krispykrme

Picked up my E55 on 10/31/03.

300 miles later. I am still kicking myself as too why I bought E55.

The power is great. But that's about it.

I wish that the suspension would be stiffer.

But what really kills me is the steering and brak response is so unlinear.

The steering response varies from super light to heavy in matter of a split second. Never knows to maintain a constant feedback or a much smooth transition. It's either super soft or heavy and the change is sudden. Same with brakes. The brake requires such a heavy foot and travel is too short.

I miss my M5. E55 is a great car, the feature would put my E39 M5 to shame. BUT I HATE THE CAR!!!!

LSs1Power

Umm... sorry to hear that, but im sure ur going to get used to the breaks and steering after time. Anything new needs getting used too. Good luck. Are u going to sell it?

W210

It all depends on what you look for, I truly enjoy the 2004 E55 I picked up two weeks ago.

The suspension is just right for me, not too harsh like the RS6.

Bilal

Jeeze, in situations like this one question comes to mind...



WHAT THE HELL IS A TEST DRIVE FOR?

E55 KEV

Don't know about England, but in the U.S. it is virtually impossible to "test drive" an E55. They are not just sitting on the lots waiting and if a dealer does have one they usually don't allow any test drives. How can you truly do a test with a qucik spin around the block. A drive around the block will not help with discover the problems mention by krispykrme. Jeez, you can not even floor the pedal and you can not do tranny kickdowns if the car is not broken in and you don't own it.

krispy - you probably really miss the 6-speed manual!

Bilal

Why not wait until one does become available? jeeze, you guys have the cheapest petrol in the world, no worries about gas mileage, and insurance, and yet they don't allow test drives?

While here, we get a test drive, however long we want, and our government screws us over by charging £0.74 a litre!

e6tme

Thanks for the comments krispy. I was afraid I'd have the same reaction as you, thats why I didn't go through with my E55 allocation last spring. I went through the same thing with my C32... the engine was fantistic, it kicked the M3's *** with ease in a straight line. Other wise, the car was a disappointment. I suspected it would be the same with the E55.

I think if I am going to get a high powered Benz, it'll have to be an 03+ S600. No way to confuse that with a "sports sedan"...

krispykrme

Normally, you would do almost a complete stop. So you will have time to allow the steering boost to change.

I first notice the problem (not really a problem), is when i pull into my drive way.

My driveway is on an incline, and the street lead to my drive way is straight, flat and almost no traffic. So i tend to speed a little and do a sharp turn on to the drive way. However, because of the odd way the steering feedsback, i found that i have to constantly adjust the steering effort making that turn. Especially when speed drops off quickly the steering all of the sudden becomes amazing light and i have to correct myself of making too sharp a turn. Then as you stomp on the gas to go up the drive way, then the steering response tightens (heavy) so you have a hard time correcting the overly sharp turn.

Even with a test drive, i do not think i will found this because no sales would allow me to drive it hard.

sf49ers79

congrats on the car and enjoy!!

eclou

Sorry to hear about your disappointment. I have found the E55 to handle similarly to my old E39 5 series with sport suspension. The handling is not nearly as sharp as an M3 or 911, but it is not meant to be. Keep in mind it may take a couple of weeks before you start to feel a "connection" with the car.

RedBaron

Sorry to hear that. I love it every day I drive it!!

DL_AMG

I think you need to get used to the car...just give it sometime. I find my C32's steer doesn't have the sharpness of BMW's, and same goes to suspension, but after few weeks of exploring, I have no complaint what so ever...after all its made for autobah.
Saw your complaint at GPRS website, just can't believe you hate this car this bad...wanna trade??

BryBenz

haha u still the same high sf49ers79! READ THE POST B4 posting useless comment



krispykrme: yup the most annoying thing driving W211 is the steering response become heavy(why) and sensitive as the speed up. I prefer M5 sharp handling all the way.

krispykrme

I am not sure hate is right word. But just beyond disappointed. I am too used to BMW's steering response.

Like everyone said, may be all i need is some time to feel connected to the road.

But so far, I still dislike it. Perhaps in couple weeks i will feel different.

On the side note, clear bra is being installed this saturday. I will post pictures once it's done.

I also kind of ticked off my friend on the M5. It turns out one of behsoff's owners actually is a childhood friend of my dad.

He was able to swing a deal for me with mckenna on a new E60 M5 that will be delivered to my door in nov 04 with $1k off sticker (token for the 1k i over paid on the E55).

According to him, the new E60 M5 will be orderable in aug 2004 for delivery in nov 2004. I need help. I am such a hopeless BMW addict.

One thing i want to make clear, I am not bashing E55. It's just not what I expected it to be. I was willing to accept the soft steering, but unlinear steering just kills me.

AMG Fan

It sounds like you shouldn't of sold your M5. Drive the E55 for another two weeks and try to fall in love with the car. If you don't then sell it. If you want a pure driving experience that any M5 or E55 can provide, I'd look into a 911 Carerra or a Turbo. The E60 M5's styling is terrible so I don't recommend it. However, if it's your cup of tea-buy it.

krispykrme

I would buy a porsche if i can fit in it. From my nick name, its not hard to figure that i am fat.

ajoe

Perhaps adding a keel to your E55 will improve weight distribution during cornering. Seriously, I've owned 2 E39 M5's, an RS6 for 3 months and now an E55. IMO the E55 is easily the class of this group. If you're into road feel then the RS6 is the clear winner. The only thing the M5 brought to my party was throttle response. otherwise the handling was nothing to rave about and they had plenty of body roll.

E55 KEV

I see that you have great taste in High Performanc things - cars and donuts! My man!

norb

I think Krispykreme believes the car mags to much. Oh well, that's why we have choice. Good luck with the new M5.

Bilal

Did anyone read ajoe's response?

Where is he when M5lovers invade mbworld! or when kain posts

hmrdwn

Nothing worse than a whiner.

Except maybe a fat, rich whiner.

eclou

Hey, no reason to rag on KrispyK. People have different tastes, so be it. Am I a loser b/c I don't find Uma Thurman attractive?

Bilal

Child, what is wrong wit you.

krispykrme

1st all. I do not like Audi. Hence RS6 was never a choice for me.

As far as body roll goes, the M5 is not that much worse than RS6. RS6 grip is better because of all wheel drive. However, RS6 is too nose heavy. Plus, I have no intention to own a turbo car.

in addition, the problem that I encounter has nothing to do with weight distribution. It has to do with the super sensitive power steering. What does weight distribution has to do with unlinear steering response.

I am not complaining about the handling. Please read carefully, I am complaing how unlinear the steering response is. I just found myself doing a lot of minor correction just making a turn. Something that I never experienced in my E39.

This holds true for the brake. The brake power is good, but I don't like how it feels when pressed.

If you want to rag on someone, perhaps it would be suited if you read it correctly.

MBZman

It is truely unbelievable to me is that there are still car enthusiasts out there that don't know the differences between BMW & MB. Bmw is geared more towards sport while MB is more luxury. C vs 3, E vs 5, S vs 7 all you have to do is drive them to experience this. AMG has made it crystal clear that they do not want to alter the traditional MB ride, just build upon it.

I have driven a number of AMG cars and have found them very well balanced. I've also driven a number of BMW models, as well as their M series and would not consider one at this point. I also recently test drove a Porsche 911 with Tip, and can not see myself driving this automobile on a daily basis.

Having said that, I have the utmost respect for both BMW and Porsche and in the future would reconsider them both. It all depends on your taste but to expect an MB to drive like a BMW is just naive.