underwhelmed by e55..

[d w124]

Where is that M5 than?Let me have this Mercedes-Benz : E-Class:eBay Motors (item 250481609871 end time Aug-18-09 10:52:58 PDT) and you can bring all the M5s you want

 

[flango]

My point is that I fail to see how anyone can be underwhelmed by an AMG car if you drive it like it's supposed to be driven, unless your the STIG of course!

Not being funny but its all relative, I am actually a racing driver instructor and can and do drive them flat out including numerous laps of the ring and all the UK race circuits. I have driven the M5 at Rockingham on customer demo's loads of times. I have also driven most of the AMG cars including the SLR, not that I am comparing the M5 to the SLR as thats blatantly obvious which is best. All I am saying is I think I am qualified to comment on the performance of super saloons and none of the AMG cars live up to the M5.

I am not the STIG but have worked with him when Ben used to drive for Embassy racing in Yorkshire,

 

[flango]

Where is that M5 than?Let me have this Mercedes-Benz : E-Class:eBay Motors (item 250481609871 end time Aug-18-09 10:52:58 PDT) and you can bring all the M5s you want

Lets compare like for Like, but by the way a 680 bhp Hartge M5 would wipe the floor with that as would any of the M5 ring taxis. The MB achilles heal is still the gearbox.

 

[C240Sport97]

you can't compare a supercharged V6 with a supercharged V8 ...

they are completely beasts

forgot 'different' between 'completely' and 'beasts'

 

[peterg1965]

Where is that M5 than?Let me have this Mercedes-Benz : E-Class:eBay Motors (item 250481609871 end time Aug-18-09 10:52:58 PDT) and you can bring all the M5s you want

Those chrome shiny wheels are just too dazling for me.

 

[gaz_l]

you can't compare a supercharged V6 with a supercharged V8 ...

they are completely beasts

Not sure what you're trying to say here? Naturally aspirated/turbocharged/supercharged engines have very different power delivery, regardless of the number of cylinders..

Cheers,

Gaz

 

[LTD]

A friend of mine has a V10 M5.

It is quite simply the most incredible car I have ever witnessed.

A saloon car that has the crisp responses of a sports car yet can carry 4 victims in comfort.

If it was a building, it would be an asylum.

No other BMW deserves to be compared with the V10 M5 - it is truly unique. A crazy, crazy machine.

 

[C240Sport97]

Not sure what you're trying to say here? Naturally aspirated/turbocharged/supercharged engines have very different power delivery, regardless of the number of cylinders..

Cheers,

Gaz

the 55k is much more powerful, sounds much better and is much more responsive.

of course, it also has 2 extra cylinders for that all important V8 thunder

 

[gaz_l]

of course, it also has 2 extra cylinders for that all important V8 thunder

That's a good point..

Cheers,

Gaz

 

[The Boss]

FRED.. go and try the Audi S6 or RS6..

This will certainly help you part cash..

trust me.. this is one of the most amazing cars i have had the pleasure of driving... ever..

My neighbour has an 03 version, and the growl from the engine and exhaust every morning and evening is enough to satisfy you.. The BMW and E55s are very tame in comparison..

trsut me... go for an Audi test drive, and you will be all smiles...

 

[GMW]

find a C63....

From this and the thread above E55 Vs M5 Vs XFR. I have had the pleasure in road and track testing the 3 above cars and would agree with the OP the E55 is an underwhelming experience, calm, composed and powerful but definitely underwhelming. The XFR is Jags attempt to muscle in on the M5 only trouble is the bits won't stay on the car long enough to compare we lost the exhaust back panel and windscreen trim on our test making the car incredibly noisy. (This is the second XF we have lost bits off which is worrying)

The M5 is leagues above these 2 for one simple reason "The gearbox" whilst MB and Jag persist with sloppy auto's the SMG box on the M5 if set up correctly is a delight and allows you to press that M button and use all 507 ponies to your delight, this comes into its own around the ring and the reason BMW use them as ring taxis, although their versions kick out 570 bhp. Even in its 400 bhp everday form its still potent and in everyday use still manages to get into the 20's for mpg.

I have not had the pleasure in driving any MB C63's but have driven quite a few Brabus cars but still have to say the V10 M5 is an awesome car

I drove a E55 Kompressor some years ago however, I found the exhaust note to be way too quiet for the power available. If you get a chance, try out the C63, it's a riot. It's like a big shot of adrenalin every morning for my first month+ of ownership.

I've now gotten a bit used to it, especially after I've just gotten out of driving something slower. It can still scare me but always impresses.

I remember hitting the brakes harder than I should have during the orientation period and feeling as though my brain moved forward in my skull.

Under full acceleration, once the tires stop spinning, it moves like the Starship Enterprise engaging the warp drive. The AMG speedshift gearbox in this car is one of the best autos I have ever sampled. I would choose it over a manual every time. Oh and did I mention the sound coming out of the exhausts??!!!

 

[flango]

FRED.. go and try the Audi S6 or RS6..

This will certainly help you part cash..

trust me.. this is one of the most amazing cars i have had the pleasure of driving... ever..

My neighbour has an 03 version, and the growl from the engine and exhaust every morning and evening is enough to satisfy you.. The BMW and E55s are very tame in comparison..

trsut me... go for an Audi test drive, and you will be all smiles...

Have to agree with the Boss have driven a few S4 RS 4 S6 RS6 and they are too awesome cars, heve to say though IMHO they are not quite as good as the M5, Audi have the gearbox issue sorted but the handling needs a bit of work, not an easy car to control when you have got it sideways round the ring as where the M5 you can still control with only one hand on the wheel.

 

[EDZ649]

You obviously have not driven the V10 M5 then Difference is chalk and cheese MB gearbox is a joke compared to BMW SMG. Sorry as much as I love MB nothing I have driven so far touches the M5. Have to admit have not driven a C63 but that will be rectified next month.:bannana:

The OP wasn't comparing a 55 to an M5, in fact he wasn't comparing one to anything other than his CDi, therefore no reason to be underwhelmed IMHO.

 

[flango]

I drove a E55 Kompressor some years ago however, I found the exhaust note to be way too quiet for the power available. If you get a chance, try out the C63, it's a riot. It's like a big shot of adrenalin every morning for my first month+ of ownership.

I've now gotten a bit used to it, especially after I've just gotten out of driving something slower. It can still scare me but always impresses.

I remember hitting the brakes harder than I should have during the orientation period and feeling as though my brain moved forward in my skull.

Under full acceleration, once the tires stop spinning, it moves like the Starship Enterprise engaging the warp drive. The AMG speedshift gearbox in this car is one of the best autos I have ever sampled. I would choose it over a manual every time. Oh and did I mention the sound coming out of the exhausts??!!!

Will be driving the C63 in September and really looking forward to it. I have heard good things about the AMG speedshift box although I believe the Box in the C63 is 7 speed as opposed to the 5 speed version in the SLR? Not sure how this will affect the drive, if its like the BMW where you can set the box settings to match that of the driver then it promises to be good. Thanks for the info and I'll report back when I've driven it.

 

[Adam230K]

I heard that there's a C450 V8 coming out and that will have the option of a stick manual! I'll buy that in 3-4 years once it comes out...

 

[flango]

The OP wasn't comparing a 55 to an M5, in fact he wasn't comparing one to anything other than his CDi, therefore no reason to be underwhelmed IMHO.

I know, my interpretation is that he was saying that the driving experience of an E55 which is billed as a super saloon was underwhelming and did not live up to his expectations and I completely agree with him. If he wants to be overwhelmed then he needs to try some of the other cars mentioned in this thread. I like the E55 but if you are after something to keep the adrenalin flowing and a very involved driving experience then this is not the car, it's a very fast, calm, composed, well engineered car nothing wrong with it at all, but not in the same class as an M5 or RS6 when it comes to power delivery and handling.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I think the way AMGs gather speed is quite deceptive. Speaking of the kompressor engines specifically:

You can hear the engine, you can hear the fruity exhaust note, and you can hear the supercharger whine but it's all very refined.

The torque comes in low, and is flat across a wide rev range, and the engine doesn't rev particularly high, and the auto box smoothes it's delivery to the road.

Handling is not set-up to be a track day star, to handle with the precision required to reward a gifted driver on a track, but an enthusiast on the road.

Add it all together and whilst it will feel quick - with a capital F compared to a regular C/E/CLS/etc - it will never feel frenetic or on the edge.

The best way to gauge it's true performance is to watch the speedo sweep around the dial, with the throaty roar of the engine and whine of the charger as a pleasant backdrop.

The E55, M5, RS6, etc are all undeniably good cars, which have their own strengths in particular areas - which is all part of their positioning in a fairly crowded super-saloon market.

If this one disappointed, then try another, to find out whether there was a problem with the first, or it's simply not the car for you.

 

[Adam230K]

I do like the M5... its actually got a sportier noise than the V8 IMHO... but i'd be scared to buy one because what people keep forgetting is the problems that arise out of these SMG gearboxes... if you look at the way the MB is setup, because of the compulsory auto MB will see alot less transmission problems... almost none compared to the horror stories of the SMG trans'ed M3's and M5's, i also really didnt like that thud between every gear... as a compulsive obssessive about my cars i dont think i'd be able to live with that.

Sometimes simplicity is the way forward

 

[flango]

Sometimes simplicity is the way forward

I agree a stick in the floor and a box full of cogs

 

[Will]

Although I feel well outshone by the ~500bhp Kompressor '55s , I feel that I can well relate to the very valid points about cars that are fast, and cars that feel fast.

When I first bought my CLK55 (with a modest ~ 350bhp 5.4 V8) it felt quite quick to drive. I especially liked the V8 exhaust/engine note too

But after a couple of weeks or so, you get used to the power and I find that it doesn't neccesarily feel all that fast in general use - you really do need a big bit of road to exploit it's capabilities. Probably the smoothness of the power delivery and the near-seamless autobox changes. The excitement of working through the gears in my old manual 2.5-16 upto 7000 RPM as needed and being in control of the gears gave you a very good feeling of the performance, despite having about 150bhp less (admittedly a lighter car)

Bobby Dazzler has it spot on about watching the speedo sweep - the CLK55 accelerates very rapidly from rest well into three figure speeds, but you'd need to look at the speedo to notice sometimes.

I think that's what AMG cars are. They're not designed to be the ultimate Nurburgring weapon, and the M5 vs. E55 debate is no different to any other BMW 'M' car vs. MB AMG model going back for years.

AMGs are however superb, powerful, practical everyday cars with a great deal of performance. You don't look like a tit in an AMG (IMHO) and they are very civilised/easy to drive, but with fantastic overtaking power or enough for a little 'drag' run when you want it.

I still love the CLK55 - it's a fantastic package of power/comfort/looks IMHO but I can see why people can be slightly underwhelmed by it all. You really need to decide what you want out of a car.

Horses for courses and all that

Will