Hi everyone,

I currently have a 335i sedan and my lease ends in january i wanted to ask all of you about the handling in the e55 (i know it wont be as good as in the 335i) as it is a much heavier and larger car. Also i have been reading up on these IC issues is it common? and is there any other possible repair issues if i were to pick up an 05 e55.Thanks.
-Mike

 

IC issue is a simple fix. Coming from a 335i to a E55 will be a different driving experience. The 335i can carve a corner but the E55 will tip toe around it and it could be alarming at first.

 

Be prepared for a numb tiller (sloppy steering) with body roll.

You're going from a sports sedan to a fast luxo-cruiser. It's a great freeway ride and not a canyon carver. A lot more comfortable and much safer than the 3ers. It goes without saying to get one with extended warranty and/or a CPO.

 

Totally different cars but I will comment as I just added "Beast Junior" to the stable...a 135i tuned to 400HP. As this is basically a 335i with a 150lb diet, shorter wheelbase, and bigger brakes, I should be able to make a good comparison.

The steering feel and turn-in on the BMW is very direct, brake feel is immediate with lots of grab, handling is fantastic, and stock power levels are very strong making it a joy around town and for quick blasts on the highway.

The E55 is a significantly quieter and more comfortable car that take all of the drama out of the speed that it produces. The E55 can easily pull away from the 135i with the 400HP mods and do so with such ease and stealth that you get an immediate grin. It is very comfortable to drive both around town and on the highway where it turns into a missile that never stops pulling no matter what the speed. Brakes are very good, brake feel is decent, steering is isolated but still sporty.

To sum it up, the E55 is a total beast in a straight line with world class stopping power yet never seems dramatic (as it never has to be pushed to go fast). It is agile enough to make it somewhat sporty but is a luxury car at heart with superior trim and electronic equipment.

The 135i is aggressive and nimble in traffic and will let you take the bends much more quickly. It pulls very hard (400HP trim) but does so with lots of drama and keeps the driver on their toes. Gorgeous interior but no E55.

They are so different that owning both is a no brainer but if I had to pick just one, I would go for the E55.

 

BTW, When I got my E55, I immediately put in a larger heat exchanger and Johnson pump. I have never had the SC shut down on me so it really isn't an issue.

 

I'm glad to hear that the E55 can still beat a modded 135i even at mile-high altitude.

 

Handling and the W211 E55 just don't go together bro.

You'll see...

It's a straight line car, but it does it SO WELL THOUGH!!!

 

How about if you add sway bars, end links.. ect would the handlig get better?

 

That does 'help' but it's not really worth it as it well never get there. As everyone says, these are straight line cruisers. That's how they are designed. They are not BMWs or P-cars and can't be turned into one. That's why many owners have both a canyon carver that can take a workout, and a luxo-cruiser that's super fast and very comfortable. You can drive the E55 with your eyes closed if you felt like it.....

 

There are no suspension upgrades for the E55. You can lower the E55 through computers or custom links, but that does minimal to the handling if anything at all (based on my experience).

 

Try it yourself... I own a 535xi sports wagon... and IMHO, E55's handling is still worse despite stiffer suspension.

 

No problem but my E55 is VERY fast and would leave my GT3 in the dust. I would say the modded 135i is faster than most other cars I have driven barring TT Porsche's and other more radical cars. Can you say goodbye M3 and M5?! All that from a little 135i...I love it!