rondocap

I sold my S55, but I still regularly check in on the forums. I got up to 171,000 miles on it, and decided it was a good time to jump ship before any other maintenance issue popped up. I went into a new 2011 fully loaded VW GTI, so far I love it - I do miss the S55, but the GTI gets double the gas mileage, and is very quick and the handling is amazing!

The S55 was great, but with gas prices so high, and the W220 not being the most reliable platform to date - I figured it was a good time to jump ship. After the warranty is up, and the car gets older, the repairs definitely start to pop up and tend to be very expensive.

I'll definitely be back in a Mercedes in the future though - after the GTI I may go to a C63, but for now I am on the sidelines!

Arnee

Wow, really? Interesting change.
Did you consider the Audi A3? I'm looking at those now to replace my aging E430.

rondocap

I actually was not even looking to change, but was test driving some cars for my mom, and while looking at a VW for her, I drove the GTI. Right away I was impressed by it and loved it. The interior is very high quality, and the technology is great. (nav, bluetooth, satellite radio)

The best part is the steering and handling, and the car feels faster than it is and puts a smile on your face. It feels about as fast as my s55 na was, but the dsg transmission makes it much more involved a drive.

C43AMG

If I may ask....what did you get for her ? What year was it ?

e500slr

From an S55 to a GTI? I guess being a new car has it's good sides but don't you feel like a big downgrade, as old as the W220 is in the end it's a Mercedes, it has it's presence. Good luck with the new car though and make sure you get that C63

rondocap

It does not feel like a downgrade at all - just different. I wanted something smaller and sportier, and I did not need something as big as the S55. The GTI is very well built, and obviously I'd prefer a newer AMG, but comparing the 2011 GTI to a 2001 Mercedes is a bit easier - I prefer the newer car. (It has pretty much everything the Benz had - navigation, leather, it even has bluetooth and satellite radio which I did not have on the S55.)

One thing I am enjoying a lot though: The driving experience. With the DSG transmission, you can really control the gears and it is like a go-kart on the curves and twisties. My S55 would have been sliding everywhere! Regardless, I have a special place in my heart for the S55 - I really do love that car as well.

Arnee

Never in my life have I seen someone compare an older S55 to a newer GTI.

rondocap

Yeah they are very different cars - more or less on the opposite end of the spectrum in terms of size/appearance/etc. But they both do the same thing - put a smile on when you drive it!

For a second I almost decided to get an E55, as price wise the GTI is about 30k how I got it, and I can find a nice lower mileage E55 - but I decided against it because of the better MPG and lower maintenance costs of the GTI, plus it's new with free maintenance for 3 years - gives me more reassurance. I can trade some power for economizing a bit, since remember that I drive a lot during the year. (So the E55 would be out of warranty much faster) (I'm getting 34MPG on the highway with the GTI, and about 25/26 in the City...I drive 30k to 40k miles a year, so that's significant over the 13 city 19 highway I was getting with the S55)

But anyway - I'll probably keep the GTI as my DD in 3 years or so and pick up something else a bit more hardcore. For now I love it.

Arnee

Yeah, my friend has had the same chassis GTI for 6 years and swears by it. He usually keeps his cars no longer than 3 years but says the GTI is one of those where he really still likes it.

hyperion667

I agree with the "wow! really?" sentiment.....
I certainly understand the 'get rid of it before it costs you..'
but wow.....what a downgrade.....even with all the tech and speed you
mentioned, I just never thought those types of cars were built to last.....

Das Geld 2

Going to miss your posts.

Farewell

rondocap

I'll still be around!

classyS

at least u kept it german!!!

being a father of a 2 year old, i even thought about a volvo lol

S-Clusiv

Wait, you did what?

AMG X

I can see where the OP is coming from, but personally I can't say that I'd feel the same in any way.

A commute car should have been there from the beginning... you probably spent the money of a second car on the maintenace and gas of the 55 anyways.

But still, I guess the GTI would be a more responsible choice financial wise if you only have one car and drive more than 15-20k miles a year.

Fraser

My brother has an Edition 30 GTI and loves it. With the 30 extra bhp and the DSG it's like a little rocketship and perfect for the little island he loves on with all the twisty roads.

tusabes

Didnt you spend $14K+ on maintenance in the first year of owning the s55?

Since you drive so much , 40-50k miles per year, you should do a lease swap with cars that have just a few months remaining but tons of remaining miles. Look at swapalease and other lease swapping sites. There are often cars with 12 months or less left on a lease with 4-6k per month allotment of remaining miles because the original owner drove much less than allotted. That will be your cheapest cost of ownership and will still let you drive nice newer cars

e500slr

14k+ on maintenance in the first year?!!? What were you maintaining? Even a woman isn't that expensive to maintain....

ShangoAshe

YOU WILL BE MISSED MY FRIEND!

Enjoy the GTI, actually I've owned the MK5 GTI brand new since 2006. It is one of the cars that give you the most bang for the buck. I got it because the GTI always had a special place in my heart since I was younger and after the MK4 GTI phased out I went straight into the MK5.

Test drove it and I got the car the same day! All I can say is, this car might not be a Mercedes; but, it is one of a few cars that can actually "involve" you when your driving and you'll hear people say this a LOT! The steering wheel is just amazing. It truly feels like it was molded to only fit your hands.

Anyways, good luck with everything, don't be a stranger, and most of all becareful driving that fun little bugger

excel55

No disrespect to you at all.. But I am diehard BMW junkie and now turning more into a MB enthusiast. I came to a point where I finally agreed with my dad that MB is the best in the world.. Going from MB to VW is your choice but you couldve bought a C Class or E Class..

ShangoAshe

like he stated before it wasn't the most "economical" for him. He was looking for low maintenance and good fuel economy. Trust me, that little VW got all that and a bundle of fun. If he got an E-class or a C-class the fuel economy won't be there and maintenance we all know is not exactly cheap.

So within his budget and what he wants from the car (good fuel economy, low maintenance, and price range) that's the best choice for him.

excel55

I didnt mean any disrespect at all just sharing love for Mercedes Benz. I hope he enjoys the lil VW.

aghakauve

Great choice I love the new Mk6 GTI's!! Time to Stance it

e500slr

Well you did, you disrespected the Don and now you're gonna get wacked by a made man.

When I read your post, especially "I don't mean no disrespect" it was like a scene from the Sopranos.

IwoS500

2 things about people who talk bad about new GTI:

1) they never have driven it
2) their ego is too big to understand that Mercedes is not the only good car out there..

I have 06 S500 and my girlfriend has 07 GTI with DSG
and let me tell you, the only thing about S500 that is better is "the presence"
everything else goes to GTI. The best part besides what was already mentioned here is the GTI's utility.. I managed to put 4 Brabus wheels in boxes and two 19' 265 tires in to GTI
Try to do that in any Mercedes sedan....