I know it sounds like a silly question, but I'm seriously considering an 05 E55 in a year or two as my daily driver (once the price drops a bit more on them). However, I noticed several times people mentioning that while the car is a beast in the straight line, it doesn't inspire the fun-to-drive factor after a while. Is that accurate? As an example, I found my S55 was alot more fun and responsive than the CL600 even though the 600 felt faster in a straight line.

This will sound ridiculous, and start flaming at will, but the other car I'm considering is the EVO X that is coming out. I know....., it is a Mitsu and they are in totally different classes, but I think it may be alot of fun and it is still a 4-door with room for the family w/ decent mpg's and reliability. I would have to take off the gigantic wing though since I'm not a youngin anymore.

Just curious to hear your thoughts on the Fun-to-drive factor of the E55.

 

I am in the same boat. My current car is more than fun to drive, its downright a BLAST. I look forward to driving it every time I get in it, or even think about it.

However, I am getting closer to buying a "sedan"....something I can haul the kid around in with a bit more "comfort". Problem is, I love my car! I test drove several E55's and liked them a lot, but the weight and "tossablilty" are issues for me. I have also been eyeballing the Evo X... It may be a bit smaller than what I would want, but I aint gonna get the "fun factor" froma larger sedan...different car, different purpose...and I get that.

I like to track my car and have been doing so for about 10 years. If I get a larger sedan, I know that is out the window. Sure, i could track it, but seriously, it would be like going from a F1 car to a tourng car as far as cornering, etc. the Evo X OTOH, I bet could be pretty damn fun, espec. after some suspension and motor mods. Also, mods for that car would be CHEAP compared to mods to an E55. $2000 for a fricken lowering module thats prolly $20 in parts? WTF. You could damn near go full coil over race suspension on an EVO for that! LOL

So, the fun factor is also a biggie for me. Considering what I would be stepping out of, its going to be a tough call. Do I want a nice sized classy sedan with boatloads of power thats still a comfy cruiser when I want it to be....or do i go smaller and "cheaper" but with more of a fun factor?

Of course, it all depends on your idea of fun. Some people like going fast straight, and thats cool. But for me, its all about lateral G's and cornering....

Good luck on your decision...I have been kicking around wtf to get for over a year now. Hell, I even was considering the E55 over two years ago when I decided on my current ride! I am still debating! hah.

 

I love my car and I drive it like it were a track car, but there is some truth to a recently posted proverb.
Just because you put dancing shoes on a pig doesn't mean the pig can dance.
If you are even comparing an EVO to an E55, don't get it (the E55). It is a sports sedan, not a rice rocket.

 

I understand that totally! My debate is if I can move over to a sports sedan and "like it" (ie: not regret going for a bit more comfort and a bit less "racey")

 

I assume by fun you mean handling. No the E55 is not a great handler but there are many ways to have fun with it. SPEED. If you like indulging in sleepers it's great. I put exhaust cut outs on mine and boy that freaks people out coming from a mercedes sedan. Clouds of tire smoke also. Smoking people off the line or passing them in the wink of an eye on the highway. Going to the drag strip and having Joe Mustang laugh at you for spending 100k when his car is faster in the 1/4 and cheaper, but then laughing at Joe when you drive home and wave while getting a back massage and he is breaking his back hooking up his trailer. All that is fun and there is still more! Just depends on what type of fun is most important to you at this time. People expect a mercedes sedan to be an older calm, refined driver. They freak seeing a 43 year old jammimg to the tunes while doing 120 mph. I'm good.

 

Well, to me...fun-to-drive isn't just in handling..although that is a big part of it. How responsive the car is, how light it feels on its' feet, how often it demands you take it to the service advisor, does it make you drool when you see it, and even the way it shifts all contribute to the fun factor.

My question with the E55 is if I'd punch it a few times and get accustomed to the power and then get bored quickly? That isn't an insult on the car...that is just a problem I tend to have. I tend to go through cars quickly, but my finances are no longer going to let me keep doing that so I'm looking for a keeper.

Thanks for the input!

 

With the E55 you'll also enjoy a certain amount of "rock star" status. Sure, it's not a Ferrari or Lambo but when I pull up to valet or the Country Club I always get star treatment. Try that in an Evo. Also, the car is stupid fast and on the street, takes just about anything all the time.

 

This is when you start modding.

 

When I get bored I turn off the traction control and pull out of the shopping center sideways

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSJAT6FyTU4

 

You might want to consider an Audi, I have one and love it. It's a little A4 3.0, I added an ECU upgrade, CO's, Rear Sway Bar, Wheels and Tires. Not much you can do with the 3.0, but if you get the 1.8T then you can go crazy with mods. Nice thing about it is the handling, plus you still have the German engineering and European status, not too mention it's 4 doors. I haul my kids around in it all the time.

 

Funny you mention it blueknight...I just sold my wife's Audi A4 today. It was an 03' but she already had 80k miles on it. I liked the car, except the CVT tranny caused a delay in acceleration when you first hit the gas. Almost dangerous. The 1.8T did take alot of abuse over the years as the wifey has a lead foot.

On the E55, sounds like the majority of replies are in favor of the fun-to-drive status so that is what I was hoping to hear! It will suck waiting a year to get one.

 

Yeah the fun factor will be here on Friday

Wife will now get the Audi so all is well until she drives the E55, and then am screwed.


Oh and btw I paid $44k for an 04 39k miles, keyless go, NAV, Heated & Ventilated Seats, Rear SS, and Dynamic Seating. So the deals are out there, you just have to be persistent.

 

If you have the funds I'd spring for an E63. Better brakes and handling. Failing that, Audi is a good choice but lets make it an S4

 

The E55 is a great car and I enjoy it. It's a cushy straight line road demon and the wild acceleration has it's moments. Make sure you get a sprintbooster. This is a must have upgrade or the gas pedal will feel sloppy and unresponsive. However I don't know if I'd call it 'fun'. Ever since I got the SLK55 the E55 doesn't get much road time. The SLK55 is definatly a 'fun' car to drive. It's smaller, lighter, easy to toss around, and the top down is enjoyable on a good day to. Not quite as brutal as an E55 in the power department, but it's not slow considering it's a good 900 lbs lighter. If you want a Mercedes you might want to consider that if you want the fun factor and don't need a sedan.

 

Fixed.

 

Wow, you sound almost exactly like me. Where you are trying to decide the funnest car to drive, and how you like t drive and how long you keep cars.

I go through them all. I'm on my second Benz in two years and already know what I want for the next car.

I'm saying the samething...."It will suck waiting a year to get one."

I have the W210 E55. Just because I want the W211 doesn't mean I don't like it. I just waht to Kompressor with about 120 more HP.

I'll tell you what though I love my car as much as I do...I know the W211 will be a blast.

 

535i with Vishnu tuning

or 335 sedan with Vishnu..

i'm seriously thinking about one..

if you think about it.. the 535 or 335i will handle better, good daily driver and will not be as noticeable.

Right now I take the E55 to work..and everybody thinks that I make more money than the Directors of the company. I work a large Utility company with 3 letters (S _ _ )

I trully feel that the E55 wants to be driven only on the freeway and around town MPG sucks and its nice to blast cars on a stop light.. but gas is so expensive that I don't bother anymore.

 

me too

 

TopGun I would go for the 335i as I had an 04 545i, nice car and all but my buddies 330i was much more fun to drive. Unless you really need the room, go for the 3.

 

That's a pain in the *** and one of the reasons my P-car is no more.

However, the E55 is very subtle and classy so shouldn't draw neagativity like many flashier (albeit most likely slower) cars.

BTW, if you go for a Vishnu tuned BM, will the C32 make way or the 55?

 

i thought about getting a W211 E55 but for the same price i got a W210 E55 and a Honda S2000. No matter how many HP E55 has, it can't touch the S2000 in the fun dept. I'll buy a 2007 E63 in a few yrs though, I like NA engines.

 

I love my E55 and it's a great fun car, but I wouldn't think that it will be that much different from the experience of your cl600. Both are quick fast and comfortable.

I suggest looking into a true sports car for max fun. Pcars and vettes are obviously the most common 2nd cars around here.

I recently completed restoring my 89 Vette Roadster and have been driving it for the last 3 weeks. Although not as fast as my E55 with 400+HP it packs a punch and power slides with the best of them. I forgot how great a 3200 pound rocket sled feels. I am partial to convertibles and would never get a coupe.

You can pick up a 3 year old roadster for a relatively low price send it off for a blower and you have an instant monster. Just a thought to consider.

 

Well, I'm sort of stuck looking at sedans. I'm too big for the smaller cars (6'7") and have a growing family.

I drove a buddies BMW 530i and was pretty impressed. It was like a damn tank, but handled good and accelerated surprisingly well with lots of room.

My weekend toy right now is my f150 Lightning...but I've noticed that despite having all the power in the world, I drive it pretty slowly due to the way it chugs down gas. I've even let a few Hemi Dodge Rams pass me. Money has suddenly gotten tight so I can't just not worry about the $75 fillups. But, it is nice to know the power is there if you need it.

That is a one of my fears with the E55....I'll get it, but then drive it like a grandma trying to keep the gas mpg up back and forth to work everyday. I need to break that habit!!

 

Hmmm new audi is niiice ... RS6 is a potential given the turbo's ... the Mitsu X - sheesh tahts a quick car and ou can go to town on mods there - depends if you want to be boy racer or mr nice guy in yre E55... I would love a Mitsu X as a toy car but not my DD.