Ironic this posts pops up right after I get back from dropping my brother off at the airport with his loaner from MB, a E55AMG. I own a 93 500E and after driving the E55 here are my impressions.

1993 500E Stock, 19" F1 AMG Staggered (from SL65)
2007 E55 AMG Stock

1. Shift points in the E55 are much better set that the 500E. Of course the drastically different transmission contributes to that as well as the lack of a FGS on my 500E but it just hits the shifts spot-on where they need to be.

2. 500E handling far exceeds that of the E55. Not even close. Everything from cornering to body roll, and even right down to the steering ratio, the 500E is the better performance vehicle. Trust me, there are many areas where I drive within the city that are perfect tests for this and regular routes that I take in/out of my building. E55 is a little sloppier, steering ratio is a little low where at points you have to shift your position to get the cornering angle you want. Body roll is more excessive and the oversteer is more noticeable. Visually it looks like the E55 has a longer wheelbase, and I'm almost certain it does. Granted, not completely fair with the shoes the 500E is wearing but still too sloppy for my taste from what I expect out of a "AMG" MB release.

3. Braking. Dead even. There's an area where I can judge my braking with cars right when you pull in to the main drag. First bus stop pole, hard braking and will get you right before the ripple warnings on concrete pavement to signal the upcoming railroad. (500E has the stock OE brembos with crossdrilled brembo rotors)

4. Interior. Don't get me started on this one. 500E, NO CONTEST. If I wanted a Chrysler interior, I would've bought a Chrysler.

That's it for now. I have the car for 3 days. Will be making some runs with it into North Ga Mountains and the Appie and Blueridge switchbacks and will report more later.