Car drvr

Find the different dealer, who does have it in stock. Or find someone locally who wants to sell same model of same year and "use" that person to do a "test drive"
Yes, 100ms time is for E63 model only, it is listed here:
http://www.mercedes-amg.com/?lang=usa#/e63-overview, under "Technical" tab on the right.

As for my personal advice - with your type of salary, I would definitely go for E550, or even E63 if you prefer a more "responsive" cars. Remember, you only live once, and you never know what might happen TOMORROW, so try to enjoy whatever car YOU want to enjoy TODAY. Of course, that also doesn't mean that you have to immediately waste all of $$$ on the garage full of Bugatti Veyrons and such. An E63 (or similar model in same price range and class) should be a good "middle ground"

pinipig523

Ah... glad to know the e63 shifts quicker, perhaps there is hope after all! Thanks for brightening up my day.

I saw the word - "multi clutch"... and it made me smile.

I'm going to tell the wife that we need to use some of her salary to help pay for my E63. I wonder what she'll say... LOL!!

pinipig523

I found one (actually there's like 3) in Dallas, TX. Same dealer my brother bought his GLK from.

http://mercedesbenzgrapevine.parkpla...ition_id=10426

Looks fancy and white... love white.

Pretty good deal?

At 1.9% for 66 months, we're looking at $1197/month, no down.

Car drvr

If she's gonna bother you about it - just have a little talk with her. I'm sure she also has her personal "requests" for some items that YOU might find redundant and impractical, same way that SHE might feel about your future car purchase. Just offer her to purchase whatever she wants to, without asking why she needs/wants whatever she wants, then do the same with your future car - a "win:win" situation Just promise her to be "moderate" when it comes to $$$ spending and don't try to change new cars as often as your socks

pinipig523

This is dumb... I just found out that the 2010 e63 does not have the new engine, nor does it have the updated clutch/transmission system.

Maybe I should just be looking at my own spec'd out brand new e63. I just spec'd one out.. $94K. I did not go for AMG performance package which brings up the hp to 550 though... I think that might just be overkill.

Car drvr

It has a different engine than the 2012 model... I'd test-drive both then decide on which feels "better".

pinipig523

She makes good money on her own - she's a pharmacist and this is probably why we're able to afford both the Lexus and the Infiniti right now (actually, with my meager resident salary at 42K, her work IS the reason). She's like my sugar mommy right now... LOL.

I think she just sees where this is going and she wants to instill some responsibility in me before I become irresponsible.

pinipig523

I can tell you right now that the 12 probably feels better, lol. Plus, I like that the biturbo 12 is more efficient. 24mpg high way vs 20? Nice....

Now, to compare this to the M5...

Car drvr

That's a good idea - wait for M5 to be available, try them both before deciding, you never know what you might like better Of course, also keep in mind that buying the car is only a "half" part of ownership experience - it is also important to find a good official dealership which will treat you and your car properly (which, unfortunately, I couldn't do with any of my local BMW dealers, but you might be more successful).

pinipig523

I see you're looking at the C63... sell me on it - why the c63?

Car drvr

There are lots of things why I wanted it:
1) Powerful, naturally aspirated engine (though I also wouldn't mind a turbocharged one, as long as it'll respond in a "linear" enough way and have a "properly" tuned stock exhaust).
2) Automatic transmission (I don't enjoy using using manual transmissions, I just don't) which shifts in an acceptable (for me) manner.
3) Good steering/braking/throttle responses.
4) Comfortable seats with plenty of lateral support.
5) I like sedans over any other type of cars.
6) I don't like big cars. Anything larger than C-class = too big for me. Don't care how it is for the passengers, I will be the only driver most of the time
7) I have a good official MB dealership nearby that treats me (and our other MB car) like a human being.
8) I like the design of both the exterior and interior. I especially like that it doesn't look too "flashy" (especially with badges removed, which I will be doing) like some other cars, such as BMW's M3 (I'm not into whole "rice racer" look on cars, with excessive bulges and random holes all over the hood, even if they are for practical purposes) or something more "sporty"-looking. I am buying the car for personal enjoyment, not to impress others with it (I have other positive qualities which I can use for that and which have nothing to do with my personal income).
9) I want some car that I can place the sticker on - I have an excellent sticker with some graphics and "Go Green, Buy a Hybrid!" phrase... yea, yea, I have a strange sense of sarcastic humor
10) I really, REALLY dislike how current USA administration is trying to force the car manufacturers to stop (or decrease) producing such powerful cars, using all of this CAFE standards nonsense. I do not believe that if I chose such powerful and fuel-inefficient car I will be doing any measurable harm to anyone, and I want to enjoy my FREE CHOICE of driving such car before government takes it away from me.

All of these things are mostly subjective, so you don't really have to consider (or agree with) any of them

merc1234

Forget the e63 and c63. What you really need is a cls63 .

pinipig523

Why the cls63?

merc1234

If the amg is too excessive, the cls550 has excellent performance reviews as well. My favorite part about the new CLS is the looks. It has a nice large and aggressive front end and I actually like those curvy taillamps in the back. I saw one zipping by me on the highway the other day and I couldn't stop staring at it. You should probably spend some time test driving some of these cars especially the '12 e550/cls550. The new TT4.6L =

pinipig523

I did test the 2012 e550 sedan and 2012 cls550 2 weeks ago - but the shifting was still off. Sadly...

BM2BZ

based on she told you to drive your g37 for another four years, i know what she'll say, "get the @#$% outta here!" or "go ahead! you can drive your e63 all day long but don't even think about drive me all night long!"

honestly, you've pretty much answered your own question. a "regular" car won't make you happy. you need an amg or m or whatever other manufacturers top spec cars. if you can't wait for the m5, go test drive a c63 and m3 now. just get a taste of it first. if you like the m3 that much better, wait for the m5 and see how it goes. if not, you might want to seriously consider a e63 or cls63.

pinipig523

I just want faster shifting - the power of the e550 is more than enough. Dang it.

merc1234

Maybe you should consider a BMW. They have quite a few cars that come in full manual transmission. Maybe you can take a look at the new 650i coupe.

ImInPA

I think you should just drive you G for another four years. It is a lot cheaper than a divorce, and, you have made it painfully obvious who wears the pants.

pinipig523

I could do without manual shifting, I think I'm passed that stage for now. I'd like an auto manual that can shift in a similar fashion that I'm used to. Quick, but it doesn't have to be track-nurgburgring quick.

But definitely not sluggish like my experience with the E550, where there's a good 1/2 to 2/3 second from flicking the paddle up shifter to the actual shift itself.

pinipig523

Definitely cheaper, yes. As for the pants, I think you may be right. But that's ok - I trust that she's more financially savvy so I'm ok with her wearing the financial pants.

If it were me, we'd be in financial ruin in no time.

Though, between you and me, I think she knows that she would have no choice if I were to really want an e63. I'd just buy it and deal with the ramifications. She'll be a little upset initially, but I earn the majority of the share so she would have to accept it.

That said, I'd like to be more financially responsible for a change, so I'm listening to her for now.

There's partnership at my gig in a couple of years which will add a boost to my income, she says that when that happens, we can be a little more playful with the disposable income but she wants us to be financially conservative initially.

alsyli

Yes, and a partnership would also presumably let you write off at least part of the cost of a leased car? (as opposed to getting a CPO)

At any rate, not to be mean, but have you done any research on the cars you're considering, aside from driving them and then asking for opinions here? You seem hung up on shift times, and you're asking people sell you on an E550 vs. E63 AMG vs. C63?

Not sure what kind of driving you're doing where that would matter or even add that much enjoyment to the car, but you're not going to find that in a mainstream MB. Auto magazines for good reason have CONSTANTLY refer to the lazy shifts in MBs (even engaging drive from reverse sometimes takes longer than expected), and they've been doing that for decades.

There are many reasons to buy an MB (pride of ownership, engineering, safety, resale value, ride/handling balance, interior fit and finish, overall drivability). Fast downshifts are not among the reasons....

And, as for finding a BMW w/ a manual transmission on the lot, good luck w/ that. You'd probably have to special order.

Get what you want (even if it's not an MB). And enjoy it. And don't worry about what any of us have to say ultimately, b/c we're just random people on a social forum! =)

oggie

I too had an G37S as my last car. There is no comparison to the E550 in terms of how nice it rides and how relax you arrive when you get to your destination. The G is like a toy. But if speed is important, then you should look at a C63.

pinipig523

Yes, I have researched a good amount but I've been so busy with boards studying that I have not been able to fully research each automobile. I do like the MB brand (pride, engineering, over-engineering, safety, resale, experience, after-sales support), I was the one who told my brother to buy a GLK350 6 months ago.

Given that, shift times are not listed on the website and it's hard to get a feel for it without driving the car itself or asking those who have (on this forum). Example, no mention of shift time given for the E550 on the mbusa site.

Now, I'm not looking for a stick shift car anymore ever since I drove a properly done paddle shifting car (Lexus GS350 F Sport in sport + mode). The Audi A6/7 also had good paddle shifting response times, but I just did not like the car itself.

I have not yet tried out the Beemers, maybe that's the last thing I have to do.

In the case of the Benz, I think I may have to step up to the AMG ones to get the shifting feel that I desire... but to much chagrin, it will cost me $$.

I have also entertained the idea of a Porsche Cayman or 911 w/ PDK, but I was really thinking that time around, I was going to get a more sensible sedan-type car.

Though my brother keeps telling me to go Panamera. The price $$ scares me.

pinipig523

Oh for sure the G is like a toy, no doubt.

The E550 was fantastic in all aspects except it just didn't give me the shift feel I wanted. I want to have a car in auto manual that responds to my shifting just as I am accustomed to in all my stick shift cars. It doesn't have to be track-quick, but just decently quick.

This was the reason I really enjoyed my test drive with the 2013 GS350 F sport. Too bad I felt that it could've really used the power of the 550.

Here's the thing - I don't need e63 power... I just want a better auto-manual mode on the e550 and it saddens me that I cannot get that without an AMG.