What do you guys think is the better car for the money these days...lets compare the 2000 models. I know the E55amg compares to the M5 but i dont want a M5 because its too problematic.

If i got either one...i would update it to look like the newer 01 models...and i dont mind not having a 6 speed in the E55 either.

BTW 2000 E55 amg is alot of power for cheap money! i expect this to be biased soo let it rip!

You dont think a Merc is problematic? Hmmm. Newer Mercs are horrible for repairs.

You dont think a Merc is problematic? Hmmm. Newer Mercs are horrible for repairs.

+1 From what I understand the mid ninties were very good for E-class and C-class mercs. But after that they beagan to go downhill. Only recently have they begun to improve thier products.

Abe

I would get the E55 over an M5 for sure (M5 tries to be something it's not and for me it doesn't work). E55 versus 540i/6 is to me a harder choice. I put in my vote for the E55 in the end just because it's faster, but I'm not totally sold still. The 540 is a better chassis from a handling standpoint though so consider that.

(M5 tries to be something it's not)


What do you mean?

What do you mean?

maybe he's referering to the e60m5 compared to the new e63 amg.

the e39 m5 everything its supposed to be and more.....

the new one's with a v10 are nice and are growing on me...but bmw has added alot of electronics that in my opinion 'interrupt' the driving experience.

from what i've seen on these forums, the m5 is no less reliable than the 540. No cooling system problems! I'm at 90k on my m5, driven daily.
mike

The W210 E-class is, IMO, the German car made in the past decade that has aged the poorest. It makes the R129 SL's---early '90s vintage---look modern. Ghastly, horribly outdated looking cars, both on the inside and out, and for that reason alone I wouldn't buy one. It would certainly be faster than a 540i, though.

What do you mean?

I found that the M5 wasn't in real life use all that much faster than a 540/6, and at the same time it was too stiff and too rigid feeling without feeling sporty. It was sorta like it's trying to be a Porsche but it's a 4-door executive sedan and you're very aware of that when you drive it. That's why I prefer a 540, it's quick enough and feels like a 4-door executive sedan. When I want a Porsche I want the car to drive like a Porsche, and when I want a sedan I want it to drive like a sedan.

The M5 is meant to be a super sedan. It does it's job very well.

And since when does 260hp feel like 400hp......?

Cheap-Fast-Reliable

Pick 2 of them

And since when does 260hp feel like 400hp......?

Under 4000 rpm....:stickoutt
funny though, most enthusiasts feel the M5 is too soft.

e55 for sure. The power of the e55 does it for me. Something like 350 hp! Basically, if I owned a 540 I would want the M. In my mind, the M is PERRRFECT.

Let us face it performance cars are not inexpensive to own and/or maintain.

Under 4000 rpm....:stickoutt
funny though, most enthusiasts feel the M5 is too soft.

Right, the down low punch is about the same for both of them (and a 540 has 282, not 260).

You misunderstood me about M5 being too harsh. It's too harsh for what it is: a heavy sedan that has an interior that makes you think it was intended to be comfortable. At the same time, yes it's too soft a set up to be all performance. I'll put it this way, if I could only have one car, I rather it be a Volvo S60R or a Porsche 911 than a M5.

You dont think a Merc is problematic? Hmmm. Newer Mercs are horrible for repairs.
the W210 E55 amg is less problematic than the 540i

The MB's aren't much different from BMW's in terms of reliability as long as you stay away from the 12 cylinder cars and cars with air suspension.

You dont think a Merc is problematic? Hmmm. Newer Mercs are horrible for repairs.

A Merc is an outboard or something from the 50's.

I would get the E55 over an M5 for sure (M5 tries to be something it's not and for me it doesn't work). E55 versus 540i/6 is to me a harder choice. I put in my vote for the E55 in the end just because it's faster, but I'm not totally sold still. The 540 is a better chassis from a handling standpoint though so consider that.

A Benz, pleeeease, its a wallowing whale.

maybe he's referering to the e60m5 compared to the new e63 amg.

the e39 m5 everything its supposed to be and more.....

the new one's with a v10 are nice and are growing on me...but bmw has added alot of electronics that in my opinion 'interrupt' the driving experience.

If it's growing on you, you might want to see a doctor.

The W210 E-class is, IMO, the German car made in the past decade that has aged the poorest. It makes the R129 SL's---early '90s vintage---look modern. Ghastly, horribly outdated looking cars, both on the inside and out, and for that reason alone I wouldn't buy one. It would certainly be faster than a 540i, though.

It's a Benz. Of course its ghastly.

I found that the M5 wasn't in real life use all that much faster than a 540/6, and at the same time it was too stiff and too rigid feeling without feeling sporty. It was sorta like it's trying to be a Porsche but it's a 4-door executive sedan and you're very aware of that when you drive it. That's why I prefer a 540, it's quick enough and feels like a 4-door executive sedan. When I want a Porsche I want the car to drive like a Porsche, and when I want a sedan I want it to drive like a sedan.

And you drive?

The M5 is meant to be a super sedan. It does it's job very well.

And since when does 260hp feel like 400hp......?

You got that one right!

A Benz, pleeeease, its a wallowing whale.


And you drive?

On the first point, I said the BMW has the better chassis. On the second point, yes I do. Do you read? I said I rather have a 911 than an M5. It's not that the M5 is too firm, it's that it does nothing extremely well. It is neither a comfortable sedan (like a 540, E55, or S60R is) or a great handling sports car car (like a Porsche is).

On the first point, I said the BMW has the better chassis. On the second point, yes I do. Do you read? I said I rather have a 911 than an M5. It's not that the M5 is too firm, it's that it does nothing extremely well. It is neither a comfortable sedan (like a 540, E55, or S60R is) or a great handling sports car car (like a Porsche is).

Nope. Can't read.
Comparing a 911 to an M5 is ridiculous.
Who gets an M5 for comfort.
Is the 911 comfortable?

Nope. Can't read.
Comparing a 911 to an M5 is ridiculous.
Who gets an M5 for comfort.
Is the 911 comfortable?

Lord grant me patience. You keep missing it. No, I wouldn't call the 911 comfortable (though it is a fine daily driver), but that's because it gives up comfort for a reason. It's light (I'm talking 996 here or prior, though 997 isn't really heavy by modern standards), it brakes like the dickens without ever fading, the handling is amazing, the turning circle is tight, the whole package is just an amazing performing vehicle. The M5 on the other hand cannot be called comfortable, but it also doesn't have the performance package of a 911.

So, the M5 trades off comfort but doesn't give you enough performance in exchange, so it just doesn't feel right to me. It does a lot good but nothing great. The 540 is still quick and yet it's comfortable, the 911 is not particularly comfortable, but it gets you lots of performance, so both of those cars feel right to me because they each do something great.

Lord grant me patience. You keep missing it. No, I wouldn't call the 911 comfortable (though it is a fine daily driver), but that's because it gives up comfort for a reason. It's light (I'm talking 996 here or prior, though 997 isn't really heavy by modern standards), it brakes like the dickens without ever fading, the handling is amazing, the turning circle is tight, the whole package is just an amazing performing vehicle. The M5 on the other hand cannot be called comfortable, but it also doesn't have the performance package of a 911.

So, the M5 trades off comfort but doesn't give you enough performance in exchange, so it just doesn't feel right to me. It does a lot good but nothing great. The 540 is still quick and yet it's comfortable, the 911 is not particularly comfortable, but it gets you lots of performance, so both of those cars feel right to me because they each do something great.

:orangesle

guys the E55 is winning...more opinions please!

The 2000 E55 AMG isn't the supercharged one right? I would take a 540i/6 over a non supercharged E55, but I would take the supercharged E55 over a 540i/6. I like straight line power and a blown E55 is a monster.

I think BMW makes a more engaging car than Mercedes. I'm a driver. I want a driver's car (well what a driver would drive if he has a family and stuff to hall around). The bimmer wins in my book. And besides as a young man I had what can only be described as a vision. Laying there on the beach, looking up at the clouds, God spoke to me...............He said, "bimmer>mercedes" :stickoutt

The 2000 E55 AMG isn't the supercharged one right? I would take a 540i/6 over a non supercharged E55, but I would take the supercharged E55 over a 540i/6. I like straight line power and a blown E55 is a monster.
non supercharged 350hp

http://www.nctd.com/00/00mercedese55amg.jpg

2000 E55. NA 349 hp. Ugly and outdated.

http://www.reviewsonline.com/auto/images/cas2003/Mercedes%7EE55_AMG%7ESedan.jpg

2003 E55. 469hp/516tq. Pure sex. My boss has a black one.

2000 E55. NA 349 hp. Ugly and outdated.

2003 E55. 469hp/516tq. Pure sex. My boss has a black one.
completly TRUE!

How is the M5 not comfortable? I really don't get that statement. It is every bit as comfortable as a 540i/6. I drive mine everyday, and on very long trips. It is one of the most comfortable cars I have ever been in, short of a 750, Lexus 430...other things of that nature

What makes you think the M5 is problematic? Mine is far from it.

What is the M5 "trying" to be? I think it is a hell of a super sedan, which is what it was designed to be. Pehaps you are trying to make it into a race/track car? Because that it is not.

Get the 540 and bolf a VF on it, or better yet get an M5 and bolt a VF on it (when the kit comes out) :mad

-Ryan

How is the M5 not comfortable? I really don't get that statement. It is every bit as comfortable as a 540i/6.

What is the M5 "trying" to be? I think it is a hell of a super sedan, which is what it was designed to be. Pehaps you are trying to make it into a race/track car? Because that it is not.
-Ryan

Actually, to be fair when I said 540 (or even 540/6), I should have said 540iA (I forgot how all US 540i/6's are sport package cars). From my driving a found a 540iA to be a much more comfortable car, and not because of the lack of shifting.

The M5 seemed to me to be trying to be a track car, but as you say it isn't. Yet, I didn't really find it any more comfortable a daily driver than a 996 Porsche 911. So to me it's trying to be sportier than it can be, and so it's neither comfortable as a car like it should be, nor as sporting as a car that uncomfortable should be.

Actually, to be fair when I said 540 (or even 540/6), I should have said 540iA (I forgot how all US 540i/6's are sport package cars). From my driving a found a 540iA to be a much more comfortable car, and not because of the lack of shifting.

The M5 seemed to me to be trying to be a track car, but as you say it isn't. Yet, I didn't really find it any more comfortable a daily driver than a 996 Porsche 911. So to me it's trying to be sportier than it can be, and so it's neither comfortable as a car like it should be, nor as sporting as a car that uncomfortable should be.

You don't find an M5 more comfortable then a 911? Man we must have totally different body structures. But hey, thats your opinion.

How exactly is the M5 "trying" to be a track car? It comes from BMW with 4 doors, full leather interior, tons of bells and lights and toys, and then tips the scales at almost 4000lbs. Nothing in that package screams race car to me. the styling of the E39 sure doesn't look like it belongs out on the track, but thats my opinion.

Nothing in that package screams race car to me.

I agree with most of what you said. To the part I quoted above: exactly...only the way it feels driving around the street feels race car to me.

And no, I really don't find an E39 M5 any more comfortable than a 911...maybe because the seats are flatter they'd be more comfortable than 911 sets to a wide person, but really they feel about the same to me from the comfort perspective. I guess I need to update the cars list in the profile to help this make sense?

I agree with most of what you said. To the part I quoted above: exactly...only the way it feels driving around the street feels race car to me.

And no, I really don't find an E39 M5 any more comfortable than a 911...maybe because the seats are flatter they'd be more comfortable than 911 sets to a wide person, but really they feel about the same to me from the comfort perspective. I guess I need to update the cars list in the profile to help this make sense?

Well that "feel" to me is right where it belongs. The M5 is/was (matter of opinion :) ) The best sports saloon in the world. It was also the fastest production saloon in the world for quite a few years. I think it does exactly what it was designed to be, a Sport Sedan.

The biggest thing that sets the M5 apart from its stablemates(540) and rivals(Audis, Benzes) is the "feel," IMO. Everything about the car is just enough sharper than the others to set it on a slightly higher sporting level, yet not "sharp" enough to make it unduly uncomfortable.

I'm sure an auto, non-sport 540 is a more comfortable car, but that's a slippery slope; a 740 would be more comfortable still, and hell, why not get a Lexus if that's what you're after? For most drivers on the street, a 540iA is probably a faster car, too! That's simply not a consideration when you buy a car like an M5, though. There's much, much more to it that that.
I'll agree that a 540 makes a better daily driver---the car has enough power for most situations you'd find yourself in on the street, and it(sport, not base version :nono ) probably has the best all-around suspension tuning of any car I've ever been in. If, however, you want the most superlative sport sedan you can buy on the budget-friendly side of an E60 M5, well, you know where to look...

I voted 540i/6 but you can't go wrong with either one. Esp since the N/A E55 gets similar mpg's to the 540i.

AUTOTRAGIC FTW!!!!

what makes you think the E55 is more reliable then the 540?

AUTOTRAGIC FTW!!!!

what makes you think the E55 is more reliable then the 540?
well most of the ones i looked at are covered by benz untill next year or 100K. and i am just thinking that its not as problematic as the 5er...its what i think obviously based on the E's that my uncles had that have lasted all the way to 200K...with basic maintenance...

You dont think a Merc is problematic? Hmmm. Newer Mercs are horrible for repairs.

Def have to agree on that one, look up info on reliability on new Benzes and you'll be shocked, Audi is almost as bad, the only good german cars regarding reliabilty are BIMMERS, and NO i'm not being biased, they are good, nothing major goes wrong with them, its mostly sensors and the damned plastic cooling system :eek:

well most of the ones i looked at are covered by benz untill next year or 100K. and i am just thinking that its not as problematic as the 5er...its what i think obviously based on the E's that my uncles had that have lasted all the way to 200K...with basic maintenance...

Among the modern ones MB and BMW are basically the same reliability with many of the same types of problems. The exception to this is V12 Mercedes cars or any Mercedes car with an air suspension - those cars require you to make at least $5.7billion/year just to maintain them.

That old MB reliability you're thinking of basically doesn't apply to any model that debuted after 1991.

where did you get your info? I used to woirk at a merc dealer and they were always coming in for repairs.

the W210 E55 amg is less problematic than the 540i

I don't get how your comparing an AMG to a non-M BMW...but if you had to buy one I'd get the 540i just because it looks sexier to me than the previous model E55 AMG.

what do you guys think of a 03 E500??

(M5 tries to be something it's not)

-1

-1
LOL...

Why are you looking at a 2000 540 and not an 01 or 02? Shouldn't you be able to get an 02 or possibly even an 03 for the same price as an E55 of the same era?

I was in the market for both of these lately, and luckily my friends own one of each.
I have driven both cars and will say this,
straight line performance is outstanding for the E55, but that is all,
the 540I sport in my opinion out handles the e55,
the E55 comes with lsd and luches incredible, the 540 can keep up quite well till about 125-130 MPH, thats where the E55 takes off.
Over all i went with a 540I due the initial cost (paid $20,600 CDN out the door for a mint 2000 540i with 89000 kms compered to $29,500 CDN out the door for a 2000 E55 with 96000kms i was looking at.)
On top of that the E55 is a monster for gas and in my opinion does't have the same quality feel in its finishes.
That is my 0.02
P.S the friend used to own a 540I before he traded it in for a 1999 e55, after 4 months of fun with the E55 he went back to BMW and got a 740I

chrysler =merc
I see mega info stating that 1998 and newer merc are complete trash.
I dont like the way the 55 feels at all.I would rather drive the 540i than the 55 any day. The 55 Is fast as hell tho.

Compare the 2..The 540 has more "popular problems"And needs minor and major service more often than most admit.Parts for the merc are much less also.

I like the m3 4dr better than the m5 BTW and it has just as much room if not more.And I think its quicker too.And would def outhandle both above.Not to mention the cool M interior etc.

The E39 is way sexier than an E55, but I like the power of the MB better.

chrysler =merc
I see mega info stating that 1998 and newer merc are complete trash.
I dont like the way the 55 feels at all.I would rather drive the 540i than the 55 any day. The 55 Is fast as hell tho.

Compare the 2..The 540 has more "popular problems"And needs minor and major service more often than most admit.Parts for the merc are much less also.

I like the m3 4dr better than the m5 BTW and it has just as much room if not more.And I think its quicker too.And would def outhandle both above.Not to mention the cool M interior etc.
:confused:confused

I don't even know where to start here....

I'm too lazy to type so I'll just say that I your statement equating Benz & Chrysler is ignorant & I don't know what you're smokin wrt to you point about the E36 M3/4 being quicker than an M5.

There...:shifty

E39 for sure.

And, as for the comparo between 540i/6 and M5... you have to look at the torque ratings. 324 ft-lbs @ 2200 RPM for the 540i vs 369 ft-lbs. The M5 only has 45 ft-lbs of toque over the 540i. Therefore, the "feel" of acceleration will be a lot closer that you would expect from a 110hp difference.

You want an E55 over an M5 because you think the Mercedes will be more reliable :confused . First of all none of these cars are super reliable or cheap to keep. But beyond that, I'm not sure why you'd expect the AMG to be any better than the M.

Anyway, I had a similar delima before buying my last car. I considered the following:

04+ E500 & E55
04+ 545i
02-03 540i & M5


I ended up eliminating both Mercedes because they weren't nearly as fun to drive as the BMWs. Yes they had power, but you couldn't feel it. Ask any used car dealer that sells a lot of BMWs and Benz. They'll all tell you that compared to the 5series, the E class is more of an old-person car...even if they do slap an AMG badge on the trunk.

Then I eliminated the 545i because I thought the E39s looked better. Finally, I eliminated the M5 because I wanted an automatic. Thus I got the 540i...but if you're willing to go with a 6-spd then get the M5 for sure.

I think BMW makes a more engaging car than Mercedes. I'm a driver. I want a driver's car (well what a driver would drive if he has a family and stuff to hall around). The bimmer wins in my book. And besides as a young man I had what can only be described as a vision. Laying there on the beach, looking up at the clouds, God spoke to me...............He said, "bimmer>mercedes" :stickoutt
well said. :buttrock

328iThizz, AndreNY, apollo322, bursty, Cheerio, cliffhanger407, dinan e39, dpatel1026, EdZorX, I Love Curves!, iforti, M5.4.LyF, marlinspike, monsstr, nastyE39, quacktoduck, quattro PETE, racermp, robohopar, sharksfan, TouringE39, wnelms1, wofton

BAN!!!! :devillook

You could just make a multiple choice quiz, answer it and let that decide your choice in all honesty. Different people look for different things in their cars... imagine that. No sense in getting up in arms over opinions.

Personally, I chose the 540i for a number of reasons. A big one for me was the fact that I could get a manual tranny. Other buying points were... strong V8, rear wheel drive, lots of safety features and a car that provides a good level of comfort while still feeling very much in touch with the road (something that really sets BMW apart from many others IMO). And it looks better than the newer generation offerings from BMW. My opinion of course.

The M5 was actually my first choice but the wife felt the car was too "harsh" suspension-wise. Go figure... it felt just right to me. Then again I typically lean towards two-seater sports cars.

So, what are you looking for in a car? Doesn't really matter what I like when you're the one paying the bill.

Good luck.

-Chuck

yeah i've always wanted a 540i, but my mind jumps from car to car...i think i should stick to my choice though!

:rofl
before I bought my 5er I considered the following:
740i
540i
528i
e36 m3
e36 328i
840i
911sc
944
928
951
930
356
914
sl500
280sl
190sl
300e
190e
65 beetle
corvette

I was so indecisive. Every day I was certain I wanted a car. I lived on ebay and autotrader. I felt like a whore jumping from one car to the next. I was justifying cost, age, mantainence, size,.....

6 months of that. I'm very happy with my final decision :)

I would get the E55 over an M5 for sure (M5 tries to be something it's not and for me it doesn't work). E55 versus 540i/6 is to me a harder choice. I put in my vote for the E55 in the end just because it's faster, but I'm not totally sold still. The 540 is a better chassis from a handling standpoint though so consider that.

What??? The 00 M5 drives sooo much nicer than the 00 E55 (not to mention the undoubted styling supremacy of the M5)... If you're a pure driver, then there is no way you can argue that an M5 is not everything that is most undoubtedly is. But then again, i suppose each driver has his preference. It just depends on the type of car each person can actually handle...

It just depends on the type of car each person can actually handle...

How many times do I have to go over this? It has all the lack of comfort of a 911 and all the lack of handling performance of a heavy 4 door sedan. That's my point. If it's going to be a heavy 4 door it might as well be pretty comfortable. It's not about being able to handle it.

That's a perfectly reasonable opinion, and you're entitled to it; but might I suggest that perhaps your M5 experiences have been tainted by a car with worn out shocks?
My original 70k mile stockers were showing their age, and I wondered why the car rode so much harsher than the previous 540i sport. Now, even with the new Konis adjusted quite stiffly as well as the stiffer Dinan springs, the car actually rides better than it did on the degraded stock dampeners. It doesn't crash and jar anymore, and rides quite nicely IMO.

An M5 rides firmly for a sedan, but shouldn't seem anywhere near the level of a tautly-sprung sportscar. Considering the age of even the newest E39s and the short life of the stock dampeners, they're pretty much all running around on compromised shocks if they haven't been replaced yet.

guys even on mbworld.com they praise the 540i's....now thats tight!

How many times do I have to go over this? It has all the lack of comfort of a 911 and all the lack of handling performance of a heavy 4 door sedan. That's my point. If it's going to be a heavy 4 door it might as well be pretty comfortable. It's not about being able to handle it.

How's that 380SE doing? :orangesle

guys even on mbworld.com they praise the 540i's....now thats tight!

oh, you mean guys like me? (converts) :devillook

oh, you mean guys like me? (converts) :devillook
LMAO...im over there for fun...!

Basically for me it comes down to 2 main qualities... BMW vs Mercedees...
I choose BMW.

Basically for me it comes down to 2 main qualities... BMW vs Mercedees...
I choose BMW.
+1

Actually, to be fair when I said 540 (or even 540/6), I should have said 540iA (I forgot how all US 540i/6's are sport package cars). From my driving a found a 540iA to be a much more comfortable car, and not because of the lack of shifting.

The M5 seemed to me to be trying to be a track car, but as you say it isn't. Yet, I didn't really find it any more comfortable a daily driver than a 996 Porsche 911. So to me it's trying to be sportier than it can be, and so it's neither comfortable as a car like it should be, nor as sporting as a car that uncomfortable should be.

I agree with most of what you said. To the part I quoted above: exactly...only the way it feels driving around the street feels race car to me.

And no, I really don't find an E39 M5 any more comfortable than a 911...maybe because the seats are flatter they'd be more comfortable than 911 sets to a wide person, but really they feel about the same to me from the comfort perspective. I guess I need to update the cars list in the profile to help this make sense?

Among the modern ones MB and BMW are basically the same reliability with many of the same types of problems. The exception to this is V12 Mercedes cars or any Mercedes car with an air suspension - those cars require you to make at least $5.7billion/year just to maintain them.

That old MB reliability you're thinking of basically doesn't apply to any model that debuted after 1991.

How many times do I have to go over this? It has all the lack of comfort of a 911 and all the lack of handling performance of a heavy 4 door sedan. That's my point. If it's going to be a heavy 4 door it might as well be pretty comfortable. It's not about being able to handle it.

:orangesle:orangesle:orangesle:orangesle I'm changing my attitude towards the the 911 vs M5 comparison. Its not ridiculous, its ludicrous.

:orangesle:orangesle:orangesle:orangesle I'm changing my attitude towards the the 911 vs M5 comparison. Its not ridiculous, its ludicrous.

All he was saying was that if he was going to get a car that was as uncomfortable as a 911 it may as well handle like one too. I don't think that's a ludicrous idea.

My bad. I thought an M5 was a 4 door sedan/grocery hauler. Put 4 adults in a porsche, throw in some luggage... Ooops, wrong car.

I can't get past the fact that one is a 2dr and the other is a 4dr so everything else on the subject just goes right over my head.
yeah, I picked up on that already. But his only point was that in his opinion there are better cars out there to put 4 people and luggage into. Or, if you wanted to go fast, there were better cars out there for that too. I think it's a bit unfair to discard everything he said simply because he mentioned a 911 in his post.