tws_andrew

I need a 4 door and these are the only ones that appeal to me. I know I am on an e55 board but I need some help. Here is my thinkingl Long post sorry

Note - I am a modaholic. Car will have pretty extensive mods (k2 for the Benz at min with ELM and wheels)

E55 - This was what I originally wanted.
Pros
Roomy (I am 6'5" but used to small cars 996TT, M3 etc), great performance, stealth, great mod potential, relatively cheap
Cons
A little dated. Not much wow factor
CLS55 - I never liked it until I drove my neighbors. I thought I would never fit but with the seat situated it fits me fine. No room behind me but who cares.
Pros - Dead Sexy, Solid performance with K1 or higher, Handles better than E
Cons - Attracts attention, interior room
RS4 - Wasnt really considering this but found a nice one with all current mods avail including the Stassis/Ohlins suspension. I had a Stage III B5 S4 and my wife had a B6 S4. I really liked my Audis. If they still had FI I would be driving one
Pros - All weather capabilities (live in Utah), handling, sound with full Miltek setup is unreal, interior is IMO the best around, Manual Trans
Cons - limited mod potential on the power side, weight and perf drawbacks of quattro, small inside, car will likely depreciate much faster than the Benz as they have already taken a big hit

I really think the rs4 is the right car, I want the CLS most for overall appeal and my peers say E55 is the way to go. I need some help. My M3 daily driver is sold on Sat. Thanks

bfnnrgn

Well it's all personal preference really. The only thing I can say is if you're 6'5 make sure you really fit in the CLS. I test drove the one I bought several times before I bought it but let the cool factor cloud my judgement and it wasn't until later I realized I did not fit in the thing at all and it was very uncomfortable. I traded it a few months later for an E55 and honestly was never happier to be rid of a car.

55fanatic

CLS looks HOT, but Im 6' and a pretty rectangular build(big guy) and have a difficult time getting in and out of it... I would go with the E

psk145

I was in between the E and CLS and went with the E since it will seat 5, where the CLS will only seat 4. I figured with 2 very small kids, my mom can sit there with them if needed when she visits

TREZ63

I went through the same decision a month ago. Excpet I was trading in a W211 so I didn't want the same body just for changes sake.
I was considering the S6 not the RS4. But overall Audi just did not have the wow factor AT ALL. Which for a car that price it really should.

Anyway, at the end I ended up with a CLS63. If you want mods you'll probably be happier with the 55. But I have never been happier with a car in my entire life. It was power to spare, handles like a dream and no one has ever passed by the car without doing a double-take.

So I think your choice should be between the E55 and the CLS55. The only things you need to consider is:

1) How important is a 5th seat to you?
2) How much do you care about the wow factor?

I am 6' tall so the car fits me like a glove. If I were 6'5" I am sure it would still fit fine cause I see how much room there is left but you need to be comfortable in the car. And I have to say my W211 was a bit roomier, but the close quarters in the CLS make it feel sportier too, and if you come from an M3 then you have nothing to complain about.

HouTxCLS55

I love the wow factor of my CLS. I'm 6' 205 with gym build and I fit fine but for someone with bad knees etc... I could see having a hard time.

Good luck, cannot go wrong with 55.

HemantS

CLS55 or S6 FTMFW- gotta hear that V10 engine!

ChicagoX

I'm also 6'5", and the E-class was the only one with ample leg room (between the Audi, Benz and BMW.)

BMWEATR

RS4? why would you even consider it?

eLTURCOamg

rs4's are gay, they trap like a honda

transferred

Don't want to burst anyones AMG bubble but the E55 and CLS are not getting close enough around a corner-ridden road to see which way the RS4 went. They look ultra agressive like a DTM racecar while 420hp from a NA 4.2 V8 is great engineering and sounds great. Also you live in Utah so as an all weather car there is nothing faster.

I'm not biased against AMG and do believe the 55k cars are streets ahead of the new S6 but the RS4 is a totally more focused beast from its 8-piston brakes to its 8,250rpm redline.

*disclaimer*; the poster said he is a modaholic so a FI engine would be far better than the Audi's where 440bhp is the most you'd see from an exhaust and after that it gets pretty expensive.

GDawgC220

If you're looking for a mid sized sedan that goes fast, E55 would be on top of my list. Its got ample room, quick on its feet, looks pretty good (even if it's a little dated). If you don't need the extra 5th seat, CLS would definitely be a hit as well, looks great and is a head turner.

But both might have some issues in weather, since you're in Utah. Winter shoes would probably help in this case but with all that power on tap, could be a challenge.

If you want to row your own gears and have the traction for the weather conditions, not much AMG can do in this dept, RS4 would be my choice. It is smaller than the two listed above though but if you don't need the room, go for it. Its a great car, fast sedan, hi-output/hi-revving NA V8. Like you said above, the interior (as with all Audis), grippy in the turns for some fun etc. True though, performance modding wise, its somewhat limited without spending big $$, not like their past engines with FI. The E55 and CLS55 would be easier to pump out some more power in this category.

All three are awesome cars, just depends on your needs Good luck!

V12Godspeed

I'd rather spend the money on a CLS or an E55, I saw the review of motor trend last night on the RS4, beautiful car just can't see myself spending the money on it, they want 69K for that little car... what the hell is AUDI thinking? I mean the cars loks Hot as hell, but too pricey, AMG takes it all the way.

phatmitzu

I say the CLS55. The curve on that car is wicked.

MikeRPA

True , 70 thousand for an rs4 lol they're Buggin , i'd rather get an Evo and hook that shyt up to the fullest, I mean lol how can u even compare byuing an audi to cls55 , lol that car looks just as unique as cars liek aston martin etc i wouldnt even look for power or space honestly i SWEAr id get the cls550 with amg package over the audi lol cuz its a benz and a ****ing AUDI middle class car trying to catch up to benz and beemers lol i dont even want to start rigth now cuz im drunk and this **** just got me HEATED lol Audi

Eurosport

i'd go for RS4, even though they are all great cars but gotta take the weather factor in utah into consideration as well as stick on the rs4 is just fun fun fun and size is not an issue since you said you're used to smaller cars...
regards