okay...are you sure about the paddles??? i'm not positive since i've only sat in the e63 but i'm still going to have to call you on that. i'll eat my words if i'm wrong but i highly doubt mb completely moved the paddle location. all the previous w211 amg's have shift buttons (instead of paddles) on the back of the steering wheel and i just don't see mb relocating those for such a simple swap.
in all honesty, i think it would be a better design if the paddles/buttons didn't move like the lambo. that way they're always in the same place and you don't have the possibility of misshifting by hitting a button that isn't where you thought it was.
To clarify, the paddles, behind the steering wheel, do NOT rotate with the steering wheel. We tested it and the 3 of us commented on it (including the salesperson).
Has anyone driven an S65? I was looking on autotrader.com and noticed that some used S65s with less than 20k miles are under $100,000. How could the value drop by 50% in less than a year?
Hijacked! Just kidding! Good seeing you at Laguna!
S65s have been out for more than a year but a 50% drop is excessive. Perhaps because the S600s are "almost" as fast? Or the market on a large 4-door that is so fast isn't so good? How are the 600s comparing in price?
Who knows, right? I think Heffner's TT Viper ran a 7.99 or so at 170+mph? Keep in mind, this Vette is a 6spd too - big difference off the line, etc.
The guy was a member of Goodguys. He could have been bragging about the 1/4 times in some hot rod he owns instead. Some people just talk. The Vette sounded good, but he didn't rev it high when leaving. You never know, right?
To clarify, the paddles, behind the steering wheel, do NOT rotate with the steering wheel. We tested it and the 3 of us commented on it (including the salesperson).
is there anything you want to confess to before i check back???
Deuuuce,
Great write-up. It is so rare that I get to drive the cars that I "love" and unbiased views such as yours are really appreciated.
I would have loved to buy a new 550i. The Bangle styling really hit me as ugly at first (on the 7-Series) but the 5-Series was executed better. I've seen a few lowered with wheels and that flared-out bodywork looks killer.
The SRT8 was just much more car for much less money. Better value, and endless mods available at much lower costs.
Thanks again for the "review"
The closest I will likely get is sitting in one at the car show
P.S. I would think paddle shifters spinning with the wheel would be a liability problem. Personally, I have not used paddles yet but I'm pretty certain I would prefer they stay in one place rather than spin with the wheel.
I guess I would have to go on some test drives to test that theory
well here goes. like i said...i have to call you on this.
one of 3 things happened here.
1. you went on a test drive and somehow managed to make it back to the dealership without ever turning.
2. you drove the only e63 in the world with stationary shift paddles affixed to the column instead of attatched to the steering wheel like every other w211 amg ever made, e63 or e55.
3. or the most likely scenario, you never actually drove the e63 but instead sat in it at the dealership and believed the salesman that told you the paddles were stationary.
i've said it time and time again, dealer employees typically know the least about their products and i would never consider them to be a source of reliable information. this time it caught you up in a little white lie. no biggie.
anyways, here is a picture of the e63 paddles attatched to the back of the steering wheel.
Deuuuce,
Great write-up. It is so rare that I get to drive the cars that I "love" and unbiased views such as yours are really appreciated.
I would have loved to buy a new 550i. The Bangle styling really hit me as ugly at first (on the 7-Series) but the 5-Series was executed better. I've seen a few lowered with wheels and that flared-out bodywork looks killer.
The SRT8 was just much more car for much less money. Better value, and endless mods available at much lower costs.
Thanks again for the "review"
The closest I will likely get is sitting in one at the car show
P.S. I would think paddle shifters spinning with the wheel would be a liability problem. Personally, I have not used paddles yet but I'm pretty certain I would prefer they stay in one place rather than spin with the wheel.
I guess I would have to go on some test drives to test that theory
You're very welcome. I don't have an opinion yet on the paddles turning w/ the wheel. I guess if they were long enough, it wouldn't be an issue?
well here goes. like i said...i have to call you on this.
one of 3 things happened here.
1. you went on a test drive and somehow managed to make it back to the dealership without ever turning.
2. you drove the only e63 in the world with stationary shift paddles affixed to the column instead of attatched to the steering wheel like every other w211 amg ever made, e63 or e55.
3. or the most likely scenario, you never actually drove the e63 but instead sat in it at the dealership and believed the salesman that told you the paddles were stationary.
i've said it time and time again, dealer employees typically know the least about their products and i would never consider them to be a source of reliable information. this time it caught you up in a little white lie. no biggie.
anyways, here is a picture of the e63 paddles attatched to the back of the steering wheel.
Sure enough, in this video at about 2:24 into it, the paddles move with the wheel: http://media.drive.com.au/?rid=23114
Funny how 3 of us missed that.
Now regarding your post 3 points and conclusion:
1. Stupidly suggested.
2. Even more stupidity there.
3. F***ing insulting. Want me to recite the route, too? Why don't you just contribute instead of insulting someone outright? Should I get the last 8 of the VIN for you? Want to talk to my GF AND the salesperson? Call the gas station where we changed drivers? Describe how I banged off the rev limiter in 1st and 2nd partially due to the silly placement of the tach? The white Grand-Am who tried to take us at the light? I could go on but it would be a further waste of my time.
The salesmen has attended 2 MB sales trainings, one out of state. I've found the Smythe employees (quite a few who have been there for many years) to be extremely knowledgable.
after several others asking for your comments on the paddle shifters and me asking you if you were sure 3 times and you still claiming they were stationary, what do you expect. at that point, you were obviously sure of yourself and the forum was being mislead. we are the ones who should feel insulted with all your misinformation so don't get belligerent with me about it because it took a little fire under your arse to get to the truth (at least about the paddles ).
i don't care what meetings any mb employee has been to, most of them are, to put it mildly, fooking ignorant...especially when it comes to amg's.
no hard feelings on my behalf.
Last edited by chiromikey : 12-05-2006 at 01:03 AM.
just kruzin' . . . . . Jay
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