Drove an E55 over the weekend...
09-12-2005, 07:11 AM
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Drove an E55 over the weekend...
My old man is looking at getting himself into a new MB, either an SL500, or E55. Since I know a little more about cars than him, he asked me to tag along for the afternoon of driving. (Let me tell you how I cleared my schedule!) First drive an SL500, fully loaded! Not a bad car, although to be honest I thought it would be a little quicker than it was...I checked the stats (on paper of course) of the 0-60, and it is slower than his current CLK500 (2003). The car did handle really well, and under hard cornering, you could feel the Active Body Control. Any ways, we drive to another dealer, and he was thinking about driving the beast, E55. We got into it, and at first, I was a little intimidated to really step on it. However, once you do, that's all you do at every light or stop sign. I can honestly say it is the fastest car I have been in, as far as a straight line (besides one of my buddies 993 Turbo's). Due to the size, it didn't handle all that great. But you can hear the subtle whistle of the supercharger at low speeds, and even when you've got the throttle wide open. We'll see what happens..even with ESP on, the wheels spin slightly, and the car becomes a little side-ways until about 50+. Just my little rant for the day, and of course, my vote is for the E!
09-12-2005, 07:54 AM
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lucky!
Prior to buying my A4, I was really close to picking up an E36 M3 from my friend's father. He had replaced the M3 with the E55. While I was drooling over the performance and handling of the M3, he just laughed and told me that his E55 could run circles around the little M3. I had to take his word for it...he wouldn't let me drive the E55.
09-12-2005, 08:10 AM
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"the wheels spin slightly"?????????? That statement is just flat out WRONG
When I drive that SOB its like damn light show with the ESP light. Please search on MBworld about the E55, there are DOZENS of TSB's and recalls....as a matter of fact, there are 9 pages worth. Not to mention that Mercedes is going down the ****ter...if you and your dad like that car a lot, read up on it so you can be prepared for all the BS it'll give you.
09-12-2005, 08:17 AM
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how about saving some $$$ and getting an E500 w/ AMG pkg?
you won't have the stats of an E55, but at least you've got the looks, with a more forgiving ride...not to mention the $10k's you'll save!
09-12-2005, 08:57 AM
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ESP light...
I was just posting my observations, not trying to say whether MB is going down as far as quality and a business in general. I know what I saw, and felt, and observed. And my guess is that the ESP light goes on all the time because the damn car has 469 f'in HP, not because of some stupid "bad engineering". And yes, the ESP light does come on a lot, what do you expect with a car that has that much torque? Any way, I really think the E55 is a little over the top. HAHA It was a little unreal. The SL500 is a solid car especially with the right features on it, so that's it. But you are for sure right about the ESP light, kind of outta hand! But, it is fun when you turn it off!
09-12-2005, 09:12 AM
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2nd that! The 5.0L V8 is no slouch or wait till the new V8 arrives soon...5.5L V8 putting out
388HP will be the new "500" V8 engine. Still holding the "500" badge even though the engine is 5.5L.
The E500 Sport looks very nice tho...here's a pic from when I was in Japan few months ago:
<img src="http://www1.coe.neu.edu/~gkong/E500s.jpg">
The E500 Sport looks very nice tho...here's a pic from when I was in Japan few months ago:
<img src="http://www1.coe.neu.edu/~gkong/E500s.jpg">
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09-12-2005, 09:19 AM
#8
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quality at MB is acutally coming back up currently.....
the E-Class and M-Class is what dragged MB down in the late 90's and early to mid 00's. However, recently MB has done better on quality tests and reliability studies, so they're working on it. At least they recognize the issues and are moving towards fixing it. They've cut back on profits to focus on quality to move back up through the ranks.
And with the new head of MB stepping in, he has a reputation of turning car companies around for the good. I have faith in MB that they'll be back up in the top ranks once again in the near future.
And with the new head of MB stepping in, he has a reputation of turning car companies around for the good. I have faith in MB that they'll be back up in the top ranks once again in the near future.
09-12-2005, 10:44 AM
#10
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The new V8 starts with the w221 (new S-Class) in the Spring then it'll trickle down to
the other models...E, M, SL, CLK. Puts out more HP and Torque ALSO more fuel efficient from what I've read. So it should make it's way to the new E-Class (w212) when it comes out, if not right before the new E-Class comes out (they'll just put it into the current body near end of production cycle).
I think the E-Class is one of the better looking mid-size luxury sedans out there, esp with the sport package.
The current 5.0L SOHC 3val/cyl V8 has been in service for many many years but it's a proven bulletproof engine design. Very reliable and durable. Just getting old and MB just needs a new one, for the better of course
I think the E-Class is one of the better looking mid-size luxury sedans out there, esp with the sport package.
The current 5.0L SOHC 3val/cyl V8 has been in service for many many years but it's a proven bulletproof engine design. Very reliable and durable. Just getting old and MB just needs a new one, for the better of course