Personally i would choose the E55.

 

I guess it depends on the person, but whether its my summer car, winter, rain , daily, weekend, track LOL, my suspension will always be FIRST priority and most important.. That is key to having FUN in a car, at least for me!

E55 runs on air suspension, there is a module to lower it which then handles a bit better, but dont know about coilovers or anything else, my friend has the module and YES I will admit its very understated as a car that actually handles pretty well but people have the impresion it doesnt.

Meanwhile the m5 has ridiculous handling for a car of its size and weight, its nutty flat out!

Benz's can handle very well though, I was in a friend Renntechd SL65, and the handling limits BLEW MY MIND when it was in sport, flat as a board and carved the tight twisty road up with no issue, got my respect!

 

You would enjoy driving the M5 more, but passengers (the non-gearheads only) would be slightly more impressed with the E55.

When I was driving the E55, it was even more of a gas hog than the M5, surprisingly. I think you should get the 335i and save a ton of $$$.

 

Tom,

Did you have both an E55 and M5? If so, please tell me more about your experiences. Also, did you experience any reliability issues with the M5?

Thanks
Rob

 

If you ended up buying the E55, make sure this won't happen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BmbWkcI200

Of course, every M cars are born on the track and designed to be pure drivers cars. Yes, SMG may be not as smooth as E55's automatic but it is a total blast to drive.

 

I'd suggest the M5 (slightly biased). I do have a lot of respect for the AMG cars - I am even considering a used E55 over my dearest E39 M5.

Whichever you do end-up getting, I hope you never come across dmoney and his C4S.

 

Both cars are seriously fast. I had a 2005 E55 and it is a great car. The thing about the AMG, however is the design is over five years old. The model changed in 2003. The E63 has a very slight change but you are buying an outdated model with the E55. The M5 is still a current model that came out in 2006.

The AMG is most likely a better daily driver. You need to keep the RPM's up in the M5 to get the full effect where the AMG has a lot of low end torque.

Just something to think about.

As you can see there are very different views here. Forget what we say and get what YOU want. Both are great cars. In Scottsdale I see twice as many AMG's as M5's for whatever that is worth.

 

Martin, I didn't mean to imply that handling wasn't important.
Just that since it's his only car, no point in compromising every other aspect (aesthetics, comfort, speed, reliability, price, etc) just for handling.

I agree, it is extremely important. But the (albeit smaller than most assume) difference in handling between the two is not worth giving up the other benefits of the MB, perhaps.

 

your only trackin the car 3 times a year other than that i cant see you using either cars handling abilitys on the streets. so i would go with the better looking E55 (witch i did) so so so so simple to mod it and blow away a M5. if you were at a stop light where most races happen it would be from 0-60mph or so. and the E55 would smash the M

 

i think that sums it up nicely

i have looked at the same two cars and the conclusion i came to was that the M5 was lighter on its feet and just more entertaining to drive. the E55 is a beast in a straight line/on the highway. as far as the SMG is concerned you will be under warranty so if it were to fail you would be covered. the pano roof will squeak though so i wouldnt recommend it, gets very annoying.

 

a good driver can make anything handle well...if you want torque and the street king title...grab the e55

if you want somthing thats a little more dynamic but definitely more touchy, go for the M5...I love both.

 

If you get the E55 look for the option package that includes the LSD. It will make a huge difference in handling for the car. Personally I prefer the M5, but you can't go wrong with either choice. Enjoy the search.

 

My $.02 - Both are great cars and the handling and performance debate can go on and on forever. It appears that you have done a great deal of research so it boils down to what is most important to you. If I were to choose, I would also consider the appearance of the vehicle. The upcoming scheduled E body style change will make the current style look very dated.

 

I have owned both. I had a 2006 E55, 2007 CLS63 and a 2008 M5. I love the M5 and it is a much better car. The M5 is one of the best DD's I have ever owned. Given the choice again, it would be easy... M5

 

IMO the E55 is the car to choose. I had a 2005 and loved it! The torque is totally addicting. I have had occasion to drive the new M5 on multiple occasions, and while it is a superb car, would still prefer the E55. Not to mention you can get a great price on an E55. 2006's are going for low 50's!!!