Should I buy the E55 AMG until the M5 arrives ?

Ghufran · 16th September 2004, 11:38

I have a 2004 M3 Convertible (Carbon Black/Cinammon) fully loaded, hard-top, Satnav the works. I bought this earlier this year with the aim of part exchanging with my E60 M5 in september. However we all know the M5 won't be with us until the new year now, maybe as late as May 2005.

Now that we're hitting autumn/winter should I

a) keep the M3 until next year

or

b) sell my M3 and buy the E55 AMG until the M5 arrives next year. My brother's C55 AMG arrives in November this year so it would
be nice to have two AMG's at home.

thoughts ?

JohnH · 16th September 2004, 11:52

Ghufran,

You will lose a lot of money on the E55 unless you buy an old one that has lost most of its depreciation. They are far worse depreciators than BMW M models and although they have plenty of power they are really just fast motorway cruisers with plenty of grunt.

Ghufran · 16th September 2004, 12:00

John,

I get a wopping 25% discount on mercedes through the Bank I work for with order turnaround in a month.

Money aside for a second, the E55 is boring or good fun ?

I know my M3 is great fun to drive.

regards.

Nimbus · 16th September 2004, 12:16

I suggest you do buy the E55 if money isn't a big deal, it will enchance the euphoria when you drive the E60 and discover that the blazing fast E55 is slower

JohnH · 16th September 2004, 12:17

Boring. I had the old shape one which was very comfortable, very fast but handling and fun factor were very poor. Have only driven the new shape on a test drive but certainly no where near as much fun as M3 or M5 although quicker in a straight line. Not really suited to having fun on our country roads though. Engine is fantastic just the rest of car let it down. Also not that impressed with the build quality. Preferred an RS6 if it was me.

MEnthusiast · 16th September 2004, 13:28

What is it about the M3 that is encouraging you to make this choice?

I think you have to decide this.

If its that the M3 is not as practical/ too small/ rides too hard, then maybe the AMG is a good move.

If its for something different but you still want a "drivers car" then the AMG might not be the best choice.

Money aside, I think it comes down to understanding the why you want to make a change equation.

Ghufran · 16th September 2004, 15:46

whats encouraging me !!!! well I could do with a family car and with the summer more or less over in the UK a bit difficult to drive with the hood down so I've spec'ed up an obsidian black fully loaded Brabus conversion.

I'll keep it until the M5 comes out, delivery should be Nov first week so I'll have time to enjoy and wait for the E60 M5.

One of my colleagues has a E55 AMG (none Brabus conversion), I just
took it for a spin around the city and its pretty good but not really a drivers
car - lets see what Brabus can do for me.

Suretyagent · 16th September 2004, 18:25

Ghufran:

Buy the E55 now and when the E60 M5 is available make the change and then tell us here about the difference. It will be nice to get an opinion from someone who has spent a good amount of time behind the wheel of a new E55 reporting back on how it compares to the new M5.

Derek

Ashok Arora · 16th September 2004, 20:19

Make sure you get a good deal from your dealer (like a guaranteed buyback price - subject to condition/mileage). You could buy a slightly used one to save on depreciation but there are certain second hand Merc dealers to avoid - send me a PM for more info if you intend to go this route.

bernhtp · 16th September 2004, 22:58

Keep the M3 Cabrio. It's way more fun than the E55. The E55 is faster on the straight, but I find that every straight is the same and every curve is different. I also love open-top driving.

Tom