mhh

Anyone upgraded to new E55 from a C32? Any comments?

mhh

kaneman

I'll have some in about a month.

mhh

Kaneman

While we wait, please tell my why you decided to upgrade- I'm looking for some excuses!

mhh

kaneman

Drive an '03 E500, you will understand everything. I am used to having a V8 underfoot and although the 3.2K is a GREAT engine, it doesn't have the low-down dirty grunt that an 8-cyl does. The E500 is a stellar performer as it is, and the E55 is going to be utterly mindblowing I'd imagine. Also, the C32 is SMALL, no getting around that. I'm ready for something a bit larger and more refined. Finally, the C32 has never quite measured up in terms of build quality, fit and finish and trim quality to what I think a Mercedes should be. Again, it's a great car but some of the plastics used are decidedly low-rent (the dash is my major issue). The E500 lacks for nothing in this area and is everything I think an MB should be. It's very very elegant and everything from the switchgear to the surfaces speaks of higher quality levels.

mhh

Point taken on all counts - I think the C32 wins on looks though. The E55 needs something to toughen the appearance- I don't know what - maybe 19" wheels? You had an M5, so you'll know what I mean.

kaneman

Go check out this post and you'll see my answer to that... the C32 definitely has the right look and the performance to back it up. The E55 as stock needs a bit of edge to it. My wife's E500 is beautiful but sedate... the W210 E55 had a bit of a brute, rough edge to it that the W211 E55 lacks from the factory. I think a change in wheels will finish it off nicely. IMO the M5 was PERFECT in this regard. Still elegant but with a very sporty edge to it, there was no mistaking it for a plane-jane 5er!

Edited to add : The 1999 E55 shared a common front end with the other E classes and looked quite a bit less aggressive than the 2000-02s. While I don't think we'll see that change for '04 I'm willing to bet there'll be a freshening in '05.