REVIEW: 2006 BMW M5 Vs. 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS55 AMG

There's something wrong here--and so right it hurts. A two-ton sedan shouldn't do the things a world-class sports car does. Want to pass that piece of rolling road furniture parked in the fast lane? Bam! It's gone in as long as it takes to turn your head. Care to shake-off those tailgating Tooner Boyz on the freeway interchange? Whoosh! Your satisfaction will arrive at the same moment they realize there isn't a hope of matching your cornering speed. Oh, hello, officer. These are my vented and cross-drilled brakes, which can haul me down to a safe and sane rate of progress (120-to-60 mph) in less time (2.6 seconds) than it took for you to notice. The officer removes his sunglasses, peruses the vehicle, and says, "You're not exactly driving a Corvette or a Carrera."
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BMW530i - 7/19/2006 2:37:37 PM

+1 Boost

I'm drooling over both, though I think I would stick to a 530d and a CLS320 CDI. I don't need the power and road holding of these two beefed up monsters.

jeffy210 - 7/19/2006 4:14:46 PM

+1 Boost

Okay, I've oftentimes wondered about this. Where does the E-Class stand in relation to the CLS-Class? This is a M5 v. CLS55 review, but what about the M5 v. E55 review? When they introduced the CLS (call it 4-door coupe or not) it reminded me of just a slightly modernized E-Class.

BMW530i - 7/19/2006 8:07:55 PM

+1 Boost

I am confused on that matter myself. I think the E and CLS both sorta compete with the M5.

However, I've said this before, I don't really see AMG's as direct competitors to BMW M. AMG focuses more on the luxury-sport aspect, while BMW M's tend to be almost totally biased towards sport. ;)

MB3494 - 7/19/2006 8:08:27 PM

+1 Boost

They already did a E and 5 review but with the M5 vs E63

chewy - 7/19/2006 8:16:54 PM

+1 Boost

The "default" setting on the M5 make it no faster than VW Passat with the V-6. That is quite interesting. Everything else is to be expected, the M5 slaughtered the MB on the race track.

MunichRob - 7/20/2006 4:48:52 AM

+1 Boost

While the M5 is killing the CLS in performance (I just love that M button), the Mercedes just looks that much better that I'd have to take the CLS.

If it was an M6 vs. the CLS we were talking about...well i think we all know the answer to that. I'd take the M6 so I can stop loosing sleep over wishing I owned the damb car!

M53R - 7/20/2006 6:31:44 AM

+1 Boost

BMW M5 vs M-B E55 AMG + M-B CLS55 AMG = BMW M5 , lol
dats an equation , lol to help u figure the answer out. the BMW M5 is the 1 super sedan and dats it!

LS430Z06 - 7/20/2006 11:10:46 PM

+1 Boost

M5 is a great car but you still have to go out each morning and look at that design and say "Yep, I WAS conscious when I bought that thing!"

I just hope both companies get over the reliability issues. I bailed on my 03 E500 because of that.

Qwazywabbit - 7/21/2006 2:22:42 PM

+1 Boost

Unfortuneatly, BMcD is right. Reliability, from top to bottom, is a major concern for German manufacturers. Dont think for a minute that it doesnt faze them. MB is losing S and E class customers left and right. The 7 series isnt doing much better, but at least it is still selling like crazy. I am praying that the new 7 in late 07/early 08 is not a repeat of 01/02.