Just sat in an 03 E55 at the NY Auto Show
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 134
Likes: 1
Just sat in an 03 E55 at the NY Auto Show
I have press passes and got in before the crush. This one had the COMAND with satellite radio (which worked but they said it was only for demo purposes).
The AMG folks in attendance said the reason for the delay in COMAND was that the new Sirus satellite radio set up was NOT yet ready with all of the kinks wored out and they wanted that integrated in the unit.
It is beautiful -- the ergonomics are great and the COMAND unit is positioned quite well -- the seats feel much better than in my 01 E55 -- more support and adjustability. It is a much different and better lay out.
The AMG folks in attendance said the reason for the delay in COMAND was that the new Sirus satellite radio set up was NOT yet ready with all of the kinks wored out and they wanted that integrated in the unit.
It is beautiful -- the ergonomics are great and the COMAND unit is positioned quite well -- the seats feel much better than in my 01 E55 -- more support and adjustability. It is a much different and better lay out.
Member
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 77
Likes: 1
ABC
Yes, the E55 is pretty sweet. Much better than the 03 E320. They had one here in Chicago, at the Chicago auto show. I sat in it, and it was exactly as you described, It might even be the same exact vehicle. This thing by far, blows away the Crappy M5.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,060
Likes: 1
Yup, just saw the silver E55 at the NY show too and it was very nice. I didn't find the interior too much different from the E500's other than the headline and the NAV system, but it's still quite a beast.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 560
Likes: 0
Porsche 997 C2S
Originally posted by VroomVroom
Yup, just saw the silver E55 at the NY show too and it was very nice. I didn't find the interior too much different from the E500's other than the headline and the NAV system, but it's still quite a beast.
Yup, just saw the silver E55 at the NY show too and it was very nice. I didn't find the interior too much different from the E500's other than the headline and the NAV system, but it's still quite a beast.
One of the MB reps there told me that MSRP should be between $70-75k ... sort of different from the $76k they represented at the Chicago auto show, but who knows?
Didn't check what kind of headliner it had -- I really should have ... but oh well.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 562
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
E55
I saw it at the Chicago auto show. Went pretty early to get to sit in it for a while and let my wife sit in it too since I have some persuading to do.
It felt very nice.
However the Mercedes salesmen around were EXTRMELY poorly informed seemingly capable only of handing out brochures and not even asking to get back to me.
I think MB will have to deal with this situation.
It felt very nice.
However the Mercedes salesmen around were EXTRMELY poorly informed seemingly capable only of handing out brochures and not even asking to get back to me.
I think MB will have to deal with this situation.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 134
Likes: 1
I was lucky because it was Press Day
And the folks were pretty well informed. I did not see the headliner, however. The seat are an improvement on the current sport seats, although the current sports seats are great in and of themselves.
The rep was an AMG rep and said he had driven the car many times and it was a rocket (no kidding). It thought it was better balanced than the SL55 and quicker as well.
My only lament is that I may not have a chance to actually drive one before purchase unless I take them up on the offer to do the AMG challenge where they will let you beat the hell out of the full line at a racetrack. The brake-by-wire thing really has me concerned.
The rep was an AMG rep and said he had driven the car many times and it was a rocket (no kidding). It thought it was better balanced than the SL55 and quicker as well.
My only lament is that I may not have a chance to actually drive one before purchase unless I take them up on the offer to do the AMG challenge where they will let you beat the hell out of the full line at a racetrack. The brake-by-wire thing really has me concerned.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 562
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
E55
ALZ, you were lucky. I have met well informed MB and BMW people in Telematics shows. It is wonderful to talk with them.
The braked by wire is being knocked heavily by C and D. But people on this list who have used it seem comfortable with it once they get used to it.
The braked by wire is being knocked heavily by C and D. But people on this list who have used it seem comfortable with it once they get used to it.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,894
Likes: 8
From: Connecticut
2003 CLK55
I'm glad I'm not the only one thats worried about the brake by wire system. Sure Car and Driver are giving it a bad rep....but they should know, they drive cars all day long. If it wasn't that big of a deal I'm sure they wouldn't have said that much about it. And what kind of brakes do you know of that you have to "get used" to them??
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 562
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
E55
I am very concerned about brake by wire. But if it can be mastered in a couple of days and is better in some ways then I am OK with it. I do beleive it is the wave of the future but MB may not have got it right yet. C and D talks about lurching.
C and D also talks of body roll. Perhaps when members of this list get their cars they can tell us how bad it is and tell the rest of us, who would still be waiting.
However, so many influences play in evaluation of a commercial product, including pressure by the companies themselves and their competitors, that one has to take evaluations wiht a grain of salt.
I have now seen 4 comparisons of roughly the same set of car models --- the E55 won 2 of them.
C and D also talks of body roll. Perhaps when members of this list get their cars they can tell us how bad it is and tell the rest of us, who would still be waiting.
However, so many influences play in evaluation of a commercial product, including pressure by the companies themselves and their competitors, that one has to take evaluations wiht a grain of salt.
I have now seen 4 comparisons of roughly the same set of car models --- the E55 won 2 of them.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 560
Likes: 0
Porsche 997 C2S
Originally posted by Pbglas
I am very concerned about brake by wire. But if it can be mastered in a couple of days and is better in some ways then I am OK with it. I do beleive it is the wave of the future but MB may not have got it right yet. C and D talks about lurching.
C and D also talks of body roll. Perhaps when members of this list get their cars they can tell us how bad it is and tell the rest of us, who would still be waiting.
However, so many influences play in evaluation of a commercial product, including pressure by the companies themselves and their competitors, that one has to take evaluations wiht a grain of salt.
I have now seen 4 comparisons of roughly the same set of car models --- the E55 won 2 of them.
I am very concerned about brake by wire. But if it can be mastered in a couple of days and is better in some ways then I am OK with it. I do beleive it is the wave of the future but MB may not have got it right yet. C and D talks about lurching.
C and D also talks of body roll. Perhaps when members of this list get their cars they can tell us how bad it is and tell the rest of us, who would still be waiting.
However, so many influences play in evaluation of a commercial product, including pressure by the companies themselves and their competitors, that one has to take evaluations wiht a grain of salt.
I have now seen 4 comparisons of roughly the same set of car models --- the E55 won 2 of them.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,934
Likes: 387
From: Kenilworth, il usa
GT63S ePerformance 4dr, '25 Bentayga Black Ed.(wife), Wrangler and 250 MLB(kids)
They really drove me nuts in a E320 loaner I had last December,
but only first couple days.
You can get used to it pretty quickly and it doesn't bother you anymore.
but only first couple days.
You can get used to it pretty quickly and it doesn't bother you anymore.
Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
From: South Germany
Porsche 997 Turbo
Originally posted by Pbglas
I am very concerned about brake by wire. But if it can be mastered in a couple of days and is better in some ways then I am OK with it. I do beleive it is the wave of the future but MB may not have got it right yet. C and D talks about lurching.
C and D also talks of body roll. Perhaps when members of this list get their cars they can tell us how bad it is and tell the rest of us, who would still be waiting.
However, so many influences play in evaluation of a commercial product, including pressure by the companies themselves and their competitors, that one has to take evaluations wiht a grain of salt.
I have now seen 4 comparisons of roughly the same set of car models --- the E55 won 2 of them.
I am very concerned about brake by wire. But if it can be mastered in a couple of days and is better in some ways then I am OK with it. I do beleive it is the wave of the future but MB may not have got it right yet. C and D talks about lurching.
C and D also talks of body roll. Perhaps when members of this list get their cars they can tell us how bad it is and tell the rest of us, who would still be waiting.
However, so many influences play in evaluation of a commercial product, including pressure by the companies themselves and their competitors, that one has to take evaluations wiht a grain of salt.
I have now seen 4 comparisons of roughly the same set of car models --- the E55 won 2 of them.
I also heard that COMAND customers get a new interactive DVD with their car, containing the instruction brochure for the COMAND.
Again: these are rumors.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 134
Likes: 1
The AMG rep at the Car show during press day said that COMAND is Not prewired
I figure he must be legit because press day is open only to the press and anything they say can and will be reported in the press.
He agreed that that the only ones willing to buy without COMAND were folks who wanted the first ones. While I don't care for Nav, the COMAND is great because of the integrated Sirius Satellite radio. Now that was cool.
He agreed that that the only ones willing to buy without COMAND were folks who wanted the first ones. While I don't care for Nav, the COMAND is great because of the integrated Sirius Satellite radio. Now that was cool.
Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
From: South Germany
Porsche 997 Turbo
Re: The AMG rep at the Car show during press day said that COMAND is Not prewired
Originally posted by alz
I figure he must be legit because press day is open only to the press and anything they say can and will be reported in the press.
He agreed that that the only ones willing to buy without COMAND were folks who wanted the first ones. While I don't care for Nav, the COMAND is great because of the integrated Sirius Satellite radio. Now that was cool.
I figure he must be legit because press day is open only to the press and anything they say can and will be reported in the press.
He agreed that that the only ones willing to buy without COMAND were folks who wanted the first ones. While I don't care for Nav, the COMAND is great because of the integrated Sirius Satellite radio. Now that was cool.
Maybe the cars available in Germany are different? Possible.
Last edited by Rennteam; Apr 19, 2003 at 08:42 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 562
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
E55
Forgive my dumb question. How does APS-50 differ from just APS? Can one get APS which I assume is a nvigation system without getting COMAND? I thought COMAND was mainly navigation with a few extras.
Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
From: South Germany
Porsche 997 Turbo
Originally posted by Pbglas
Forgive my dumb question. How does APS-50 differ from just APS? Can one get APS which I assume is a nvigation system without getting COMAND? I thought COMAND was mainly navigation with a few extras.
Forgive my dumb question. How does APS-50 differ from just APS? Can one get APS which I assume is a nvigation system without getting COMAND? I thought COMAND was mainly navigation with a few extras.
The APS 50 includes a Navigation System, it is CD-ROM based, not DVD based as on the COMAND.
Here in Germany there are two options available if you want a navigations system: the APS 50 and the COMAND. These are seperate options. Customers who had APS 50 on their car and want to upgrade to COMAND are able to do that as far as I heard. A lot of E 55 AMG customers ordered COMAND and because it wasn't available, they paid it but got(get) APS 50 including a later COMAND retrofit. This is official stuff, not something individually done by the dealers.
I'm not sure if this is something available in Germany only or in other countries too.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 562
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
E55
"Just APS"? I'm not sure I understand what you mean.
I meant are there two things APS 50 and plain ole' APS as in previous models.
Let me also ask you. There is talk of Voice recognition. Can one input addresses into COMAND using voice?
Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
From: South Germany
Porsche 997 Turbo
Originally posted by Pbglas
Thanks!
I meant are there two things APS 50 and plain ole' APS as in previous models.
Let me also ask you. There is talk of Voice recognition. Can one input addresses into COMAND using voice?
Thanks!
I meant are there two things APS 50 and plain ole' APS as in previous models.
Let me also ask you. There is talk of Voice recognition. Can one input addresses into COMAND using voice?
The satellite option however seems to be available for the US market.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 562
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
E55
The german COMAND does not have a voice option (Linguatronic or similar
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Upper Saddle River, NJ
2002 E46 M3
I drove an E500 with that brake-by-wire and absolutely hated it. There is still a way to go with the software development of this system before it becomes as intuitive as a direct mechanical linkage. I'm sure the E55 will destroy the E39 M5 in a straight line, but it's really a stretch to describe that car as "crappy". The balance, road feel, and driver involvement of the current M5 are still superior to even the new E Class, IMHO. Can't wait to see what the E60 M5 does to spank the new E55. 
Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
From: South Germany
Porsche 997 Turbo
Originally posted by ZZZZMD
I drove an E500 with that brake-by-wire and absolutely hated it. There is still a way to go with the software development of this system before it becomes as intuitive as a direct mechanical linkage. I'm sure the E55 will destroy the E39 M5 in a straight line, but it's really a stretch to describe that car as "crappy". The balance, road feel, and driver involvement of the current M5 are still superior to even the new E Class, IMHO. Can't wait to see what the E60 M5 does to spank the new E55.
I drove an E500 with that brake-by-wire and absolutely hated it. There is still a way to go with the software development of this system before it becomes as intuitive as a direct mechanical linkage. I'm sure the E55 will destroy the E39 M5 in a straight line, but it's really a stretch to describe that car as "crappy". The balance, road feel, and driver involvement of the current M5 are still superior to even the new E Class, IMHO. Can't wait to see what the E60 M5 does to spank the new E55.
To be serious: the old M5 can't be compared to the new E 55. I drove both and the M5 is still very sporty but the E 55 is much more refined if you ask me. The only thing I liked about the M5 is the manual (I wish DC would offer the same on the E 55) but on the track, the M5 isn't the real king among limousines anymore.
To give you an example: on the Hockenheim Ring in Germany (which is a pretty short rack with some pretty narrow curves, not a high speed track), the E 55 did 1 min. 18 sec. and the BMW M5 1 min 19,5 sec. . For comparison: the SLK 32 AMG did it in 1 min. 18,5 sec. . No, even on the track, the BMW M5 doesn't impress anymore. It is an old and outdated design, the engine is still great though.
