Raron

Yes I know that is a lot of cars and some quite different. The deal is that I'm looking for a new sedan to compliment my new toy which I'm shopping for now as well. I love cars of all types having owned things like NSX, several M cars, Porsches, Lotus, Viper, 740il, Jag XJR, S2000, Evo etc. In other words; I have the disease! Here are some pics of a few of them: http://www.cardomain.com/ride/291976/2007-bmw-m

The wife will drive this car daily as I work from home, and it will be our primary sedan. For this reason I'd like to enjoy it as well! But I'm wondering if the E55 would be too harsh in some way for her? Any of your wives complain about driving the E55 or is it every bit refined (non intrusive exhaust), smooth etc. Our last luxury sedan was an XJR which the wife felt made her feel "old" and she's 27. Currently we have a 98 Estoril Blue M3 Sedan on white leather. She got her fill of the unique cool factor of the M and wants more refinement. I also want a quality piece of kit when we take friends out etc. Finally, I don't like to see myself coming and going.

I'm digging the short body A8's. They look incredible and have fabulous interiors. Depending on how much I spend on the toy I'd like to keep the sedan under $50k. Better yet, some times I feel that I should find a nice sedan for under $30k as there are so many options why spend more? The XF is gorgeous and lots of bang for the buck. I think the new E550 will age better than XF and a used one can be had around $45k. The 335 is a beast and lots of fun to drive; yet it is refined. Can be had in low $20's; only problem is that they're everywhere!

Anyhow, here are my questions for you guys to help determine if the E55 is the perfect compromise sedan for us:

1) How harsh would you say the drive is? If you didn't tell wife it was a "performance model" would she notice more harshness and complain? Coming from the old school M3 the wife would be wary of my performance taste and getting stuck with less luxury than she might otherwise get. That being said she doesn't expect a cloud ride i.e. she liked the 335i ride. I'm thinking the E55 although more focused is larger so should ride at least as good no?

2) How reliable are they? Do they have electical gremlins, leaks and something always breaking?

3) What years are most desirable?

That's it for now. Any other feedback is greatly appreciated. Will continue reading up!

SvtAmg

This

moosejaw

What kills the A8 is that it's made of aluminum and insurance companies don't like that (think of your premiums with your NSX)

f it were my wife I'd get her the XF as it's more stylish and more suited to the female audience.
A E55 looks badass but IMO doesn't find the trendsetter image.

Raron

You are right about the sexy XF. Keep in mind it has to check my box too as we'll only have 2 cars for now. I'll probably want for some nice wheels or a way to close the fender gap on whatever we get. XF also offers great bang for buck. If I really want to save then I was also considering an E500 for about $15k. Seems it would deliver the same luxury and performance, somewhat modern looks for less than half... I could also tastefully mod it.

moosejaw

If youre going to E500 than may as well go E55 which isnt that much more to maintain than the regular V8 E

jayhawkblk

My wife hates driving my car. She says it is way to violent for her. If this is truely for your wife but you still want the go factor. I say get a cls63 or the xfR. If you go Audi I say try to find an S6 or S8( but that will put you over 50k for an 07 up). Don't do the e500 it is boring to drive. Just my thoughts.

AMGJared

I have to give my input on the 335i because it was on your list. My girlfriend and I share the 335i pretty much 50/50 since I work from home. It really is a fantastic car, I got it new in June 2009 and have 76,000 miles currently. I have had 3 or 4 fuel pump failures and they were all covered under warranty, and had to change the injectors, and tires. Besides that nothing. She loves driving the car and tells me that she feels very safe it in and pretty much likes everything about it, including the exhaust note saying its just right. I got it in auto because she was unable to drive stick at the time, but the steptronic is a really good transmission. At 65mph cruise control on the highway you get roughly 35-40mpg so the gas mileage can really be excellent as well. Its really a great car overall that's why they are unfortunately all over the place. Mine is stock, besides a DCI and it really doesn't lack in power...my previous car was a Stage 2+ B5 S4 which was low 12's so I came from something quicker. Hope this helps.

Hammer Down

W212 E550 and call it a day

tscales

E55.

My wife drives our E55. She's 25 and loves it. She gets better gas mileage than me (since I drive it harder), but she loves the power and acceleration. Not too harsh -- very smooth.

I owned one of the first 335's and hated it. It was an automatic and it was the harshest shifting car I've ever owned. Dumped it quickly.

Perhaps the best approach would be to let her drive them all and pick what she likes?

Raron

True. Thanks for the feedback. She has driven the XF a few months back but now need to find an E55. Then we need to drive the XF back to back.

Jakpro1

Besides the older Benz and the Denali, most of your cars in the pics were performance "handling" cars.

I will need fire suit after this statement but compared to them.....the E55 just isn't a handler bro.

She's a stomp at redlight and enjoy the ride machine which is perfect for me.

Don't believe me....test drive one and hit an off ramp with it.

Then decide.

Raron

XJR wasn't the best handler!

tbal

Your comparing a mid size rocketship to a boat (A8) to a small go kart (335) and another mid size car...

First decide if you need power or comfort. Best of both worlds e55. Something newer e550. You want a luxo barge A8... you want a compact car that goes 335...

Sher Judge

This is true the handling just takes getting use to thats all.

They will out handle many a car in heavy rain.

05 & 06 E55's have better handling as they share front suspension arms from the CLS55 AMG.

Drive them you will notice the difference in handling.

You can also change front suspension bits on 03 & 04 models.

E55K is pure sex, whether slow, medium or fast.

desired_speeds

I had no idea the 05+ E55s had differences in suspension. Can you list some of the differences hardware-wise?

Sher Judge

Please do a search on here (MB World). For info, the part numbers are listed too. Somewhere?

There defnitely is an upgrade for the handling on 03/04 even some early 05 models.

The cherry on the cake is to install the steering rack from the CLS55 AMG then your E55K W211, handles in a Top Brass manner.

Nanky

+1

nanayaw6

OP, for what its worth my gf used to be scared of driving my car but has come to love it. Smooth acceleration if you baby the throttle but takes of like you got rear-ended when you mash the pedal and the brakes.....you can always trust. Don't just take our word for it, go drive one.

On a side note, I love the newer E550's and if you get a well optioned one for a good price, get it and enjoy the "newer" car.

MBFLO

if your close to this go take it for a test drive and if you like this you will love the e55
http://austin.craigslist.org/ctd/2753353747.html

MB4tronic

Non-AMG Trolling.. :-)

If you are looking at the older E55's, and are ok with that body style.. I would also suggest looking for an 09 E550. Doesn't seem like the price range you are looking at is a problem.. but it would save you some cash, you can find super low mile 09's still that will be very reliable and are awesome cars.

I've been very happy with my 08 E550, all the safety features of the new cars minus distronic/lane departure/sleeping warning, and the latest pre-safe safety features.

There is not much to do to them either so you wont get hung up with mods, a simple tune puts the later E550's around 405hp, older E55 territory.. and you can lock down the suspension to Sport II for a decent handling ride.

Bunch of my buddies are buying new Audi S4's, I ran the side by side stats on the 08 E550 vs the 2011 Audi S4.. stats are pretty damn close.. 0-60, and handling.. so I'm still very happy with my E550 while my friends are getting into brand new models. I'll hold out for a 2012-2013 CLS63 or something when my car is 3-4 years old at the current rate.

Raron

Thanks for the feedback. Now I need to find a nice one to drive.

Any of you owned an A8 or S8?

Sher Judge

Yes Sir, indeed.

The world might be big, but the world of AMG brings our thoughts together.

I drive a handful of very well selected automobiles, but none of them have what Mercedes-Benz/AMG have done with the E55K W211.

E55 AMG Kompressor

Sher Judge

I had an RS6 V10 BiTurbo, was fast and brutal, my S65 W221 literally walked away from it without any fuss.

I personally cant live with big AUDI's they seem clumsy.

They great if you live in the snow and rain all the time.

Stick with Mercedes Benz - AMG.

Will never regret your choice.

Mike@Vossen

Good luck with your choice!

Raron

How is the E55 on tires? Yes I know if you're lighting them often they won't last. But I'm speaking about regular drive... Does the alignment chew through them?