BMW M5 (e39) vs Mercedes E55 amg (w210)

[blitzed007]

The figures say both cars are extremely close to each other, however in the real world is the M5 really that much better.

[belleair302]

The E39 has better in gear acceleration and is less heavy. Not a huge amount in it, but the BMW is a better built car and more subtle. The AMG is somewhat 'thuggish' and not very discreet. On the road not a huge difference but when did you last see an AMG of that vintage?

[ArmaghMan]

If you are thinking of buying...consider that there are very very few E55's about, compared to the M5 of the same vintage.
If anything goes wrong you'll be off to Mercedes parts.Bitter experience leads me to warn you to bring along a large tube of KY every time you set foot there.

Have'nt driven a 55 but had a C36 back in the day.Subtle old bus, looked like a bodykitted diesel but went somewhat better.

If you are after a 55 check the spec as everything on the C36 was an option, even aircon.

[S800VXR]

Both very nice and both quick but the M5 is a better drivers package. The E55 has huge torque mind and is effortless to drive. I actually prefer the E55 style as its more thugish as already said however at the age these cars are now you will need to be carefull with the Merc as they do like to rust!! Also the Merc parts and servicing when you do have to go main dealer will hurt alot more than the BMW, I know as my cousin works for a main dealer for Mercs and some of their parts and labour costs!!

[Lono9885]

Just checking everyone realises he's referring to th older shape w210 rather than the model just gone w211 which had the same engine as the sl55. They actually had to take the sl55 back to factory to make it better cos it was supposed to be the flagship and not get bettered by their four door saloon!

Anyways I run an e39 m5 and love it. Autocar in the US allegedly had a 4.5 0-60 out of it and it does feel that quick when you really let rip.

In the mercs case I think the w210 is fugly. Sorry but in the style dept it doesn't come close to the m5 and I don't think it comes that close performance wise. Maybe slightly in acceleration but on track the 5 would annhilate it. However in the case of the w211, I love this car...I was thinking of what I would get if I wanted to change the e39 m5 and for the money(18k ish) the w211 e55 AMGs would be my choice based on looks (it is sexual), performance and luxury.



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[waremark]

I had an E55 Estate; I don't think I would have had an E55 if I hadn't wanted an estate. I would probably have continued with an XJR (which is what I had before). The XJR won some group tests at the time; subtle and charming as well as quick. I did not want a big car with a manual (as all M5's were). (The E55's 5 speed auto is very good).

The M5 is both faster and torquier (the E55 has about 350 bhp, the M5 400 bhp).

Two points referred to above: the E55 had quite a high standard equipment level. It also suffered from rust - but also had a very long corrosion warranty. When I sold my 51 car at 5 years old, my local dealer was agreeing to deal with corrosion in something like 6 different areas!

Currently I have a 2007 E500 Estate; excellent, better in every way than the older E55.

[amokwa]

The W210 has more torque 391 plays 360 and with the auto box also has a dual character the E39 lacks.

Till the E60 came out you had to buy an Alpina to get the auto box as no auto E39 could live with the W210.

Mercedes warranty covered all rust issues which were taken care of. The E39 was plagued with Vanos failures and Oil leaks.

So it came down to whether you wanted an auto or manual as both cars have similar real world performance.

[rassi]

amokwa said:

The W210 has more torque 391 plays 360 and with the auto box also has a dual character the E39 lacks.

Till the E60 came out you had to buy an Alpina to get the auto box as no auto E39 could live with the W210.

Mercedes warranty covered all rust issues which were taken care of. The E39 was plagued with Vanos failures and Oil leaks.

So it came down to whether you wanted an auto or manual as both cars have similar real world performance.

Sorry, what Vanos and oil leaks problems are those that "plagued" the E39 M5?? And the notorius rust problems of the W210 were only taken care of IF it had a complete MB history.

[amokwa]

In a nutshell the W210's V8 is more bullet proof as it's less stressed. Recall that the E39 has a smaller engine, in the quest for more top-end power BMW used a VANOS system which was prone to failure/oil leaks.

Any way back to the main topic both cars were the best at what they were designed to do 10 years ago with the AMG covering a broader spectrum due to it's auto box.

You could say they both played to the strengths of their respective marques.

[humpbackmaniac]

amokwa said:

In a nutshell the W210's V8 is more bullet proof as it's less stressed. Recall that the E39 has a smaller engine, in the quest for more top-end power BMW used a VANOS system which was prone to failure/oil leaks.

I do love an expert, how much experience do you have based upon your garage on PH? I have 170k in two E39 M5's both pre facelift and no Vanos issues or Oil leak concerns. Oil consumption, yes is high(ish) if you consider half litre every 1k, leaks no. Vanos rattle, slight, problem? No.
MB build quality? Handling when pushing on? God awful interior?

This is an M forum.

[Tango13]

humpbackmaniac said:

amokwa said:

In a nutshell the W210's V8 is more bullet proof as it's less stressed. Recall that the E39 has a smaller engine, in the quest for more top-end power BMW used a VANOS system which was prone to failure/oil leaks.

I do love an expert, how much experience do you have based upon your garage on PH? I have 170k in two E39 M5's both pre facelift and no Vanos issues or Oil leak concerns. Oil consumption, yes is high(ish) if you consider half litre every 1k, leaks no. Vanos rattle, slight, problem? No.
MB build quality? Handling when pushing on? God awful interior?

This is an M forum.

Before buying my M5 I looked into the whole vanos thing having heard horror stories about how expenive a failure can be. According to the Dr Vanos website there has never been a vanos failure on an e39! It's normally the solenoids that fail not the mechanicals/valve train etc

Oil leaks? Not heard that one before. Oil consumption? only if you rev it hard. The occasional rattle on start up who cares? not me and I wouldn't call a 4.9litre engine producing 82bhp/litre stressed!

[Neil.D]

Common oil leaks are,

- Valve cover gaskets
- Vanos solanoid covers
- oil filler cap seal
- Sump pan gasket

None of them are difficult and can be fixed with a set of ramps and some new rubber O rings/gaskets.

[Lono9885]

amokwa said:

Any way back to the main topic both cars were the best at what they were designed to do 10 years ago with the AMG covering a broader spectrum due to it's auto box.

You could say they both played to the strengths of their respective marques.

Im sorry im not a bias person. I think the w211 is an awesome pice of kit and maybe my next move after the m5, but this comment about the 210 covering a broader spectrum. Maybe, and I say that lightly, in a daily commute on regular roads not twisties but on a track the 210 is not even in the same league as the e39, even the 211 would struggle to keep up. Those big AMGs were made for Autobahn destruction which they are admittedly awesome at, but they are not really designed with track sessions in mind whereas the m5 is. Plus, if the m5 was an auto i may not have bought it, thats what put me off the RS6. Yes mine drinks alot of oil but on the whole I think it's a damn reliable car, more so than my 32 GTR was, this far.

[waremark]

humpbackmaniac said:

MB build quality? Handling when pushing on? God awful interior?

This is an M forum.

And I am an M enthusiast. But - build quality, the E55 always felt extremely solid and beautifully finished, in spite of the corrosion problems for which so far as I heard MB honoured their warranty; handling, not bad; and interior, I consider the E55 just as classy as the M5, although both are a bit old fashioned now, the E55 had soft leather and one or two other bits as standard to raise it well above other E's.

[amokwa]

Tango13 said:

Before buying my M5 I looked into the whole vanos thing having heard horror stories about how expenive a failure can be. According to the Dr Vanos website there has never been a vanos failure on an e39! It's normally the solenoids that fail not the mechanicals/valve train etc

Oil leaks? Not heard that one before. Oil consumption? only if you rev it hard. The occasional rattle on start up who cares? not me and I wouldn't call a 4.9litre engine producing 82bhp/litre stressed!

Good points you make mine are relative to the AMG's which has a specific output of 65bhp/ litre.

Note that I am not point scoring simply stating historical facts both great cars in their own right a decade ago.

[amokwa]

Lono9885 said:

but this comment about the 210 covering a broader spectrum. Maybe, and I say that lightly, in a daily commute on regular roads not twisties but on a track the 210 is not even in the same league as the e39

Always amuses me when people talk about "a track" when comparing road cars, the broader spectrum meant just that - The daily grind(school run,stop go traffic,work etc.) made more manageable with an auto. AMG has an estate too need I add more ?

When was the last time you drove on a track on the way to work ? Re-read my comments on this thread it is not about bashing the M5 simply the pros & cons of both.