Where do we go after an E55?
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From: The Magic City
C63
I went from an E55 to C63. I test drove a 2011 E63 & did not like it. It actually felt more boaty than my E55. Then i test drove a C63 (which i had no intention of buying) & fell in love with it. 
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2006 E55, 2012 Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible, 2014 Kia Sorento SXL AWD
I guess it all depends on the vehicle's purpose... If it's a daily driver then the Aston Martin Rapide, Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S, Cadillac CTS-V, or Porsche Panamera are good options and all are four doors... Of course, non of them will give you the shear exhilaration of the E55... Two door options are the Bentley Continental SuperSports or GT, Aston Martin DBS, Jaguar XKR-S... Non-daily drivers are pretty much limitless... Ferrari, Porsche, Lamborghini, Nissan GT-R...
Anyway you cut it, it's a pretty hard choice...
Anyway you cut it, it's a pretty hard choice...
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2006 E55, 2012 Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible, 2014 Kia Sorento SXL AWD
I guess it depends on what your definition of a "decent" daily driver is...
For me, I chose the E55 as it combines luxury and performance in one very well built package. A four-door vehicle is also a major convenience for me. If you need a four-door vehicle (or even a four passenger vehicle), then obviously, the GT-R wouldn't make the cut for a daily driver...
I don't know how many GT-Rs you have ridden in/driven, but there is no way I could ride in one of those on a regular basis. My friend, who has owned two of them (a 2009 model and now a 2012 model) has a 09 CL-63 as his daily driver...
For me, I chose the E55 as it combines luxury and performance in one very well built package. A four-door vehicle is also a major convenience for me. If you need a four-door vehicle (or even a four passenger vehicle), then obviously, the GT-R wouldn't make the cut for a daily driver...
I don't know how many GT-Rs you have ridden in/driven, but there is no way I could ride in one of those on a regular basis. My friend, who has owned two of them (a 2009 model and now a 2012 model) has a 09 CL-63 as his daily driver...
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Joined: May 2009
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From: Orlando, FL
04 E55 AMG, 03 350z Track Built/Single Turbo
I guess it depends on what your definition of a "decent" daily driver is...
For me, I chose the E55 as it combines luxury and performance in one very well built package. A four-door vehicle is also a major convenience for me. If you need a four-door vehicle (or even a four passenger vehicle), then obviously, the GT-R wouldn't make the cut for a daily driver...
I don't know how many GT-Rs you have ridden in/driven, but there is no way I could ride in one of those on a regular basis. My friend, who has owned two of them (a 2009 model and now a 2012 model) has a 09 CL-63 as his daily driver...
For me, I chose the E55 as it combines luxury and performance in one very well built package. A four-door vehicle is also a major convenience for me. If you need a four-door vehicle (or even a four passenger vehicle), then obviously, the GT-R wouldn't make the cut for a daily driver...
I don't know how many GT-Rs you have ridden in/driven, but there is no way I could ride in one of those on a regular basis. My friend, who has owned two of them (a 2009 model and now a 2012 model) has a 09 CL-63 as his daily driver...
I personally don't mind coupes as I don't have kids, but I don't see it as being an issue really.
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2006 E55, 2012 Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible, 2014 Kia Sorento SXL AWD
I've driven a few, and one of my friends used it as his daily (he also has an F430, Lambo Galardo, Jag XJL NM, etc) . It gets decent gas mileage, has a great auto tranny, and has plenty of rear seat/trunk space to haul groceries or kids. He can even let the wife jump behind the wheel if need be.
I personally don't mind coupes as I don't have kids, but I don't see it as being an issue really.
I personally don't mind coupes as I don't have kids, but I don't see it as being an issue really.
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Joined: May 2009
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From: Orlando, FL
04 E55 AMG, 03 350z Track Built/Single Turbo
I've driven cars slammed on coilovers and low profile tires on a daily basis in my past, so perhaps my buttocks aren't quite so sensitive.
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From: NYC
E 63,E55 (gone) E46 ///M ,B5 stage 3 S4 ,E36 ///M , 03 EVO (800 WHP)
Guess its all a matter of driver. Mine has the PP and feels 50% tighter than my 55. Top gear power laps beat out the E60 M5 and E92 M3 4 door which out tracks the coupe.
Thread Starter
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From: Lafayette, IN
2008 ML63 2009 SL63 2010 Alpha 7 GTR
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From: Salt Lake City, UT
2002 BMW M5, 1992 AWD DSM, 1988 Yamaha FZR1000
For those of us who aren't rich enough to buy a brand new $107k+ car, what is everyone else looking at?
Financing/leasing, assume <=$1000/mo on the car. Buying outright, <=$50k.
I've been considering leasing either a C63, Jag XFR, CTS-V, or perhaps buying a few-years-old CL600. The problem with the CL600 is that V12TT which I'm sure isn't cheap to maintain, especially out of warranty. Not to mention the other components of the car (aren't brakes $1200+ for materials?)
The C63s look to be around $50k to buy for MY2009 but there's only a few years left on the warranty. I'd NEVER own the E55 without a warranty, but I'm assuming the C63 is far less problematic (no IC pumps going out every other day or supercharger pulleys blowing up)
Financing/leasing, assume <=$1000/mo on the car. Buying outright, <=$50k.
I've been considering leasing either a C63, Jag XFR, CTS-V, or perhaps buying a few-years-old CL600. The problem with the CL600 is that V12TT which I'm sure isn't cheap to maintain, especially out of warranty. Not to mention the other components of the car (aren't brakes $1200+ for materials?)
The C63s look to be around $50k to buy for MY2009 but there's only a few years left on the warranty. I'd NEVER own the E55 without a warranty, but I'm assuming the C63 is far less problematic (no IC pumps going out every other day or supercharger pulleys blowing up)
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From: Charleston, SC
GL450
You can get a decent used CL600 (or E55, or S/C Jaguar) for half the price of a used C63. Even with higher repairs, they are going to be cheaper than a C63 for at least a few years, until the C63 prices hit $25k.
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From: New York
Mercedes S55 AMG
Surprisingly enough the 2006+ Corvette Z06 is also under $50k used, in some cases with higher mileage they even dip below 40k.
But amongst the "newer" cars in the 40's, the C63/M3 are definitely great. The M5, even with a new one coming out, is still a very fast and great handling car.
There are a lot of options in the under 50k range for cars, as long as you go used. (And you should still get a good warranty since most cars in this range will only be a few years old)
But amongst the "newer" cars in the 40's, the C63/M3 are definitely great. The M5, even with a new one coming out, is still a very fast and great handling car.
There are a lot of options in the under 50k range for cars, as long as you go used. (And you should still get a good warranty since most cars in this range will only be a few years old)
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From: Salt Lake City, UT
2002 BMW M5, 1992 AWD DSM, 1988 Yamaha FZR1000
What does everyone think of the 300C SRT8? They are dirt cheap these days. Are they reliable after the 60k miles mark? I know the electronics, interior, etc. won't compare to the E55 but for 15-20k for a 50k mile example, they seem like a decent value.
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e63 p30 estate
easy, the '12 E63TT wagon in '15. I've already started saving the change in my suit slacks. As long as my kid(s) are alive I'll be rolling around in 1 of these variants of Benz (rwd) forced induced wagons
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From: Del Mar, CA
2003 CL600 2005 745Li
Great thread guys, its the first I am seeing of it. I was looking for some real power, a classy car and I'm all about value, so after much research I landed on a CL600. The below CL65 towards the beginning of this tread was my inspiration ...
This is where I'm at now, she has 66K miles, should be putting well over 600hp / 700tq to the ground and there's plenty more to be had if you want. The budget build so far I'm in her a TOTAL of less than what a comparable E55 car alone would cost as the CL's don't hold their value as well...
MBAMGPWR nice list of mods you have on your CL600
Both are just awesome cars, the V12TT and V8TT are just so ez to mod !
This guy knows !!!
You all should drive a V12TT 65 car and then just know that you can get very near the same thing in a tuned V12TT 600 car for much much less.
.
That CL65 AMG you posted is badass!!
I LOVE my 04 CL600. I know its not the 65, but still the V12TT. Like said before, the V12TT is not quite as crazy or dramatic feeling as the E55 is. But by no means does it "feel" slow. But I'm not sure I would keep my CL600 over my E55. If the day came where I had to pick between the two, I would most likely keep the E55.....I think.....
I LOVE my 04 CL600. I know its not the 65, but still the V12TT. Like said before, the V12TT is not quite as crazy or dramatic feeling as the E55 is. But by no means does it "feel" slow. But I'm not sure I would keep my CL600 over my E55. If the day came where I had to pick between the two, I would most likely keep the E55.....I think.....
One word... V12. I skipped the 55K and went from the 55 N/A to the V12 twin turbo. Bear in mind, the CL600 (or most Benzes) can't handle anyway. And you can get a V12 turbo for about the same price as a 55 S/C.
If I want to handle, I'm going to look at a CLK Black, 335, or M3.
If you go F, P, Bentley, Aston, etc. prepare to open your wallet and get your car flat-bedded. I do my work myself.
If I want to handle, I'm going to look at a CLK Black, 335, or M3.
If you go F, P, Bentley, Aston, etc. prepare to open your wallet and get your car flat-bedded. I do my work myself.
You all should drive a V12TT 65 car and then just know that you can get very near the same thing in a tuned V12TT 600 car for much much less.
.
Last edited by 1995E320Cab; Dec 16, 2011 at 05:51 PM.
