Top Gear - Executive Car Park

In this segment of Top Gear, Tiff Needell pushes the limit of the Jaguar XJR, Mercedes Benz E55 AMG and the eagerly awaited BMW M5.
Soundtrack includes: New Order - True Faith - 1:28. Craig Armstrong - O Verona - 3:28. Apollo 440 - Stop the Rock - 6:18.

[@ChimaChindaDev]

The E55 is gorgeous.

[@Edward135i]

Does anyone else, have a fantasy of being a British motoring journalist back in the late 90s early 2000s?

[@kicksoffs]

+William Seroyer Everyday or every time it rains.

[@Kev27RS]

+William Seroyer It was a great time back then… 90's! ;)

[@joseelisha7753]

You all prolly dont give a shit but does anyone know a way to log back into an Instagram account? I was stupid forgot my login password. I would love any help you can offer me!

[@samuelemilio433]

@Jose Elisha instablaster =)

[@joseelisha7753]

@Samuel Emilio i really appreciate your reply. I got to the site thru google and I'm waiting for the hacking stuff atm. Takes a while so I will get back to you later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

[@jakubbalog8610]

this is the most beautiful m5

[@jpracingph]

kubek w The E28 M5 is the most beautiful.

[@aivarask5073]

piddyirishman totaly agree with you

[@FAT8893]

+Selim Sultan Akbar That's for Japanese cars.

[@bradford_shaun_murray]

6:39 whoa!

[@MatrixDiscovery]

That bodystyle is timeless!

[@David-wl7qs]

uhm... which of these cars?

[@captainhindsight8604]

@@David-wl7qs ofc the e39 and jag. the merc makes me sick

[@erensuicmez8007]

@@captainhindsight8604 Good thing everyone has different taste

[@udflori]

I'll take the AMG

[@howhardgerrard]

@1:32 I remember watching this bit as a child and thinking Tiff was so cool.

[@DK-sm1gn]

Oh the late 90s

[@mileniliev5910]

Own a BMW 523i. After switching from several Jaguars, ML-Class Mercs, E-class, Subaru, Audi A6 quattro etc. The BMW is by far the most refined and intuitively natural car I've ever encountered. 6 years on the road - NOTHING gone wrong. These cars are build like tanks, yet ballerina-lightness and clever engineering make them a beautiful combination. The most competent so far. Very good car indeed!

[@shawncweed]

I agree...I had an W211 E55 (supercharged V8) which had amazing performance in a straight line and was fun to drive, but had so many niggling maintenance issues that is became a burden. I bought an M6 Convertible and it has been without issue...not a one,..The only negative comment I have is the V10 sucks gas like a fuel slut...and the canvas top gets dirty if you don't put it in the garage...the workmanship is unmatched...

[@Memories-_]

Milen Iliev I own one. Still a beautiful car

[@aydinvideo]

These years were a great time in motoring. Things were a little more simple. I remember the original E55 and M5 wars, when those cars were just coming out. Ahh those were fun times. Cars were so damn exciting then.. (not saying they arent now- but 400HP was a BIG deal. Now you need 600+ to be considered a big deal. )

[@ragnarlothbrok6324]

aydinvideo L

[@farishanafiah8461]

​@@ragnarlothbrok6324 Not exactly an L as 400bhp is still more than enough to most people.

[@ragnarlothbrok6324]

@@farishanafiah8461 L

[@farishanafiah8461]

@@ragnarlothbrok6324 You must be fun at parties.

[@ragnarlothbrok6324]

@@farishanafiah8461 L

[@geoffk777]

All three of these were exceptional cars, but the E39 M5 is probably the best M5 BMW as ever built up to the present day. It's already an appreciating classic. So Tiff was quite right to pick it as the winner.

[@tamarciskadze2128]

AMG!!!!

[@ragnarlothbrok6324]

Tamar Ciskadze W

[@alphatrion100]

This mercedes was ugly

[@frankb4199]

That M5, is still sooooooo sexy today. That and the M3 from that time are the best looking ever made.

[@blingking501]

I know I could never afford to buy one of these old boats never mind the upkeep. But I have a soft spot for them all.

[@dkmorris713]

It was this segment and the one one the e46 M3 that made me fall in love with Tiffs presenting style. I cam watch this over am over.

[@buccibane4711]

3:25 well that was epic lol

[@baselhs]

When BMW designed drop dead gorgeous cars. E39 and E38 were their best creations ever

[@dannnsss8034]

Gorgeous? Up your standards mate

[@baselhs]

@@dannnsss8034 So, what you think is a gorgeous looking sedan from that era?

[@HumbledGod]

just bought an old jag and man its so fast hahahaha

[@s.i2898]

HumbledGod JAGS ARE LIFE!!!

[@matthewgibbons4525]

According to the DVLA that M5 T462 ARX last had its MOT in 2014 with 138,700 miles. Nothing since then :( As for the Merc it went off the radar with 70ish thousand miles in '06/7

[@daniellennon4275]

when amg meant something not just a body kit and nicer wheels on a c180 😂😂😂

[@SuperStig1992]

No I haven't changed the music. There was two types of songs used in the video by Apollo 440. 'Lost In Space' was one and in this video it was 'Can't Stop The Rock'.

[@abdullahz4804]

I never got to watch this when i was a kid as it was probably before my time but im pretty close to getting the E55! i have an E240 with the amg pack in the meantime

[@kartoffelaut0]

The first AMG model of the W210 chassis was the E50 AMG producing 347 hp. It came out January 1996 and was produced till August 1997. October 1997 the E55 AMG replaced that model, now producing 354 hp. September 1999 the E55 AMG model was replaced by the facelift version of the W210 chassis. They used exactly the same engine in the facelift model, the output of the newest W210 E55 amg is exactly the same as the pre-facelift model. When you argue with -ish, this is what happends.

[@marvinjansen4911]

there was also a e60 amg (w210) produced between 1996 and 1998 or 1997

[@buccibane4711]

3:25 well that was veery epic lol

[@Wildbillcooper]

E55 is the best. Most reliable, and E55 will hit 60 under 5 seconds with reseted ECU. Good thing Tifff was moved from

[@richardprice7763]

I still so want an E39 M5....

[@jaomwtoptd]

I've never understood this obsession with 0 - 60 times and the ability to throw a car sideways? It's like little boys playing the children's card game Top Trumps.

[@shantanu240]

I still have the 2001 E class

[@majedaltarooti3788]

Nice viduo my car E430 1999 its vere good

[@DICsquared]

M5 E39 Epic!

[@mtey123]

Lexus is a creation of US persons for Toyota, meaning, conceived by Americans for the US market (not the execution of the cars of course). So, it totally caters to American tastes, and you see this in the long term sales stats here vs Europe. so for a European show to leave out the Lexus makes total sense, especially when the brand was barely 1/2 decade old. And Lexus didn't even offer them with such huge discounts in Europe, maybe 10-15%, unlike the 30+ in the US.

[@8941065]

In my opinion this is the best looking 5 series and same goes for the 3 series of the same year model, I don't feel it now.

[@mokhan8815]

M5 looks the best

[@embajadoresboy4535]

I owned a 2000 E55 AMG for about 6 years and after costly repairs done at the AMG center at the dealership, she is an amazing car to have and the envy of many Hybrid drivers when it goes from Zero to Sixty in 4.5 seconds. Plus the old rounded lights gives her a nostalgic look of the era of over engineered cars. Believe or not is not as guzzle car compared to the new AMG cars.

[@zahirali7959]

Anthony P. Kürten did it do like 25 MPG?

[@mjod9770]

@@zahirali7959 24MPG

[@SuperStig1992]

@Hot80s How about the view from 2:59? The E55 power slide.

[@SuperSedans]

The E55 has a factory 5.3 seconds. And it could do 4.8 seconds if he had a good start. M5 is faster than his two

[@trancedsailor]

I'll take a 2002-2004 E55 AMG in black.

[@SuperSedans]

What are you talking about? Merc E55 AMG in late 97. Beside it has 354 bhp and so good brakes that nearly stops like tank a'like, lexus have bearly 300 bhp and 420 Nm, Merc has 530 Nm and BMW came in 1998 - BMW has 400 bhp and 500 Nm. Your Lexus is nowhere match for the E55 and M5. it was good for standard cars like E430 or 540i BMW. Don't forget that 540i came also with manual 6 speed (same as M5) which can get sixty in 6.2 seconds.

[@benjohase765]

The M5 ist the best sport sedan in the World..M-Power forever.

[@curtishall8634]

What the XJR needs is the Quaife QDF5W differential to hold its own in the handling department against the E55 and M5. racing

[@galbmw]

5.3 factory from a V8 where a V6 alfa 156 gta with measly 250hp does it in 5.6 seconds

[@ukbaretanya7542]

Mercedes benz w210 Amg

[@SuperStig1992]

I don't know. I think of a Lexus as a rich man's Toyota. I don't think it would have fitted into this category too well. One car they missed out was the Audi S6 or even the RS6. With the S6 having 335 BHP it may have not been a strong contender, but it had extra devices, such as the torque it produced. The XJR was a whole 10 grand cheaper than the M5, concluding that the XJR and as you pointed out GS400 cost near around the same.

[@Acct1941]

Look at Car And Driver's Bullet Sedans comapro (mar 2000) the E55 did 5.5s... MT got 4.8s, but that is exceptionally low for the car. A .7s disparity is HUGE.

[@240trooper]

BMW FTW

[@SuperSedans]

Alfa Romeo with GTA has factory 6.3 second to 0-100 km/h. From where you get 5.6s?

[@42LC2RR-CL]

Why was Top Gear shown on BBC World?

[@Hot80s]

6:37-643 2 beautiful half second clips.

[@sleeksilver]

The GS never ran 0-60 in the low 5's, let alone the high 4's. E55s of that era were clocking high 4 second 0-60 times. The XJRs were clocking very low 5 second 0-60 times. The GS400s fastest quoted time I have ever seen was around 5.7.

[@SuperStig1992]

@240trooper Yep, I'm a fan of the E39 M5

[@TIMSKPFH]

did you change music on the second part of the bmw w/c tiff power slides

[@bahar9075]

Im want a e55 so bad the m5 is too expensive now

[@PlAyEr-qk6uj]

Ouais en gros ça tient la route qu'en ligne droite...

[@Wildbillcooper]

top gear.

[@d34ler82]

is Tiff the real Stiggy'?

[@SuperStig1992]

I do agree to what you're saying. The JD Power survey as of this year have shown that Jaguar and Lexus are two of the best brands to buy. Though, one German manufacturer did come in at 5th, so really there not bad cars to own. German cars do have a prestigious feel and more people would be tempted to go for a German car, due to the badge it's wearing.

[@StraightUpStookin]

Are you kidding? looks like someone has their facts wrong. the gs400 doesnt smash anything. gs400 compares to the 540i if anything.....540i 0-60 is almost identical to the gs400. the w210 e55 has almost a full second on the gs400 0-60. dont get me wrong the gs is a great car, but has nothing on the e55.

[@PwoodrowI]

It smashed everything when it came out. The E55 wasn't in the US yet and it was faster than the 540i. FACT

[@kartoffelaut0]

Mercedes-Benz made all the models i named in my comment. You cant blame them for the stupid regulations of car import in the US. In Europe you could get all those models.

[@PwoodrowI]

Regular E class gets smoked by the GS400. Never said GS400 smokes E55.

[@GoodyearBandit]

hmmm w210 or w211 cause i am lost ;D

[@trancedsailor]

w210 lol I ran a 2:25.6 with it in on Suzuka Circuit in Gran Turismo 5 all-stock. 492hp@5900rpm, 542 ft-lbs@2500rpm, 4211 lbs. I ran a 2007 BMW M3 Coupe all-stock one tenth of a second faster. The E55 AMG tied with a 2001 Mitsubishi Evo VII GSR. If you or anybody here has GT5, try and beat my times if you want.

[@ragnarlothbrok6324]

trancedsailor L

[@mik55tv22]

Bmw was and is always a step ahead

[@Beolex]

1:33 song?

[@GoodyearBandit]

You know what you are talking about! a w210 with a rested ecu is like taking a shower ; D

[@notroll1279]

I don't have any first hand driving experience with either of those three but I think that the BMW has held up best over time. The AMGs rusted away Like most W210 chassis and old Jaguars...well...

[@FrankSandqvist]

E39 has to be the best designed car ever.

[@ragnarlothbrok6324]

Frank Sandqvist L

[@shawncweed]

I never liked the look of this E55...looked bloated...great engine though...but give it a blower and a new suit, and the W211 rocks...Probably the best car I have ever owned...until something breaks...then a big sad face!

[@Lonely_Benzer]

Shawn Weed exactly my opinion !

[@shawncweed]

Nothing. But the Benz It's funny...the W211 has great lines...the newer ones are probably better cars all around...but the new looks to me are a bit too angular...great performers though...that is a fact

[@Lonely_Benzer]

Shawn Weed Yes, I get your point ;) I really thought the same.. Got a 2005 W211 and luckily there are not any problems at the moment. But the 212 can't reach this timeless elegance of the 211

[@shawncweed]

Nothing. But the Benz I agree, we had the exact same car,,,hit 75k and and came out of extended warranty...and we reluctantly sold it...Bought a 2007 M6 Convertible...a nice car, but I miss the E55 everyday...and if we can find a nice low mile one I think we will get one again...

[@Lonely_Benzer]

Shawn Weed Yes, the 211 without any warranty or e.g. unkown history is like russian roulette.. I apprehend your decision to the M6. Anyway its a hard competition between these cars and BMW isnt bad at all.. But I also think that a well maintained E55 in its entirety is the best choice. There are so many things like SBC I wont miss even today.. Take the time and I'm optimistic you'll make a good catch again

[@OffGridInvestor]

Who in the comments has ACTUALLY WORKED ON any of these nightmares???

[@galbmw]

you read that on wikipedia didnt you. most of them get it in about 5.6 to 5.8 just like 147 GTA. but even 2ith 6.3 its still very close to the beemer providing it has ALOT less hp

[@FrightfulAccountant]

What is the song at 1:33?

[@FrightfulAccountant]

Oh, it is in the discription! :-D Thx a lot!

[@PwoodrowI]

First E55 AMG didn't hit the US until 1999, which means it came out in 1998 not 1997. Yawn. Thanks for setting me straight with incorrect info there buddy

[@kize32]

6:30 how the front rocks left to right mid corrner- worst behavior for a sports car.it's like you're driving a truck

[@Danial0152]

'Lexus is a rich man's Toyota' well the same can be said for Audi because they are just elaborate Volkswagens. the GS400 had 300BHP and 420NM in 1997, so altough a little down on power, It could still hang with the S6, M5, E55. The GS is rear wheel drive too so it's fun. as for Quality, well Lexus is always topping the reliability, quality, customer service surveys and Jaguar isn't far behind at third place. But the Germans marques BMW, Mercedes, Audi are all low in the list.

[@ragnarlothbrok6324]

TheClubshaker L

[@did00p]

M5 may be better when working, but it is such a shitty unreliable engine compared to M113 E55 ...

[@Acct1941]

Tiff has the numbers all wrong. The XJR factory claimed 0-60 time is 5.4s, and the AMG's is 5.5s. Also, in reality, the XJR did 5.2s and the AMG 5.5s. So, despite its superior aero the E55 was much slower in tests

[@PwoodrowI]

All I am doing is stating facts. I dont buy cars based on badges and what other people think of them like some people do. I buy them based on engineering. Which the early Lexuses had. Again GS400s had faster 0-60 times than all of the cars in the 60k range. Not to mention, auto levelling headlamps and a drag coeficient of .29. And another nice touch, Nakamichi sound systems. What did Merc have in their cars? Blaupunkt, LOL> Not even close!

[@xsbgtr]

Where's Audi???

[@Ab-bu3xy]

In your head

[@theokan89]

+xsbgtr these are premium cars my friend, the audi is under the overpriced volkswagen section

[@enescosovic]

+Mulkyan Audi rules, my friend.

[@cowmilky]

+Enes Ćosović For an imbecile that thinks an engine in front of the front wheels is a good idea. Audi = horrific under steer...

[@udflori]

+xsbgtr what the hell doing audi here? We're talking about cars here

[@charliestout2815]

Why do the british enjoy warm beer? Lucas makes refrigerators

[@charliestout2815]

@@Ineverreadreplies good thing you choose to read one reply

[@Danial0152]

on paper yes the GS400 doesn't compare, it has 300BHP but it was setup right. It had the handling characteristics and the fun factor like the M5. E55 is another league, even when you compare a new AMG like the E63 to the F10 M5. It's a no brainer.. the E63 is just bonkers.

[@SuperStig1992]

Saying that, image is a big part for an executive. People may fit well in a Mercedes or BMW, rather than a Jag or Lexus and they may equally be brilliant cars. The German's know how to present there cars with status and quality, not saying that the British and Japanese don't know what quality is.

[@PwoodrowI]

I love haw they show their typical disregard for Lexus here. GS400 came out in 97 (During this era). The class is midsize is it not? Then they start comparing 50k cars to cars that cost 70-90k. (E55, M5 XJR and M5). The GS400 smashes every car in that class and at only 50k. Faster than 540 by almost an entire second. Faster than the XKR, and same 0-60 as the E55 but for 20 grand less. Lastly, the E55 didn't even come out until 99-00ish. Fastest sedan on the market at the time. FACT!

[@PwoodrowI]

I travel in europe and its the same thing over there. I have a Phaeton W12 and I get respectful nods when I mention it there. But when I tell them I have a lexus as well they dont care. IN the US its the opposite. They disregard the phaeton based on the badge, lol. And the whole time its one of the best and most overengineered cars on planet earth. But nobody in the US cares simply because of the badge. Fucking incredible but I dont care because I know what it is thats all that matters

[@Gewehr_3]

The Jaguar looks the best, the BMW and Mercedes look dated.

[@ragnarlothbrok6324]

Gewehr3 L

[@FAT8893]

BMM dated? I don't think so.

[@ProtegeTuype]

i take the E55 . Bmw is idiots car