I am in the process of getting caught up on all of the "AMG" history, so forgive any off-camber questions.

So in terms of "performance" MB cars, where does the E-Class really fit? I remember the old Miami Vice episodes where the AMG Hammers would appear. Heck, I lusted after those as a kid. It seems to me that the E55 and the E63 are quite popular. Are the E's the middle child of the C's and the S's or do I have it all wrong?

For me, I drove a C63 AMG first, and loved the exhaust sound. It seemed a little bit more nimble. But it was a little smaller than I wanted. Then I drove the E63 AMG and liked the size more. My P30 didn't seem to be too far off of the C63 AMG in the twisties that I could tell. However, it was hard to tell without driving like a loon. I didn't notice a huge "seat of the pants meter" difference in acceleration with ESP on both. Then I sat in the super luxurious $140K S-Class AMG and found it a little too decked out with luxuries:-)

Sorry about the long-winded post. Really just trying to figure out where the various AMGs come out. Of course the SLS is a beast !!!

 

Mercedes calls the E Class their executive saloon or business class saloon.

It's kinda similar to the M3, M5, M6 sort of differences: C, E, and S Class. And chassis design and size/weight being a big difference.

The E is a cheaper and smaller version of the S in the 'comfort muscle car' category. The C is the smaller 'sportier' version. But AMG has always been a Mercedes first and called "the luxury performance brand of Mercedes-Benz."

Try looking for a copy of AMG: Reaching for the Stars by Frank Muhling and Markus Bolsinger. This place used to sell copies: http://www.toadhallbook.com/index.cfm

In the meantime there's this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKm6CZgqR6s

And the new official Mercedes AMG Channel:http://www.youtube.com/user/OfficialMercedesAMG

 

Excellent info 220S. I will check out the book.

Something kept bringing me back to the E. I came from a long line of Corvettes and didn't want another car like that. Mostly because the car "hung it out there" too far. The sleeper appeals more to me, and I didn't want something that drew the attention of every 20 year old with a Subaru WRX STi. The sedan appealed much more to me. Some could argue that any AMG isn't a sleeper, but most people have no idea what that is. I used to have an M3, and know that most people know what that is, but AMG isn't really that known for the average Joe. I like that.

 

The sleeper factor of the AMG E Class is all part of its attraction. And also the AMG S Class, too. That's why the AMG E Class wagon is so popular among people who know about AMG. If one wants to be noticed, they do build nice 'out there' cars like the SLS, the SL, and the Black Series.

All AMGs are first a Mercedes. And Mercedes builds cars for comfort, safety, and utility. So the AMG tends not to be as popular as say, the M or a Porsche. Different philosophies, is all. But if you're looking for a comfortable car that makes sense in the everyday real world and yet still has some major performance, then it's a great choice. It's harder to use a 997 or even the M3 as an all around daily car. And especially on long freeway trips (where both the E Class and S Class excel.) But the emphasis on the comfort and luxury side sometimes hides the performance side that these cars have; they were never meant to be like stiffer sprung sports sedans. Even the SLS is softer and more comfortable than other super cars in that category.

Anyway as you've discovered the E Class is a Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde kind of car. You can drive like Grandpa or you can drive like Grandpa's crazy nephew, all depending on your mood of the day.