Torn between next car, M5, 740il, s500/55, E55, Jag S-Type R, XJR, LS400??

[Kevykev]

M5 of course

[_Christian_]

M5 ...automatics don't belong on ~400+hp sport sedans.

[UpSideDownDesi]

don't let the price fool you - prices on these cars have all dropped significantly... one other car i would highly recommend would be 03 RS6 very rare release here in the states but 450hp bi turbo and w/ minor upgrades like software it would be the devastator . motor is good for an easy 600hp

there are 3 on ebay, one gettign sold for about 25-26k. I wouldn't mind that, but probably won't be keeping it for long either. If i don't sell my subaru soon, i am just gonna keep on pouring money in it lol.

[SLOWR/T]

I'm liking the Jag S-Type R or an Audi if you decide to go that way.

[Stillfly45]

my dad actually has a 05 Jag S type R w/ Navigation... Before he bought he actually test drove a E550 and a BMW 550i... The Type R is faster and is more comfortable than Benz and BMW. The interior is nice, it hasnt given him any problems, and its very fast. And if u get the S type R certified used, i think u can get a 6yr/100,000mi warranty and that was the main thing that drew my dad to the car.

I think u should go s type r, you dont see that many and they are very attractive, fast, and reliable.

[Alan®]

my dad actually has a 05 Jag S type R w/ Navigation... Before he bought he actually test drove a E550 and a BMW 550i... The Type R is faster and is more comfortable than Benz and BMW. The interior is nice, it hasnt given him any problems, and its very fast. And if u get the S type R certified used, i think u can get a 6yr/100,000mi warranty and that was the main thing that drew my dad to the car.

I think u should go s type r, you dont see that many and they are very attractive, fast, and reliable.

you realize the E550 and BMW 550i are complitely different from their performance counterparts right?

[jfman]

Did you buy the M5? LMK if you need some pointers I own one.

[VooDooXII]

my dad actually has a 05 Jag S type R w/ Navigation... Before he bought he actually test drove a E550 and a BMW 550i... The Type R is faster and is more comfortable than Benz and BMW. The interior is nice, it hasnt given him any problems, and its very fast. And if u get the S type R certified used, i think u can get a 6yr/100,000mi warranty and that was the main thing that drew my dad to the car.

I think u should go s type r, you dont see that many and they are very attractive, fast, and reliable.

Too bad it's one of the ugliest cars ever built.

[EJ25RUN]

Too bad it's one of the ugliest cars ever built.

x2 I would opt for the XJR in Jag terms.

[1SICKLEX]

you realize the E550 and BMW 550i are complitely different from their performance counterparts right?

E550 and 550i are pretty much on par with performance with the S-type R and XJR. While those Jags are supercharged and have factory mods, they are not beasts. The E550 is a BEAST to drive, that V-8 is angry!!!

The 550i is all the car you need, its fantastic. And AMAZINGLY the price is in the low 30s already!!

You can get a manual 545 in the 20s!!!!

[1SICKLEX]

Sunny,
An E39 M5 is an amazing car but do not cut corners on purchasing one. With simple sensors and mafs that go bad you can be down as much as 30-40hp and not even know it. Alot of them are still fast but not running to their full potential because they have not been serviced properly. A proper M5 can easily run low 13's and trap upwards of 108 MPH. Also, don't believe EPA figures as most guys seem to be getting from 24-26mpg on the highway around 75-85mph.
Have money if you want to make it run. Supersprint headers and full exhaust can cost anywhere from 2k-4k used (for the full system) but can get you as much as 40hp. Intake, pullies, throttle bodies and proper software can get you around 390-420whp. If you take care of it, they will be very very good to you. I have a close friend with a M5 track car (now retired with over 135,00 on it and probably close to 30k in track mileage since 2002) that still runs like it's new. With stoptech brakes, Dinan 3.45 LSD, intake/exhaust and SSR comps on RA1's he was turning 1:40-1:41 laps easily on Road Atlanta and 150+ on the back straight. The car is quite fast for what it is.

E55's and S55 are much faster cars in straight line. With bolt on's you will really have a sleeper. Check on MB boards as with Kleeman kits those things are running 11's with tires. You really need to drive Benz's though. They just simply arn't very rewarding outside of being beautiful luxury cars and wicked straight line cars. In terms of steering feel, pedal feel (the dreaded torque converter etc.) they are dead feeling. I also have a buddy who use to track his S55 Kleeman on Road Atlanta but after 2 or 3 laps it would heat soak terribly and he would have to back off....It was not a track car,nor was it very exciting to ride in but it was cool to see it run 155 on the back straights and hang on with Vette's for a lap.

The jags are great but even more "soft" then the benz's if you ask me. There is nothing really special about them to me other than their beauty and the nice blower on the 4.2 that can be turned up some. You can mod them but its expensive and they just really are not very exciting cars at all. If your going for class and something different, this would be a good choice.
I really am not fond of the LS400's. The motors are fantastic but the only thing there good for is cruising around and having the badass VIP potential. I'd highly recommend a newer 02-03 LS430 sport as their prices are way down and they are MUCH quicker and so much nicer then the 400's.

740i spors (00-01) are one of the best BMW's made if you ask me. There is no question that i'd take one over an LS400. They actually handle very nice for there size. I've actually autocrossed one for an entire day and had no trouble throwing it around and keeping up with less experienced drivers in much smaller cars. Also, it has that 4.4L V8 which is mod friendly and one of the best sounding motors on the planet. The later "sports" came with 3.15 open diffs as oppose to the older 2.81's. They are significatly faster (14.4-14.6's vs 14.7-15.0's) in the quarter mile. I've seen peolpe with simple exhaust (you'll drop 100lbs, chip, intake mods, removal of spare) run high 13's in those tanks

Great post here. If you get an LS make sure its a 1998 plus, where it added VVTi and you could get HIDs. The VVTi makes the engine much faster and more fuel efficient.

[VooDooXII]

Actually...as it's been mentioned, a BMW Fiver with a stick shift would be a great bet.

[Alan®]

E550 and 550i are pretty much on par with performance with the S-type R and XJR. While those Jags are supercharged and have factory mods, they are not beasts. The E550 is a BEAST to drive, that V-8 is angry!!!

The 550i is all the car you need, its fantastic. And AMAZINGLY the price is in the low 30s already!!

You can get a manual 545 in the 20s!!!!

Well I was talking about the 550i Vs. M5 and E550 Vs. E55 AMG.

what i was trying to say its like comparing apples to oranges

[VooDooXII]

Well I was talking about the 550i Vs. M5 and E550 Vs. E55 AMG.

what i was trying to say its like comparing apples to oranges

Or more like...apples to raw eggs.

[1SICKLEX]

Well I was talking about the 550i Vs. M5 and E550 Vs. E55 AMG.

what i was trying to say its like comparing apples to oranges

Not totally. The new 550 performs near on par with the old M5. The E550 also is close to the E55 AMG and actually surpasses the last generation E55 (which had 349 hp).

Mind you how will the car be driven. Most ALL of these cars are rarely pushed by owners. Many M5 owners who drive their cars hard chastise those that "garage" them.

The older cars have a more old school feel to them while newer cars continue to get heavier and add tech.

Its ones priorities really b/c its not like one car just blows everything away in every category.

The purist car here is a manual M5. The beast is the E55.

[TheGrillMan]

Not totally. The new 550 performs near on par with the old M5. The E550 also is close to the E55 AMG and actually surpasses the last generation E55 (which had 349 hp).

Mind you how will the car be driven. Most ALL of these cars are rarely pushed by owners. Many M5 owners who drive their cars hard chastise those that "garage" them.

The older cars have a more old school feel to them while newer cars continue to get heavier and add tech.

Its ones priorities really b/c its not like one car just blows everything away in every category.

The purist car here is a manual M5. The beast is the E55.

well put sir

[Alan®]

Not totally. The new 550 performs near on par with the old M5. The E550 also is close to the E55 AMG and actually surpasses the last generation E55 (which had 349 hp).

Mind you how will the car be driven. Most ALL of these cars are rarely pushed by owners. Many M5 owners who drive their cars hard chastise those that "garage" them.

The older cars have a more old school feel to them while newer cars continue to get heavier and add tech.

Its ones priorities really b/c its not like one car just blows everything away in every category.

The purist car here is a manual M5. The beast is the E55.

Totally in agreeance with you but i'm not talking about comparing new 550 vs. old m5 i'm tlaking about intergeneration