Too funny Rick ... I knew I'd hear from you on this one
----------<p>Philguy's problem with his '99 E55 was an anomoly. With any mass-produced product, there is bound to be a worker or two asleep at the station. <p>However, with our AMG's, as you have seen from the pics of the AMG factory, 1 worker assembles the engine, 1 worker assembles the interior, 1 worker handles the suspension, and 1 worker puts in the transmission and related components. So, it appears that the guy who assembled Philguys trani had his bachelor party the night before ... but at least Philguy could take it to his trusty-dealer, who took responsibility for the repair, who not only fixed the problem, but replace the whole works ... under warranty. <p>MB, with the next model year, began installing the transmission found in the MB S600, 12-cylinder model (which is also used in the supercharged Jaguar coupe/convertible, BTW). But, until Philguy, I have never heard a single story of trani/clutch problems in any E55, especially for the last two model years.<p>BMW, it appears, isn't stepping up to the plate ... after all, they designed the car to have 400 h.p., they should have designed a clutch that could handle the punch (wouldn't the torque have more of an adverse effect on the clutch than the horsepower?). <p>Truthfully Rick, I don't knowing enough detail about the clutch-issue (other than the post on the M5 Board soliciting the petition, and lots of other posts from owners who have clutch problems) to comment on it. I can't imagine BMW would let a poorly designed clutch roll-over into the next model year without a change, and M5 owners will really know now if their dealer is everthing they thought he was when they ask him to cover the clutch repair (is the clutch problem considered a 'wear and tear' item?) <p>Re: the 'laundry' (too funny!)... respect where respect is due: its hard to find anything 'dirty' with the M5 ... but when one does ... break out the Tide, strike-up the band, and string the clothesline ... <p>Regards, <p>Drew.