I'm debating about trading in my '04 M3 coupe for an '05 E55 that I just ordered. Here's my dilemma:-
- I've been essentially a BMW guy for the last 12 years having of recent an '01 E39 M5; '02 M3 SMG and now the '04 M3 SMG. I love throwing the M3 around corners etc. - will the E55 be able to do the same?
- I know from an acceleration perspective, theres no comparison, but I want to know more about the execution thereof - is it fun to change manually? or is it just a matter of stepping on the gas?
I would love to keep the M3, but the fairer half is looking at it purely from a logical perspective!
TiA for all advice...
ps- not looking for acceleration; top end etc - just looking for perspectives on the 'fun or joy to drive' aspect...

 

Go drive one.....That should be all it takes.

 

1. No. E55 is not as tossable as M3. And it's not E55's intention to begin with.

2. step on gas is sufficient.

These two car are totally different. If you like the M3 per your post, you probably will not be satisfied with E55.

 

I traded in my E46 M3 for a new E55 6 weeks ago, after having the M3 for just under 2 years. I agree with KK: the E55 is not as tossable as the M3 - how could it be? At some point the laws of physics take over. Manually changing gear can be fun in the right situation, but my SMG box was more rewarding. That said, the E's auto box is the best I've used by a very long way - it's pretty rare to feel the need to manually override.

Things I miss in the M3:
Tossability - not to say the E55 is bad, but it ain't no M3.
Hyper-aggressive looks (especially with 19s).
That near-perfect BMW balance and handling.

Things I don't miss:
Intrusive road noise.
Harsh suspension when not driving for fun.
Constant moaning from the wife about lack of comfort and feeling sick.
Just looking at a kerb scratches the 19s.
Highly strung engine never happy with cold starts.
Nagging worry that the engine might blow up.
No spare tire.

Things I really like about the E55:
The awesome power - I was going to buy an RS6. My MB guy forced me into test driving an E55 by loaning it to me for a weekend. You think the M3 is quick until you first kick down in the E55. To me the sheer buzz of that monstrous acceleration makes up for the lack of roller coaster grip in the twisties. Over the course of the weekend I had decided to buy one.
The cabin - compared to the M3 it is like the difference between economy and first class.
Where I live M3s are now everywhere. Mine is the only W211 E55 I have seen in my area. The very few people who know what it is have much more respect for it than any M3.
Did I mention the mind-blowing power?

Overall, in an ideal world I would have both an E55 and an M3 (or preferably a 911TT). However in the real world the E55 does about 80% of the things the M3 does, while the M3 does about 50% of the things the E55 does. Just don't expect the go-kart thrill of the M3.

 

Now if I could only find a new black E55 somewhere I'd buy it.

 

Thanx for the excellent insight FB - I've made the decision - I'm going ahead with the E55 - Flint/merlot - and a good few of the basic options. I figure I waited on the order list for 18 mnths, so let's just do it... And, delivery is in October, so I do have time to convince myself and the wife to keep both...
If only I could drive an E55...I'm in Seattle - checked all the local dealers - no used E55's...

 

Get the E55 and then buy a cheap track car like a spec-Miata. That should cover all the bases. Oh, but then you need a tow-vehicle, and a trailer, and a place for the trailer, and a bigger house to fit all of it in. Ask me how I know...

 

LOL - thats funny - can't imagine getting the wife to buy into all this when she's having issues with the M and E...although I would luv to buy the Infiniti QX56 to tow stuff - not that I have anything to tow yet...

 

MBPlaya

welcome to the forum

Don't expect a ~1710kg car to be as tossable as the M3, they are very very different animals.

Just out of curiorsity? Why the E55? It is a LOT bigger than the M3....

my 2 c

 

Thanx Jon - good to be here - good q abt why E55 - it's kinda where to next after M3? New M5 looks hideous... And I am a week-end parent, so I need rear space, so P-car is not an option...

 

I traded an 03 M3 for my E55. I'm not looking back. The M3 was a great car, fun and tossble, but the E55 is just another league up. Its more luxurious, more solid feeling and the accelration hard to believe possible in a 4 door sedan. Plus its bigger and can fit my kids in it.

Of course the E55 is like $30K more so there really is no comparison.