choices and more choices: my wife is up for a car change by nov, i need information on the CLS55 AMG and the Maser QP, 1.do they compare 2. is the QP a relaible car 3.power difference between the two
MB's are solely for the lower classes. most QP's are quite reliable and the owners love them. we had some issues with Madame's and chose to move her to a newcayenne turbo instead, which obviates the concept of a sports sedan
so is a SL65 for a lowerclass person, dont think so. Mercedes makes great cars and is one of the most reknowned marques out there.
QP baby!...i saw one today actually..in Dana Point!....Black paint with black rims/ chrome lip....about 2 inch lip...no info on the driver or type of wheels.....but its a real head turner! my vote goes for the qp..everybody has the MB...just my opinion
CLS55 will destroy a QP on the street, but honestly it's just a tarted up E55. Both are fantastic cars, MB has effortless power, poor steering, no front end feedback. QP has best sounding V8 money can buy, great chassis, clumsy paddle shift (best of breed though), much more opulent interior. I don't think you would be disappointed with either.
But when you drive it for 5 years and it looses $100k in value, you may drop down to the middle class. Nice cars, huge depreciation. MB is living on past glory, even their shareholders think they need to do something. And quick.
\ Stephen, this for my wife, she has the misconception that benz's are fine considering her current vehicle is the ML55 and before that the CLK55, the clk lacked something that my M3 sh!ts over, soul.. and this is the concern with the cls55, all go in forward motion but will the qp be any better. in regard sto depreciation the cls will drop as quickly as the qp, cos any AMG cannot hold it's value, (past owner of 2 will vouch for that) So ultimately it will her call but i gotta get as much info as possible to satisfy the Italian urge within me. and the 64million dollar question, how reliable would the qp be.........
The QP is in another league to the '55 from a handling perspective. Resale on the AMG is another matter, I sold my E55 after 18 months of ownership for close to list, admitedly it did have Brabus 19"rims, upgraded motor etc, but went to a good home in SA actually. The S600 is another story entirely, close to 400K on road less than 12 months ago and currently valued at between 260-280K. In the long term I'd expect the QP to more closely follow the S than the E from a resale perspective. I wouldn't worry too much about reliability, you probably wouldn't want to own either out of new car warranty anyway. The E55 had an new audio gateway and a whole bunch of other small issues, the S600 has had both cats (factory recall) two audio gateways and various other niggles. The MB is not the paragon of quality and reliability that it built it's reputation on anymore. The QP would be hard pushed to be any worse! Good luck and as I said before, neither is going to be a real disappointment.
I tried the QP, and i have to admit the handling is a gem, maybe one of the finsest handling cars i have ever seen....especially if you consider the size. The engine on the other hand seems hard at work, and i really doubt the performance figures can be matched. Maybe you should wait for the (if not stillborn) QP V12....
thanks Stephen, you r dead right re the ownership after warranty, the current ML55 has had the option of a Allianz extended warranty (and considering that i am a dealer we have zero faith in after mkt crap) but for $1620 it has saved the day, a headlight decided to fill with H2O and the ML55 are xenon at 2996 each and the air sensor died and another 1200 saved. and all this for 3 years more!!!!!u were lucky with the getting the right money for your E55---did u notice anything not so special with the AMG??like over glorified......... we use the ML for getting to Thredbo which is great on long distance fuel economy but the mountains kill it.. Onece we get to drive the QP i will let u know of the outcome.......... to be continued
Would you consider the Audi RS6? Great performance for a reasonable price.. Then you have the new M5 coming up soon..
good point but it's gotta take mummy and the kids to school and the jury is still out on the design of the M5
Resale on the Q will suffer as much as the MB,or even worse. She will hate the Q though,because she will complain about the transmission. Most women do not appreciate the jerkiness and lack of smoothness in daily/city/heavy traffic driving.
Or if you want to wait a year or so Mercedes is going to introduce the CLS65. You can read more and see spy pics here: http://www.thecarconnection.com/Enthusiasts/Spy_Shots/Spy_Shots_07_Mercedes_CLS65.S178.A8507.html
Yeah a great way to blow an extra 100K. Spend 15K in mods on a '55 and have a much lighter, just as powerful car.
RS6!!!!! but the maser is gorgeous, just needs the 12, and who knows whats gonna happen with anything in that company now....might not be a good buy, service? will it even be available?
Great call Mark, I was thinking she would have more fun with the Maser. As a former Spyder owner and have letting my fiancee drive it occasionally, the hesitation then jerk type shift of the Maser made her annoyed and confused whereas the guy will always love it. My father, a few friends in his work, and one of my friends in the neighborhood all have some sort of MB55. I would definitely suggest this. It has the smooth ride and all the gadgets to make her feel comfortable from a pulse/air conditioned seat to the airmatic adjustable ride height. Pressing a button to close the boot and not having to get her keys out of her pocket to open the door would appeal to her more than a Italian sounding exhaust and how she can get the rear end crazy on turns. Having driven both, when you get behind the wheel you will notice that the 55 is just insane. Until the M5 and ZO6 Vette comes out, I believe that the E55 is the biggest sleeper car I have ever driven. RocketBoy
WTF are you on? Just got out of this (one of my pictures of one of the best cars I have ever driven) If you are looking down your nose at MB don't look up because they are making some of the best most reliable and best looking (newones) on the market The Quatro still looks like a buick that got caught in a corn thresher Image Unavailable, Please Login
If rumors are true, i would wait for the QP automatic version to come out later this year. If you need a car right a way, id suggest the Benz or the RS6.
