In a couple of weeks I take delivery of a '00 E55. I went through quite a thought process to purchase it, so I am excited/anxious to see if it lives up. Despite owning many cars, this is actually my first new one (as I hate depreciation) and further, I had to make a decision having never driven one.

In any event, it is replacing my '91 M5 (modified by Dinan with 375hp, race suspension and brakes). I love that car, but as I now live in SF and unfortunately don't always have a hand free (maps, coffee, whatever) I wanted an automatic.

My true love, though, has always been the looks of the 500E (with its agressive stance and subtle fender flares), and I found a great deal ('92, 50,000 miles and $29 or $30K; long since sold) but after driving it I wasn't smitten; I have now read on this board that it starts in second gear which explains my reaction). I was also concerned about the lack of some of the newer safety features and also the dated feel of the interior (although the exterior in my mind is more attractive than the E55). I also get lost and wanted the GPS nav system.

I considered a new M5, but the smallish interior size (my M5 has no rear leg room when I put my seats back; my wifes E420 '97 has tons of room), and the manuel transmission. I have little doubt which is better handling, but I hear the torque on the E55 is immense. I won't race these cars, but I want the passing speed, etc.

Perhaps I should have educated myself more on what the 500E could have been modified to, but I am excited about the new car. And I had to get a special dark silver (like the 500E since my wife has brilliant silver already, and I personally don't like the white or black).

DavidP,

Congrad. on your new car. Hope you enjoy hte new car. As for the dark silver, what color is it like?? Moonstone Grey?? Just curious...

E55 has lots of torque, but 500E/E500 still is the ultimate, but no match with E55 base on equipements......

Happy Motoring...
Andy Kuo


------------------
<UL TYPE=SQUARE>
<LI>1992 Mercedes-Benz 400SE
<LI>Moonstone Grey/Black Leather
<LI>Blue/Red Headlights
<LI>Xenon-Look Foglights
</UL>

ICQ#26950002

Perhaps it's the Smoke Silver. I personally am partial to the Brilliant Silver, having owned a 108 280SE and a 126 in this color. I feel that it shows dirt less than black or the darker colors.

------------------
Robert W. Roe
1984 300SD 166,220 miles

The E55's available in smoke silver? Majority of the E's and C's here are smoke silver.

I think smoke silver is sort of "champagne" in color, like the brilliant silver with some gold in the mix. Doesn't really sound like a "special dark silver". I really like Moonstone on these cars.
Nick

Tectite grey is the name of the color I special ordered.

What are the mods possible on a 500E?

DavidP:
First of all, congratulations!
Regarding mods on the 500E, try the search feature on the site - you'll find dozens of posts on this topic, many of which have been supplemented by Lee Scheeler, who seems to know plenty about the performance aspect of these fine cars.
Regards,
Nick

Are you selling your M5? and for how much?

I think you made the right choice!! I bought a 1998 C43 and could not be happier. I could have bought a E500 and have saved some money, but I liked the idea of having a new car with a new warranty and I also did not like the dated styling of the E500. The interior in the newer car (yours and mine) are much nicer. I know there are some real "pureists" here that like the E500, but I believe the newer cars are friendly to drive and own.

I purchased mine at 12K miles and 1 year old, for I tried to avoid as much depreciation as possible, while still buying "new". I sincerely hope you like the car and do think you made the right choice.

Mine is Brillant Silver/solid black interior. At first I did not like the color combination, but once I had it for a week or so I really fell in love with the color!

Being single, the size of the "C" class car really fits well for me!

As to the query on whether I am selling my M5, the answer is probably. Haven't thought it all through yet. Drove up to Muir woods through the twisty roads - that car really has exceptional balance and when you are at 3,000 rpm and above the response is amazing.

I, too, like and would have gotten the brilliant silver with black interior except my wife has a 1997 E420 in the same color combination and she forbid it. I doubt we would have gotten them mixed up with the 18" wheels and all!

I think the tectite grey, as described, will look elegant.

I also ordered the Comand GPS system, although I read it is rather confusing. Let's hope that it works well.

Thanks,

DavidP,

Why don't you register as a member?? I am sure everyone is looking forward to it, and will be more than happy to hear from you about your new car, congrat. on your new car.

Can you describe more about the color of your car, or better yet, post a pic about it. Just wondering how the color looks like. Also, do you have monotone interior? Or 2 tone?? Personally, I prefer the 2-tone, for the exclusive look.

Must be nice anyways, since it's E55 AMG. :)

P.S. There are 3 E55s for sale at my local dealership, 2 Y2Ks, 1 '99.
White on White(or is it silver?? More like white to me)/Black leather - Y2K
Silver on Black - Y2K
Silver on Silver(looks like silver, not white as in the Y2K)/Black - 1999

Happy Motor....
Andy Kuo


------------------
<UL TYPE=SQUARE>
<LI>1992 Mercedes-Benz 400SE
<LI>Moonstone Grey/Black Leather
<LI>Blue/Red Headlights
<LI>Xenon-Look Foglights
</UL>

ICQ#26950002

[This message has been edited by akry (edited 11-15-1999).]

DavidP

The new car really sounds great -- congratulations. I too would like to see you post a picture. I think the GPS system is a good idea. Don't do like the fellow in Europe I read about that drove his new MB into the water at night because he says the GPS system failed to warn him to wait for the ferry! :^)

I'm sure you will enjoy your new E55. For what you stated in your email the E55 fits perfectly. I think you will be surprised at the handling and speed of this car. Of course it won't compare to a Dinan modified BMW though ...

Jesse
99 E55 Silver/silver-black

You can (sort of) see the Tectite Grey by going to Mercedes-Benz.com and "building" an E55 (which you can do for all the models). It lists all the options and gives you the full price, etc. They have one thing wrong, where the high discharge headlights are listed as an option, which is not correct.

It is interesting: cars just seem to get better every year, which is different than the past. There are so many good models out, and the good ones improve every year. I hope that Audi brings across their RS4, which should be a terror. Even the E55, they will improve in the '01 model year with an S-class interior and the following year we should have it supercharged with 450 hp. Exciting.

Of course, Dinan was going to supercharge the '00 M5 (if I got it, which I did not) to bring it to probably 475 - 500 hp. Oh well.

David

DavidP...its been a couple of weeks since your last post and you should have your E55 now. How is it? I am very interested in the comparison with the E500. I traded my modified 86 Audi Quattro for a 97 E320 and found it unsatisfying in terms of performance, fit, and finish....it did not have the same build quality as my beloved Audi. I now have a 94 E500 and whoopie!! My question to you - does the E55 feel tight and connected to the ground? Does it rumble and roar?