I just had to post about how intimidating this car is in person. I saw one parked in front of the Washington Mutual today in La Jolla, and it was incredible. I guess the difference i see between this and the other super sports sedans is that the others visual presence says " Hi, I could whoop your ass but I don't feel like it." The E55 seems to say, " Hi, I will whoop your ass. Period." The detail work is flawless...I don't see why anyone would prefer a Roller or Bentley because BMW and Mercedes have got it going on for a damned good value when compared to their higher-priced rivals. (yes, BMW owns Rolls and V.A.G. owns Bentley; I know.)

That said, the car nut in me can't excuse the automatic tranny...no matter how sophisticated and awesome the semi-manual mode is. I just need to have my left foot involved in driving or it gets antsy... I suppose if drove it i might re-assess my point of view. Incredible Luxo-rocket, for the driver with a stable of manual sportsters already. Given the "bangled" looks of the next M5, I'd take an E55 over it even without the manual, though.

Quick2K

 

The LOUD pedal is fine; it's the brake pedal that gets annoying. With brake-by-wire, there's absolutely no being smooth. Yes, after 1500mi I've learned to be tolerably smooth, but it's still not the same.

The throttle is just as responsive (if not more so) than my S2000, and with as much power as it has, bumper-to-bumper traffic can be quite scary. Only in this case is a true manual to be desired.

If you wanted a raw driving experience (in which a manual is a must), you wouldn't be driving an E55. This car is for those who already have everything else.


With that said, the E55 never fails to put a (and sometimes a ) on my face every time I drive it.

 

Really...you had that much of a hard time with the brakes?

Took me all of 5 miles with just 5-6 stops at lights/stop-signs to get used to it and be perfect.

 

Ever try threshold, ABS-pending braking with brake-by-wire?

It didn't take me 1500mi to get it down, but after getting out of my S and into the E55, it takes a few stops to relearn how to brake in this car.

As an avid karter and auto-x'er, I like to 'feel' my brakes.

 

How different are Throttle whatever brakes?

 

Huh?


You mean the brake-by-wire?

Basically, you press the brake pedal but there's no mechanical linkage (except backup) between your foot and the brakes. The computer takes your input and interprets it into however much brake pressure it THINKS you want. Hard to be smooth.

 

Three months and 5,000 miles and I still hate the brakes on my E320. And the steering as well. The wheel doesn't have much feel or self-return at all.

And the brake feel? Vauge and not particularly linear. Definitely over-engineered.

 

I'm wondering why people are buying a car if on a test drive the brakes are "difficult" and steering is vague.

I mean why not buy a 5 series? Or something with normal brakes?

It's the same thing with the 7 series trunk. No one likes the looks but people are still buying the hell out of them so Bangle wins.

 

Because the lack of brake pedal feel wasn't enough to discourage buyers. I think the 469hp/516lb-ft of torque, massive 8-piston front calipers and cross-drilled rotors, 18in wheels, killer looks, killer interior, and sleeper factor more than make up for the dead brake pedal.

As for any E-Class over a 5-Series: Personal taste, I guess. I wouldn't go E500 over 540i 6spd, but it really is a toss-up among the several trims available between the two cars.

 

Yeah not too long ago I saw a baige colored E55 AMG in Monterey Park, I was like crazy and kept telling my mother who was sitting next to me in the car that "That one is E55, not a regular E-class! blah blah blah" I was so happy. So far I still have not see RS6 in person, why? The following cars I want to see people driving them on street, not only in auto show, but I still haven't so far:

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
Audi RS6
Dodge Viper SRT-10