Ol'School

we don't get E500's (or E550's as I believe are called in the US) in my region, or any V8 E classes. so no body here is familliar with their performance. we know how's the engine when it's mated to the older sister the S class but that's an entirely different story, I know. and since I'm a V8 fanatic, and the E class is my favourate class within MB, I'd really appreciate it if a few owners could enlight me with their experiences with V8 E classes (especially the E500) and answer my few questions here:

1-how powerful are they ?

2-(2nd most importantly) how do they compare to their BMW rivals (550 I believe?) ?

3-how close is their performance to the AMG E classes, and actually other than the engines, what else is differemt between them and AMG's ?

4-how much do they cost in the US and how much in europe?

5-(and most importantly) if I buy one, how much do I need to spend on modefying it before it becomes more powerful than an AMG and also performs better than one?

also I'd really appreciate it if you briefly threw in your experience living with them in terms of reliability, costs, and .. well .. basically whether you still like it and enjoy driving it ..


Sorry about the lengthy question, and apologies about my poor english which is probably making it even more difficult to go through

220S

As an owner of many flavors of BMW I can answer #2. The suspension, steering and braking is far better with the 550i. The transmissions in the 550i (the sport version with the paddles) is also better matched to the engine's torque and powerband. In short, the 550i is a much sportier ride. Better balanced and less body roll.

For cruising comfort, great highway performance, interior appointment, safety, and conveniences, the E550 is the better choice.

If you want a car purely for performance, especially in handling, then the BMW wins. Otherwise, the E550 wins.

imho, if you want an AMG, then buy an AMG. Tuning a E550 to become an AMG seems too expensive and kind of pointless. But if you want AMG power and better handling then buy a M5.

gaazmon

Agree, not worth it to spend THAT much money on it. The power difference between the E550 and 550i is not that much (E is 382hp and 550i is 365hp, I believe). Ya, the BMW is by far a more driver's car. Also, I can't stand how they took of driver dynamic seats on the E550. I won't buy one for that reason (I have back problems so I need a car with at least basic 4-way power lumbar suport). I've driven a 545i before and it was phenomenal, so I could imagine how the 550i is. A 550i with an M sport body kit and rims and put on an eisenmann exhuast... Sex on Wheels .

Probably speed wise, they both have about the same 0-60 since the benz weights more than the 5. Back in the day, BMW V8's were maintenance nightmares, but now I believe they have really stepped up their game and changed the quality and reliability.

AMGs and Ms are a completely different level.

Ol'School

It actually depends on how much price difference is there .... in my region the E63s go for around $135K, how much more expensive are the E63s from the E500s ?

Polar Bear

The E550 reminds me much of the W210 E55, if you have driven one of those. Seems like virtually the same engine.

crazeazn

what region are you in?

gaazmon

Wow, that's high. Well in Taiwan E350's are $100,000. S-classes are almost $200,000. If I remember correctly.

Ol'School

Gulf - Middle East

gaazmon

Salamu alaykum my friend. I know a few words in Arabic, my father is from Lebanon, but we are Armenian. I think we have a fellow member from Dubai on here.

Ol'School

alaikum salam and don't worry I'm already feeling home

Ol'School

I need to know how much do both cars cost in the US .. the E63 and the E500 (or E550 I guess)

lx Raven xl

If I were you I would wait for the new E class to come out. It will be released in March next year. BMW 5 series is also getting a new model.

If you compare the current model the BMW 5 series is a better choice If you want a drivers car.

Check out this review page for E class and 5 series

5 series
======
http://www.topgear.com/uk/bmw/5-series


E class
=====
http://www.topgear.com/uk/mercedes-benz/e-class

emilner

I test drove both the 550i and the E550 before getting the E. The 550i has a very punishing ride, which might be great to carve corners with but leave's the rest of your drive rough and uninviting. As far as power goes the E550 does pull a little on the 550i. I very much prefer the interior/exterior on the E. The difference really comes down to personal taste and if you are looking to autocross most of the time or prefer to ride in luxury...

beartrap

The new E class is being introduced to the world in March at the Geneva auto show. I dont think it will be ready for sale in the US unitl Sept/Oct of '09. I'm very intersted in this car however I'm not planning on being in it the first year its out. Im looking for a 24-27 month lease on the existing model and then move into the new car after its had some time to work out any bugs its sure to have. It should be an exciting car however...

Ol'School

well actually I was asking for the sake of comparison and I'm not considering either of these nice cars. now that you braught it up, I'm thinking of getting something next year, I really wanted an AMG E class the problem is next year it's changing skins which means 1)you can't buy an earlier model it's becoming old now (sorry guys hehe) 2)you don't wanna get the ACTUAL new model because just like beartrap said it's gonna be loaded with issues they're going to fix the year after + I it's a bit expensive for me. I LOVE the new C63 but it's just too small for me, I don't care much about room inside but too small in size for me. I hate the idea of starting with one of the enemy's weapons, an M3 (sorry to the other guys now hehe) but I just LOVE this car, the M3. a third option would be my 2nd favourate car a 911 Carrera S, now with the PDK, yummy.

I can afford the Porsche and the M3 but I can't afford the new E63 .. would you get an earlier model (with no warranty) and put up with being old news, or get one of the two other options you don't like as much, or would you wait for another year ?

any input guys would be much appreciated ..

220S

Huh? That doesn't make any sense. Have you priced a 997? You'll find a E63 for less $$ than the 997. As a P-car owner (current 993 and past owner of 996 and 997) you can rest assured that a new 997 with the necessary options (which add up very fast) will be more $$. Plus you can get MBs at hefty reductions now, more so than 997s.

gaazmon

Ya, I would think the same thing. I love the 997. I even love the 996 as well. *Sigh, however I do not know if I could ever drive one of those things every day or even once in a while for that matter. How is the ride on those? I drive my sister's 07 C230 sport and have back pains and nerve pains as well (I have back problems. Also, I have a nerve problem that sends pain down my lower left leg, usually results from fatigue. Um, ya, and I'm 21. Ya this is not a joke to, I'm 100% serious. I think it happened from playing football back in high school. Played for four years). Even in the C350 loaner it sometimes would bother me, but no where near the C230 sport, it's way too punishing. I think it has to do with the seat itself and the amount of cushion and support and the lumbar system as well.

220S

Sorry to hear about your back problems. That's no fun. Ouch.

Any P-car would be tough for you; they are pretty stiff, esp the classic water-cooled versions (e.g., 993.) The current 997 is built more as a daily driver in mind, but you'd still suffer with it. Especially on LA County roads.

Take a ride over the Downtown LA Motors and tell them you're looking to maybe buy a CPO 997 and take one for a test run. (forget Rusnak; head over to Figueroa and West Washington, much nicer folks at Downtown.)

gaazmon

Ya, my uncle had a 99 996 and he had the regular sport seats, only drove for like 10 minutes but it was a little rough. If I would buy like a 996, I would definitely buy it with the more cushiony seats option and 4-way lumbar support. 993's from what I've seen are worth quite a bit and have become somewhat of collectables. Ya, the 996's and even more, the 997's, seem more for daily drivers than previous Porsches.

That's why I love Benzes and AMGs. I've never liked BMW interiors and even the exterior styling (minus the previous 740i and the last 2 gens of 3-series two doors). Even the Benz regular 550 V8's pack a lot of power and they are so comfortable.

Thanks for the heads up regarding P-car dealers in LA. Wouldn't be in the market for one right now but you never know what comes up in the near future . Would love a 911 targa in white with black interior and yellow brakes. One my way to vegas with friends on friday afternoon, there was a white 997 turbo that pulled up to us at one point. He got a little ahead but then started to slow down a little. Then all of a sudden, he hit the gas and smoke just blew out of the exhaust and he went flying. The 997 turbo is so beautiful.

Ol'School

I'm really not good with model numbers (or chassis numbers or whatever 997 and 996 are) but - using model name - a Carrera S, which is my choice of porsches, with chrono sports pack and the "necessary options" is worth somewhere around $105k almost exactly as much as an M3 worth, mean while an E63 is worth somewhere north of $135k ... but reading through this forum I've realized it's completely different in the US and Europe, the pricing that is.

gaazmon

Wow, that's interesting. M3 the same price as a Carrera S 911??? Jeez, BMWs and Benzes seem much more marked up over there. But why would a 997 911 Carrera S be not that much more expensive?

220S

USA Southern California MSRP pricing averages. Note that you can get a lot more off of MSRP on a MB than on a BMW. And Porsche is the least discounted of them all.

2009 M3 72,770.00 USD.
2009 E63 96,790.00 USD.
2009 C2S 103,745.00 USD.

Ol'School

the way it is it sounds like ordering one from the states is a much better deal ... the problem is with our extremely high temperatures I hear you MUST have a gulf spec

220S

afaik, you can't export from the US to elsewhere. In fact, when I bought my MB, I had to sign a form that I could not ship my car overseas.

Only if the car is a certain age and certain mileage can you export.

ps., "Gulf Spec?" I'd think that living in the US deserts would be similar. Palm Springs in the Mojave is super hot as is parts of the Sonoran desert in Arizona. And Las Vegas, etc.. In fact, the Mojave is where car mfg test cars.

BRABUS_E500

The 550s are like breath of fresh air. Only because I've owned my E Class for so long .. but I love my E and honestly half the kits they make for the 550s don't look as good.