Carl Lassiter

Agreed.

E63 and M5 may be supercar-quick 4-door sedans but they are very different cars. Both are fantastic but suit different styles of driver.

For me, there was only one choice. I love the 8,250 redline, the lightining quick shifts of the SMG and the way with one push of the M button I have the car exactly how I want it.

Just try both and decide what you like the looks and driveability of better.

hkpooh

LOL right. keep it at 5k rpm in local huh?

there is just no power at the low end rpm for the M5.

you can keep whatever rpm you want, drive or shift whatever way you want.
it will not change the fact that it has no power at low rpm. which means it sucks on a lot of situation.

I Like Soup

Not that the E55 was actually an option in the original posters question, but I've never understood the "E63's torque sucks" shtick. I mean really, 516lbft vs 465lbft...y'all make it sounds like the E63 is a Honda!

But, if I were to spend the cash, I would choose the E63 for the luxury, nicer interior, and lack of I-drive. Good luck!

AMGfan

It doesn't "lack" torque per se...it is just where the tq starts it's "sweet spot"

E55:

469 bhp @ 6100 rpm
516 lb-ft @ 2650

E63:

507 bhp @ 6800 rpm
465 lb-ft @ 5200 rpm

The butt dyno just gets the grunt (per where the full allotment of lb-ft) @ a much lower rpm range. Where the E63 starts later and goes for longer on the rpm range. They get to the same place most of the time (limiting factor is traction and driver skill) 0-60 and close enough @ the 1/4 mile...its just a different way for each. Thhe 1/2 mile will probably be the domain of the E63 but with mods the E55 will keep up and probably be faster to the 1/2 mile point...

I love both...but for different reasons. Back to the original topic...I'd take the E63 vs. M5 based on my taste of amenities, looks, and my inability to really utilize the higher revving M5 to its full potential. I can at least try to max the potential of the E55 @ the drag...I'd be hard pressed to to do that as EASILY with th E63 or the M5.

my .02.

regor60

Not using his argument you couldn't...need to come up with your own case

Yacht Master

It is not only the total amount of torque, but more importantly where the torque occurs.

E 55 1800-2000 RPM 400 Ft Lbs Torque
E 63 1800-2000 RPM 125 Ft Lbs Torque

In the 63 the 7 speed transmission (read torque multiplier) became a necessity.

Sorry guys started to post got called away 30 min, I know sounds like a re-post.

Carl Lassiter

What do you drive? Clearly not an M5. Now go get in your Veyron...

sack5000

Where do these numbers come from? Is there a graph that shows this as RPM increases?

Yacht Master

http://www.dragtimes.com/2007-Merced...aphs-9892.html

http://www.dragtimes.com/2005-Merced...phs-11697.html

AlbertM

Funny I really like the way E63 looks, it seems like a much better looking car then an M5. I was never a fan of the new 5 series design. The 3 looks so much better.

I am leaning towards E63 (I can drive M5 anytime anyway , just borrow my dad's car (M5 stick))

Vetluver

Having owned numerous BMWs and MBs, I would be hesitant to buy anything BMW because of the unreliability. They are a pain in the ****. Mind you it's not just little things. I've had blown motors at 4k miles, trans problems, electronic glitches, and the list goes on and on. My wife who loves her BMWs even says she's getting a Benz next time.

It's really ashame that BMW can't build a car that is as trouble free as MB, they handle superiorly and is a better performer (at speeds that can't be driven legally on American roads). The E63 is more comfortable, the interior is much higher quality and will still look new in 4 or 5 years, and last and least important will get much better gas mileage. M5s drink gas.

If you've never owned a Benz, you'll never be satisfied with anything else.

RJC

I seriously doubt the E63 engine only produces 125 lb feet of torque @ 2000 rpm even at the rear wheels. There has to be more to it than what the chart shows...

RJC

Just found this from MB/AMG:

Although this dyno chart is in Nm and kW instead of lb-ft and hp, you can see the engine's power curves clearly. By 2,000 rpm the V8 is already making 362 lb-ft of torque, which climbs to 405 lb-ft by 3,000 rpm. It might not be as much as the supercharged 5.5-liter engine produces, but it's plenty.
(Photo courtesy of Mercedes-Benz)

AlbertM

My understanding of torque and hp is that, hp is computed with the formula based on torque and RPMs. To develop higher HP engine needs to maintain higher torque at higher RPMs. Therefore it is better to have torque delivery at higher RPM and then at lower RPM. That is why E63 HP is higher then E55 -- it is because E63 is able to deliver torque over a higher RPM range -- that is what matters. Essentially M5 is delivering its peak torque even at a higher RPM, while its peak torque is less then E55 it is able to deliver this torque at a higher RPM range -- hence higher HP then E55.

So torque number alone does not mean anything unless delivered at a high RPM range.

RJC

I don't know about that, as I for one like lot's of low end torque especially for the US market.

Even thought he 6.2 does not have as much as the 5.4 sc'd version, it still has plenty at a relatively low 2000 rpm. The 6.2 engine is a very nice, very sophisticated piece indeed and the 5.4 sc'd engine is a torque monster.

BTW, the torque on the 6.2 litre engine was notched back a bit in order to preserve the service life of the 7 speed trans.

DarkStar

Buy an E55 or E63 for one reason: Our message board rocks over the M5 board....

Cylinder Head

iTrader: (1)

It's called shifting. The SMG thingy does that. What DO you drive anyway?

enzom

I think these are all going back to the question - what is the OP's commute like? If you ordinarily spend time trundling in traffic like I unfortunately do, you are probably not going to want to drive along with the tach needle at 5,000 rpm. And it may not be 5,000 rpm - I never drove the E60 M5 - it may be something lower. But there is a point in the rev range where the M5 motor is just not making great power.

Back to what I said earlier - if you drive in moderate traffic and want a car that can leapfrog other cars at 2,500 rpm through traffic, you want a car that has torque down low. So you are better suited driving an AMG. If you have room to let the car stretch its legs, or want a more involving car even if it means having to be in the "right" gear or "right" rpm range to punch through gaps in slower traffic, get an M5.

Like I said, there is NO RIGHT OR WRONG ANSWER. It is all a matter of preference. If my commute was different, I would have seriously considered an M5.

NickyBlack

Also half used...........

NickyBlack

SMG takes a short time to adapt yourself to using it. i guess you have to think like it, but it's a no brainer afterwards and i really don't mind it in traffic.

AlbertM

Ok, thank for all your feedback guys. Here what I am planning to do, I am about to pull a trigger on :

E63 2008, Arctic White, black nappa inside, Pano roof, P2, iPod, Alacantra, Parktronic, Rear-side blinds, Voice Control.

What do you think about Arctic White, black interrior combo?

skooby

It my second favorite choice, behind Black on Black.
You are in a good spot and cannot lose either way.

AlbertM

Today I went to see 3 dealers, BMW, Audi and Mercedes.

Checked out again M5, Audi RS4 and E63.

When I sat in the M5 it feels very bulky and heavy, the E63 felt much lighter and more inviting. It think it is the interior and the seats. Rs4 is just awsome, inside and out and the shifter is smooth and crisp much better then M5.

RS4 looks awesome but the lease deals on Rs4 are so bad. RS4 cheaper then the Es and M5 but leases for much higher. What is Audi thinking?

The Rs4 would lease for over 1400 36 month lease, whereas I can get M5 or E63 for much cheaper.

Why would anyone get an RS4????? It is a great car, but the price just does not make sense.

Anyway, E63 looks like a way to go

trovan

i just spent the past month looking at M5, RS4, and E63.

RS4 was out of consideration quickly when i got some lease quotes, on top of that, i had a S4 before and preferred a bigger car.

i spent the most time with M5. i have been a long time BMW/M owner and thought for sure this was going to be my choice. however, i was very frustrated with the SMG. just getting the car out of the parking lot was killing me. getting it in S, D, R felt overwhelming. I either want to step on the clutch and go, or just step on the gas. I also found the shifting very rough.i may be a novice on SMG, but i would hate to take a chance knowing i may jerk my head everytime i shift. lastly, i HATE the idrive. i hate having one control for 10 different things. i prefer having the ability to quicky change from my radio to nav and to setting, rather than going back to another central screen and redirect. i also have not been a big fan of the 5 series interior and body style. the M5 i almost bought has all leather and the whilte/black looked awesome. but it was bulky and felt big to drive.

i finally came home with the E63 just after a short visit. i paid less in lease comparfed to other 2 and it is easy to drive, luxurious and comfortable, which has become important as i am getting older. now, i haven't even talked about the power and torque.

Carl Lassiter

Within a week all become clear- iDrive, SMG. However, the car is very focused so not for everyone. Looks are of course subjective.

Congrats on your E63, it's a great vehicle.