everyONEelse

I went to the dealer this past Friday and test drove a white S550. I like this car a lot. So most likely I will be placing an order next week.

However, coming from driving an E500 I am concerned about the extra weight and its effect on handling. In the test drive, the S550 handled itself very nicely, very responsive. But I am wondering if I am going to miss the E500 down the line.

Any of you have gone from an E500 to an S550 (or S500)? What has been your experience?

Germancar1

I would say you aren't. If you had a E500 to start with handling wasn't your biggest priority. Not that the E500 handles badly it does, but it isn't a 550i either. I'd say the only adjustment you'd have to make is getting used to the size of the S550. From everything I've read so far that car handles great, as your test drive confirms. Of course the room, luxury and power of the S550 will blow the E500 away. I say go for the S550.

M

lkirchner

About 3 weeks ago I went to place an order for an S550 for my wife. She test drove the car and after the drive the sales man mentioned that he had another car on the floor that she might like. It was a fully loaded, except for parktronic, 20006 E55. One look and you could almost tell the verdict. After the test drive her comment was no comparison, "the 550 feels slow and feels like an old persons car" we drove away with the E55.

2 different cars, I know but this was coming from a person who thinks a car is something to go from one shopping center to another. By the way she has recently been inducted into the American Express hall of fame.

Germancar1

Nice story. Yeah the E55 is a quite a different animal. I think anyone can feel the power of a car like the E55.

M

AMGBENZ

I took the E55 out first then the S550 I thought the S550 was hands down all around superior Lux sedan that still 0 -60 in 5.4 seconds. E55 is no question a great great sport sedan its just less a car than the S550 and that is what some people want less a car in size that is.

But I can tell you if you put the S63 Vs E55 for lux sedan or even just put the AMG sport package on the S550 you will loose the old man image fast!

If I needed to use my 4 door car for track time and street driving I would pick the E55AMG but for 4 door lux sport driving I would pick the S550 with a AMG sport package its fast, smooth, big,nimble,everything a great lux sport sedan should be. S550 is a lux sport sedan and the E55AMG is a Sport sedan with a extra hit of sports car.

So my advise is to drive both back to back and then think about what you are really going to use this 4 door sedan for. The answer will jump at you instantly. Good Luck please let us know how the Test drives go E500 or E55 VS S550 and what you picked none are a bad choice just different have fun

slk55lvr

Well if you can wait about 6 months why not try the real comparison? The e550 with 385hp sounds like it is going to be the PERFECT sports/luxury sedan.

c240 kid

S550 beats the E500.. no question.

but it depends, do you like style, speed or luxury?

with the new S550, you get all three! how can you go wrong? but yes, there is about a 40,000 price difference...

blazinginder

Just a side comment...but RAY CATENA is the man.

kenstudios

The E500 is indeed a very good car that performs very well, but whatever the E500 does, the S550 does it better. Thats why you have a $40k price difference. Think about it. The S is meant for the elite class of people who can afford the price. Not everyone would like to spend over 90K for a car. You can easily hire a chauffer for your S550 and it would look normal. Do the same for the E500 and it sounds weird. Why is that??????????

everyONEelse

I too think that the S550 is a better E500. When talking about E55, then the rules change; you could argue that an E55 is a different car from an E500.

In any event, I am going to buy the S550. I _know_ that I should wait for the bugs to be worked out. But that doesn't help at all... :-)

c240 kid

dont worry about the bugs...

if you get an S550, get the launch edition with the color designo graphite and beige interior... very nice

mkaresh

There is a huge gap in size between the two cars. I personally think they should offer the SWB S here to plug this gap.

The S550 is far from slow. However, like other very quiet, very smooth cars it doesn't FEEL nearly as quick as it is. The V8 moves the car effortlessly. But because it doesn't have to work hard, it doesn't feel like much is happening.