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Hi all,<p>Just wanted to write about my impressions of my brand new 2001 E55 after the first 408 miles. <br>All i have to say, is that this car is an absolute beast! I try to find any excuse to drive it.<br>I just sold my '99 E430 Sport for the E55. The difference between the two is WORLDS apart.<br>The suspension on the E55 is amazing, as is the steering. Granted, the steering isnt as "tight"<br>as an M5, but for me, it is perfect. Needless to say, the handling is a DREAM! I must admit tho, that the E430's steering was WAY<br>too soft. The E55's steering is VERY responsive and the car goes where pointed. The ride in the E55<br>is more harsh however, due to the stiffer springs and suspension and the HUGE AMG wheels. <br>While the E430 Sport "swallowed" every bump, you can feel all the bumps in the E55. For me,<br>I'd be willing to make this tradeoff anyday! For any of you considering the E430 Sport, I personally<br>wouldn't recommend it since the $4,000 Sport package for the E class includes only the ground effects and 17 inch wheels.<br>Just my $.02.<p>Onto the engine.... DEAR LORD! What a masterpiece!! It is extremely smooth but is always begging to be pushed even harder!<br>I'm only at 408 miles, so my E55 is not officially broken in. On the highway once, I was driving steady between 75-80 mph. <br>At this speed, it is only at 2500-2800 RPM!! The redline is at 6000!!! I cant wait till the day comes that my AMG is FINALLY<br>broken in.... <p>I am also very pleased with the new 5 speed transmission. My 99 E430 had the old transmission and the new one is definitely better!<br>The shifts in my E55 are very crisp and quick as opposed to my E430 where shifts were not as immediate or crisp. <p>I have heard some people say that COMAND is very difficult to use. I didnt find it hard or confusing at all.... Got the gist of it within<br>half an hour.... I got the Voice activated phone/CD/Nav option and must say that it is VERY convenient. You really feel the power <br>with this option as everything operates under your voice command. Very nice option to have and very safe since you never have to <br>take your eyes off the road. Parktronic and climate seats are nice options to have as well. Parktronic is quite sensitive as it will sense <br>anything in the cars path. It gets annoying sometimes when people are crossing the street in fornt of my car.<br>The sensors keep beeping. But you can always shut it off, so thats what i do until i have to park.. then i turn it back on. <p>As for the exterior, I just cant stop looking at it. It is absolutely breathtaking. I have gotten quite a few thumbs up already.<br>There was one time where i was stuck in traffic on Newbury Street in Boston. There was a guy in an older ML320 with his girlfriend.<br>They were about 2 cars behind in the next lane over. All of a sudden, i look into my rear mirror and see him mouthing the words "Oh shit!<br>Its an E55 AMG!! LOOK!" When the light turned green, i saw him swerving in and out of traffic and finally behind me.... He was pointing and <br>showing him my AMG exhaust, two tone seats... etc... When he finally got beside me, he gave me a thumbs up... I nodded and couldnt stop <br>grinning all day... WHat a great car!<p>Well, thats it for now... gotta go.... More to come later! If you guys have any questions, feel free to ask!<p>Cheers!<p>Ryan
