Pbglas

Clearly, an E55 is too much car for just commuting or running errands.

It would be interesting for a newcomer like me to find out what else E55 owners do with their cars. We have speed limits in this country (unfortunately). Where do they go to get hte most pleasure from the E55s.

Also for those in the norht, How is it in snow and ice?

drdave

I stuff kids in my car. last week I had door casing laying across the front seat and a trunk full of tile adhesive.

I love this car, but I need to use the car like a truck some times.


dr dave

p.s. do you live in chicago or in the suburbs...I in st. charles.

mikE55

This is what makes the E55 so great, you get the best of both worlds. Its luxurious and comfortable for every day driving, but hammer the throttle and the beast comes alive with near supercar performance. The downside is most of us don't have an Autobahn or race track at our disposal. So we need to pick and choose when to be in supercar mode.

Pbglas

DrDave, yes I live in Chicago and I have sent you a private email through this site.

Any suggestion as to what to pick and choose by way of states or roads?

E55 KEV

No one should ever buy or consider an E55 nor any RWD performance car for snow/ice abilities. If winter weather is your concern you 'must' put winter/snow tires on the car. You also do not buy an E55 looking for ultimate comfort and cushy luxurious ride. It is designed for ultimate performance and speed on the track or perfect condition roads.

pocholin

I drive mine every day (I drove it 32k miles last year), when I'm not driving it I drive the Suburban, but that's only like 10 days in a year unless I'm out of town.

So in a nut shell, I drive my E55 all the time and everywhere (even long trips, 2 to chicago last year), and that's where you can stretch her legs and let her run (also get $1200.00 speeding tickets )

E55AMG99

I drive mine every chance I get. It was my commuter car for 3 years as well as the go out at night car. I love the way it can shoot the gaps in traffic with ease. If the weather is rotten, my second choice is my Denali. After lowering and a few other performance mods, this is one great vehicle. You shoyuld see the looks on driver's faces when I pass them going uphill at 90MPH on my way to Lake Tahoe!

There are many mountain and back roads in the SF Bay Area that allow for some "spirited" driving. Just remember to bring your favorite radar protection along for the ride.

Philguy

I've used mine as a commuter for the last four years. Even in LA traffic, I am able to let the throttle go quite often. Due to the expansiveness of LA, you find yourself doing longer stints between pockets of traffic also. I also commute up to Santa Barbara and San Diego which is an exhilerating 1-2 hr drive. A few times a year, I take the E55 to Willow Springs to cut loose. The nice thing as a commuter is that I've adapted to the car (and vice versa) and feel connected at all times.

Pbglas

Thanks, gentlemen.

Please keep the notes coming. I find them most useful.

The AMG is about 20K more than a comparably equipped E500. It seems you sure get 20K worth of fun even in daily driving!

E55AMG99

I consider the amount of enjoyment I get from my E55 to be priceless! My wife says it was the best therapy money can buy.

pocholin

I agree, although my wife doesn't think like yours

E55AMG99

It takes a while for them to realize that we are spending more time with our cars than our other less publicly accepted vices. :p I could always sell the AMG and spend my weekends drinking at the local strip clubs instead of taking the car (and her) for long weekends around the state.

Too bad we can't have our cake and eat it too.

Pbglas

Pocholin, how fast were you driving to get a 1200 dollar ticket?

pocholin

126 on a 65 in Mound City County, Illinois.
Got arrested on the spot, but posted bond there too.

E55AMG99

At least you were able to post on the spot. My "biggie" (130 in a 55) was a trip to the county facility for photos and prints. They let me go without posting any bail but I had to make a court appearance. The fine wasn't bad $405 but the worst part of it was the 40 hours of community service. Apparently, they want to humiliate you too.

Pbglas

How high are insurance rates for E55. Ist it treated as a Sedan or a sports car?

E55AMG99

I'm not sure how my ins. (Mercury) treats it. I pay about $2100 for 3 cars - '99 E55, '00 CLK 430 convert. and '02 Denali XL. The coverage limits are to the max.

Pbglas

Thanks. Those are per year? Right?

pocholin

Well I was able to post bond on the spot, but it required court appereance and I had to go all the way "F"ing back
Good thing I didn't have to serve any comunity service.