ATKM5

Hello, I'm new here and haven't posted much, mainly because I used to drive the "enemy" car, 06 M5. Well today, I traded it in for an 05 E55, black on black, 56,000 km (~ 35,000 miles)(M5 had the same mileage) and I am a lot happier. I'll post pictures tomorrow, because its dark and I want to go back to driving that thing.

The reason I didn't like the M5 were the following:
- SMG, although a cool concept, SUCKS! In traffic its horrible...noise gear changes, too jerky, D-Mode is not even worth mentioning. I drve mostly in a city, so it was tremendously enoying.
- Not enough torque.
- US Launch Control is horrible...
- I'd have to spend at least $12,000 just to get 60 more horses.
- I needed a change.

Just a quick comparison:

Drivability and ride quality/comfort: E55 wins hands down. Its better in almost any situation. Its way smoother and more fun to drive in the city then the M5. Haven't taken it to the highway yet, so I will report later on that.

Steering/handling/suspension: Steering is a bit too light for me, but I will get used to it. Handling.... I guess M5 is a bit more precise and tighter. So far I love the suspension on E55, just soft enought, but still stiff.

Performance: Acceleration wise, the E55 is definitely quicker from the stop light. Flooring it anywhere below 80 km/h gives an awsome rush. Not going to lie though, but the M5 was just as quick at those speeds as well. Like I said, I haven't tested it at highway speeds yet.

Design Inside/Outside: The E55 is more pleasing to an eye. The lines are more elegant in my opinion. Black really suits the car. The M5 did look a bit "fat", but I still loved the styling. Interior, I know people don't like the interior of the M5, but I had an Indy red interior with full leather package, and it looked better then E55's interior in my opinion. I'll miss the Alcantara roofliner, but oh well.

Come summer I will put on an ASP Pulley, Upgrade the IC HE and Pump. Immediate mods, I will order some Green Filters next week, as well as remove my resonator.

I already did a 35% tint all around... Looks really sharp.

What's the best way to launch it? ESP off and modulate the throttle, or ESP on and just floor it? Powerbraking?

Also, I drove an 05 G55. That truck sounds mean. Is there a way to make the E55 sound the same without changing the exhaust?

Thanks!

Sorry for a long post, I have always been an MB guy, I just got the M5 because it was something new. I'm back now though, an I will stick to what I like this time.

I'll write a bit more after I come back from driving it on a highway.

Pics coming soon.

Cheers!

C43AMG

Welcome and congratulations on acquiring "The Beast"!Please post pics a.s.a.p. !

sack5000

Great post to start, they will like you here, can't wait for the pics and your "highway" report.

C43AMG

Sack5000- nice color combo on your E63.Got pics?

LOVEMYBS

Welcome aboard. I'm a newbie as well having jumped from BMW M-cars to the E55. My last post on the M5 Messageboard comparing the M5 to the E55was very comparable to what you've posted here. I deliberately chose not to leap into the E60 M5 for the very reasons you mentioned. You'll enjoy your E55 a lot more than the M5!

BlackHammer

Congrats on the purchase and nice summary.

As far as launch keep the ESP on. On the street with cold tires rev it to about 1K RPM, when you go slightly apply more pressure to the gas (anywhere from 40-60% throttle) then count in your head "one-thousand-one". When you get to the "one-tho" part put it to the floor.

On the strip do an aggressive burn out, ESP on, then mash it on green.

Toyo Tires are super sticky and a good price. Not too many fans of Continentals on this forum.

TK

BenzoBoi

welcome!!!

OzE55

Good write up. Helps us to understand that these cars aren't really the same.

OXOJE55

Welcome


My boy said the same thing when he drove the 55.
He is trading his in next week.

Glad to hear you like the BEAST

chiromikey

double defector! jk...welcome back!

Goatspeed

SMG and the fact that BMW doesn't certify their M5 were the reasons I didn't look twice at the M5....welcome!!!

Sunny55

LOL....I like him already....

E55 RUSS

Welcome...Mod it !!!

anerbe

what year E55 did they stop making alcantara standard?

mine (03) had the alcantara headliner standard

MiamiAMG

Welcome!

V12Godspeed

Welcome!!, wait till you get the MOD bug....you will not stop.

TREZ63

Welcome to the AMG brand, great first post, you're gonna be just fine here

lkirchner

My wife's "06 has the alcanara headliner.

chiromikey

i though it was standard also???

Bipasha493

anerbe

just curious on this part of the post from the OP:

I'll miss the Alcantara roofliner, but oh well.

maybe he misses the m5's liner specifically....???

anerbe

this part to be exact.

MB_Forever

Great analysis, please post some pics when you can......

Question: how about the exhaust note between the two? And how about electronics?

ATKM5

Thanks a lot everybody, I'm really glad to join this community. Here are some pictures of the beast. (sorry for low quality)

As far as a highway comparison goes, overtaking at speeds below 140 is easy, just like in the M5. I'd even say flooring it from around 100-110 km/h, it feels stronger then the bimmer. Flooring it from above 130-140 km/h, I'd give the M5 a slight advantage, but thats mainly because of gearing. Satbility is about the same in both cars. Just like in the city, the E55 feels much smoother on a highway as well. I'm getting addicted to the torque.

The exhaust notes are completely different. E55 has this low rumble to it and the soud comes like an avalanche. The M5's sound is definitely more high pitched. To me it actually sounds close to a speedbike, where as E55 sounds more like a Harley. I like Harleys more, lol.

Thanks for the help with launching the car MNM5ETR! I tried it today....WOW.

Thanks again everybody, I'm gonna go for a drive.

ATKM5

As far as the headliner goes, All of the E55s I looked at did not have the alcantara. Maybe they didnt offer it in Canada...