March 03 Car and Driver E55
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09 GL 320 07 B7 06 911S
March 03 Car and Driver E55
Highs: Positively silly amounts of power, stability slightly greater than that of the earth.
Lows:An M5 is more fun. Electronics actually drive the car.
Artificial brake and steering feel.
0-60 4.5sec
0-100 9.8
1/4 mile 12.7 @ 117
70-0 175 ft (~20ft longer than M5)
300ft skipad .83 g
14mpg C/D observed
They list the price as $74,000 and comment " This is one of those rare cars that are simply not overpriced, even at $74,000"
Lows:An M5 is more fun. Electronics actually drive the car.
Artificial brake and steering feel.
0-60 4.5sec
0-100 9.8
1/4 mile 12.7 @ 117
70-0 175 ft (~20ft longer than M5)
300ft skipad .83 g
14mpg C/D observed
They list the price as $74,000 and comment " This is one of those rare cars that are simply not overpriced, even at $74,000"
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E55 AMG
Wow, 0-100 in 9.8! No question the car is seriously fast.
But I'm not too thrilled about the skidpad and 70-0 numbers. The W210 E55 did better. March 2000 C&D tested the W210 E55 at .90g and 161 ft (70-0). March 2000 R&T also got .90g, and the E55 (122 ft) was better than the M5 (129 ft) in braking in 60-0. The W210 E55 was a better balanced car vs. the M5 (too much understeer) in R&T's opinion. I'm not sure if the new E55 has improved in the handling and braking departments.
Expected the comment about the M5 coming from C&D, they've got BMW on their brain or are on BMW's payroll. Rare to see anything beat a BMW in any of their comparison tests.
But I'm not too thrilled about the skidpad and 70-0 numbers. The W210 E55 did better. March 2000 C&D tested the W210 E55 at .90g and 161 ft (70-0). March 2000 R&T also got .90g, and the E55 (122 ft) was better than the M5 (129 ft) in braking in 60-0. The W210 E55 was a better balanced car vs. the M5 (too much understeer) in R&T's opinion. I'm not sure if the new E55 has improved in the handling and braking departments.
Expected the comment about the M5 coming from C&D, they've got BMW on their brain or are on BMW's payroll. Rare to see anything beat a BMW in any of their comparison tests.
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Thus far I've read nothing to support the notion that the new electrohydaulic braking system is an improvement. I've seen several track tests now which all indicate it's adequate but not setting the curve by any means.
Testing on the SL55 and E55 has been consistent (same sytem, of course).
Testing on the SL55 and E55 has been consistent (same sytem, of course).
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From: Australia
Nissan 350Z & Toyota Landcruiser 100 Tdi, i lack a benz...but one day
but when the fly by wire brake system is really handy is in emergency stops...it'll almost instantly grab the brakes unlike traditional ones...where there is a slight delay...and u never know when u might need that extra whatever tenths of a second to stop from hitting something...so i guess mercedes always puts saftey in front of sports in any regard
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From: Sweden, Europe
AMG
A swedish magazine (Auto motor and sport) tested the new E55. 0-100 kmh (0-62 mph) in 4,6 s and 0-140 kmh (0-87 mph) in 7,7 s.
The positive remarks where the powerful engine, the tranny, the drivers invironment, the sound of the engine wich they compared to a NASCAR. The bad things where the fuel consumption. But at the end they said that the combination of the engine and the chassie gave the E55 the lead in the class of the superlimos!
The positive remarks where the powerful engine, the tranny, the drivers invironment, the sound of the engine wich they compared to a NASCAR. The bad things where the fuel consumption. But at the end they said that the combination of the engine and the chassie gave the E55 the lead in the class of the superlimos!
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From: Washington D.C.
2024 GLE63s / 2016 GLE63s (traded) / 2016 E63s / 2002 E55
Originally posted by 1115
but when the fly by wire brake system is really handy is in emergency stops...
but when the fly by wire brake system is really handy is in emergency stops...
Fly-By-Wire was a term and aspect used by General Dynamics to describe the internal flight control systems on the USAF F-16 Fighter Jet when introduced back in the late 70's. Cars don't fly so Mecedes has 'coined' the wrong term.
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Originally posted by 1115
but when the fly by wire brake system is really handy is in emergency stops...it'll almost instantly grab the brakes unlike traditional ones...where there is a slight delay...and u never know when u might need that extra whatever tenths of a second to stop from hitting something...so i guess mercedes always puts saftey in front of sports in any regard
but when the fly by wire brake system is really handy is in emergency stops...it'll almost instantly grab the brakes unlike traditional ones...where there is a slight delay...and u never know when u might need that extra whatever tenths of a second to stop from hitting something...so i guess mercedes always puts saftey in front of sports in any regard
In the end... they take longer to stop from the point of pedal application.
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You miss the subtle point
In the magazine tests, they know when they are going to hit the brakes And hit them hard. -- the intelligent braking system is for the everyday (non-test) driver who may not react as quickly and as decisively as one would in a test situation. Thus, the brake system "anticipates" an emergency situation and reacts with full braking. There is some obvious trade-off but in the end, a much better system for everyday driving.
FAST
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Re: You miss the subtle point
Originally posted by alz
In the magazine tests, they know when they are going to hit the brakes And hit them hard. -- the intelligent braking system is for the everyday (non-test) driver who may not react as quickly and as decisively as one would in a test situation. Thus, the brake system "anticipates" an emergency situation and reacts with full braking. There is some obvious trade-off but in the end, a much better system for everyday driving.
In the magazine tests, they know when they are going to hit the brakes And hit them hard. -- the intelligent braking system is for the everyday (non-test) driver who may not react as quickly and as decisively as one would in a test situation. Thus, the brake system "anticipates" an emergency situation and reacts with full braking. There is some obvious trade-off but in the end, a much better system for everyday driving.
People are stupid so we are giving you a system that is less responsive when used to it's full capabilities because.... well, people are stupid. Not to mention that they'll fall for the marketing BS we'll use in promoting it. Bigger is better!
They should require folks to learn how to control their vehicles rather than the poor excuse for drivers exams and this would not be an issue. Honestly, I'm surprised this performance "trade-off" flies in the European market. Doubly so because this is the "high performance" AMG model. Don't give me watered down junk for the "average" drivers, give me the real deal!
BTW: There does not have to be a trade-off. You can still have excellent brakes and let the computer give you full braking under certain circumstances. In this case we get a system that isn't as capable as before but "trades-off" with marketing BS.
Last edited by Mr Johnson; Feb 1, 2003 at 10:37 PM.
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From: Chandler, AZ
Nissan Sentra
It was Car and Driver Television, TiVo grabbed it for me, very cool. Guy was a schmuck but the car is hot. And I think that fly-by-wire is appropriate for a 4200lb sedan that can hit 60 in 4.5 seconds. IMHO. I have to agree that the braking issue is a bit odd, but I'm not planning on taking this car to the track. If I wanted a track car I'd opt for a 911 or an M3. I just want to put the fear of god into my wife and children.
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From: Southern California, USA
2003 CL55 AMG
Originally posted by oktane
Any chance of you digitizing your Tivo show and distributing it to us?
Thanks
Any chance of you digitizing your Tivo show and distributing it to us?
Thanks
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...threadid=29270
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E55 is nice, I drive an M5
Nice power, wow. I have to disagree with a previous post in this thread. The old E55 (w210) was in no way a better balanced car than the E39 M5. In every comparison test I have seen published, the M5 would win. The main point in the decision was that the M5 was better balanced, whatever that means. I like Mercedes and would consider the E55. The straight line results and subtle looks are great, the handling and braking are a bit disappointing though.
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From: Washington D.C.
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Re: Hate to disagree but with those numbers it DOES FLY
Originally posted by alz
!!!!
!!!!
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From: FL
W124 E36T AMG; W124 500E
The results seem similar to the Kleeman supercharged CLK 55 AMG.
Wonder if it would be cheaper to find an early model W210 E55AMG and then add the Kleeman Supercharger . . .
:-) neil
1988 360TE AMG
1993 500E
Wonder if it would be cheaper to find an early model W210 E55AMG and then add the Kleeman Supercharger . . .
:-) neil
1988 360TE AMG
1993 500E
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From: Washington D.C.
2024 GLE63s / 2016 GLE63s (traded) / 2016 E63s / 2002 E55
560HP E55 for $58k
Originally posted by M104-AMG
...Wonder if it would be cheaper to find an early model W210 E55AMG and then add the Kleeman Supercharger . . .
...Wonder if it would be cheaper to find an early model W210 E55AMG and then add the Kleeman Supercharger . . .
