Here is the deal. I love cars but am broke. Past rides are 01 325i manual with sport package, no go but handled like a go-cart. I could drive that car like I meant it. Would wash it and then go for a drive floating through off ramps and get home and have tire rubber all over the rear quarter panel. 03 525i - complete dog. 06 E320 sport package, loaded, nice whip but no *****. 06 GS430, HOT car and handled like a dream with the traction control off, could hammer it and never felt scared, always on the edge but always knew what the car would do Now that I am broke, I bought a 2005 E500 4-matic with 70k miles. Beautiful car, perfect in all respects execpt it rides like an old Buick. Holds an uneasy, unstable line in the corner and then lets go and when I say lets go, it lets go to the point where I am not confident in pushing this car. Body roll is horrible. Floor it and I swear the front wheels are not in contact with the road. Is there a fix for this or am I stuck driving an old man's car?

 

sprint booster will make it jump but the handling you will need to change springs or possibly lower with star tool

 

I think you maybe bought the wrong car

 

It takes a while to fully appreciate the comfort and the driving dynamics of the E500. It took me a good few months to fully appreciate it, especially the air suspension is simply awesome. Anything goes wrong w/ the air suspension will cost you big bucks (~$1000s), but I think it's worth it. No, it'll never handle like a bimmer. I've been driving bimmers for a long time and it took me a while to really appreciate the differences in the E500. If you want a car with sporty dynamics, then get the bimmer. As for the cornering problem, you should check out the suspension components -- at this mileage on a E500, the ball joints are most likely completely worn out.

 

try sport2 for the airmatic. makes quite the difference. i drive on sport2 all the time. not bad imo

 

Yes, check the suspension and ball joints in particular. In Sport 2 it is not as bad as you seem to imply. Tires and air pressure make a huge difference in the 4Matic as well. Still it is a heavy car and does take some getting used to and is not a ride that can be tossed around without some skill.

 

You're admittedly financially stressed, so you purchased a 70K mile W211? Sounds like your priorities are all wrong.

 

I just lost my career and my wife. So that my children could have two loving homes and I could put my ex through nursing school, so she could better provide for our children, I decided to sell my lexus and her escalde and pay cash for her 335i and my e500. I chose to sell the cars and downgrade instead of selling the marital home, the only home my children have ever known. Am I feeling broke after taking an 80 percent pay cut and paying for two houses, yes, are my priorities all wrong, NO.

Thanks for the input on my car question.

 

I think Clayton was being very well intentioned. He was responding to what you said here:

A used MB with 70k can require some really expensive maintenance and repair. Much more than a Lexus and a 3-series BMW. Hopefully you got a CPO'd car from the dealer with the extra CPO warranty.

 

I do feel sorry for anyone that has lost their job, marriage, home etc...

But I still stand by my statement that you're priorities are wrong. If what you say is true, and you're in severe financial duress, why on Earth would you buy a vehicle that will most likely cost you thousands a year for proper maintenance, and unexpected repairs?

It seems for someone in your situation, a much less expensive car, that's more reliable, and costs much less to maintain would have been the better choice.

Good luck with your situation. But I feel you have made the wrong choice in automobile.