Chip

Do they have alignment problems, seat, keyless go and audio/cell phone fixed? Maybe I'll look into getting into one again but the car has to work the way it is suposed to. Like the first generation of E-classes.

ldangeli

Couldn't agree more. I just posted a similar. Looking to go into another MB, but am afraid to with my current issues.

mbprince

My '03 E500 never went to the shop and my '04 E55 has never needed to go either. I think all cars have problems but maybe those of us with trouble free cars are either out driving them or sitting home and not posting about what amazing cars MB/AMG do build. OK, so the 04 with nav doesn't dial preprogrammed pauses, I'll live with that, but I am amazed at the quality, the power and all the little bells and whistles every time I drive!!

W210

I dial from the speed dial memory locations everyday and access 3 different voice mail boxes all with pre-programmed pauses.

You just need to dial straight from the keypad memory locations (2-9), that's all!

mbprince

W210 - thanks for that info - I had just read something to that effect in another thread and you clarified it!!

ldangeli

So seriously guys, help me decide, the M5, older body style or the the new E55? I had originally put an order in for the E55, and then decided against it, but now I am can't stand the new body style of the M5, and the old one is ehhhh, so so style wise. You can pick up the 540i sport for less, and it is only a few tenths slower. So really my question is, if you had the choice between the two, which I am sure some of you did, why the E55 or the M5? Truly looking for your opinions..

t-bone

Vic55 would be a good person to answer your question. He had a W210 E55, then went to the M5 and now has a W211 E55.

W210

1. Can you still get the old body style E39 M5?

2. The E39 M5 will depreciate very quickly once the E60 M5 is out.

3. The E60 M5 is not only ugly, but has unusable ergonomics. I tested out the built in phone in a 530i extensively and concluded that it is an absolute failure. They bother putting a hi-tech sounding 'Communication' category on the iDrive screen to impress the naive, yet the phone doesn't even come with a numeric keypad! Dialing with iDrive is no fun it reminded me of tuning the radios in the old days, except you have to do it 10 times to enter a ten-digit number.

4. If it was more usable, I could perhaps forgive the looks but as of now, the superficial approach taken by BMW (hi-tech appearance over function) has lost me as their customer.

Vic55

Obviously my answer is the new E55 because I just got it and its incredible. The power is incomparable in a 4 door sedan. But in no means was my E39 M5 a slouch. I also had the W210 E55 and that reminds me of a junior version of what I have now- a straight line beast that handles fairly well for a sedan.

What I miss in my M5 is the handling- the W211 E55 handles well IMO but I think the M5 involves the driver more and has better steering. I find that at speeds over 120 mph the W211 E55 is too soft even on mild turns on a freeway. Of course just getting there with 469 hp is half the fun. There will be others that will disagree but this is just my initial impression since I have only had the car for one week.

I currently also have an M3 so the new E55 is the perfect compliment. If price is no object then the E55 is the easy choice unless you are dead set on a car that has a manual tranny and handles great weighing over 2 tons (E39 M5). Of course factoring in price then the M5 is much less and depreciating fast as its production run has ended. You will see prices drop much like the W210 E55 did as the W211 E55 was being talked up.

I had my old E55 for about 18 months and the same for the M5. I am sure I will keep the new E55 at least as long or until a more potent beast is unleashed.

ldangeli

Thanks VIC. I appreciate it. My buddy has the M5 (E39) and another friend of mine just got rid of his E55 (210) so, I am in favor of both. I can still get a E39 nearly new, so I am not worried. I guess it is decisions, decisions.. Oh well. Well, thanks again. I do appreciate it!

JamE55

So you gonna post pics or what? And those STM's looks very nice!