Or, for that matter, E320? How would one in the U.S. even be able to capitalize on the mechanical and technological prowress of this machine? Does it simply mean you have the ability to pass a truck on the freeway in 1.1 seconds rather than 3.2? Is it purely to have the power available to you even though you may never use it? Would one have to 'go for a drive' just to experience the amazingness of this or any other 'super sedan' like the M5 or RS6? What's the reason for purchasing (or leasing - whatever) this type of vehicle, really? What is the real reason for purchasing a super sedan rather than just a great one?

 

You're joking, right?

We are not talking about top speed here. There is a very practical use to having massive amounts of torque at your disposal, not to mention that it is immensely fun.

A 1.0 second difference in passing a truck may seem insignificant, but if it makes the difference between being able to safely do so without squeezing in at the last second, or if it lets you easily whiz past the punk who starts to speed up when you signal before changing into "his" lane, then to me it is worth it.

Of course you would have to "go for a drive" to experience the amazingness of a super sedan. I don't think you can appreciate much just by looking at it.

 

yeah yeah yeah....exactly why do you need such a caR?! Dude go buy Chrysler....it's way cooler than a mercedes.

 

why do people buy such cars ? i mean cars with a 400 or 500hps ?

Because they like the optic and the drive-feeling from the car ?

Why is somebody driving the E55T ? Beauce he likes fast cars, the comfort from a mercedes, the status, the "ohhh like at this nice car" sentences from passants, maybe the person has a wife and children and he wants to drive with them to the beach ?


I dont think that somebody is buying a E55 cause he just wants to be one or two seconds faster then the E430...

 

I have an E55 (and a new one on Order) because

- I demand the best.
- When I hit the gas, I want instant response.
- When I take a corner at 2x the posted limit, I want to feel the Gs and Power my way out of the turn.
- When I drop the hammer in a clearing on the highway, I want to see the headlights behind me dissapear.
- I want nearly the same performance from a 4 door sedan that I get from my Porsche.
- When I have three passengers, I want them to complain about the whiplash they get when I exit a toll booth
- When I drive down the street, most people don't have a clue about what I am driving


Sure I don't use 100% of the power all of the time, but I do typically cruise at 80-90 (with occassional bursts at 100-110).

If price is no object (fortunately I work too damn hard and this is the case) there is no debate.

 

Some of you guys need to chill here - ever hear of 'devil's advocate'?

 

An E320 is purely transportation, a family sedan, a car to get you from point A to point B.

An E55 is to ignite your soul, your passion, and to have some fun getting from point A to Point B. And it can serve double duty as transportation and family hauler.

It is an EXOTIC!

 

I admit I've been lusting after a new W211 E55. For me it's mostly a matter of convincing the wife that it's NEEDED and
that is tough right now in these economic times!

I test drove an E500, and was very surprised and pleased at the power. Wife thinks an E320 is plenty fine - maybe I'll have to "compromise" down to an E500!

And then of course there is Kleemann...

 

LOL!!!

My thoughts: Let people purchase, and drive what they want and f**k everyone else and what they think

 

Why would anyone climb Everest? Why did men go to the moon? Why date plain Jane when you could date a model? Why eat burger instead of filet mignon? Personally I grew up in the muscle car age but couldn't afford a hemi Cuda or such. Then I went through the dark ages of emission control/fuel economy and oil embargoes. Now I can afford something unique and grabbed it. You only go through life once, so enjoy it as much as you can afford to. Anyway, so much for philosophy for today. Don't take life too seriously.

 

why? then ask why would i do this to my volvo?



i donno, cause its fun...and do it in one of the safest cars on the road. plus, it's a volvo, very unassuming
visit some of my pages...
Volvo on Stickypix.com Volvo on SoundDomain.com

hey, no complaining man, u'r about to get e500

 

Exotic? E55? 90% of hte people would not be able to tell hte difference between that E320 you talking about and E55 on the road, thats some exotic. What are you doing Kev? 1-2 years down the road you will have just another old model car kind of like poch's shevy impala ss. Car is not a house its a money wasted that is why it is wise to drive it and enjoy it-something you refuse to do. There are dudes with new BMW 745's and 15000miles on the odometers because they love to drive the car, you just BS about it. I can undestand buying another car if one has porsche or ferrari with limited space and freaky manual but E55? 4 Doors, automatic-perfect everyday car. Drive explorer and keep E55 in the garage in the plastic bubble? Something's not right with you, dude.



Wat do you have now, 2000miles in 10 month? How did you break the 2000 miles mark in your EXOTIC---with champagne and caviar? Sweet Jesus

 

Fast E, Are you sure you are not one of my envious nosey *** neighbors? Always peeping out the window wondering what the hell I am doing instead of minding their own business.

Exotic may be a strecth moniker for the E55 but it is close. Most people don't know what an Aston Martin or an XKR is either until they see them driven in the James Bond movie or they live in Beverly Hills 90210.

Limited production, Average two year wait, $10k Dealer Markup, never heard of by common folk - sounds like an Exotic to me.

In the future when you want to buy a previously owned E55 you know where to find one with low mileage and pampered. My garage

 

If your dealer is charging a 10k markup, you need a new dealer...

 

Welcome to the AMG Markup or Wait Game schvetkaaks. During the first couple years of existance many dealers were charging $10k for any W210 E55 in stock. When the W211 comes this spring the same will happen. Many SL55 are marked up more than $20k right now. Used & new SL55's are being advertised for between $140k & $190k. A Maryland dealer has a SL500 for $120k and it is used.

That is the reason people are placing orders at MSRP and waiting 2 years. It will be difficult or impossible to walk into a dealer and purchase an W211 E55 at sticker. I thought you knew.

 

Well, I've already talked to my dealer about getting a W211 E55 at MSRP should I choose to get that vehicle (instead of RS6), so I'm sticking with my dealer - you can have the markups if you want...

 

That is the point I am making - any pre-order or pre- negotiation on the E55 prior to it being in the country and at the dealership should be MSRP. When those cars actually get here the ones in stock and not spoken for will be basically auctioned to the highest desparate bidder/buyer. So any car that demands a markup do to demand, market conditions and availability may be considered an exotic.

When the cars arrive you will not be able to test drive or see one sitting in the showroom- because it already has an owner and will not be around the dealership long.

 

Any car which has people lining up, on waiting list, placing orders, making deposits, signing papers, calling salesman, demanding MSRP months and years prior to the car going on sale must qualify for some sort of special status.

Many people buy these cars sight unseen and never a single test drive.

 

Man, you guys are are always ******* ol' Kev mercilessly.

In defense of his protectiveness of his E55, most people have a few things in life that they really enjoy to the core, whether it's a hobby, travelling, or cars...whatever. What right does anyone else have to say how someone else should spend their money or enjoy their leisure time?

I knew a guy a while back who lived in a very modest home and worked a rather low paying job for 20 years. His goal in life was to own an Acura NSX. He bought a used one a couple years after they came out and I don't know that he ever drove it out of his neighborhood. I think he got more pleasure out of pulling it out of his garage, admiring and polishing it in his driveway, than anything else he did in life.

Now that's a little sad in my book (since this guy's life was so one dimensional), but the point is that if someone finds something in life that's legal and safe which brings them pleasure, more power to them. They should enjoy it as they choose.
What's really sad is the people who have nothing in life which really brings them pleasure.

 

E55 KEV is dead on. In 1997 I purchased my first Benz, a black E420 which was a very nice ride. Having read an article about the upcoming E50 I placed a deposit with my dealer the day I took delivery of the E420. This was Dec. '97 and later in 1998 I read that the E50 would not be sold in the states due to the upcoming debut of the E55. So I called my dealer and told him to keep my deposit toward the E55. I figured I'd be at the head of the line. Well my E55 arrived in early Feb.'99 and I asked the dealer how many had preceeded mine. Never did get an answer! I loved the car but in 2001 read about the possibility of a supercharged version coming out with the new E class. Needless to say I was skeptical. So I began researching aftermarket superchargers for my '99 E55. I contacted RENNtech and made plans to get the work done. I had read about RENNtech vehicles and was always impressed with what I read. After sending a deposit I thought about how much of an investment I was putting into a 3 year old car and decided to trade in on the 2002 E55. At this time my dealer found what I wanted in a matter of hours, the difference between first and last model year! I'm happy with my decision as from what I have read about the new E55K it will not perform as I initially thought it might. Gaining over 300 lbs. weight, reducing the rear tire size, and changing the final drive ratio from 2.82 to 2.65 limits it's performance capabilities. I would hate to have 469 HP and not be able to smoke an M5. But for some I'm sure it will be the cat's meow. Be happy!

 

The new E is over 300 pounds heavier??? Wow, that seems like a lot considering the new one looks smaller, sleeker and lighter. Not to mention new aluminum body panels.

 

James F Cannon is wrong.
The new 211 E is an inch longer than the 210
The new 211 E is 130 lbs lighter than the w210 (E430 vs. E500)
The new 211 E55 is considerably faster than the 210E55

There has been no regression, nor would MB allow that.

 

i think he meant the e55 w211 is ~250 lbs heavier than the e55 w210. afterall....all those electric gizmos in the brakes and handling and the supercharger and intercooler and an even stiffer (if that's even possible on mbs ) chassis must add some weight...

 

Steve S, you are correct. I was not referring to the entire E class line up. Dec.'02 Car & Driver article lists W211 E55K curb weight of 3900 lbs. Dec.'02 Automobile magazine lists weight of 4046 lbs. Everything I have read has stated rear tire size of 265/35-18 for rear and final drive ratio of 2.65:1 The W210 E55 had a curb weight of 3680-3720 lbs. depending upon which publication I read. Also had 2.82:1 final drive ratio and 275/35-18 rear tires. I have owned a '99 E55 and presently own an '02 model. I am an M-B and AMG fan. It just appears to be regression to me, but we all will have to wait until US customers begin taking delivery to get some real world info.

 

Weight broke the bridge!!!
Lets go there!!