Went in to buy an Audi S5....came home with an MB E550 Coupe

[PGT]

Yes, I'll miss AWD but in return I got 392 ft/lbs in the 2500rpm range. 7-sp ZF tranny with paddle shifters and e-adjustable suspension (Sport mode firms up the shocks). Glass panorama roof and no B-pillar FTW.

I didn't like the S5's lack of balls down low (4.2L V8) even with a manual. I drove the S5 Cabrio with dual clutch/PDK and supercharged V6 and it was MUCH better, but, they want $Texas$ for them ($70k). I traded the STI in and got a fair price....$2500 less than I paid new back in Nov 08. Also got $8K off MSRP by using USAA's buying service ($6k off + $2k promotional credit with MB-USA).

Only thing I'm not fond of so far is the lack of summer tire option. It handles great on the stock PZero Nero's but is crying out for some RE-11's. Very few wheel choices at the moment....Subaru like offsets in a staggered 5x112 pattern. AMG replicas for $1k might be the ticket for now...

Got the P02/Premium Pkg (NAV, air conditioned seats, etc) and AMG Package (sport steering wheel, seats and wheels). On to some pics....

[thermobox]

Mini, Sti, E550, if this pace keeps up it's looking to be a koeni or murci next?

[snaab]

My dad thinks MB is best thing since sliced bread, so they must be doing something right enjoy!

[chicken n waffles]

fare thee well, sti.

update your sig .

[ElZorro]

Nice choice man.

[Sabre]

As I said in Gchat last night... I want a ride!

[PGT]

nah, you're welcome to take it for a spin. It's a car, not a woman

[sirwilliam]

Hope you enjoy the new ride. Sure miss your red STi...such a nice ride. Wish I had the money to take it off your hands before you traded it.

[Sabre]

nah, you're welcome to take it for a spin. It's a car, not a woman

Ok, we'll trade for a spin then And don't worry, even if it's not a woman, I'll still be careful on her

Public safety note: DCAWD and/or any of it's affiliates would never recommend or endorse the touching/fondling/playing with any other mans' woman or man, especially without protection

[ElZorro]

Public safety note: DCAWD and/or any of it's affiliates would never recommend or endorse the touching/fondling/playing with any other mans' woman or man, especially without protection

You realize I wanted to start this group so I could hit on other guy's girlfriends, right?

[PGT]

Mini, Sti, E550, if this pace keeps up it's looking to be a koeni or murci next?

I dunno man. This is still a 'normal' car, albeit a nice one. As much as I'd love an exotic, I'd have other ways to spend money, should I ever come across a stack of cash.

[PGT]

And, holy crap. This thing does the 1/4 at 109mph??? I had no idea. It didn't feel slow of course but that's faster than my STI and this isn't even an AMG model

[snaab]

Exotic or not, it's certainly toeing the line with litreage like that, and I'm sure it's fast as hell!

[complacent]

wow, that's awesome. Congrats!

[PGT]

really, really loving this car. the wheels and a/s, notsomuch.

[sirwilliam]

really, really loving this car. the wheels and a/s, notsomuch.

Upgrade! That is what you do best

[PGT]

believe it or not, wheels are a problem right now for this car. 5x112 BP but Subaru offsets. Old M-B stuff is 20mm lower offset.

I'm working with a vendor for a custom set of a new design. We'll see what we come up with....

[complacent]

believe it or not, wheels are a problem right now for this car. 5x112 BP but Subaru offsets. Old M-B stuff is 20mm lower offset.

I'm working with a vendor for a custom set of a new design. We'll see what we come up with....

So I'm guessing that vendor isn't Rota, huh? Very cool to hear. Very interested to see a solution.

[PGT]

no, but Rotiform

[PGT]

and rotiform went dark on me. oh well, ordered some 19" AMG wheels coming from the UK (not sold here).

[PGT]

[PGT]

running 245's up front (up from 235's) and 275's in back (up from 255's). Goodyear F1 Asymmetric....carefully chosen to not upset the stellar ride/handling balance M-B achieved. After a drive out on backroads (Evergreen Mills and Watson), mission accomplished. Lots more grip, ride intact, even in Sport mode (despite being 19" and 30 series tires).

[complacent]

19"s and 30 series?!? Daaaaamn.

[PGT]

I know, I was scared too. It rides better on 'Sport' than my STI did on Ohlins and 245/35/19 NT05's. Like 500% better. I can blast over rough stuff without a care in the world.

[Sabre]

They look damn good on the car