E550 COUPE vs e92 m3
#27
Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
E550C. Sold: '98 vette, '04 M3, '01 M5, '05 TL, BMW330 Cabrio (x2), BMW323 Coupe, '07 Benz C230
Hey guys im new here and i love mercedes lol. i currenlty own a 2008c300 and two classic 71 3.5 280se that i will soon post pics of. i am a young guy 19 and i was going to lease the e550 at 64k almost fully loaded 20k down and 600 a month for 2 years. my question is sense the e92 m3 is in same price range which one is better. i know that e550 is pure luxury and its very quick for a heavy car but is it worth the money
i had a 2004 M3 and sort of regretted buying it because.. well, for 50 grand back then it didn't have anything comfortable about it. the seats sucked in particular.
the M3 is one of the best handling cars on the road, period...so i guess if you want a car for the track, go with the M3... of course, the guy on top gear said "M3 drivers have no friends." LMAO.
watch this vid: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaZExdTHHjY
#28
The M3 lacks torque with the small V8, that's probably why it doesn't feel that fast at the low speeds with just a tap of the pedal.
You might want to test drive the 335, you may like the feel of it better, also costs less.
Personally, I like the feel of big V8's with big torque.
You might want to test drive the 335, you may like the feel of it better, also costs less.
Personally, I like the feel of big V8's with big torque.
#29
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 3,000
Received 47 Likes
on
41 Posts
2009 SL550 Roadster Diamond White, 2008 CLK550 Coupe Obsidian Black
The M3 has like 295 torque and 400 hp. Ya, definitely no torque. The power is all up top. I wouldn't buy one then (I don't even go to the track, lol).
I don't know how that C4S could beat an E55, the other driver didn't know wtf he was doing. I was watching videos of E55s with my friends last night and it beat M5s, M6s, CLS63s, CLS55s, E63, Ferrari 360, etc. Only P-car that would beat it is a 911 turbo. The E55 is a monster on straight lines. The Porsche cabs and AWD cars weigh a good amount more (especially if you have both) than the RWD and coupe cars.
Lol, about the C4S cabs in L.A. My favorite 911 is the Targa4S. I love the glass roof and you NEVER see them around, so rare. I've always loved the Porsche targa models. Never been a big fan of the convertibles.
Cguy, nothing like a V8. I've been driving our 06 yukon xl denali around since my car is in need of service and my mechanic has been out of town for a week. Man, that car is fast for something so big (and with AWD too), lots and lots of torque.
The 55/600/65 Benzes are just outright monsters.
I don't know how that C4S could beat an E55, the other driver didn't know wtf he was doing. I was watching videos of E55s with my friends last night and it beat M5s, M6s, CLS63s, CLS55s, E63, Ferrari 360, etc. Only P-car that would beat it is a 911 turbo. The E55 is a monster on straight lines. The Porsche cabs and AWD cars weigh a good amount more (especially if you have both) than the RWD and coupe cars.
Lol, about the C4S cabs in L.A. My favorite 911 is the Targa4S. I love the glass roof and you NEVER see them around, so rare. I've always loved the Porsche targa models. Never been a big fan of the convertibles.
Cguy, nothing like a V8. I've been driving our 06 yukon xl denali around since my car is in need of service and my mechanic has been out of town for a week. Man, that car is fast for something so big (and with AWD too), lots and lots of torque.
The 55/600/65 Benzes are just outright monsters.
Last edited by gaazmon; 09-08-2009 at 03:57 PM.
#31
MBWorld Fanatic!
For people who only want to keep a car for 2 years then that makes sense. In 2007 a new E550 was about $65k. In 2009 (2yrs later) that same 07 E550 is worth about $30k. A loss of ~$35k in 2yrs. Not everyone buys a car to keep forever.
#32
Do you. If I decided to spend $17,000 a year, it definitely wouldn't be on an E-Class.
#35
Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
E550C. Sold: '98 vette, '04 M3, '01 M5, '05 TL, BMW330 Cabrio (x2), BMW323 Coupe, '07 Benz C230
M3 v E550C
So after driving my new E550C, I can provide my opinion vs the M3 since I had one of those also (2004),
The M3 is definitely the better handling car by a factor of 1.5x <-- made that up. For everything else, the benz wins. More specifically, I felt very comfortable in an M3 around any curve as fast as I wanted to go. But the car is a racecar, essentially, with very little else to offer IMO. Plus, per Jeremy on Top Gear, M3 drivers have no friends.
seriously though, the M3 is I think just as expensive but doesn't give you "class" and "luxury" and the "overall $65K experience" IMO but "SPEED, AGILITY" for the racetrack. I would think the C63AMG is probably more in line with the M3 but still doesn't handle as well as the M3.
The E550 is a softer ride, even in Sport mode. The suspension has some sway in it at high speeds (80+), and the adaptive steering takes a bit of a learning curve. I've almost run off the road after passing someone b/c the speed just overtakes me - I look down, and I'm flyin'.
Bottom line is that if you want to hug corners and throw your passengers all over the inside of your car (including your Lattes), get the M3. If you want to love your drive to work everyday and impress valets and the ladies, get the E550C.
And one more thing - if you're looking at the M3, why not get the 335 loaded and feel like you got more value for your $$. The M3 was my dreamcar, but the money I spent on it wasn't worth it. I think my back still hurts from the intolerable seats.
The M3 is definitely the better handling car by a factor of 1.5x <-- made that up. For everything else, the benz wins. More specifically, I felt very comfortable in an M3 around any curve as fast as I wanted to go. But the car is a racecar, essentially, with very little else to offer IMO. Plus, per Jeremy on Top Gear, M3 drivers have no friends.
seriously though, the M3 is I think just as expensive but doesn't give you "class" and "luxury" and the "overall $65K experience" IMO but "SPEED, AGILITY" for the racetrack. I would think the C63AMG is probably more in line with the M3 but still doesn't handle as well as the M3.
The E550 is a softer ride, even in Sport mode. The suspension has some sway in it at high speeds (80+), and the adaptive steering takes a bit of a learning curve. I've almost run off the road after passing someone b/c the speed just overtakes me - I look down, and I'm flyin'.
Bottom line is that if you want to hug corners and throw your passengers all over the inside of your car (including your Lattes), get the M3. If you want to love your drive to work everyday and impress valets and the ladies, get the E550C.
And one more thing - if you're looking at the M3, why not get the 335 loaded and feel like you got more value for your $$. The M3 was my dreamcar, but the money I spent on it wasn't worth it. I think my back still hurts from the intolerable seats.
#36
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,336
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes
on
7 Posts
Porsche 991S, Cayenne S, 1972 BMW 3.0CS E9 Coupe
fwiw, around here valets are totally unimpressed by MBs. So are women. Gotta set your sights higher
Driving to work, yes, it's the right car. And with an AMG version you can get there on time.
#37
Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
E550C. Sold: '98 vette, '04 M3, '01 M5, '05 TL, BMW330 Cabrio (x2), BMW323 Coupe, '07 Benz C230
#39
Out Of Control!!
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: OC
Posts: 18,677
Likes: 0
Received 9 Likes
on
9 Posts
a quarter mile at a time
So after driving my new E550C, I can provide my opinion vs the M3 since I had one of those also (2004),
The M3 is definitely the better handling car by a factor of 1.5x <-- made that up. For everything else, the benz wins. More specifically, I felt very comfortable in an M3 around any curve as fast as I wanted to go. But the car is a racecar, essentially, with very little else to offer IMO. Plus, per Jeremy on Top Gear, M3 drivers have no friends.
seriously though, the M3 is I think just as expensive but doesn't give you "class" and "luxury" and the "overall $65K experience" IMO but "SPEED, AGILITY" for the racetrack. I would think the C63AMG is probably more in line with the M3 but still doesn't handle as well as the M3.
The E550 is a softer ride, even in Sport mode. The suspension has some sway in it at high speeds (80+), and the adaptive steering takes a bit of a learning curve. I've almost run off the road after passing someone b/c the speed just overtakes me - I look down, and I'm flyin'.
Bottom line is that if you want to hug corners and throw your passengers all over the inside of your car (including your Lattes), get the M3. If you want to love your drive to work everyday and impress valets and the ladies, get the E550C.
And one more thing - if you're looking at the M3, why not get the 335 loaded and feel like you got more value for your $$. The M3 was my dreamcar, but the money I spent on it wasn't worth it. I think my back still hurts from the intolerable seats.
The M3 is definitely the better handling car by a factor of 1.5x <-- made that up. For everything else, the benz wins. More specifically, I felt very comfortable in an M3 around any curve as fast as I wanted to go. But the car is a racecar, essentially, with very little else to offer IMO. Plus, per Jeremy on Top Gear, M3 drivers have no friends.
seriously though, the M3 is I think just as expensive but doesn't give you "class" and "luxury" and the "overall $65K experience" IMO but "SPEED, AGILITY" for the racetrack. I would think the C63AMG is probably more in line with the M3 but still doesn't handle as well as the M3.
The E550 is a softer ride, even in Sport mode. The suspension has some sway in it at high speeds (80+), and the adaptive steering takes a bit of a learning curve. I've almost run off the road after passing someone b/c the speed just overtakes me - I look down, and I'm flyin'.
Bottom line is that if you want to hug corners and throw your passengers all over the inside of your car (including your Lattes), get the M3. If you want to love your drive to work everyday and impress valets and the ladies, get the E550C.
And one more thing - if you're looking at the M3, why not get the 335 loaded and feel like you got more value for your $$. The M3 was my dreamcar, but the money I spent on it wasn't worth it. I think my back still hurts from the intolerable seats.
I extensively test drove both cars and you can tell what my choice was by my sig.
If anyone thinks the M3 has no torque under 40mph, I'll happily take them for a joy ride.