I saw a post recently that made mention that the CLS55 has a much sportier feel and superior handling over the W211 E55. My only gripe with my E55 has been the heavy feel and mediocre handling. Can anyone confirm that statement that has had or driven both? Since my CLS55 is only a few weeks away I am really curious to know. Thanks in advance for the input.

 

I have driven both, but I have only driven my CLS55 for 150 miles; not driven hard at all and dont plan on driving it anymore. I drove the E55 HARD at the AMG Challenge, but that was last June. I think the CLS55 does have a superior suspension. It is also much softer than my SL55 with equal size 19" rims and tires. Sorry i cant add more. To see for yourself, go to your nearest AMG Challenge. They should have both. Ill be going in May.

T

 

I will attending the March 28th AMG Challenge and hopefully I can test drive a CLS55. I am also curious whether the handling is better since I will more than likely be putting a deposit next month for a CLS55.

 

The CLS has a more responsive steering...maybe cuz of the SL steering rack they put into it? To me the CLS handled better than the E.

 

Does that kinda upset you that they did not put the SL steering in the 05 E55?

 

It did at first, but I dont have the E55 anymore...have a CL55 now and I don't know if it's my imagination but he CL55 seems to corner better and feels less "nose heavy" than the E55....strange.

 

CL55 handling better than an E55, that is strange. BTW, you should update your sig as it still shows you having an E55 instead of a CL55.

 

I wish someone could answer my question regarding the CLS55 vs. the E55......

 

I thought I heard somewhere that the improved steering rack was also going to make it into the E55 - the timing was the real question. I hope so.

 

I'll let you after the 3/28/05 AMG Challenge Driving Event how the two differs.

 

haha they actually put the new rack into the E55 in July 2004

i emailed AMG a while ago about this

 

My CLS55 definitely steers more responsively and handles better than my 2003 E55. The CLS is lower and has a stiffer suspension so it rolls less, yet it rides just as well if not better. The body feels stiffer and tighter.

 

Tommaey,

what address did you use to e-mail AMG? I have tried to do this before. I think that the product manager for AMG is called Rob Allan...saw it on one of the Mercedes magazines....

 

The CLS55 does indeed have a faster steering rack than the E55.
10% faster in fact! ( I read an article not too long ago that the E55 would receive this rack later this year.)

Not only does the CLS55 have a 10%faster steeing rack, it`s Air-Matic suspension has also been tuned to be more effective at reducing body-roll!
It`s Brakes (SBS) have also been tuned to respond at a more lineer feel as well.

In fact, If you look at the performance numbers of the CLS55
thay are very close to the 2006 M5s That says a lot about AMGs new look on performance!!

 

what does the cls and the m5 do quarter mile

 

I tried both:
2003 W211-E55
2005 C219-CLS55
For reasons already stated in the other posts, just adding my $.02 The CLS 55 handles better and flatter around twisties. Probably has something to do with the fact that it sits lower as well. As I said earlier, it is almost on par with my 2002 996-C4S