Beastly comparisons
There have been a number of comparisons of the E55, RS6 and the yet to come M5. The consensus I draw is that the MB is a luxury car made powerful while the other two are more like sports cars. A critical issue then becomes luxury.
The issue is supported by the fact that the E500 on which the E55 is based is more expensive than the BMW 5 series cars and the S6. I would be interested in knowing in what way the E55 is more luxurious. Is the ride less rough which would explain any shortcomings in handling? Are the interior appointments more luxurious? Are htere more comfort features?
Another issue. Power is created by burning gasoline in air. The more air one gets into cylinders per minute the greater the `power.' --- other things equal. MB does it by force feeding air into cylinders through a supercharger. BMW possibly does it by increasing RPMS. Therefore, to get power out of an M5 one would have to get the RPMs real high. If I am not on a track or at least alone, I would find revving up the engine and shifting into gear a bit too tracklike and rather silly for day to day driving. Comments?
The issue is supported by the fact that the E500 on which the E55 is based is more expensive than the BMW 5 series cars and the S6. I would be interested in knowing in what way the E55 is more luxurious. Is the ride less rough which would explain any shortcomings in handling? Are the interior appointments more luxurious? Are htere more comfort features?
Another issue. Power is created by burning gasoline in air. The more air one gets into cylinders per minute the greater the `power.' --- other things equal. MB does it by force feeding air into cylinders through a supercharger. BMW possibly does it by increasing RPMS. Therefore, to get power out of an M5 one would have to get the RPMs real high. If I am not on a track or at least alone, I would find revving up the engine and shifting into gear a bit too tracklike and rather silly for day to day driving. Comments?
. The E55 has a lot of creature comforts, a lot more than the current M5 as well as the next generation I am sure. It's a lot easier to throw in a supercharger to get more power, but it takes a lot more time to develop a natraully aspirated engine w/ more power. I guess for some its just easier to take the easy road out? I can't elaborate much more on this tonight, im tired.. 
