I have talked to Derek by PM.
He liked the car very much and would keep it if he didnt had the Noble. He has driven the M5 around a track and was very impressed by the M5 but the M5 miss the low torque that the E55 offer. He thought the M5 would do well at 402 meters but it was not as he expected so he is selling the M5. He is keeping his E55 and Noble. so it was not like he was disatisfied cause it was a bad car, the car didnt just satisfied his needs.
BTW we also have a member that was deciding between CLS55 but he didnt like the car as much as the M5.
CLS55 IMHO is a very very sexy car. both interior and out. Plenty of torque across the range and always seem like it has plenty of power. The auto transmission left me wanting more. The backseat will push any adult into the roof with any bump in the road. But still, it's a sexy car with awsome engine. The CLS is faster off the line too because it has more torque in the lower RPM's ( I know about LC but have not experienced it. In my test drives, the CLS feels faster off the line.)
However, they both drive very very different. M5 revs and handles more like a sports car then the CLS. the M5's SMG is simply awsome compare to the CLS. Both can be very comfortable cruiser in the right settings.
I drove them almost back to back. ( drove the CLS friday night and drove the M5 Saturday morning. ) For me, the personality of the M5 is more suited to my driving. The CLS just always feel BIG and heavy and the M5 seems to get smaller as you drive it more. The handling in the M5 is just so much better the the CLS.
I honestly believe no matter which one you pick, you will be happy with your decision. Just make sure you drive both before you sign the check to see which is more to your liking. CLS is readily avalible for test drive and M5 can be found for a test drive too if you look hard enough. ( no dealer will turn you down for a test drive if they think you're a serious buyer.)
good luck .
As you can see there are people leaving AMG for M
Its great there are cars for different personalities.
Personally I choose the M5 for driving dynamics, handling and driver involvement. BTW you can burn tires with the M5 as well
BTW stuttgarter, you have a weird personality, one day you love BMW and the other day you love MB. Weird.