Hey everyone, i know this is a E55 forum, but would like your opinion on a daily driver. Note that conditions are those of downtown NYC, therefore there will be potholes, stop & go traffic, tight turning, parallel parking (into tight spaces), rain/slick roadway, snow (in winter), etc, etc.. oh yes, the occasional 80mph fun on the west side highway!

Note: models listed will be newest available at time of purchase (less than 6 months).

 

considering you will be dealing with snow during the winters, you might want to consider the upcoming audi S4. However, I'm also a big fan of the C32 =P.

Jon

 

I voted for E 55. But how is it on potholes? I had a Saab which constantly had the wheels being damaged.

In an earlier thread, there was some difference of opinion on snow performance. Someone even pointed out that the E was intended only for hte best of roads.

Comments.

 

How about the most expensive, the most outrageous Audi, the RS6. Of course, that's if you can allocate one.

 

Considering the environment that you are going to be in I would suggest the C32. An M5 is a great car and I love mine but for being a daily driver in a large city and more specifically downtown, it probably wouldn't be fun. Another reason not to go for an M5 is you wouldn't be able to experience the full on "Ultima Driving Machine" experience. It's not until you get out on a secluded peice of desert highway do you really appreciate the car and I bet this goes for the E55 also. So my choice is definetly the C32 because of it's automatic tranny, smaller size, stealth appearence and decently comfy suspension.

Good Luck!

 

I voted for the C32 - Based on where you're going to primarily drive the car.

I have an E55 and one of the most frustrating things about owning such an incredible car (for me anyway), is that you really can't get the thing to break a sweat, driving around town. It's almost too much performance to really appreciate it (god, I never thought I would say that!). Not that the car doesn't drive well - Quite the contrary, this car behaves very nicely, if you do too - I'm just the type of person that likes to see this thing at it's limits (or at least "working it"). you can't do that in an E55 in an urban environment, lest you jeapordize someone's life, and your driver's license :-)

PBGlas - Re: Potholes - I have not had any issues thus far with the car. My previous BMW E36 was always having issues from the midwest "swimming holes" we have here in Cleveland. Messed up suspension, bent rims, and before I got rid of the car, a chipped tooth in the rack, which threw off the alignment (nice). I have to say though, there is something about that BMW engineering...I did love that car!

 

Well, I live in Manhattan, so I know the driving conditions you'll be facing New York streets SUCK! Anyway, I'd go for an SUV to handle daily driving in the city. I have a G500, and I love the car for Manhattan. It is smaller than my X5 was, and more managable. Also, since it's slow, you won't be upset that you aren't pushing the car to its limits Also, it's one of the best off-road SUV's (if you are so inclined to take a $75,000 car through its paces on some dodgy back road or what).

*edit* Opps! I neglected to read the 'sedans only' stipulation. In that case, I'd go with the C32, or, if you are already considering the 745i, how about the S class? (I'm partial to MB)

 

Being a C32 owner and also having an E500 in the family I have a unique perspective on this. IMO the E500 is the PERFECT choice even though you don't have it listed... mainly due to the adjustible suspension, more comfortable cabin and seats, and tractable V8. The C32 is best on the boil... with it's torque peak at 4k RPM it is somewhat lacking at the low end. Keep the engine on the boil and it screams. The E500 on the other hand is immediate, with gobs of torque wayyy down in the rev range. Thus, in stop and go driving the car is much more flexible.

On ride comfort, the C32 has a great suspension setup that is a wonderful compromise between comfort and handling. Still, it is stiff-riding. Over bad pavement you feel every irregularity right in the rear. The E500 neatly sidesteps this problem with the Airmatic suspension. In stop and go traffic and want to be coddled? Select comfort mode. Normal driving? The first sport setting is ideal... want to go bash apexes? Set it on the second setting.

Finally, the E cabin is a much more pleasant place to spend time. I never had a problem with the C cabin until I drove the E... now I find it somewhat claustrophobic. The E's cabin layout, quality of materials, seating, stereo, and instrumentation are far far superior to the C. IMO the C is a great car but comparing it to the E500 is a bit unfair, after all you're talking about a $30k difference! I know that when my E55 comes in I'll have no qualms about handing my C32 over to someone else to enjoy. It's been fun, but I'm ready for more sophistication. The C gives up much more in comforts to the E, than the E gives up to the C in performance and handling.

Given that you'll be driving the car in NYC, I recommend the '500 over the '55 for several reasons. In such driving you'll never miss the power, the E500 is suprisingly fast and has PLENTY of power. The new 7 speed transmission should narrow that delta even more. Also, the 17" wheels on the non-sport E500 offer more compliance and have less of a chance of getting damaged when you run into potholes. They're also not going to be as easily curbed when you're parallel-parking. Finally, the car isn't quite as rare as the E55. If something happens to it (which is a distinct possibility in Gotham City) you won't be as heartbroken as if it were an E55 that will take 6 months to replace. Testdrive one, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

 

Thanks Teflon for the info on potholes. I ad gathered from a previous thread that this was a problem with AMG's