e500 over e55
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 274
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From: Southern California
'03 E500
e500 over e55
Lately, I've been seeing more and more e55's on the road and I've had an inkling to just get rid of my e500 and buy an e55. I've always liked the e55 out of all the E's but at the time of acquiring my e500, I could not afford an e55, straight up. Now that I can, I was thinking whether or not I should.
Before I make a hasty decision, I was wondering why all of you got an e500 over an e55, or any other car. I understand some of you were in the same shoes I was financially but others could have easily bought an e55 but chose not to.
I even thought about just saving some cash and getting the AMG kit but to me, that's kind of like perpatrating. Just like in some other post I read about putting the AMG badge because they have the kit, even though it's not a "real" AMG (motor). I'm not into that.
Maybe it's because I work at a place where there are 2 B-dogs (bentley's) 3 e-55's, a new s550, and a ferrari 550, just to name a few. I would've posted this in the e55 forum as well but you know they'll just tell me to get the e55. Thanks for your opinions.
Before I make a hasty decision, I was wondering why all of you got an e500 over an e55, or any other car. I understand some of you were in the same shoes I was financially but others could have easily bought an e55 but chose not to.
I even thought about just saving some cash and getting the AMG kit but to me, that's kind of like perpatrating. Just like in some other post I read about putting the AMG badge because they have the kit, even though it's not a "real" AMG (motor). I'm not into that.
Maybe it's because I work at a place where there are 2 B-dogs (bentley's) 3 e-55's, a new s550, and a ferrari 550, just to name a few. I would've posted this in the e55 forum as well but you know they'll just tell me to get the e55. Thanks for your opinions.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Bay Area
E500 Sport
I did not buy an E55 because they were not available when I ordered my car...I preordered in 2002, took delivery Dec. 2002.
The E55 is an awesome car. I think you should buy it if you plan on using it to it's full potential. For me, my car is not used to drag or track. It is a daily driver, and the 500 engine is very competant for that purpose. good luck
The E55 is an awesome car. I think you should buy it if you plan on using it to it's full potential. For me, my car is not used to drag or track. It is a daily driver, and the 500 engine is very competant for that purpose. good luck
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 666
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From: Boston, MA USA
03 E320 -wife's car now; 07 Porsche Boxster S - my toy
Originally Posted by monstaloc
...........
Maybe it's because I work at a place where there are 2 B-dogs (bentley's) 3 e-55's, a new s550, and a ferrari 550, just to name a few.
...........................
Maybe it's because I work at a place where there are 2 B-dogs (bentley's) 3 e-55's, a new s550, and a ferrari 550, just to name a few.
...........................
Regards,
paul...
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Sacramento
'08 AM Vantage V8 - '03 E500
You'll get a lot of advice in response to your question, but in the end it comes down to what's important to you. It sounds like you wonder whether you should "keep up with the Joneses" at work. Well, to me, that's exactly the wrong reason to buy a car, but you're free to spend your money as you wish.
Basically, people with the money to choose buy an E55 over an E500 or an E350 for one or both of two reasons: status, or they really want the extra power - having 469 HP under foot makes them feel better about themselves than having 302 or 268 HP. If you do most of your driving in SoCal, you're not going to have much chance to fully use 268 HP or 302 HP, much less 469, so it pretty much comes down to how your car makes you feel in terms of status and theoretical empowerment. The functional differences between an E55 and E500 in areas other than acceleration - braking, handling, safety, for instance - aren't all that significant.
No, I haven't driven an E55 (they are rare in Sacramento, unlike - apparently - SoCal) and yes, I expect to get reamed by E55 drivers for not knowing what I'm talking about. Spare me. I don't have to drive an E55 to know why people in urban areas really buy them.
Consider this compromise - wait a while and get an '07 E550. It looks to bridge the gap in performance (i.e., acceleration) between the E500 and the E55, just as the E350 bridged much of the gap between the E320 and the E500. The '07 will also have improved electronics (for instance, iPOD integration capabilities) that we don't have on our '03s.
Basically, people with the money to choose buy an E55 over an E500 or an E350 for one or both of two reasons: status, or they really want the extra power - having 469 HP under foot makes them feel better about themselves than having 302 or 268 HP. If you do most of your driving in SoCal, you're not going to have much chance to fully use 268 HP or 302 HP, much less 469, so it pretty much comes down to how your car makes you feel in terms of status and theoretical empowerment. The functional differences between an E55 and E500 in areas other than acceleration - braking, handling, safety, for instance - aren't all that significant.
No, I haven't driven an E55 (they are rare in Sacramento, unlike - apparently - SoCal) and yes, I expect to get reamed by E55 drivers for not knowing what I'm talking about. Spare me. I don't have to drive an E55 to know why people in urban areas really buy them.
Consider this compromise - wait a while and get an '07 E550. It looks to bridge the gap in performance (i.e., acceleration) between the E500 and the E55, just as the E350 bridged much of the gap between the E320 and the E500. The '07 will also have improved electronics (for instance, iPOD integration capabilities) that we don't have on our '03s.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 625
Likes: 82
From: Germantown, MD
'07 GL450
I had my reasons for choosing an e500 over an e55, or any other car/model for that matter; however, I think you'll benefit from the following thread:
Dodge Magnum discussion
A pretty heated discussion about the Dodge Magnum that turned into a debate about why people choose certain cars over other's. Among them, the e500 vs e320 vs e55...
Enjoy!
Dodge Magnum discussion
A pretty heated discussion about the Dodge Magnum that turned into a debate about why people choose certain cars over other's. Among them, the e500 vs e320 vs e55...
Enjoy!
Last edited by Miguk_Saram; Mar 17, 2006 at 03:49 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 957
Likes: 1
was '03 E320 - now - '04 S4
I feel like a loser. The only reason I didn't have an E55 instead of an E320 is that I couldn't afford one. 
It isn't a really rational car IMO though - it's an awesome straight line performer but when would you really use it? Using anywhere near the potential of the E55 would land you in jail.
It's 4200 pounds and an automatic so track days wouldn't be much fun with it. For roughly the same $$$ I preferred my two car setup - E320 + S2000. Daily driver + auto-x / track day fun car.
Last edited by lig; Mar 17, 2006 at 01:51 PM.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Bay Area
E500 Sport
Originally Posted by lig
I feel like a loser. The only reason I didn't have an E55 instead of an E320 is that I couldn't afford one. It isn't a really rational car IMO though - it's an awesome straight line performer but when would you really use it? Using anywhere near the potential of the E55 would land you in jail.
It's 4200 pounds and an automatic so track days wouldn't be much fun with it. For roughly the same $$$ I preferred my two car setup - E320 + S2000. Daily driver + auto-x / track day fun car.
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Almost a Member!
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 51
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From: NYC
06 E60 M5 silverstone/Silverstone
4Matic
The reason why i chose e500 over e55 was because of 4matic issue, of course if you have multiple cars at ur use/living in non-snowing areas than its ok.... so i chose the e500 4matic with pano roof... i mean in terms of styling.. u can make mods, as u said a lot of ppl go with the amg kit, but adding a badge would be silly, pretending to be something not meant to be... i added brabus quad exhaust and brabus wheels... If i was living in cali i would definitely get e55.. love the look and the performance, test drove one and can't stop thinking about it... if you can afford it and u also like performance, why not?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,399
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From: Irvine, CA
07 M6, 05 Noble, 01 S4, Smart ForTwo
Originally Posted by DWP
You'll get a lot of advice in response to your question, but in the end it comes down to what's important to you. It sounds like you wonder whether you should "keep up with the Joneses" at work. Well, to me, that's exactly the wrong reason to buy a car, but you're free to spend your money as you wish.
Basically, people with the money to choose buy an E55 over an E500 or an E350 for one or both of two reasons: status, or they really want the extra power - having 469 HP under foot makes them feel better about themselves than having 302 or 268 HP. If you do most of your driving in SoCal, you're not going to have much chance to fully use 268 HP or 302 HP, much less 469, so it pretty much comes down to how your car makes you feel in terms of status and theoretical empowerment. The functional differences between an E55 and E500 in areas other than acceleration - braking, handling, safety, for instance - aren't all that significant.
No, I haven't driven an E55 (they are rare in Sacramento, unlike - apparently - SoCal) and yes, I expect to get reamed by E55 drivers for not knowing what I'm talking about. Spare me. I don't have to drive an E55 to know why people in urban areas really buy them.
Consider this compromise - wait a while and get an '07 E550. It looks to bridge the gap in performance (i.e., acceleration) between the E500 and the E55, just as the E350 bridged much of the gap between the E320 and the E500. The '07 will also have improved electronics (for instance, iPOD integration capabilities) that we don't have on our '03s.
Basically, people with the money to choose buy an E55 over an E500 or an E350 for one or both of two reasons: status, or they really want the extra power - having 469 HP under foot makes them feel better about themselves than having 302 or 268 HP. If you do most of your driving in SoCal, you're not going to have much chance to fully use 268 HP or 302 HP, much less 469, so it pretty much comes down to how your car makes you feel in terms of status and theoretical empowerment. The functional differences between an E55 and E500 in areas other than acceleration - braking, handling, safety, for instance - aren't all that significant.
No, I haven't driven an E55 (they are rare in Sacramento, unlike - apparently - SoCal) and yes, I expect to get reamed by E55 drivers for not knowing what I'm talking about. Spare me. I don't have to drive an E55 to know why people in urban areas really buy them.
Consider this compromise - wait a while and get an '07 E550. It looks to bridge the gap in performance (i.e., acceleration) between the E500 and the E55, just as the E350 bridged much of the gap between the E320 and the E500. The '07 will also have improved electronics (for instance, iPOD integration capabilities) that we don't have on our '03s.
Are you gonna use the power or not? I considered it as well. But it doest matter much now that I have a noble. I usually drive relatively slow in the E. Dont buy it for others to see, buy it for yourself. It is fast as all hell tho
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 274
Likes: 0
From: Southern California
'03 E500
The E55 would definitely be for me. It may have sounded like I was doing it to show off or fit in but really, all the other E55's I see are merely pumping me up to get it. I decided not to. The power is going to get me into trouble. I've decided to blow my money on mods and a clean amp/sub install.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 352
Likes: 1
From: fl
1992 500E, 2006 E500, 2007 GL 450
When I traded my 2002 M3 for a 2006 E500 I thought carefully about an E55. Money wasn't a key issue but I did feel that the E55 would have to be really special to warrant the price premium. Clearly the straight line acceleration of the E55 is noteworthy. But after driving a 2003 E55 I was thought the handling was nothing special. Compared to the M3 there is little advantage to the handling of the E55 vs. the E500. There were a few small advantages to the E500 from my perspective. After living with a couple of cars over the past few years with no spare and 4 different non -interchangeable tires I wanted a car with a spare tire as well a tire size that was readily obtainable. A flat sidelined my M3 for 4 days over a 3 day weekend. I also liked the idea of the MB seven speed transmission vs. the E55's old five speed. While the overall performance of my E500 is not extraordinary I rarely have an opportunity to drive the car near its limits. I quess I'm getting too old to appreciate the exclusivity of the E55.
