teutonictrio

Then you'd really like an option I had on my E55. When the cabin temp exceeded a certain level, it turned on exhaust fans which were powered by solar panels on the roof--very cool (pardon the pun!).
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Stream, hate to go off-topic here, but would you give your comparison of the E55 (assuming it was W211 model) to your 545i? I'm an E500 owner now, and likely to be 545i or 550i owner next, so I'd like to see your thoughts as well.

stream

Then you'd really like an option I had on my E55. When the cabin temp exceeded a certain level, it turned on exhaust fans which were powered by solar panels on the roof--very cool (pardon the pun!).
[/quote]

Stream, hate to go off-topic here, but would you give your comparison of the E55 (assuming it was W211 model) to your 545i? I'm an E500 owner now, and likely to be 545i or 550i owner next, so I'd like to see your thoughts as well.
[/quote]

It was a W211 ('03). The E55 is a much different car than the E500 as I'm sure you know. I traded my '00 740i sport and sold my '02 Carrera and got the E55. I bought it thinking is would be the best of both worlds--a luxury sedan that was also very sporty. Big mistake. The E55 is scary fast--that's the good news. The bad news is it handled like a pig, the steering was numb, and probably worst of all, the brake-by-wire system was horrible--not linear at all--like an on/off switch. I sold it after 4 months and got an '04 Carrera. Live and learn.

Although my 545i is no where near as quick as the E55, the power advantage of the E55 was not meaningful for me, since I don't enjoy stop light drag racing. In fact, the E55 had too much power...that's right, I said it...too much power--even with stability control on, the chassis had a hard time not getting twitchy. From a pure driving enjoyment perspective, the 545i is hands down the winner. Plenty of power, great handling for a 3,800 lb sedan (I have the sport package), and a much more connected driving experience overall than the E55.

Now the E60 M5...that would be interesting...

teutonictrio

[/quote]

It was a W211 ('03). The E55 is a much different car than the E500 as I'm sure you know.

The bad news is it handled like a pig, the steering was numb, and probably worst of all, the brake-by-wire system was horrible--not linear at all--like an on/off switch.

[/quote]

Then they are not that much different at all!!!

That's my biggest frustration with the car. Before I got my Boxster S, I enjoyed the E500 very much, and frankly, still do, but now that I have driven the 545i, and realize that I could very comfortably take it to my next Porsche Owners Club Short Track Series and take it around the track for some pretty impressive times, AND drive it on the freeway in comfort, I realize how much of a pig the E500 is. I now refer to the E500 as a land yacht - that's how it feels in comparison to the handling of the 545i.

stream

It was a W211 ('03). The E55 is a much different car than the E500 as I'm sure you know.

The bad news is it handled like a pig, the steering was numb, and probably worst of all, the brake-by-wire system was horrible--not linear at all--like an on/off switch.

[/quote]

Then they are not that much different at all!!!

That's my biggest frustration with the car. Before I got my Boxster S, I enjoyed the E500 very much, and frankly, still do, but now that I have driven the 545i, and realize that I could very comfortably take it to my next Porsche Owners Club Short Track Series and take it around the track for some pretty impressive times, AND drive it on the freeway in comfort, I realize how much of a pig the E500 is. I now refer to the E500 as a land yacht - that's how it feels in comparison to the handling of the 545i.
[/quote]

BMW and Mercedes have different target customers. BMW's is those who want a sporty luxury sedan. Mercedes' is those who want a luxury sedan, and AMG is for those who want lots of power.

Although I must say the E55 is beautiful:

CENTRAL CALI

alohalc

i activate it even for a short period of time. don't like to sit in an oven <_<.

Vitacura

Cool! Thanks guys!
Yes, I was wondering about the one where you can set it to start circulating the air at a certain time or two you want. I look forward to using it here in the florida heat! Oh, btw.. what's with the thread hijack?!? lol.. just kidding!

teutonictrio

Sorry about the thread hijack - that was me, but we got right back on track!!

Evenflow545

Does it run down the battery?

Member545

Yes, that is why it will only activate once for 20 minutes in-between starts of the engine.