View Poll Results: R they as good as they get?
Yes, all 3 are simply incredible, segment busters and leaders
20
55.56%
No, they are good but not great
14
38.89%
Other car
2
5.56%
Voters: 36. You may not vote on this poll
R they perfect? 2GS/E39 5 series, 96-02 E class, 3 gems, plain and simple
#16
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Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Colorado
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If you think about it these three cars set the standard in Luxury/Performance and style for almost a decade...
Everyone has been trying to play catch up with the balance, handling and power of the E39. Everyone has also tried to match the supreme general build quality and reliable performance of the 2nd gen GS.
Its pretty amazing to think that these saloon cars were putting down perfomance #'s that came pretty close to C4/C5 Vetts and 993/996/ Boxter Porsches of the day.
I would also point out that it was in this generation that the E class AMG and M5 versions of the Benz and BMW really took off and set the bar for the Super Sedan market. I would say this was the first time they really took off from a sales point, especially in the US. Thanks in large part to a high demand created by our killer economy at the time.
I lusted after a 6spd 540 or M5 but I smartly used my money to buy a GS. I always felt the E class was more for older guys....
I am still convinced the GS will probably be the best all around car I will ever own.
The looks/stereo/seats/space/driving dynamics/reliability/prestiege ect...
You were truly lucky if you owned or spent considerable time in any of these three cars.
Especially in V8 form....
Everyone has been trying to play catch up with the balance, handling and power of the E39. Everyone has also tried to match the supreme general build quality and reliable performance of the 2nd gen GS.
Its pretty amazing to think that these saloon cars were putting down perfomance #'s that came pretty close to C4/C5 Vetts and 993/996/ Boxter Porsches of the day.
I would also point out that it was in this generation that the E class AMG and M5 versions of the Benz and BMW really took off and set the bar for the Super Sedan market. I would say this was the first time they really took off from a sales point, especially in the US. Thanks in large part to a high demand created by our killer economy at the time.
I lusted after a 6spd 540 or M5 but I smartly used my money to buy a GS. I always felt the E class was more for older guys....
I am still convinced the GS will probably be the best all around car I will ever own.
The looks/stereo/seats/space/driving dynamics/reliability/prestiege ect...
You were truly lucky if you owned or spent considerable time in any of these three cars.
Especially in V8 form....
#18
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
holy 5 year thread bump, batman...
great cars!
great cars!
#21
I agree with this. Though I do not have any experience with these cars when they were new, I always thought of them as the beginning of the crappily built Mercedes, the one of the earlier steps away from their legendary over-engineered past.
#25
Lexus Fanatic
Yes, all solid lux cars back then. I have 3 friends that still owned 1 of each until 2010 (MB was sold then), and all have given years of pleasurable driving. But the BMW has been in nearly constant state of repair both while in warranty and after (of course). The other 2 cars have been much more reliable. The paint on the similar vintage Lex and MB has also held up much better.
Nice flashback thread.
Nice flashback thread.
#26
Lexus Test Driver
GS: The car to have in the late 90s early 2000s. One of the most admirable Lexus in it's day. Thanks to it's design it's still relative today.
Bimmer: Great design but not as relative today as the GS. Superb handling with the available manual tranny. Not reliable as Lex but it's cheaper than a 2GS and can be made to a track car. Serious business design
E-class: Looks old even when new . Interior is inferior to the GS and Bimmer. And I'm sure reliability is just as bad as a BMW.
In this class generation I believe the GS was the most important car in this segment
Bimmer: Great design but not as relative today as the GS. Superb handling with the available manual tranny. Not reliable as Lex but it's cheaper than a 2GS and can be made to a track car. Serious business design
E-class: Looks old even when new . Interior is inferior to the GS and Bimmer. And I'm sure reliability is just as bad as a BMW.
In this class generation I believe the GS was the most important car in this segment
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GS - 3rd Gen (2006-2011)
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11-23-06 08:13 AM