, those previous m5/e55 tests were in march 2000 of both road/track and car/driver. and it was sam mitani who prefered e55 and not patrick hong. oh well. hey, anyone remember the outrageously packed renntech e7.4rs on car/driver, the "bad-*** benz??"

BMWMnut

Otto,

To respond to your two posts. I personally have not seen many BMWs or MB with the "south of the border" flair you were describing. However, it may be more prevelant in your part of the country than here. But then again, everyone has their own opinion of what looks good and bad.

Another reason this could be the case, is the fact that 3 series age demographics are a little younger than their C-class counterparts, which is why you may be seeing more teens "negatively" improving their cars. I have not looked at the blue book value between the C-class and 3 series, but would not doubt if you were right about the resale values.

However, according to the Kelley Blue Book, the wholesale value of a 2000 M5 and E55 with 15,000 miles with the default standard options in excellent condition are as follows:

M5: $61,460
E55: $59,030

Pretty similar in my book.

By the way, I think an E55 with gold Dayton wire wheels with reverse positive offset and the full gold package would look pretty cool. JK

Cheers!

BMWMnut

Steve,

Was that the article of the E320 which Renntech completely gutted and essentially built a race car from the shell? Just shows you can never have too much money. That was an awesome car.

steve s

yeah, some lucky surgeon in savannah, georgia owns the car that was gutted from a e320 owned previously by c/d. 7.4L v12 in the baby, and man, does the car look great too. it does 60 mph in 3.9 sec, quarter in 12.1 @ 120, top speed 198 (phantom speed limiter again), 6 piston alcon/renntech brakes...sigh...all this with a 5speed AUTOMATIC too (and 290k pocket change). crazy . wonder what this car would do if u had a 6 speed auto like the new 7series or one of those smt2 now on the e46 m3.

Otto's E55 AMG

>>>However, according to the Kelley Blue Book, the wholesale value of a 2000 M5 and E55 with 15,000 miles with the default standard options in excellent condition are as follows:

M5: $61,460
E55 $59,030<<<

Kelly Blue Book is merely a starting point for trade in value; location (i.e., what State/City) also comes into play! Here in the Austin area, I got above KBB/NADA for my C43 AMG when I traded that in for my current E55..but..when I traded my M3 in..I got _less_ than KBB or NADA value. When I asked the BMW sales person abot the trade-in descrepency, he said there are way too many BMW's in the Austin area (see my post..compared to MBNZ..and _especially_ AMG's) and therefore that
was reflected in the (current at that time) trade-in value!
As always..you're mileage may differ !<G> Otto

steve s

couldn't agree more. hehe, would u believe that my father's 93 cadillac sts with roughly 50k is worth only US$500 in taiwan??

E55 KEV

Here is the Road & Track Article -BMW M5 vs Mercedes-Benz E55 by Patrick Hong. I could not find the date:

Sam Mitani, Feature Editor
"After spending more than a week in Germany driving that country’s fastest road-going machines, I realized that the name of the game there is top speed. And both the BMW and Mercedes-Benz are Autobahn demons of the first order. The difference between the two becomes apparent around a twisty road course. Surprisingly, the BMW exhibited significant understeer through tight corners, while the Mercedes-Benz felt more neutral and precise. Also, the E55 felt noticeably more stable under hard braking. So, despite not having a manual gearbox, my nod in this test goes to the Mercedes-Benz."

http://roadandtrack.com/RoadAndTrack...nz_e55_p1.html

vinmanc32

The article is an opinion by someone who may have gotten paid more from one manufacturer than the other (advertising) and wanted to pay back. It was mentioned above how the C32 was mysteriously left out and the slk32 basically whipped the M roadsters booty. That should tell you something. thats a new generation M series so I would expect it to do better than the AMG E series. Otto, the M5 also cost about 75k versus 69k. So that difference in price is about right although should be used as you mentioned as a reference. Lets see what it looks like in 36 months. Seems like MB products do better over the long haul with depreciation.

Darkmann

I read the article and have read other articles, and no question about it, the M5 is the best sports sedan in the world, period. But that's not all. I recall making a promise to myself never to buy a Mercedes. I totally disliked the E-Class design. The Bimmer was my choice, hands down. Then last summer I bought my wife a E430 - and I LOVE the car. She knows I wanted the Bimmer and has been encouraging me to get one. As much as I love the Bimmers, the 5-series lacks character. They drive great and I love the stick, but I just can't differentiate them from most cars on the road. I look at the E430/E55 and the M5 and no matter how I look at them, I can't find any distinctive character of the M5. Even the M3 has more character than the M5. I tried putting a front air dam on it, and it looks a bit better, but still not distinctive. Great sport sedan, the best handling, perhaps, but bland.