M3 vs the new E class mercedes. please be honest.

a friend of mine (girl) made some comments about M3 vs new E class, and i posted her comments on the BMW forum, of course everyone said BMW M3. she asked me to post on the Mercedes forum, but better yet, i like to ask you guys , since you guys will not take side. i quote what she wrote: so they (her guy friends) say the M3 didn't impress them as much as the Mercedes E class. have you driven the E class?

This is a Porsche forum, you still will not get an unbiased opinion...the majority of people could probably would not want either one. Personally, I dont think comparing an m3 to any mercedes is right. Mercedes are luxury GT cars and an m3 (atlest the pre-E46) were sports cars.

Its either the M5 vs E55 or the M3 vs C32/CLK55. In any case, depends what you preffer. BMW M's are more drivers cars, slightly better performers and in handling, Merc AMG's are slightly more confortable and tourers. My choice always the better handling one.

Apples and oranges. I've seen 911's compared with M5's here...same story. You want apples and apples, compare the E-class to a 5-series, or the E55 to the M5. Mercedes doesn't make any direct competition for the M3 (does anyone?). -DT

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well what do you want the car for? m3 is a fun sports car and the e-class is a luxury sedan. two completely different fields of comparison.

Ive driven both, and without question the E class is the better car. The M3 will handle and corner better, but the E beats it in most other way, especially in the luxury department. Just my 2 cents worth..

I own a 2003 E500 w/ sport and this is a great car and way you look at it. You cant compare the two mainly because they are two different clasess of cars. here is a link to an article on my E500. <a href="http://www.mbworld.org/news/2002/w211intro/w211eclassintro.shtml" target="_blank">http://www.mbworld.org/news/2002/w211intro/w211eclassintro.shtml</a> The E500 is completely redesigned this year, very sporty, 302 5 liter engine, great high speed acceleration, tri level suspension settings, more, more, more. I like the M3, it is a great car but for whatever reason too many 16 year olds own them for my taste.

2003 M3 and 2003 M5 will destroy the 2003 E500 sport and the 2002 E55 AMG in almost all categories except luxury, but the 2004 or 2005 E55 will kill the current M3 and the M5(Thats when it comes out).

I have a 2k E430, and test-drove a few E500s before buying my 996, and my girlfriend has a 300ci (as close to an M3 as you can get without the HP and suspension changes). No comparison. The BMW will smoke the E500 in terms of pure performance. But in terms of overall value, I'm an E500 guy all the way. 0-60 in under 6, air-conditioned seats, fold-down seats, 7-channel stereo, air-compressed suspension, BIG car-type comfort. Smooth. The 330 and I'm sure the M3 are small, tight, and basically featureless in comparison. I say roll phat with an E. Sport.

The new E55 will "kill" the M5? In what sense? Sure it has more power, but as with a Porsche, isn't it about overall performance? It seems all I'm hearing is HP HP HP, 0-60 0-60 0-60! What about useable torque, power-to-weight, handling, and most important, fun-to-drive factor? I'm sure the new E55 will be a dynamite car, but I suspect as with all Mercedes that the driver will feel somewhat disconnected. Hell, there are several cars that will "destroy" a Porsche for far less money, but none in my opinion that match its overall performance. -DT P.S. Have a look at the Dec issue of "Automobile"

Mercedes-Benz has really been tuning their new Sport packages. For 2003 they have even introduced a few "new" Sport versions. I recently looked over the BMW, Audi, Jaguar, Cadillac and Mercedes line up - looking for a great sedan package for my wife. I bought the '03 Sport Mercedes. All of the makes have positives. Mercedes just has more of them. BTW... Last week, Car and Driver television tested all of the "premium" makes in a comparo test (Benz E, BMW 530, Lexus GS, Audi A6, Jag S, Lincoln LS, Infinity). The Mercedes won.

Glad to hear that, Michael. Long overdue, I think. Audi has been guilty of building "soft" cars in the past as well. My wife is on her 2nd A6 4.2 Sport (we lived in the snow), but I suspect she would have chosen the new E500 Sport had it been available, and the resale will be much stronger on the Merc. Now if I could just get her to take my '02 M5 for herself (she HATES shifting), as my new '03 C2 arrives next week! Cheers, DT

Dirk, That A6 4.2 Sport is fabulous, and the '02 M5... Well, what can I say. Impeccable taste you have (not to mention the 2003 Carrera on the way). Bravo. As for the wife not wanting to shift... Same here friend. Same here.