Mad Germans

A long time ago, there was a gaping hole between your average family sedan and powerful sports cars. Then, when BMW came out with the M3 then the M5, the gap became smaller and smaller, until eventually…the rift closed to nothing. In the case of the first BMW M5, the only challengers that could perform on its levels were Ferraris. However, Mercedes-Benz and Jaguar have now created their M5 rivals: E55 AMG and XKR respectively.
Mercedes-Benz is a marque that for me is synonymous with mad German engineering. It is no surprise therefore that they would be one of the first to create a challenger to the BMW M5’s throne. Their first salvo came in 1994 with the 500E, a 322-bhp engine wrapped in an almost-stock sedan body. Then in 1996 came the E50. Powered by a 5.0 liter 32 valve V8 engine, the E50 was astoundingly quick. In fact, it can out-accelerate and even out-brake several Ferraris and even Honda’s NSX sports car. However, true to Merc’s form, this was only the beginning.

In 1998, Mercedes-Benz professional tuner AMG and its factory counterpart made available a big brother for the already mad C43 AMG (A 4.3-liter V8 C-Class Mercedes). The result is the thunder on the road E55. Using the same formula AMG has been using for years, the E55 is more of an evolution than a revolution on thinking.

Styling still remains discreet, like all other AMG products. The only things that would tell you that it’s an E55 are bigger and lower profile tires, AMG badging and a peep into the engine bay. Nonetheless, this monster is very different from the everyday E230 that you might see on Philippine roads. For instance, the E-class’ recirculating ball steering system was replaced with a quick ratio rack-and-pinion steering for better handling in corners. Standard tires were replaced with Z-rated 18-inch Bridgestones. Stiffer suspension results in a very firm but (still) comfortable ride.

The interior can be available in either single or dual tone leather. However, it does not change the fact that the E55’s interior is quite somber in a way. Black and edges are dominant which give a serious, all business look inside the E55. The ergonomics are good for a German car however, with all the switches in reachable places with the exception of the traditional foot-activated parking brake, which quite frankly still bothers me until now.

We must remember that AMG’s specialty is not the exterior or the interior of the car: the difference lies in the engine and in the handling. In that respect, AMG successfully placed a 5.5-liter SOHC 24-valve V8 engine into the E-class’ bonnet. This V8 engine can generate 354 bhp at a respectable 5500-rpm and a walloping 530 Nm of torque at a low 3000 rpm. This in turn generates into a 4-door sedan that can accelerate to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds and reach an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph. The E55 can also corner and steer as well into the corners as a proper sports car. With ESP (electronic stability program) the E55 feels very, very safe and won’t slide out during manic cornering speeds. Huge 4-wheel ventilated disc brakes with ABS can as mentioned earlier, outbrake a Ferrari F40 and a Honda NSX.
The Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG truly became a sports car alternative. A sports car with 4-doors and can seat 5 and hold lots of luggage. In fact, Mercedes is offering this mad German car in two variants: as a sedan and as a wagon. Just imagine this: a 230 kph wagon?! Truly, AMG and Mercedes and their wonderful sounding manic V8 beat the BMW M5 to the ground.

The E55 AMG held the throne for so long, that is, until BMW came up with its new BMW M5. Now, the playing field is much better for these two German rivals. BMW M (which stands for Motorsport) has been developing the most powerful engine they have released ever (with the exception of the McLaren F1’s 6.1 liter V12). After years of working and hard labor, M has come up with a new engine that would secure the mad sedan throne once more: a 5.0-liter DOHC 32 valve V8.

Though smaller in displacement that the Merc’s the BMW M5’s engine uses VANOS technology (also seen in the McLaren F1 and new BMW 3-series engines) which changes the flow of air and fuel in the engine to maximize fuel burning and efficiently which results into better horsepower and torque rating than normal. This is much like Honda’s VTEC technology.

The result is a 400-bhp engine with 500 Nm of torque. This, coupled with a 6-speed manual transmission results in acceleration of 0-60 in 5.3 seconds–that’s faster than the Mercedes E55! M also tinkered around with the 5-series’ already capable chassis and excellent steering. This resulted in a car that feels light yet firm and more agile through the corners.
The M5 exterior lacks visible aerodynamic aids. With such a powerful engine, the use of airdams, sideskirts and spoilers should have been necessary to keep this thing on the ground. Not so says BMW M. Much like the McLaren F1, BMW has devised a way to let the air be sucked in under car to create a vacuum, which is also known as the Venturi effect, which keeps the car on the ground at high speeds.

The interior however tells of another story. BMW M did not tackle the issue of an overly cluttered interior due to the numerous buttons and switches. There are two packages available: an executive package with fills the leather interior with wood accents (very out of place and tacky looking, if you ask me) or a sports package which places aluminum in place of wood (much better).

Now comes the tough question: which is better? In any case, the engineering offered by these two German makers are superb. Both the Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG and the BMW M5 are incredible in their own rights. But which like everything else, there must be a winner.

In terms of being a sports sedan, the BMW M5 beats the Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG. With the help of a 6-speed manual over a 5-speed automatic, the M5 beats the E55 in acceleration. Merc’s steering ratio when compared to the Beemer robs the E55 of being a possible handling champion. However, in terms of a better all-rounder car, the E55 beats the M5. Though Mercedes-Benz’s acceleration is slower compared to the BMW’s, the Merc’s gearbox is better than the BMW’s manual when it comes to downshifting from gear to gear. The Merc’s interior and passenger comforts are better than that of the BMW’s as well. The rear passenger space is bigger, the ergonomics are better and nothing looks out of place inside the E55’s cabin. In terms of exterior design, though the M5 may look more muscular than the E55, the discreetness of the E55 with its 4 elliptical lights put a smile on my face, unlike the BMW sedans’ family look.
I have always personally loved Mercedes-Benzes over the years, and it’s no big guess on who will win this contest: for speed and performance: go for the BMW M5. However, the Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG is better in overall comfort and yet has stunning acceleration and handling.

In any case, both of these fine automobiles are prime examples that the Germans can still put out something to battle the Italians and the Japanese. The Germans have made inlcuded heart-felt differences into seeing or driving a BMW or a Mercedes-Benz, something still missing from the latest in Japanese car technology.

The Germans have done it again. With the new BMW M5 and the Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG, they have brought engineering to a higher level, and truly these two cars are the two fastest sedans on the planet. They are truly mad machines that can only be made by mad Germans.

Text By Mad Egg | Photos courtesy of BMW and Mercedes-Benz