Sad day, red rocket is gone....

[m34SPD]

It was time for me to part ways with my MR X5M. I enjoyed my time with it, the speed, and being the only MR X5 in the PNW

I didn't intend on selling it, but had an opportunity to get out of it for a great price. Didn't know what I wanted, and drove a lot of cars, ended up getting a '16 E63S AMG. Picked it up from House of Imports in LA (ask for Anees!) and drove it back up to Seattle!

I have to say, Mercedes build quality is light years better than BMW. On the 1,500 mile trip, killing countless bugs and driving behind semis, the front had zero rock chips. Drove it straight for basically 16 hours and it didn't skip a beat. Usually I am tired from driving long distances (my average commute is 200-300 miles a day) but I felt wonderful after the drive.

Didn't get many pictures in LA; got sick the day we picked it up so just slept in the room most of the day. Got the windows tinted by Fresh Window Tint in Valencia (ask for Junior!) Rayno 20% on all the windows. Suntek CXP 70% on the windshield

BMW interior tech is way better than MB currently. The stock HK system is decent (would had optioned B&O if I had ordered it). I will miss the HUD and the quick/easy changing of the music.

I know it would had been cheaper to have it trucked up, but I enjoy these long road trips, always clears the mind.

Now on to the what replaced the X5M...

[lpphreakx06]

Pics look good. Nice purchase.

[Taran.J]

Nice pick bro. Surprised you didn't want a P car

[m34SPD]

Originally Posted by Taran.J

Nice pick bro. Surprised you didn't want a P car

Thanks!

Thought about getting a Targa 4 GTS, and picking up at C300 daily, but would have missed the sound of a V8. Other option was a Panamera GTS, but its ugly to be honest.

[Alberta]

Congrats ! Nice car

Have you got some pictures of the interior ?

[dkhm3]

congrats. i tried the mb route a few years ago with a c63 and my wife in a e350 (house of imports too)...

i'm afraid i won't be going to get another mb unless they get a real dct and their cars are not so heavy and the handling gets better....

[QuickOne]

Congrats! I've been looking at the E63 for a long time now. Even rented one for a week back when Hertz had them in the dream car selection.

I love those cars. Luxurious cruisers. Not quite as involved as my M5 was, but certainly a nice luxurious ride with monster power. The awd putting it down gets it on the move.

[Alan l.]

Looks awesome. all it needs is a slight drop and some HRE's. The one thing that MB needs to work on is their wheel designs. I always thought their AMG wheels looking too ordinary and not aggressive enough to match the rest of the car.

Alan

[critical_mass]

If you don't mind me asking, how much did you get for your X5M?

[JNoSol]

Congrats TJ. Love the photos...

[tastelid]

Originally Posted by neurotichamster

If you don't mind me asking, how much did you get for your X5M?

+1 on this. I also agree that BMW's interior / electronics seem better (than anyone else's near the same level, really).

[F95inOC]

I'm certain you know the E is changing in 2017 and I'm guessing if MB does things like BMW, the E63 won't be out until 2018. Hope they gave you a screaming deal on the E. I've bought all my BMW's down in Encinitas...another AutoNation store. Always treated me exceptionally.:thumbs:

And by the way...GREAT choice on WHITE and the wheels. Some of those blacked out MB wheels are ugly.

[Luca42]

Originally Posted by F85inOC

I'm certain you know the E is changing in 2017 and I'm guessing if MB does things like BMW, the E63 won't be out until 2018. Hope they gave you a screaming deal on the E. I've bought all my BMW's down in Encinitas...another AutoNation store. Always treated me exceptionally.:thumbs:

And by the way...GREAT choice on WHITE and the wheels. Some of those blacked out MB wheels are ugly.

+1. I have an E AMG and considered the 2016 E63S, but the technology was well behind the tech that MB puts in its current S and C classes (2014- present). I also considered the 2016 S63 -- that car is a better comparator to the top line BMWs and our F85s in terms of technology. The next generation E will be the one to step up to current technology (2017).

Fit and finish in the MB AMG are excellent but comparable to our F85s. I do not perceive the gap that the OP mentions.

Good luck with the car. You will enjoy the AMG power and roar. You will miss the BMW maintenance.

[SD-MAC]

I have an X5M on order (which should be here next week) and have had several E70s over the years. My wife is driving a 2015 F15 35d. I am trading my 2015 MB GL 550 in on the X5M. My MB is a very nice vehicle but I think the build quality is comparable. In fact, it feels very aged when you compare to our current X5 of the same model year. This was my first MB and we never really connected so I'm very excited for the new X5M.

[kanvas]

Originally Posted by SD-MAC

I have an X5M on order (which should be here next week) and have had several E70s over the years. My wife is driving a 2015 F15 35d. I am trading my 2015 MB GL 550 in on the X5M. My MB is a very nice vehicle but I think the build quality is comparable. In fact, it feels very aged when you compare to our current X5 of the same model year. This was my first MB and we never really connected so I'm very excited for the new X5M.

Talking of MB, I'm thinking of picking up a CPO GL63 sometime in the future. It looks like the perfect fusion of comfort and performance. Have you ever driven one of those?

[bayareabimmer]

Congrats! Did you cross shop w/ the CLS 63 ?

[QuickOne]

Originally Posted by kanvas

Talking of MB, I'm thinking of picking up a CPO GL63 sometime in the future. It looks like the perfect fusion of comfort and performance. Have you ever driven one of those?

I owned a GL63 - great car, though it's a land yacht. If you need a third row and want to have a fast car to go along with it, it's a great choice.

It's my favorite choice behind my X5M.

[m34SPD]

Originally Posted by Can-am

Congrats ! Nice car

Have you got some pictures of the interior ?

Thanks! Will post some when I get a chance to take some

Originally Posted by Alan l.

Looks awesome. all it needs is a slight drop and some HRE's. The one thing that MB needs to work on is their wheel designs. I always thought their AMG wheels looking too ordinary and not aggressive enough to match the rest of the car.

Alan

Thanks! I actually love the design of these wheels, they are the optional forged wheels.

Originally Posted by JNoSol

Congrats TJ. Love the photos...

Thanks!

Originally Posted by F85inOC

I'm certain you know the E is changing in 2017 and I'm guessing if MB does things like BMW, the E63 won't be out until 2018. Hope they gave you a screaming deal on the E. I've bought all my BMW's down in Encinitas...another AutoNation store. Always treated me exceptionally.:thumbs:

And by the way...GREAT choice on WHITE and the wheels. Some of those blacked out MB wheels are ugly.

I got an awesome deal on the car, and yes I know the new body is coming out, but I leased it, so by the time the new E AMG comes out, I can upgrade to the new one or get something else. But so far I am loving the w212!

Originally Posted by Luca42

+1. I have an E AMG and considered the 2016 E63S, but the technology was well behind the tech that MB puts in its current S and C classes (2014- present). I also considered the 2016 S63 -- that car is a better comparator to the top line BMWs and our F85s in terms of technology. The next generation E will be the one to step up to current technology (2017).

Fit and finish in the MB AMG are excellent but comparable to our F85s. I do not perceive the gap that the OP mentions.

Good luck with the car. You will enjoy the AMG power and roar. You will miss the BMW maintenance.

I know the tech is a little old (w212 has been out since 2010!) but I enjoy the simpleness of it all around.

The build quality is way better compared to the F85 X5M. The interior plastics don't get scuffed as easy, the paint/clear is thicker and I haven't got any rock chips, and the glass is thick, not thin/cheap like BMW is using. I got so many rock chips in my 640gc and the X5M.

Originally Posted by bayareabimmer

Congrats! Did you cross shop w/ the CLS 63 ?

Yes I did, but I am glad I went with the E, it is much easier to drive and easier to live with on a day to day basis.