Serious comments here, quite fancy a Mercedes E55 AMG, refined style with power, all the trimmnings, anyone got any experience of these? - Are they quick (for a Merc)?, Handling etc, will I be disappointed if I got shot of the trusty STI-V for one? - I think i'll be hacked off with the handling aspect.....thoughts please :)

Don't know much about the handling personally but reviews have been quite favourable. What I will say is that I was never a big fan of the big Merc's before being younger than 50 and not wearing slippers but I have to say the new E class looked rather tasty at the Motorshow.

Hmmm I feel a test drive coming on :)

Always been a fan of mercs myself my old man runs a chauffer co and i've been brought up to appreciate them esp after seeing my old mans 3 litre diesel still going at 575,000 miles :o !!

A pal has an estate version, I think it is a cracker. Bloody quick - 350bhp. Handling is fine, it is (IMO) better than the Subaru, but obviously doesn't have the AWD traction so it isn't an A-B stormer.

Very accomplished mile-muncher, will give even an sti a run for it in a straight line so won't hangabout, and pulls like a train all the way to 155mph, in leather lined comfort....

My old boss has a T reg one that he has had from new - get one!!!

Get one get one get one!!! :D

You'll be doing well to get any kind of test drive as they are only importing 60 cars for 2002/03. At best you'd be able to source a car for Spring '03, but might be a lot longer wait.

With a decent spec you're looking at near on £70k as well....not worth it IMHO.

Is it new (ie new shape ) or 2nd hand?

The 2nd hand one is c350bhp, the new shape is c470bhp :eek: Supercharged 5.0 V8 :D

2nd hand, not a new one dont happen to have a spare £70k kicking about lol.

Looking at a MY99 or 00 :)

awesome cars in every respect..one in top marques on an r plae with 40k for 21k.............

Test drove one (t reg) a cuple of weeks ago going for just short of 30K. Absolute menace on the motorways. Join the motorway at 50 and as soon as the right foot twiches your doing 100 easy!!! very calm at 130 and still going at 150. With the limiter off, the car is good for 190. Incidentally, doing a stady 80, the rev was only reading 2200 - amazing machine.

It has all the ride refinements of a lesser E class too. Fully loaded with Parktronic and heated seats - the list is endless. Wouldn't trade in the STi7 for it at the mo - haven't got a smoker's jacket!!!

Still all in all a lovely car - would give a lot of exoticas a good hiding with a big boot and seating comfort for 5 adults.

Go on Toby...Just do it:D:D....then I won't feel guilty about changing the Scoob for an M-coupe:D

[Edited by Gixerman - 10/31/2002 9:12:47 AM]

Tony, Am tempted mate big time, dunno why tho its a bit of a bus tbh but fancy some refinement for a change, we could go Autobahn cruising instead :)

Thought about a second hand M5? Same price (roughly), a little more involvement than the Merc so it might be a better compromise. Just a thought.

Trying to find an M5 myself at the moment. Can get hold of Dealer approved 99/00 cars for less than £30k.

Bargain in my view.

The E55 also has....ready for this....

Refrigerated front and rear armrest compartments!, I kid you not!, they can be chilled down to keep things nice and cold!!

Sorry, if I need a family starship for 20k then this would win hands down no contest, its nice and subtle to.

Althogh an E39 M5 is now only 27-30k!!!

Don't bother with a E55 or M5 buy a S6, great value, great looks, alrite not as much power but look at them! The Merc looks like a cardboard box!

Sorry forget to say the new Audi RS6 is out, it's the best if your looking for a new car! Get out of my way looks, even Clarkson likes it the most out of the 4! (M5, AMG, V8R, RS6)

BUY RS6 NOW!

M5s are excellent - but do quite fancy a E55 meself, probably 10k cheaper than the M5 year on year.
CL and SL and S600 Mercs are also relatively cheap, i.e. was 105k new -25-30k when 3/4 years old. Look in the Sunday Times.

I looked at an S6, nice build, but very detatched steering, heavy, styling that is looking dated and just not in the same league as an M5 or even an E55.

The RS6 is the M5 E55 rival, but is brand new and the thick end if £60k

Anyone tried the other AMG Mercs e.g. C36 and C43 - they look like lots of car for the money too.

Well father jack,

I had a new shape C36 keep up with my M3 not to long ago as you go past Legoland, anyone who knows the road will know its a long straight one with the roundabout which can be hit a ferocious speed when the roads are quiet - so we did and I was impressed as he was with me all the way!

Been in a CLK55 - scary pants time, it snaked for what seemed like half a mile in about 3 different gears!, the torque is starship like!

Yes, it can be said that I like what AMG do to Mercs!! :D

Why not go for an E class Brabus - serious stuff!!!!