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High Performance Luxury Sedans

1038 messages,  Last post on Jun 18, 2008 at 1:12 PM

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

#888 of 1038 Re: [habitat1] by lovemyclk Aug 04, 2004 (5:41 pm)
Replying to: habitat1 (Aug 02, 2004 6:34 pm) Absolutely... we buy the AMG or M-Sport BMW's for the engineering excellence combined with top-end performance. Built as high-speed cars for the wealthier buyers, they combine sheer performance, luxury, solidity and status in a single package. Many classes at this level of investment (911, DB9, SL55, etc) to whet your appetite for speed.   My Submariner doesn't keep better time than my Seiko sports watch, but I certainly don't confuse them or their mission Although my 2003 530 SP does not offer the highest acceleration attribute of the performance equation, it does everything else to my sheer delight.   Someone in an E55 ain't gonna get to work any faster than I can! This is why my dream garage would look something like Jay Leno's... something for every occasion and every mood! From the Subie WRX STi to the E55/M5... "it's all good".   I dig the older American performance cars as well... 65-67 GTO, any pre-'68 Corvette, SS396 Chevelles, Boss Mustangs (302, 351, 429), and of course... HEMI Cuda's!
#889 of 1038 E55 vs S500 in terms of interior noise, squeaks, rattles by paulchiu Aug 06, 2004 (8:24 am)
Hi all, I was a fan here years ago when I was thinking 2002-2004 E55 as my lease on a 2001 S500 was ending. I couldn't get the 2004 E55 last summer and ended up with a Lexus LS430 after my S500 lease. After 13 months in the limo, I am very bored. The LS430 is indeed absent of the annoying panel squeaks, center console rattles, and tire noise of the S500, but drives like a Towncar.   Rode in a friend's 2004 E55 recently, and that acceleration in a compact car is out of sight.   Since my ride was short and I was busy talking business, let me ask those here with experience with both S500 and E55. Is the E55 better in terms of the annoying interios noise? I remember the 99 E55 was very quiet over even cobblestone roads and the side roads around Scarsdale NY.   I had driven a E500 for about 10 miles and it was pretty rattle free, although that dealer demo had a loose part in the trunk.   Any help is appreciated.   Paul Replies to this message: pcvette (Aug 06, 2004 9:25 am)
#890 of 1038 Re: E55 vs S500 in terms of interior noise, squeaks, rattles [paulchiu] by pcvette Aug 06, 2004 (9:25 am)
Replying to: paulchiu (Aug 06, 2004 8:24 am) A reply and a question.. I have an '04 SL55 and for the most part trouble free. If you get a 55 (E or SL or S) I'd strongly suggest you require Michelin instead of Pirelli. If anyone out there has an '04 55, do you experience pause/tick/hiccup starting out in "C" or "S"? Dealer tells me the supercharger if off at idle (also cruising)and kicks in at start around 1500 RPM. ??
#891 of 1038 Replies from E55 driver by w210 Aug 08, 2004 (4:26 am)
merc1:   "A bunch of relatively minor things with your E55 huh. That is Mercedes biggest problem because I'm sure if you get a survey it won't be good for Mercedes."   Actually, no, I have been rather pleased and will complete the survery as such. My philsophy with cars is that the more expensive the car, the more things will go wrong and I will spend more time at the dealership. This I can accept as I am the driver who can truly appreciate the extra bells and whistles.   The part that bothers me will be incapable mechanics and service departments. So far, I have been rather happy with MB as they fixed all my problems and they treated me well. Last time I serviced the car I was given a brand new CLK convertible overnight.   Am I happy with the company Honda mini-van? Yes but I also expected much less. Am I going to continue bringing the car in to fix the endless rattles and brake noise? No, I learn to live with the problems.   paulchiu:   "Since my ride was short and I was busy talking business, let me ask those here with experience with both S500 and E55. Is the E55 better in terms of the annoying interios noise? I remember the 99 E55 was very quiet over even cobblestone roads and the side roads around Scarsdale NY."   Paul, I recall reading about your purchase decision months ago. I have driven the S500, the 2000-2001 E55, and have owned a 2004 E55 for 9 months.   The 2004 is as rattle free as my 2001 E55 and I know what you mean about the noises in the S500. I am extremely fussy about interior squeaks and rattles.   pcvette:   "If anyone out there has an '04 55, do you experience pause/tick/hiccup starting out in "C" or "S"? Dealer tells me the supercharger if off at idle (also cruising)and kicks in at start around 1500 RPM. ??"   Yes, I can hear the engine slightly ticking when idling cold, but I felt the same in the 2003 SL500 as well so I concluded it was the characteristic of the MB V8. Replies to this message: paulchiu (Aug 08, 2004 6:28 am)
#892 of 1038 Re: Replies from E55 driver [w210] by paulchiu Aug 08, 2004 (6:28 am)
Replying to: w210 (Aug 08, 2004 4:26 am) Thanks W210.   Yeah, I've been here for years, I enjoy the discussions, maybe as much as owning the car itself.   I think it's strange that the 2005 E55 does not have NAV or the better lighting as standard equipment, as almost no dealer I called had any with NAV. Some have that 319 lighting package.   BTW, I am happy to hear your lack of interior noise, the S500's was a main reason that drove me into a Lexus LS430. But, after 13 months, similar but less "regular" noise are inside the LS430 as well. I figure if I must live with interior trim noise inside a $70 to $100 car, I must have better 0-30MPH performance in the city!
#893 of 1038 E55 discussion by w210 Aug 09, 2004 (6:30 pm)
Paul,   Yes I have enjoyed the Edmunds community as well. In fact, I posted a complaint about the new 7 series here and ended up having an interview with Businessweek and having my dissatisfaction published.   I think we have similar sickening expectation on rattle/squeak free interiors. I have always been curious about the LS and it's interesting to hear it also has its share of interior trim noise.   The COMAND option should be a no brainer as it only costs $1k in the US. I wonder if it's something the dealer can add as all 2005 cars do come with the large screen and if I'm not mistakened it is only a matter of adding the DVD player in the trunk?   Here in Canada, the E55s come with bi-xenons, and I added the active cornering option. Another nice feature to add is the auto trunk closer. Very handy at a reasonable price.   If you have any questions on the E55, don't hesitate to ask, here are my options:   Ventilated Dynamic seats Active cornering bi-xenons CD Changer Trunk closer Nav Replies to this message: paulchiu (Aug 10, 2004 9:02 am)
#894 of 1038 Re: E55 discussion [w210] by paulchiu Aug 10, 2004 (9:02 am)
Replying to: w210 (Aug 09, 2004 6:30 pm) Thanks! I think a great drive would be to take the E55 from New York to Toronto. I remember the half dozen times I did that in my 20's, right after college with my wife. Since my son, we have hardly driven longer than 80 miles at any time, and that's to the Lexus dealer for service.   I remember the drive especially from Niagara to Toronto to be an area where you can really do serious speeds in an E55.   I can imagine driving one at night with the kid sleeping in the back, listening to jazz, and with that quiet cabin, that fabulous grip of the ground at near triple digits speeds will certainly make one's mind go back in time. Perhaps even experience another level of perception as those Endorphins fires at full strengths!   Paul
#895 of 1038 M5 Price by phud Aug 30, 2004 (6:02 pm)
Hello M5 Owners,   This is shameful but I admit that I cannot afford a M5 that is newer than 4 years old. Even when a 4 years old M5, the avg price is still in the $30K - $40k range. However, I see some of the unbelieveably low M5 prices listed in Yahoo autos. Their prices are range from $16K - $30K for 2001 - 2003 models and all the sellers are from in NY. What is your opinion of this? Is this some kind of a joke? Made in China BMW M5 ? Would you recommend that I should contact on pursuing the purchase?   Thank you for any advices. From M5 admirer Replies to this message: horsepower1 (Sep 09, 2004 5:40 pm) iwangs04 (Sep 14, 2004 1:31 pm) gujuplaya00 (Jan 15, 2006 3:05 pm) smcpherson (Feb 06, 2006 9:16 am) and 8 more...
#896 of 1038 Paul by w210 Sep 06, 2004 (3:13 am)
Paul,   While I'm on the west coast, I'm very familiar with the QEW/I90 stretch from Toronto to east coast USA. A very nice road to do serious speeding indeed. I used to take my 1991 Saab 9000 Turbo from Toronto to Providence/NYC/Philadelphia every few months to see my girlfriend. I wish I could afford a 500E then!   After our daughter was born, we have not taken any road trips longer than 2 hours. Quite a shame as the E55 is really designed for highway cruising. It accelerates from 75 mph to 95 as effortlessly as going from 35 mph to 55 mph. How can I describe the feeling, you feel kind of liberated and free on the highway. You can get away from and into trouble so easily. You see that car tailgating dangerously close to others next to you, you step on it and you're 20 cars away in a split second.   However, I'm sure one area it cannot beat the LS430 is the tire noise and slightly harsher ride. To address this problem, most E55 owners dump their factory Continentals for Michelin Pilot Sports, I may follow soon.
#897 of 1038 Re: M5 Price [phud] by horsepower1 Sep 09, 2004 (5:40 pm)
Replying to: phud (Aug 30, 2004 6:02 pm) Those low prices in NY are a scam. They want you to send a $3000. deposit with a promise to ship car later. You won't get the car and you will lose your $3000. Don't do it. Replies to this message: iwangs04 (Sep 14, 2004 1:31 pm) gujuplaya00 (Jan 15, 2006 3:05 pm) smcpherson (Feb 06, 2006 9:16 am) dkbeck (Mar 08, 2006 7:10 pm) and 6 more... dachrist (Sep 27, 2006 7:46 pm)

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