W211 AMG vs M5
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 95
From: NZ
2004 E55 AMG, 2006 CLS63, 2004 ML55, 2014 E350 sport
I wouldn't quite call factual figures utter Bs and you might want to work on reading comprehension skills if you think I said it handles better. I do think that the differences are a bit exaggerated by some.
As far as transitions between the two yes the m5 is likely better but I haven't seen any real figures to measure this so anything else is pure speculation.
In regards to braking, I wouldn't quite call it a huge difference... From what I've read I believe the difference is a total of 4ft shorter 60-0 braking which I wouldn't consider a huge difference.
With transitions being the biggest advantage to the m5 in handling that goes back to my original point that it benefits in feel to the driver unless you can provide some figures that will specify an exact difference.
And I did check on lap times and the e60 beat the cls55 around the top gear track by .7 seconds done with the SMG m5. The difference would have been even less had it been a 6spd car.
As far as transitions between the two yes the m5 is likely better but I haven't seen any real figures to measure this so anything else is pure speculation.
In regards to braking, I wouldn't quite call it a huge difference... From what I've read I believe the difference is a total of 4ft shorter 60-0 braking which I wouldn't consider a huge difference.
With transitions being the biggest advantage to the m5 in handling that goes back to my original point that it benefits in feel to the driver unless you can provide some figures that will specify an exact difference.
And I did check on lap times and the e60 beat the cls55 around the top gear track by .7 seconds done with the SMG m5. The difference would have been even less had it been a 6spd car.
The m5 brakes not only brake shorter and tend to have less overheating problems but they also have more feel which is the big one!! Bmw didnt put a ridiculous (but cool looking) 8 pot brake on the front and the SBC system.
This is one part of the video im talking about which gives you a glimpse of the handling and braking differences. Theres another video which shows both cars around a tight circuit and seriously man its not even close the m5 just owns it outright. As soon as your moving the weight around in these cars the m5 is going to own it. As you said the g force is about the same which is no surprise to me they do grip similar they just dont handle their weight the same at all.
As you can see its over 1 bloody second difference over 15 second skidpan test!!!! That is ****ing light years ahead man!
Still trying to find the other video its clear as day in that one. + the fact they didnt even attempt to run the cls against those other cars at Sugo.
Last edited by austingtir; Apr 8, 2016 at 07:37 PM.
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Auckland New Zealand
2004 E55
Extract from Motortrend:
"...After such a virtuoso performance, the E55 struggles. It has the grip, and it certainly packs the punch. But it doesn’t have the surgical accuracy, linearity, nor the communication with its driver. The two cars are almost the same weight, but the Benz feels heavier. On these fast sweeping curves, it kept its distance and didn’t want us getting down and dirty with it.
The steering is the main issue. It doesn’t turn in with anything like the sharpness of the M5, but worse, it isn’t consistent through a curve. So you take a series of bites, adding and subtracting lock as you go, robbed of the feedback that would give you pointers. It saps confidence as well as upsetting the car. And you don’t want to upset it because the body control isn’t as good as the M5’s. At least not unless you screw the airsprings and electronic dampers of the Airmatic DC to their harshest settings, and then the ride is more disturbed than the M5’s."
"...After such a virtuoso performance, the E55 struggles. It has the grip, and it certainly packs the punch. But it doesn’t have the surgical accuracy, linearity, nor the communication with its driver. The two cars are almost the same weight, but the Benz feels heavier. On these fast sweeping curves, it kept its distance and didn’t want us getting down and dirty with it.
The steering is the main issue. It doesn’t turn in with anything like the sharpness of the M5, but worse, it isn’t consistent through a curve. So you take a series of bites, adding and subtracting lock as you go, robbed of the feedback that would give you pointers. It saps confidence as well as upsetting the car. And you don’t want to upset it because the body control isn’t as good as the M5’s. At least not unless you screw the airsprings and electronic dampers of the Airmatic DC to their harshest settings, and then the ride is more disturbed than the M5’s."
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 38
Likes: 1
From: Orange County
2009 G550
I've been driving an e60 m5 for the past month since I'm getting the e63 conversion and new wheels put on the e55. I was actually considering buying the m5 as well since the thought of owning two of my dream saloons was quite tempting but given the lack of parking at my house, I would have to give up my Volvo 240 and I've committed to keeping my 240 forever. Anyhow, Here is my input.
M5 Handling seems slightly better
-m5 Leather dash is a nice touch, but it doesn't have the build quality and solidity and comfort as the e55. E55 feels more expensive. I also like the the ambient dome light in the e55. It's a nice relaxing touch when driving at night
-v10 is a such a screamer especially since it has an eisenmann exhaust. My e55 sounds just as good, a lot more violent. The M5 has a weak sounding start up, while the e55 starts up with authority. M5 is like Celine Dion while the E55 is like a pissed off Barry White.
-The rod bearing issue, and SMG issues on the m5 make you feel like your driving an ticking time. Cost of maintenance and reliability seems to be significantly better on the e55.
-E55 is much much faster than the m5. M5 doesn't slam you in your seat like the e55 does.
-MPG's in the M5 are just down right atrocious. I've been getting 8-10 miles per gallon around town. On the highway, it's a little better but still horrible.
-Driving the SMG transmission on the m5 in automatic mode will get you car sick. I only drive the car in manual mode.
M5 Handling seems slightly better
-m5 Leather dash is a nice touch, but it doesn't have the build quality and solidity and comfort as the e55. E55 feels more expensive. I also like the the ambient dome light in the e55. It's a nice relaxing touch when driving at night
-v10 is a such a screamer especially since it has an eisenmann exhaust. My e55 sounds just as good, a lot more violent. The M5 has a weak sounding start up, while the e55 starts up with authority. M5 is like Celine Dion while the E55 is like a pissed off Barry White.
-The rod bearing issue, and SMG issues on the m5 make you feel like your driving an ticking time. Cost of maintenance and reliability seems to be significantly better on the e55.
-E55 is much much faster than the m5. M5 doesn't slam you in your seat like the e55 does.
-MPG's in the M5 are just down right atrocious. I've been getting 8-10 miles per gallon around town. On the highway, it's a little better but still horrible.
-Driving the SMG transmission on the m5 in automatic mode will get you car sick. I only drive the car in manual mode.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 95
From: NZ
2004 E55 AMG, 2006 CLS63, 2004 ML55, 2014 E350 sport
^^ The fifth gear review on the m5 is amusing Tiff needle even says he reckons the v10 sounds like a crappy diesel or something like that at idle.
The SMG and engine issues really scare me off those m5's I would like to own one for 6 months just for ****s and giggles though.
The SMG and engine issues really scare me off those m5's I would like to own one for 6 months just for ****s and giggles though.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 38
Likes: 1
From: Orange County
2009 G550
I actually like the sound of diesels but yes, the sound of the vanos makes it sound somewhat diesel like at on cold starts. I researched both cars before I bought the e55 and the m5's rod bearings are bound to fail which will destroy the engine and rod bearing replacement including parts and labor will cost at least $3500. The cost of SMG pump alone is about 5-6k without labor. Then you have the clutch on the SMG to worry about. The m5 is a phenomenal car, but I'd rather put the money spent on repairs into my daughter's college fund and maybe some long tube headers and pulleys
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,214
Likes: 29
2011 E63, 2013 CLS63
The M5 doesn't sound as good, you can't beat that AMG heavy thumping V8, it's such a street engine and a street gearbox, it's nearly perfect. I actually like the heavy RPM drop gearshifts, it's a very muscular car.
The M5 has a race sounding engine, it's just not as nice at low RPMs and even high RPMs to me but low RPMs it's just not nice. I like the gearbox actually, it's jerky when driving slow, just like the Quattroporte Duo Select but that direct drive feeling with fast shifts and rev match downshifts is very nice to drive.
The M5 has aged WAY better from the outside and looks sharper, fatter and bigger while the W211's proportions are a little off, it could definitely have been a more complete car on the outside but they made some mistakes.
The inside is no contest, the M5 has a nice interior, it's a racey looking interior and holds you well but the W211's interior is HEAVEN!! The ambient lighting and the dash design, the cluster design, the pillars, the seats, it's such a perfect interior, they really nailed the interior on the W211, it will NEVER age, it's just perfect and timeless.
As for handling, there's no question, drive an M5 and see for yourself. It's a sharper car and makes direction changes alot crisper, faster and smoother. It feels like a sports car. Grip levels don't tell the whole story even if they're the same. The AMG rolls alot even in Sport 2 and the steering is not nearly as good but it has it's own character, it fits the cars muscle vibe, it's more a brute force instrument than a precision tool which is what the M5 is.
The M5 has a race sounding engine, it's just not as nice at low RPMs and even high RPMs to me but low RPMs it's just not nice. I like the gearbox actually, it's jerky when driving slow, just like the Quattroporte Duo Select but that direct drive feeling with fast shifts and rev match downshifts is very nice to drive.
The M5 has aged WAY better from the outside and looks sharper, fatter and bigger while the W211's proportions are a little off, it could definitely have been a more complete car on the outside but they made some mistakes.
The inside is no contest, the M5 has a nice interior, it's a racey looking interior and holds you well but the W211's interior is HEAVEN!! The ambient lighting and the dash design, the cluster design, the pillars, the seats, it's such a perfect interior, they really nailed the interior on the W211, it will NEVER age, it's just perfect and timeless.
As for handling, there's no question, drive an M5 and see for yourself. It's a sharper car and makes direction changes alot crisper, faster and smoother. It feels like a sports car. Grip levels don't tell the whole story even if they're the same. The AMG rolls alot even in Sport 2 and the steering is not nearly as good but it has it's own character, it fits the cars muscle vibe, it's more a brute force instrument than a precision tool which is what the M5 is.
