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High Performance Luxury Sedans

1045 messages,  Last post on Apr 29, 2013 at 5:47 PM

You are in the Sedans Forum.

What is this discussion about? Jaguar XJR, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, BMW M5, Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG, Audi S6, Maserati Quattroporte, Audi S8, Sedan

Messages Page 41 of 105

#398 of 1045 E55 or M5? by norik

Dec 31, 2000 (9:59 pm)

I went between the E55 and M5 for a while and took delivery of a silver 2001 E55 on 12/26. What a Christmas present. Well, actually its the wife's car.
 
I can compare it to a 1999 328i:
The E55 is much, much smoother and quieter and waaay faster. The instrument cluster and driver convenience options are much better. I love the voice recognition system, the SOS and tele-aid features. The seats are very comfortable, but don't feel like a Buick's. The whole car just feels right.
 
I can also compare it to a 1997 911 twin turbo
(my baby):
The E55 is not even close in handling and accelleration. But, I'd rather take the E55 on trips lasting several hours.
 
So, in my humble opinion, it falls right in between.
 
Was going to get an M5, but the dealer markup of $10K to $20K just didn't sit right with me. I paid MSRP for the E55. I am glad I went with Benz, it looks better and feels better. Just my .02c worth.

#399 of 1045 Norik by need4spd

Jan 01, 2001 (11:51 am)

Which dealer did you choose for your E55? My experience in looking at M5s has been the same. All ask for $10-25k over msrp (though I don't know if they really get it). The one dealer I've visited re an E55 told me they were asking msrp +$10k.

#400 of 1045 need4spd by norik

Jan 01, 2001 (4:31 pm)

I have been to two local BMW dealers (Irvine BMW, Irvine Ca and Crevier BMW, Costa Mesa Ca.) both wanted $10K over if I ordered the car and waited the 6 to 12 months to get it. If a car came available earlier it was $15K to $20K over sticker. This really left me with a bad feeling towards those dealers and towards BMW as a corporation. They should prohibit their dealers from doins this, especially if one orders the car. I was a BMW guy, owned a 318is (new) and a 328i (new). No more BMW for me.
 
The two Mercedes dealers I went to were Mercedes Benz of Laguna and Caliber Motors of Anaheim Hills. Both did not charge over MSRP if the was ordered through them, even if one became available earlier.
 
I got mine from Caliber Motors.
 
Norik

#401 of 1045 Norik by need4spd

Jan 01, 2001 (10:46 pm)

Thanks for the info. I'm in Nor. Cal. and the one BMW dealer I've been to so far on this (BMW of SF) up here is asking similar markups for M5s (+$25k on a new one; they had a used one that they were asking "only" +$10k over MSRP!). I've only been to one MBZ dlr. in silicon valley (Autobahn Mtrs.) and they were asking +$20k for a USED '01 E55. Looks like even a first class ticket on the United Shuttle will pay for itself many times over. Dlrs. can't be forced into charging what the mfr. wants; that's called price fixing even tho in this case, it would result in lower prices to the consumer. Oh well... may be letting my fingers do the walking...

#402 of 1045 by pablo_l

Jan 02, 2001 (10:40 am)

".. Dlrs. can't be forced into charging what the mfr. wants; that's called price fixing .." No, price fixing is illegal when different vendors agree on a price for their product offerings - not when a vendor puts limits to the distributors' ability to define their own pricing. For luxury brands, it is imperative that excessive profit mentality among dealers does not cheapen the brand, which to me is what there BMW and Mercedes dealers are doing: majorly compromising brand loyalty by upsetting customers that discover they have paid widely different prices for the same luxury car given the cut-throat, used-car-salesmanship mentality that rules some of their dealers. They should crack down on that. They are making very good margins on those cars as it is. Rolex would immediately take away distribution rights from a dealer that charges 30% more than their recommended price for their products. It is part of the luxury good buying experience that "bargain hunting" is suppressed. And I think that is the reason why personally I don't perceive BMW and MB to be true luxury automotive brands anymore, because their dealer network is hugely inconsistent and the luxury buying experience quite absent these days. I worry about Jaguar going the same route once they introduce their entry level X-type.

#403 of 1045 Where'd it go? by yearight

Jan 04, 2001 (1:04 am)

Hey all,
   I know it's a poor cousin, but does anyone where the C43 bd. went? Couldn't find it in Search.
   Thanks.

#404 of 1045 C43 Board by mclaus

Jan 04, 2001 (11:47 am)

It's still there. It is in the Sedans Conference titles 'Mercedes C43 AMG' FOr some reason a board search on C43 does not fund it - I'm not sure how these new boards are working out yet.....
 
Good luck
 
- mclaus

#405 of 1045 We Test Them All by freeal

Jan 05, 2001 (10:47 pm)

The Car Family tests all vehicles and our favorite is the E55 at this level of price. The BMW is slightly faster with a stick shift, but the ride and handling are not significantly better. What makes the E55 better is the overall ability for the car to used in comfort on a daily basis. We are currently testing the supercharged Jaguar and find it fast it quite dated with a crowded interior and poor radio. The ride is nice, but the XJR is not as comfortable as the E55. Actually, if you want to have a lot of fun order the Subaru WRX is tested recently. Fairly fast, handles as well as any BMW alive, and is great in daily traffic.

#406 of 1045 ? by pablo_l

Jan 06, 2001 (4:54 pm)

The ride in the XJR is undeniably more comfortable, becase the car is much softer. The comfort of the cabin can be questioned by people who value efficient space utilization, since it does feel quite crowded. I for one like it like that - both the Merc and the Beemer look like coal-shafts inside, very teutonic, and that's not my personal taste. To each their own.
And the Jag's stereo is actually quite phenomenal. Alpine is known for very good car stereo systems. You sure you are testing an up-to-date XJR?

#407 of 1045 RE: C43 bd. by yearight

Jan 08, 2001 (9:37 pm)

Thanks, mclaus, I knew it was around here somewhere. In my searching I found a CL55 bd. I think I'll put my order in now. I figure in 2 yrs I'll either be able to afford one or won't ;-> Now I have some reading to do. Thanks.

Messages Page 41 of 105

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