reggid

The e39 M5 wheel torque is not on paper and it produces more peak torque to the wheels than the e55 in every gear. This happens in each gear at about 40km/h in 1st 70km/h in 2nd etc albeit for an instant only and at lower speed than the e55's peak in gear values. The e55 has a flatter torque curve and the gears are longer so that its peak value is almost maintained through the gears rather than at one instant as that of the e39 M5. The M5 has shorter gears giving more torque but lower speeds.

Cheers

Fikse

oh yea, sitting around waiting for BMW to catch up with MB sounds like lot's of fun...

The new E55 is been out for how long now? 1.5 - 2 years? and BMW still hasn't released their M5?

I'm not so sure the M5 will be quicker/faster either.... everyone knows the E55 is making more than the advertised 469HP.... and the M5 is very weak on the torque.....

It's pretty simple really.... BMW is way behind MB on just about every car line except maybe SUV's....

reggid

In my area the E39 M5 came out April 99 and the W211 came out Aug 02 and until then the e39 dominated the W210. Now it has reversed the E39 is old and the W211 is new. If the W211 had not been faster than the E39 then it would have been better in zero departments compared to the one it is now. BMW and Mercedes have rarely brought out their cars together their will always be differences in technology and advancements.

Both M3 (Apr 01)and M5 (Apr 99) are relatively old compared to C32 (Dec 01) and E55 (Aug 02) and when new models come out they will likely be better than their AMG counterparts and then AMG will bring out even better models about a year or two latter and the cycle will continue.

BMW and Mercedes have completely different philosophies, so saying MB is better than BMW for every model is your opinion only and as such shouldn't be worded such that you seem like the authority on the matter.

In general i prefer the E46 to the W203 and E60 to the W211 except BMW has not released the M5 so the E55 is the King but for how long is the million dollar question

makken

Like reggid said, both companies seem to go through alternating catch up cycles with each other; this time with BMW behind.

I believe that BMW is ahead in the lower end models while MB is ahead in the higher end of the spectrum. Take a look at the engine comparsions, it is only in the higher end / turboed/supercharged engines that MB exceeds BMW:

BMW's 2.5L i6 vs MB's 2.6L V6:
(325, 525) vs (C240)
184hp vs 168hp

BMW's 3.0L i6 vs MB's 3.2L V6:
(330, 530) vs (C320, E320, ML320)
225hp vs 221hp

BMW's 3.0L Valvetronic i6 vs MB's 3.7L V6:
(630) vs (ML350) --[new engines, expected to migrate to other model lines]
258hp vs 232hp

BMW's 3.2L i6 vs MB's 3.2L Supercharged V6
(M3) vs (SLK32, C32 AMG's)
333hp vs 349hp

BMW's 4.4L Valvetronic V8 vs. MB's 5.0L V8:
(545i, 645i, 745i) vs (E500, S500, SL500, CL500)
325hp vs 302hp

BMW's 6.0L Valvetronic V12 vs MB's 5.5L V12:
(760) vs (CL600, S600, SL600)
438hp vs 493hp

It is only after the V8's do we finally see MB catch up and exceed BMW's engines.

Fikse

I didn't think we're talking about the low end cars here, and I didn't say every model...

I'm really not interested in the lower end cars made by either company.... comparing the C240 and the 325i and the E320 vs the 530i is boring...

bring some BMW's to compare against the:

SL55 and SL600 hmm.. there are none...

how about the CL55, CL600, and CL65? none again...

and the S55 and S600? the 760i? come on...

E55? none for a while now...

C32, C55.... the 330i? heh....

SLK55? BMW dropped the M roadsters... none

CLK55 vs M3.... good one, I would take the M3 anyday....

ML55 vs the X5 4.6..... good one.... X5 is way ahead....

makken

hrmm different tastes i guess.

you did say every line, which includes the 5 series, 3 series, c class, e class etc.

the companies also have their strengths elsewhere.
When I think BMW, the first thing that comes to mind is a sporty coupe, an M3, and i would definately take an M3 over a CLK55
When I think of Mercedes, the first thing that comes to mind is a big luxury sedan, an S500, and I would definately take an S500 over a 7 series.

you said that BMW doesn't really have something competitive in the high end, and i do agree with you. The 7 pales to an S class and the 6 doesn't live up to the CL/SL's

BMW is in the middle of updating their product lines, so yes, they are missing out on a few models that merc holds over right now (the AMGs SLKs being one of them), likewise, in a few years the same will probably be said for mercedes.

I also believe Mercedes lacks competitive models in the "lower end," there are really no competiors to BMW models like

the M3 CSL
the 3 series (C-class is pathetic compared to it)
the 5 series is a little more arguable, but personally, i'll give the nod to the E60 over the W211.
the 330i ZHP / 330Ci ZHP
the upcoming 1 series / 2 series

These are the models that define BMW, like the S class and the CL class defintes mercedes. If you're only looking at the high end, then yes, by all means, go mercedes. They're gods at that market. but at the lower end, BMW really dominates.

Jdub87(im back)

SL55 and SL600 will be outclassed by the M6 + M6 CSL
CL55,600,65 are beaten by the m6 and m6 csl also
s55 and s600 are getting very old now and the 7 series is much more modern and more luxurious
E55 gets ****ed by the E60 M5
C32 and C55 get ****ed by the M3
slk55 get ****ed by the Z4
Clk 55 as u say is beaten by the M3 + CSL variant
ML55 is crap and X series ****s it

MBAMGPWR

Did you daddy tell you these bedtime stories to make you go to bed? You know, grownups will tell you anything to get you to go night-night.

Jdub87(im back)

no im just voicing the opinion of the public

GDawgC220

this is going to be never ending...why can't someone just see each side has it's strengths and weaknesses and that both are totally different cars marketed towards different people

Jdub87(im back)

but the E55 and M% are marketed towards the same segment!!!

MBAMGPWR

Opinion of the public? If you think the public is some little, high-voice, pimple faced, 17 year-old kid from England, then okay...

Otherwise, you can take your own opinion and shove it up the Queen Mums bum.

Jdub87(im back)

LOL u sad little man, u get all serious on these boards, i bet your a part time "board surfer" part time "prat". look at urself - ur putting up pictures of your ****ing car as a banner- thats ****ing sad, it would be as sad as me putting a picture of my socks up.
yea i may be a teen but at least im growin up, i suggest u fix up and stop being a prat, stop **** licking MB, they are not the greatest cars, take criticism and stop praising, i take critisicm, and so shuold u.

GDawgC220

but it seems like you think BMW are the greatest cars as from when you first stepped onto this board and a few posts back...

Jdub87(im back)

no, i higlhighted that the M5 is better than the E55, i agree with many people that some BMW models are absolute c**p, take the 7 series, 6 series.

it annoys me when people buy a car , they rant and rave about its the best, when in truth it is not best in class,u must understand wot im sayin, like these people with C32's who are always saying its the "beast" it beats M3s and qoutes like " all the M3 will see is the rear of the C32" - you know wot i mean. C32 is a great car, but u know i aint the best.

makken

Jdub, just shut up.

I love BMW's for what they are, but you're giving every BMW driver/lover a bad rep.
learn to post your opinion in a logical, calm, non-offending manner. until then, go back to www.supercars.net.

Jdub87(im back)

sorry , i agree my posts are a bit enthusiastic, i better calm myself before i post. i dont hate Mbs at all, i luv the amgs, they are so mean and raw powered .

makken

heh. if you weren't being sarcastic, maybe there's hope for you after all... if you can get past the stigma you've created for youself.

If you want to give a strong opinion, back it up with facts. You can say the E55 is crap compared to the M5 without getting flamed if you state your reasoning for it. If you don't have the time to type up your reasoning, then don't say anything at all.

you'll just look like you're licking BMW's ****.

Jdub87(im back)

ok i will take that on board when next posting.

chopperpl

the public of one - looser!!!!!!
Why don't you jump on Yugo board (with all respect to yugo owners) and share your mental issues overthere

Jdub87(im back)

lol funny , how did u guess i owned a yugo- u are very clever " chopperl".

stop trolling and provoking people who want to talk about cars on this car message board, go to a argument message board if you want to be a ****y little man.

MBE55AMG

There you go again, poppin' up and trollin' freely through our forums. You were never sorry. Wishing you a happy banned future.

chopperpl

You finally figured that out - don't we love self criticism!!!!!!!!!!!

DerekFSU

Anyone else here switch from BMW? I have an 04 M3 that I really enjoy but it is a rough ride. It's a streetlegal autocross car with little luxury. I am thinking about the E55 for something more comfortable and quite a bit quicker in the 1/4 mile. The new M5 does give me slight pause although the E55 seems a bit more elegant.

MBE55AMG

It's not an option. The E55 HAS to be your choice.