| Author | Message | ||
| Lawrence Coppari (Lawrence)
Member Username: Lawrence Post Number: 688 Registered: 4-2002 |
I'm trying to sell two of my old Mercedes. I'm either going to get the 500E or the E55 as a replacement for our family car, a 400E. I hear the siren call of the E55's power. | ||
| Dan (Bobafett)
Member Username: Bobafett Post Number: 794 Registered: 9-2002 |
Mercedes is going insane. Did anyone check out the July issue of CAR? 700bhp w/ 7 speed tranny now?? They've lost their minds... --Dan | ||
| Lawrence Coppari (Lawrence)
Member Username: Lawrence Post Number: 687 Registered: 4-2002 |
August issue of R & T says: "Based on our previous road test, the E55 AMG can almost keep up with the Dodge Viper SRT-10, and for sure can outrun a Corvette Z06 without breaking a sweat." By the way their test of an Enzo indicated it got to 100 in 6.9 seconds. The 0-100-0 was 11.7 seconds with 0.8 second transition to braking. Enzo aside, the Porsche turbo won the contest beating the viper by 0.4 seconds on the 0-100-0 test. The only car faster than the Porsche for 0-100 was the Saleen but the Porsche overcame it under braking. The Saleen weighs a lot less than the Porsche and is rated at 100 more hp. Makes me skeptical about claimed Saleen power. | ||
| David R. (Rodsky)
Junior Member Username: Rodsky Post Number: 94 Registered: 3-2003 |
Mike - If you're saying a GTS is 8.9 - 9.3 seconds 0-100 MPH, then it is marginally quicker than the MB's time of 9.4 seconds. However, they are definitely in the same ball park. I can definitely believe this time for the Merc, several magazines have tested it at this number or very close. The car has 469 HP, more HP than a GTS but is obviously heavier. I think the SRT would be faster. | ||
| Mike B (Srt_mike)
Member Username: Srt_mike Post Number: 261 Registered: 12-2002 |
David R, Yeah, I know he said last years Viper. There is no GTS this year, there is only the SRT. I was referring to the GTS (last years Viper) when I said I don't think an E55 could take it to 100. There is no way in hell, IMO, that an E55 is going to be in the same ballpark to 100mph. The Viper makes oodles of torque, and I'd be willing to lay money on the Viper having a significantly larger RWHP and RWTQ number, as well as being 600lbs or so lighter. I think an E55 would be toast. I WISH OH WISH OH WISH I still had my GTS, because I'd lay a fairly sizeable chunk of dough on a race to 100 with an E55, stock vs stock. EFWUN, your car is amazing - I would LOVE to own one, so no offense intended. Would you consider going to the 1/4 mile track? My GTS ran 11.68 and a best of 121mph. At the 1/8 mark, it was usually about 8.4@93mph if I remember right. I'd love to see how that stacks up. | ||
| Ben Lobenstein 90 TR (Benjet)
Intermediate Member Username: Benjet Post Number: 1164 Registered: 1-2001 |
I have a media cut sheet on my desk (courtesy of the MBZ DIST - not dealer) for the 2004 MBZ SLR McLaren. Yes the word McLaren is part of the car's name! Altho it's a 2 door with the heritage of the 300 SL gullwing, it's damn good looking and it if lives up to it's claims will give alot more cars a run for their money. It's the next step up for the current 2 door powerhouse MBZ (SL55 AMG - IIRC). Maybe they'll have a sedan McLaren too.... -Ben | ||
| Lawrence Coppari (Lawrence)
Member Username: Lawrence Post Number: 686 Registered: 4-2002 |
It's pushrods versus OHC. In general, when the horsepower is nearly equal, the OHC's win. I've read several tests on the E55. Wonder if the specifications put out by MB are conservative. Given its weight, it should not be as fast as it is. My Porsche has fewer pounds per hp than the E55 has, yet the E55 accelerates just as fast in the speed range where I have tested my Porsche. Something is screwy somewhere. | ||
| David R. (Rodsky)
Junior Member Username: Rodsky Post Number: 88 Registered: 3-2003 |
Mike - He said last years Viper. The new Viper with 500HP is faster than the E55 - but not by much. Plus the MB is a luxury automatic sedan. BTW, I am a BMW fan, I have a M3 E46, but the new MB E55 has raised the bar. | ||
| Mike B (Srt_mike)
Member Username: Srt_mike Post Number: 260 Registered: 12-2002 |
EFWUN, I'll look forward to reading the mag - but 465hp in a 4200+lb car is not going to make it faster than a Viper GTS to 100. I've seen numbers from 8.9-9.3 for the GTS to 100. Maybe the particular car R&T tested was a ringer? I hate to insinuate that, but there is no way the E55 is going to outrun a Viper GTS to 100. However, the E55 appears to be a really nice car! I'd love to have one. | ||
| Jeff (Jeff_m)
Junior Member Username: Jeff_m Post Number: 160 Registered: 9-2002 |
Frank, How do you hold your beer while your driving if you have to shift gears? J/K! Too much traffic around here to worry about shifting in the daily driver. | ||
| Lawrence Coppari (Lawrence)
Member Username: Lawrence Post Number: 685 Registered: 4-2002 |
Just got latest issue of Road and Track. The E55 outruns the Z06 and many others. For the money, nothing beats it and it weighs over 4K pounds. I've got a minor league SLK32 AMG (wife's car) and it is not slow. The E55 must be amazing. The bar has been substantially raised. Damn thing will nearly outrun my track car in a straight line. Drooling as I type.... But the Enzo is king. | ||
| Frank Parker (Parkerfe)
Advanced Member Username: Parkerfe Post Number: 2604 Registered: 9-2001 |
Jeff, I not only want it, I demand it and won't buy one without it. That's why my daily drivers have been M5s and M3s over the last 12 years or so. I want the "luxury" of shifting for myself. | ||
| Jeff (Jeff_m)
Junior Member Username: Jeff_m Post Number: 159 Registered: 9-2002 |
Who wants stick in a lux sedan? Thats what the sports car is for. I would take the benz over the BMW any day! Good choice! | ||
| Ryan550 (Ryanab)
Member Username: Ryanab Post Number: 386 Registered: 3-2002 |
"Driving an automatic transmission is like paying someone to make love to your wife" Frank, you're too much!! Ryan | ||
| Frank Parker (Parkerfe)
Advanced Member Username: Parkerfe Post Number: 2600 Registered: 9-2001 |
The E55 will not be as fast as the new M5 though which is due out next year I believe. The E55 comes with an auto trans only too. Driving an automatic transmission is like paying someone to make love to your wife, while it gets the job done, it's not as much fun as doing it yourself. | ||
| EFWUN (Efwun)
Member Username: Efwun Post Number: 630 Registered: 2-2003 |
Look at last month's Road & Track. 0-100mph in 9.4. Spoke with Engineering Editor Dennis Simanaitis, he confirmed they re-tested it twice because they didn't believe their clocks. Quarter mile in 12.4 at 116.4mph. Identical times to the Porsche Twin Turbo, quicker than last year's Viper, nearly 3 seconds quicker to 100mph than the M5. No axe to grind here, I'm ashamed to admit it is probably faster than my 550. M5? Forget it. My '01 was level pegging with the M5, and by most accounts level pegging at the track. This car is in another league entirely. | ||
| Dan (Bobafett)
Member Username: Bobafett Post Number: 782 Registered: 9-2002 |
The M5 has chassis control to die for. THe older E55 felt like I was rowing a boat. Haven't driven a new one, so I can't say, but the balance of driver involvement / performance vs. comfort in the M5 is definetly going to be tough to top. --Dan | ||
| Kendall Kim (Kenny)
Junior Member Username: Kenny Post Number: 244 Registered: 9-2001 |
Guys You can try going to the Mercedes Forum to find out more information. www.mbworld.org | ||
| David R. (Rodsky)
Junior Member Username: Rodsky Post Number: 82 Registered: 3-2003 |
The new E55 has 469HP and is now faster than the BMW M5. Last years model e55 was not as fast as the M5. The new E55's 0-60 time was 4.3 so I am not sure why it can hit 100 in 10 seconds. The Enzo is 6.6 to 100MPH BTW. i read the road and track article and it is one fast car | ||
| Lawrence Coppari (Lawrence)
Member Username: Lawrence Post Number: 684 Registered: 4-2002 |
I think Road and Track and Carp and Drivel tested it. That should settle the acceleration issue. | ||
| Sunny Garofalo (Jaguarxj6)
Member Username: Jaguarxj6 Post Number: 618 Registered: 2-2003 |
Fat chance 0-100 in 10 seconds. The E55 is nice.. the M5 is faster. Though neither have the curves of the XJR I resist trading in for. Sunny | ||
| Mike B (Srt_mike)
Member Username: Srt_mike Post Number: 258 Registered: 12-2002 |
The E55 is an amazing car. But I have only one beef/correction. No way in hell is that car hitting 100mph in 10 seconds. It's not possible. I believe it's spec'ed at 12.2 to 100mph. I think the current "record holder" for 0-100 is the Viper SRT at 8.3 seconds. I am positive the Enzo is way way faster, but it may not be considered a "production car" in it's limited volume. I'd guess the Enzo would be in the 7's to 100mph, maybe less. | ||
| DES (Sickspeed)
Advanced Member Username: Sickspeed Post Number: 4827 Registered: 8-2002 |
LMAO, Tom, it's funny you should mention that... When i pulled into another 'murder'cycle dealership in a Corolla, no one would even talk to me - twice! at two separate locations...! At least in the E 55, someone gave us some attention... even offered us coffee. Go figure. | ||
| TomD (Tifosi)
Advanced Member Username: Tifosi Post Number: 3993 Registered: 9-2001 |
you guys are making a habit of this, sounds like fun. Des, when you pull up to by a murdercylce in an e55 don't expect any discounts  | ||
| DES (Sickspeed)
Advanced Member Username: Sickspeed Post Number: 4826 Registered: 8-2002 |
Whoa... Who's luckier than me...? Guess what i rode in yesterday afternoon...? (If you're really having trouble guessing, look at the thread title again ) i was fortunate enough to meet up with EFWUN yesterday... Altruistic as he is, he took time out of his busy schedule to help me go look for a 'murdercycle', as he calls them... All my life, i've always compared MerceDES to BMW and i've always preferred BMWs... Now, if i had to choose, i'd take the E 55 AMG... This car has some serious power...! After meeting up, we made our way to a dealership and holy crap did he get into it...! The car is bugged out...! Before i get into how beefy this car is, let me first make note of it's luxury - when you're inside, you definitely know you're in a MerceDES; a plush leather enterior envelopes you as icy cool air from the a/c keeps you from sticking to it; what's not leather is suede... No expense was spared when they put this bad boy together... i recalled the interior of my uncle's BMW 530i and the words 'sparse' and 'cheesy' came to mind... What was once, to me, the pinnacle of luxury was just blown away, 100 times over, by a car i wouldn't give a second look to, on the street, before yesterday... A MerceDES is just a MerceDES, right...? Right. Pulling up to a green light, EFWUN came to a complete stop when no one was around. Then he let it rip...! No power braking, the car peeled for about 75 feet, the ass end waddling back and forth... Finally, when the tires caught grip on the pavement, we propelled up to 100mph; all in 10 seconds. Moments later, our journey took us to a DESolate, windy road... The great thing about this car is that you can switch it to manual mode; yeah, it's got a slap stick, but it also has two buttons on the back of the steering wheel in place of paddles, to get that "EFWUN"-type feeling... ...and away we went...! The acceleration, the handling, the power - it's a MerceDES for christ's sake...! MerceDES shouldn't go this fast...! They shouldn't perform this well...! i was in total disbelief... Everytime i get into a car with EFWUN, i realize i know next to nothing about real driving - the dude can drive...! He grabbed the reigns and kept the car under complete control whilst thrashing it about the road... It was more fun than a roller coaster...! MerceDES aren't supposed to be that much fun...! On our way back, EFWUN purposely cut off a cop to piss him off; when he tried to pull us over, he outran him... Ok, so that part isn't true, but it's possible...! This car is ridiculous...! i'm ruined for life, i'll never look at MerceDES the same way, again...! As always, it was a pleasure seeing him... If he doesn't let me take him out to lunch some time soon, though, i'm going to send him anonymous hate mail about driving around at high RPMs. |