I gave up on my 2003 E55
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 482
Likes: 0
From: Northern California
Mercedes C400, BMW X3
BMW versus Mercedes
I used to believe that BMW made the best sport sedans until I owned an E55. Since then, I have forsaken BMW sedans. When the new 545 came out, I was even more sure that the E55 had dethrowned BMW.
I drove the 545 and was impressed, but still I clung to my belief in the superiority of the E55. When my E55 began giving me problems and I sold it, I wondered if I should give the 545 a try.
I picked one up today and I am very impressed. Here are the ways in which it is superior to the E class:
1. Comfort seats are incredible.
2. Active steering is great.
3. Active suspension is fantastic.
4. Logic 7 sound system is amazing.
I miss the rush of E55 power, no doubt, but variety is good, so far anyway.
I drove the 545 and was impressed, but still I clung to my belief in the superiority of the E55. When my E55 began giving me problems and I sold it, I wondered if I should give the 545 a try.
I picked one up today and I am very impressed. Here are the ways in which it is superior to the E class:
1. Comfort seats are incredible.
2. Active steering is great.
3. Active suspension is fantastic.
4. Logic 7 sound system is amazing.
I miss the rush of E55 power, no doubt, but variety is good, so far anyway.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,061
Likes: 326
From: 2000 ft over the FL coast in a B-17
Various
Re: I gave up on my 2003 E55
Originally posted by shoes
I
I am little hesitant to own another and considering a 545.
I
I am little hesitant to own another and considering a 545.
Oops just read your last post...congrats on the new car and hope it gives you a great experience
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 820
Likes: 1
From: La Quinta, CALIF.
2009 C63 Black on Black
leaving ??
Shoes: Sorry to see you leaving for the dark side! In my recent post of "1 Year Later" I posted that I was torally happy with my 2003 W211 E55 after 1 year and 11,000 miles. I came over from BMW and probably will never go back. Te 7 and 5 are hideous, but to each his own. My E55 has been trouble free and I expect it to stay that way. My Bmw's all had continious problems so I don't think you will find a panacea there either.I bet we'll see you back soon. Good Luck!!!
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 482
Likes: 0
From: Northern California
Mercedes C400, BMW X3
I gave up on BMW too
I gave up on BMW when Chris Bangle starting designing their cars, but still I have owned ten of them and even gave the 2004 545i a try for month. Found it unpleasant- too stiff riding and too many idiosyncratic controls. I sold it back to my dealer. I also gave up on my SL500- I prefer the stiffer body of the CL600.
I took delivery of a 2004 E55 in May in Germany and it was a thrilling ride on the autobahn, but it was also very firm riding and the steering and brakes were also too stiff for my taste.
Guys, I think I have gotten old all of a sudden.
I took delivery of a 2004 E55 in May in Germany and it was a thrilling ride on the autobahn, but it was also very firm riding and the steering and brakes were also too stiff for my taste.
Guys, I think I have gotten old all of a sudden.
Last edited by shoes; Aug 23, 2004 at 06:39 PM. Reason: wanted to add something
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,425
Likes: 0
2000 W210 E55->2003 R230 SL500->2004 W211 E55->2007 997TT+2007 E63->2010 GLK350->2012 E550 4matic
What's the best car for Shoes?
Originally Posted by shoes
I gave up on BMW when Chris Bangle starting designing their cars, but still I have owned ten of them and even gave the 2004 545i a try for month. Found it unpleasant- too stiff riding and too many idiosyncratic controls. I sold it back to my dealer. I also gave up on my SL500- I prefer the stiffer body of the CL600.
I took delivery of a 2004 E55 in May in Germany and it was a thrilling ride on the autobahn, but it was also very firm riding and the steering and brakes were also too stiff for my taste.
Guys, I think I have gotten old all of a sudden.
I took delivery of a 2004 E55 in May in Germany and it was a thrilling ride on the autobahn, but it was also very firm riding and the steering and brakes were also too stiff for my taste.
Guys, I think I have gotten old all of a sudden.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 482
Likes: 0
From: Northern California
Mercedes C400, BMW X3
New S Class
I agree, the new S Class sounds good. It is the only car body sold by Mercedes that I haven't owned. How about we organize a trip to the 2005 Frankfurt Auto show to see it unveiled?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,425
Likes: 0
2000 W210 E55->2003 R230 SL500->2004 W211 E55->2007 997TT+2007 E63->2010 GLK350->2012 E550 4matic
Not a bad idea, except if I were to take time off to Europe, I'll not be happy with just a motorshow, it has to be a European delivery!
Any idea if BMW would do a European delivery on a new M5?
Any idea if BMW would do a European delivery on a new M5?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 4,524
Likes: 1,181
From: WI
17 E43; 21 GLS580
I sold my 2003 E55 back to my dealer this weekend. I had 6,000 miles on the odometer. While this was one of the best cars I have ever owned, as time wore on, little problems began to emerge.
1. Electronic gremlins- the keyless go and electric seat would sometimes have a mind of its own. Periodically, I get weird messages in German on my dash.
2. Ride quality has deteriorated and become objectionable to me.
3. Throttle input has become lumpy, not sure how else to describe it. There is not a linear response to throttle input and it makes it very hard to drive smoothly.
4. Brake pedal response has become more mushy with time.
Fortunately I have a 2004 on order and ready to pick up in Germany in May, but now I am little hesitant to own another and considering a 545.
1. Electronic gremlins- the keyless go and electric seat would sometimes have a mind of its own. Periodically, I get weird messages in German on my dash.
2. Ride quality has deteriorated and become objectionable to me.
3. Throttle input has become lumpy, not sure how else to describe it. There is not a linear response to throttle input and it makes it very hard to drive smoothly.
4. Brake pedal response has become more mushy with time.
Fortunately I have a 2004 on order and ready to pick up in Germany in May, but now I am little hesitant to own another and considering a 545.
