E500 vs E55
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Super Member
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 974
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From: fremont, ca
04 E55
E500 vs E55
Due to some strange but beneficial to my pocket event happened to me. I picked up a new 2004 E500 as my daily driver (although I tried hard to get rid of it to go back to m3, side story).
So after putting about 400 miles in 3 days. Here is my impression of E500, and why I found it more easier to drive and live with as compare to my E55.
Acceleration- no comparison. The E500 is a slug as compare to E55. Throttle response is just poor on the E500
However, there is one thing that E500 makes me want to drive it more than E55.
I have complained long and hard about how strange the E55 brake pedal and steering feedback was.
This is non-existent in the E500. The response was linear. Soft all the way. With E55 brake, if i press the brake pedal too light, nothing happens, a little too hard it went to panic stop. With E500 this is not the case. I actually can control the amount of brake i really need ( actually the computer reacts to my input much better).
Steering response was consistently light. Gone are the instaneous steering response change on the E55.
I actually like driving the slow slug E500 more than I do of E55. This is really amazing.
So after putting about 400 miles in 3 days. Here is my impression of E500, and why I found it more easier to drive and live with as compare to my E55.
Acceleration- no comparison. The E500 is a slug as compare to E55. Throttle response is just poor on the E500
However, there is one thing that E500 makes me want to drive it more than E55.
I have complained long and hard about how strange the E55 brake pedal and steering feedback was.
This is non-existent in the E500. The response was linear. Soft all the way. With E55 brake, if i press the brake pedal too light, nothing happens, a little too hard it went to panic stop. With E500 this is not the case. I actually can control the amount of brake i really need ( actually the computer reacts to my input much better).
Steering response was consistently light. Gone are the instaneous steering response change on the E55.
I actually like driving the slow slug E500 more than I do of E55. This is really amazing.
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2000 W210 E55->2003 R230 SL500->2004 W211 E55->2007 997TT+2007 E63->2010 GLK350->2012 E550 4matic
How about the E320?
Originally posted by krispykrme
Due to some strange but beneficial to my pocket event happened to me. I picked up a new 2004 E500 as my daily driver (although I tried hard to get rid of it to go back to m3, side story).
So after putting about 400 miles in 3 days. Here is my impression of E500, and why I found it more easier to drive and live with as compare to my E55.
Acceleration- no comparison. The E500 is a slug as compare to E55. Throttle response is just poor on the E500
However, there is one thing that E500 makes me want to drive it more than E55.
I have complained long and hard about how strange the E55 brake pedal and steering feedback was.
This is non-existent in the E500. The response was linear. Soft all the way. With E55 brake, if i press the brake pedal too light, nothing happens, a little too hard it went to panic stop. With E500 this is not the case. I actually can control the amount of brake i really need ( actually the computer reacts to my input much better).
Steering response was consistently light. Gone are the instaneous steering response change on the E55.
I actually like driving the slow slug E500 more than I do of E55. This is really amazing.
Due to some strange but beneficial to my pocket event happened to me. I picked up a new 2004 E500 as my daily driver (although I tried hard to get rid of it to go back to m3, side story).
So after putting about 400 miles in 3 days. Here is my impression of E500, and why I found it more easier to drive and live with as compare to my E55.
Acceleration- no comparison. The E500 is a slug as compare to E55. Throttle response is just poor on the E500
However, there is one thing that E500 makes me want to drive it more than E55.
I have complained long and hard about how strange the E55 brake pedal and steering feedback was.
This is non-existent in the E500. The response was linear. Soft all the way. With E55 brake, if i press the brake pedal too light, nothing happens, a little too hard it went to panic stop. With E500 this is not the case. I actually can control the amount of brake i really need ( actually the computer reacts to my input much better).
Steering response was consistently light. Gone are the instaneous steering response change on the E55.
I actually like driving the slow slug E500 more than I do of E55. This is really amazing.
Does the E500 have a sports package? If power is not important, perhaps you may find the E320 even more enjoyable and easier to control?
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From: Houston, Texas - USA
2009 C63 AMG
May be something is wrong with your E55's brakes. On mine, its as you describe, very easy to modulate and feels very natural. I have driven an earlier version of Sensotronic and that did feel every bit as bad as everyone complains about, but not on my E55. I'm now thinking that MB made some changes to it.
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Re: E500 vs E55
Originally posted by krispykrme
I have complained long and hard about how strange the E55 brake pedal and steering feedback was.
I have complained long and hard about how strange the E55 brake pedal and steering feedback was.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 974
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From: fremont, ca
04 E55
Re: How about the E320?
Originally posted by W210
After 2,000 miles, while I can picture the brake feel difficulty, I still can't understand your complaint about the instaneous steering response change in the E55.
Does the E500 have a sports package? If power is not important, perhaps you may find the E320 even more enjoyable and easier to control?
After 2,000 miles, while I can picture the brake feel difficulty, I still can't understand your complaint about the instaneous steering response change in the E55.
Does the E500 have a sports package? If power is not important, perhaps you may find the E320 even more enjoyable and easier to control?
I still firmly belief that my steering on the E55 is messed up some how. My biggest gripe with E55 steering response was that it switches from firm to extremely light. I just found myself constantly correcting myself.
May be my E55 is an odd ball.
I am not saying that E500 handles better. But the response is much better.
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Joined: Aug 2003
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From: fremont, ca
04 E55
Re: Re: E500 vs E55
Originally posted by amg55
I remain TOTALLY mystified why people complain about the brakes on the E55. No, they're not as powerful as the brakes in a Viper or Porsche, but modulating them is simply no big deal IMO.
I remain TOTALLY mystified why people complain about the brakes on the E55. No, they're not as powerful as the brakes in a Viper or Porsche, but modulating them is simply no big deal IMO.
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Re: Re: Re: E500 vs E55
Originally posted by krispykrme
No, the brakes itself is great. I just can't modulate them at all. I do not think I am only one with that problem here.
No, the brakes itself is great. I just can't modulate them at all. I do not think I am only one with that problem here.
I've read that comment many times.
I'm just not sure why people feel it's so disconcerting.
It's never bothered me at all or struck me as odd (after the first couple drives in the E55).
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Super Member
Joined: May 2003
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From: Santa Clarita, CA
one of seven
having had an 03 E500 just prior to getting the 04 E55, the brakes seem more responsive and controllable on the E55. Really, IMHO, the E55 seems alot like the E500/sport with much more HP.
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2000 W210 E55->2003 R230 SL500->2004 W211 E55->2007 997TT+2007 E63->2010 GLK350->2012 E550 4matic
E55 brakes
Drove the car hard all day paying particular attention to the brakes. No complaints on my 2004 E55.
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From: Sunshine Ranches, FL
'06 M6, '05 Lambo Gallardo
The brakes are fine...and this is coming from a current 996TT and previous SRT-10 Viper owner. Handling?....that's another story! The E55 is the best daily driver I have ever had. The 996TT is close, but the quietness makes the E55 my car of choice. I can actually hear my cell phone in my E55.
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From: Newburgh, NY
2004 E55
I don't even think about the brakes anymore. It appears you are rare in your opinion concerning them. The steering response I can appreciate. However, nice as the E500 may be I could never prefer it over the E55 because the thrill brought about by the massive power plant is the primary reason I bought the car.
