You would be surprised with the reliability in the V12 motor. In 2003 they really fixed the issue that previous V12's had. That motor can hold ALOT of extra power. It will take a lot of tuning for an E55 to beat a SL65, but a good ECU tune in a SL600 will have you blowin’ the doors off of any SL65. Plus how many people do you know that drive a TT V12? .... But that is my opinion

The S55 will obviously be heavier than the E-class so it will be slower. Out of the CL, S and SL55 the E has the 0-60 advantage. The CL handles a little better but is a tad slower. The S has the ABC air suspension so the ride will be different.

If you have kids, get the S. I took so much time to find a fully loaded E55 so I have nearly everything the S does except the fold in window, double pane glass, and self closing doors. If you can find a car with distronic get it, I love it!

Good Luck creating your own cooling mods..... The boys at MBworld have been working on that for years. These engines are really strong, but they are a pain to mod.


Great exterior and interior...... But man is it big on the road......

 

I particularly love the new generation, but yes they are big. My friend Alex has an older S600. That said, the S-Class is a true luxury car, and as such, is going to be big.

 

The newest generation looks great. They are taking a lot of styling que's from Maybach, which is not a bad thing!

If I have kids in the next few years I would love to get a 2004-2006 S65 AMG. The prices are falling to the ground on these. You have all the performance features plus 738lb trq.

Oh and Mad Jad, I would get a E55 that has a certified Pre-owned warranty. These cars will empty your wallet fast without one. For instance a brake job can run from $1000-2000, and that is not even covered.

If you have a cool dealer they will over look any mods you have when you bring it in for service. If your dealer is Phillips Automotive in VA beach expect them to "black list" the car. I personally do not have any mods, but those jerks will do anything to deny work. "Blacklisting" is when they stop your warranty immediately. This is entered into MB database so every dealer has that info.

 

Agreed. Though for me it will probably be a 760iL.

 

760? No way..... .... If BMW continued to produce the same 700 style that was available in the late 1990 and early 2000, then yes... The new style now is such a disappointment.

Big, luxurious, industry leaders, fast cars = Mercedes

Smaller, better handling, semi-race/luxury, fast cars = BMW

 

I actually really like the new 7's. Alpine White or Jet Black 760iL with factory 21's =

We are both biased though. LOL

 

I'd likely do some of the work myself, especially something high-margin like a brake job.

I'm also leaning towards the S and I'd rather have the tighter suspension of the AMG than the power of the V12. The S55 will be more than enough power for my purposes. No turbos! Boost leaks, blown ic pipes, oil lines, tuning, no thanks for at least a year. Maybe I should take a ride in a 600 to see if it's worth the trouble.

 

You will have none of those trobles with the 2003+ V12 TT. Those engines and turbos are amazing. Most people forget that it has TT b/c they never give owners issues.