Yeah, but the Z3 sure looks good now don't it? Haha. Plus, the Z8 is gorgeous, and the 5 series looks like a sedan should. Classy, not at all flashy, and hints at what's under the skin.

 

Pretty badass, yes, but why no stick? It just makes no sense.

 

i assume you are talking about the sl55, which has fully auto, sport mode, and those manumatic paddles behind the steering wheel. i guess if its good enuf for a ferrari......

besides, not jsut cost, but could u imagine the clutch feel on that car? most people who purchase this car, unfortunately, dont do it TOTALLY for performance, and as far as daily driving concerns, probably couldnt take the clutch.

 

Ferrari makes a 6 speed manual for each of its cars. The M5 comes only with a 6MT. It's strictly marketing. M-B figures its buyers are strictly buying Mercedes cache, and they're mostly right. People who want to drive sticks would probably buy the equivalent BMW anyway. It's just the way the two companies have broken down the markets they are going after. In truth, the only thing most MB and BMW buyers have in common is a lot of money. BMW pitches itself (and runs the company accordingly) as "The Ultimate Driving Machine." They even make movies showing some dude hustling theirs cars about in fantastically skilled maneuvers. Mercedes, however, pitches for the buyer who wants the most luxury he can get with his money- but wants it to be faster than pretty much anything else he will see. So that's what he gets. It's one reason there isn't much direct comparison between the two makes except for the more basic 3 series vs. C class and basic 5 series vs. E class. Option them up and the two "equivalent" cars will take on decidedly different feels. Even with the M and AMG cars, there is a distinct leaning towards "sport" by BMW and luxury by MB. That example does, however, probably bring them the closest together.

 

You're right about the clutch. Some of the auto writers who absolutely love the M5 do admit the clutch is a bit much for commutes. But they really don't care anymore once they get out of first gear.

 

Okay, I guess it makes sense to other, rich, wanna-be boy racer types. Just not to me.

 

i have and always will feel that way. its a shame tho, i love the styling and persona of mercedes a lot more, but when it gets down to tuning and actual driving, the bimmers win. if only the mercs had an optional "track" type edition.

i find it weird, take the cl600 car, my dads friend has one, and he had to take a class by mercedes just to know how to work the car. the cl is supposed to have one of the most technologically advanced suspensions on it, but the thing is a boat, i mean its huge. mercedes is just weird, it really is. its hard to put into words what exactly they are trying to do. they give style and luxury and every amenity available, all with killer engines and tuned suspensions. but why? what is the point of putting this kind of suspension on a big sedan that will NEVER see the track? not because the owner doesnt want to go, but who would actually thikn of racing one, its just not purposeful. i guess, just because you can. sometimes mercedes confuses me, but i really believe that with a lot of the cars, they give killer setups because 90% of the drivers are "c class" drivers (c as in a grade) and never put the auto thru the paces, so some fancy suspension is going to feel different.

its just a shame, they really need to put out a porsche kind of benz, because the few amg "sport cars" just dont cut it, but at the same time, u dont want to lose face.

 

After seeing a few in person, I like the styling of the Z4.. a lot. I hated the look of the Z3's (although the M Coupe was cool).

To each his own.

 

...and some are waiting for VW DSG

http://www.vwvortex.com/news/index_dsg.html


in general i agree with most of you. i've driven E55, CLK55, etc. but hate the tranny they use. and what's with all these new MB's going back to dealers for warrenty work??