'05 E55 Replaces '04 LS 430
09-07-04, 10:13 AM
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Nice car. Other than the HP, I'm most jealous of the front brake calipers. The LS430's front discs are only 1/10" smaller in diameter IIRC, but Lexus put no effort into making the calipers look good.
09-07-04, 11:00 AM
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Originally posted by Mandingo
Beowulf - I'd be interested to hear your thoughts as you get used to the E55 - pros and cons - when compared to the 2004 LS430.
My LS with modern luxury and euro tuned suspension was about $30,000 less than a similarly equipped E55 - what does that additional money buy (apart from 200HP )?
I am sure the performance of the AMG weighs heavily in its favor but there aren't that many times I can even use the LS430 to it's maximum (joining freeways, overtaking).
What do you miss about the LS430 (if anything)?
Beowulf - I'd be interested to hear your thoughts as you get used to the E55 - pros and cons - when compared to the 2004 LS430.
My LS with modern luxury and euro tuned suspension was about $30,000 less than a similarly equipped E55 - what does that additional money buy (apart from 200HP )?
I am sure the performance of the AMG weighs heavily in its favor but there aren't that many times I can even use the LS430 to it's maximum (joining freeways, overtaking).
What do you miss about the LS430 (if anything)?
It is definitely more powerful than I'll ever need, and just about all that I want... maybe a 98-00 SC400 someday...
09-07-04, 11:13 AM
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Thanks for all the kind comments!
lexsee, the Nikon D40 is 6MP.
houstonnw, IIRC the LS 430 has 12.4" ventilated front rotors with 4-piston calipers and 12.2" ventilated rear rotors, with 2-piston calipers. The E55 has 14.2" ventilated and perforated front rotors with 8-piston calipers and 13" ventilated and perforated rear rotors with 4-piston calipers. Interesting that they cast the rotors with perforations for heat dissipation, rather than doing the usual cross-drilling, which can lead to stress fractures.
lexsee, the Nikon D40 is 6MP.
houstonnw, IIRC the LS 430 has 12.4" ventilated front rotors with 4-piston calipers and 12.2" ventilated rear rotors, with 2-piston calipers. The E55 has 14.2" ventilated and perforated front rotors with 8-piston calipers and 13" ventilated and perforated rear rotors with 4-piston calipers. Interesting that they cast the rotors with perforations for heat dissipation, rather than doing the usual cross-drilling, which can lead to stress fractures.
09-08-04, 08:42 AM
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Congrats on the E55. I love the way the current generation E looks and might go that same route. What options did you get on your E55 and did the dealer discount it from MSRP? I hope to see you over on the E55 boards of mbworld!
09-08-04, 03:55 PM
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Originally posted by Beowulf
Thanks for all the kind comments!
lexsee, the Nikon D40 is 6MP.
houstonnw, IIRC the LS 430 has 12.4" ventilated front rotors with 4-piston calipers and 12.2" ventilated rear rotors, with 2-piston calipers. The E55 has 14.2" ventilated and perforated front rotors with 8-piston calipers and 13" ventilated and perforated rear rotors with 4-piston calipers. Interesting that they cast the rotors with perforations for heat dissipation, rather than doing the usual cross-drilling, which can lead to stress fractures.
Thanks for all the kind comments!
lexsee, the Nikon D40 is 6MP.
houstonnw, IIRC the LS 430 has 12.4" ventilated front rotors with 4-piston calipers and 12.2" ventilated rear rotors, with 2-piston calipers. The E55 has 14.2" ventilated and perforated front rotors with 8-piston calipers and 13" ventilated and perforated rear rotors with 4-piston calipers. Interesting that they cast the rotors with perforations for heat dissipation, rather than doing the usual cross-drilling, which can lead to stress fractures.
What really caught my eye reading the first test of the E55 was the 14.2" front rotors. I have a 1992 Miata in the garage and the front wheels are 14". Amazing.
09-08-04, 04:02 PM
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Originally posted by cschow
Congrats on the E55. I love the way the current generation E looks and might go that same route. What options did you get on your E55 and did the dealer discount it from MSRP? I hope to see you over on the E55 boards of mbworld!
Congrats on the E55. I love the way the current generation E looks and might go that same route. What options did you get on your E55 and did the dealer discount it from MSRP? I hope to see you over on the E55 boards of mbworld!
09-08-04, 04:36 PM
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Originally posted by houstonnw
You're right, I double checked and the front rotors are 12.4". Maybe I read 12.4 and saw 12.9 and then added an inch to get the 13.9?
What really caught my eye reading the first test of the E55 was the 14.2" front rotors. I have a 1992 Miata in the garage and the front wheels are 14". Amazing.
You're right, I double checked and the front rotors are 12.4". Maybe I read 12.4 and saw 12.9 and then added an inch to get the 13.9?
What really caught my eye reading the first test of the E55 was the 14.2" front rotors. I have a 1992 Miata in the garage and the front wheels are 14". Amazing.
Last edited by Beowulf; 09-08-04 at 04:36 PM.
09-08-04, 06:54 PM
#26
Was the BMW M5 on your list at all before you bought the Benz? Did you give it some consideration, or test-drive one?
If you test-drove one (or anyone else), how did you find it different from your benz?
If you test-drove one (or anyone else), how did you find it different from your benz?
09-08-04, 07:22 PM
#27
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After a horrible experience on the last of three Benz's (SL, S-Class, E-class) I bought and then watching my best friend buy a new E320 and have a similar awful experience, I have to wonder how Mercedes sells any cars at all. My friend's E320 seems to live in the dealer's service facility just like my last one did. I literally grew up with Mercedes and absolutely loved them, toured their factories as a teenager, etc. But it seems like Mercedes has fallen incredibly behind the Japanese in reliability. Watching Mercedes fail has been like watching a relative die.
Living mainly with Lexus automobiles the past 14 years has been a revelation and a relief. But I still hope Mercedes will recover and someday find its way back.
Living mainly with Lexus automobiles the past 14 years has been a revelation and a relief. But I still hope Mercedes will recover and someday find its way back.
09-08-04, 07:23 PM
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No, the upcoming E60 V10 M5 was not on my list. Sorry, while I have been a past and frequent BMW owner, the Bangled 5 and 7 series versions (especially) have left me absolutely cold. If that is their future direction, I doubt I will buy another.
09-08-04, 07:43 PM
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Originally posted by Kansas
After a horrible experience on the last of three Benz's (SL, S-Class, E-class) I bought and then watching my best friend buy a new E320 and have a similar awful experience, I have to wonder how Mercedes sells any cars at all. My friend's E320 seems to live in the dealer's service facility just like my last one did. I literally grew up with Mercedes and absolutely loved them, toured their factories as a teenager, etc. But it seems like Mercedes has fallen incredibly behind the Japanese in reliability. Watching Mercedes fail has been like watching a relative die.
Living mainly with Lexus automobiles the past 14 years has been a revelation and a relief. But I still hope Mercedes will recover and someday find its way back.
After a horrible experience on the last of three Benz's (SL, S-Class, E-class) I bought and then watching my best friend buy a new E320 and have a similar awful experience, I have to wonder how Mercedes sells any cars at all. My friend's E320 seems to live in the dealer's service facility just like my last one did. I literally grew up with Mercedes and absolutely loved them, toured their factories as a teenager, etc. But it seems like Mercedes has fallen incredibly behind the Japanese in reliability. Watching Mercedes fail has been like watching a relative die.
Living mainly with Lexus automobiles the past 14 years has been a revelation and a relief. But I still hope Mercedes will recover and someday find its way back.
09-08-04, 08:04 PM
#30
Beowulf,
Sorry, I didn't mean the new generation, but instead the last one (with the V8). You probably didn't want to buy used, but say the last generation would still be offered as new; would you give a look along with the benz?
I agree though, the new BMWs are just horrible. I don't know what they were smoking when they came up with the new designs. They are just hideous! I would take their older styles ANY day over their "new direction" cars. The thing is, it's not just the exterior that's ugly, but also the interiors too. But then again, looks are subjective; some may like them.
Sorry, I didn't mean the new generation, but instead the last one (with the V8). You probably didn't want to buy used, but say the last generation would still be offered as new; would you give a look along with the benz?
I agree though, the new BMWs are just horrible. I don't know what they were smoking when they came up with the new designs. They are just hideous! I would take their older styles ANY day over their "new direction" cars. The thing is, it's not just the exterior that's ugly, but also the interiors too. But then again, looks are subjective; some may like them.