Midsize luxury performance, AMG E63 vs M5

Which and why... I have interest in both. Of course the manual M5 is a tough one to beat but other than the stick which would you choose and why?

Circa 2005 to 2008

I just faced nearly the exact same choice. I ended up with a CLS63 AMG a week ago and am very satisfied so far.

Here's the 6 page thread of the thought process and whatnot, https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/i-want-a-big-fast-cruiser-that-can-handle-one-lap-m5-or-s55-amg/109662/page1/

In short, while the e39 M5 is a wonderful car, many of them are not in good condition these days, and the ones that are are appreciating, and will easily be $20K for a 15 year old car, that still have some fundamental design issues (carbon build up in secondary air system that makes passing inspection difficult in some places, even with software work arounds). The E60 M5 is another thing altogether, with many more problems that are harder to fix.

I was looking at 5.5K and 6.3 AMG cars, and they are both about equally as fast, except right off the line (6.3 has a 7 speed, 5.5K has a 5 speed), and above 120 (6.3 has more power, 5.5 has more Tq).

After a week with the CLS, it really is a wonderful car. Aside from it looking great and being in great condition, it is the best split personality car I've ever had, even more so than the E36M3/4/5 or Z4M coupe. When commuting, it is completely docile, quiet, comfortable and hassle free. When you mat the gas at 80 or attack some twisty roads with the suspension in AMGsport2 mode, you'll be amazed that something this big and heavy can move like this. Acceleration at high speed is like your 911tt, it's amazing how fast you get to 140+. From what I've found in researching, the Mercedes seems to have fewer real issues than the M5. From what I've seen, there may be some random electrical issues, motor mounts fail between 70k and 100k, and at some point you have to replace the airmatic struts, but aside from that, these seem pretty solid overall. The service records on mine agree with all of this. Some AMG specific parts are quite expensive, others are shared with the E class and are fine, same as the BMW M specific parts are expensive, the 5 series parts are not. One notable thing is the brakes on the AMG, my car has the performance package (a $9500 option new), and one of the things as part of that is 15.2" brake rotors with 6 piston calipers, and the rotors are at least $500 new aftermarket, $1100 from Mercedes, each, and only clea 19" wheels. Everything else seems reasonable by high performance german car standards.

The car seems to be holding up very well with 93k miles, with very good quality materials and build quality, nearly no squeaks or rattles, and still a very stiff structure.

So, in the end, I'm quite pleased, where when I started looking for a very similar car as you did, I expected to end up with the BMW.

Edit: I forgot to mention the sound this thing makes. Holy crap. Above 5k (7200 limit), it's like badass angels singing.

I chose the R63, because minivan.
In all seriousness, the 63 is a remarkable motor and the 7 speed attached to it is the best auto I've driven to date. I'm still exploring the car, but I genuinely didn't know a car could be this good.

I admit I am leaning towards a Mercedes and you response is exactly the type of real world answer based on experience that I was looking for, thank you. BTW the CLS is heavily on my radar, I always liked the four door coupe look.

Not sure if this is relevant at all, but the CTS-V I have is a second gen car so basically the came car that came out in 2009. The difference between the V and my friends CLS or my R is that the V is 'on' all the time. I doesn't have the same ability to relax the way MB cars of the era do. It might also have a bit higher total performance envelope, but that doesn't come in to play at any street level driving you do.
I haven't spent more than a few minutes in any era M5 but my impression of them is that they are closer to a V than a MB.

I'd go with the Mercedes. I know it's super anecdotal, but living in Germany I saw so many more high-performace Mercedes than BMWs. Those CLS wagons...

I have been eyeing this car since I found out that my DD is most likely totaled:

2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS55 AMG

I know a guy that works for MBNA and had him run the VIN, this car has been well taken care of with only 42K miles on it for $23K. I will most likely get another DD with a stick but man that car is tempting. It is not the best color but I think that is way the price is so low.

Indy is not that far from you Aussie.

There was a very aggressive M5 on my way into work this morning. It was that beautiful blue color. The sound was glorious. I was behind it at a light, we punched over the bridge to a very off camber first gear(on the bike) left. I was scraping pegs so he put some distance on me through the corner, but he got on it a little too soon and lost the backend coming off the corner which allowed me to catch back up, he started pulling me again once he found traction all the way up to the speed limit

V10 M5 has a number of issues that I would not want to deal with. A friend had one for a short while that he got for a song and didn't really like it and even managed to have issues with it during that short time.

I would go with the benz.

mazdeuce wrote: Not sure if this is relevant at all, but the CTS-V I have is a second gen car so basically the came car that came out in 2009. The difference between the V and my friends CLS or my R is that the V is 'on' all the time. I doesn't have the same ability to relax the way MB cars of the era do. It might also have a bit higher total performance envelope, but that doesn't come in to play at any street level driving you do. I haven't spent more than a few minutes in any era M5 but my impression of them is that they are closer to a V than a MB.

This is why I'd go with the CTS-V. With the leftover money that you don't spend on German car repairs, you could buy the nicest '90-'92 Brougham in the world to use when you're feeling like floating.

Here is a nice choice

http://www.cargurus.com/Cars/inventorylisting/viewDetailsFilterViewInventoryListing.action?sourceContext=carGurusHomePage_false_0&newSearchFromOverviewPage=true&inventorySearchWidgetType=AUTO&entitySelectingHelper.selectedEntity=d139&entitySelectingHelper.selectedEntity2=&zip=65202&distance=500&searchChanged=true&modelChanged=false&filtersModified=true#listing=137439841

Edit: Just realized I did what happens here all the time. You asked pick one of two and here I am pushing a third option not even mentioned. Also, Mercedes if you are going German.

In reply to Sonic:

Sonic, unfortunately your pics are not working - not in this thread or the one that covered your search. I'm still keen on seeing a few - any chance you can rectify?

Steve - haven't you got enough cars now? ( Don't answer...) And besides, which one would you take to the Challenge then, if you have a 911t AND one of these two??

In reply to Edwardh80:

Not sure why the google image link isn't working, it was fine yesterday. I'll see what I can do once I get home, it is a PITA on my phone.

In reply to singleslammer:

Hey, while we're at it (non-valid-answers) OP, check out the XJRs. I've got a lovely 2006 SuperV8. Excellent highway cruiser, supercharged V8. Not a track car by any means, but a great place to spend time during a commute and it gets smaller the faster you go! In a parking lot, it's the size of a house, at 100 it feels like a nice overcoat. Only reliability issues are the air suspension which runs about $500 per corner every 10 years or so (easy to r/r, only had to do one corner so far), and a maintenance free transmission that should see services ($300) every 40-50k. Runs like a champ! More food for thought.

I've seen a couple threads like these and have wondered why the Panamera doesn't come up more often. I saw one leaving Cars and Coffee the other weekend, looking very sedate, but he mashed the go-pedal on his way out and that thing sounded great (and left everything in the dust). Are they finding themselves in the same price territory as the CLS/M5/etc.?

6.3 Mercedes all the way.

Not many cars sound better than the v10 in the m5 though. Goodness what a glorious sound they make.