FloridaE55

Thanks!
I always thoght there is a special "relation" between the wheel size (10"x19") and the required tire. I don't understand why the performance package comes with a bigger wheel size (10" instead of 9.5") but gets the exact same tire (285 30 ZR 19) as the standard 9.5"x10" rear-wheel...

Tony007

They have been fitting Bridgestone Potenza 050 tires on these 2 piece Mark IV wheels. I looked it up and the largest they go is 285/30's. Perhaps down the road they may offer a 295 or 305 series tire and that would be might help the traction problem off the line.

Evolution Marine

Another reason AMG might have gone with the 1/2" wider wheel on the back is it stretches the tire side wall out more so when initiating a turn at higher speeds the tire will not move in relation to the wheel laterally as much and thus give a more positive feeling when turning -in. - Bob

FloridaE55

Ahh, Thank You!
Now I get it! They basically want to increase the feeling of sticking directly to the road ("tire melts into the wheel"). Sounds logically and shouldn't be a problem because it's just a difference of 0.5". I guess you can feel the difference on a slalom-course as well. That explains the different lower body work in the rear since the wheel IS wider than the standard version. Learned something today...Thanks again! :p

20C4S

my friend has this steering in his CLS that Germany factory sent him. while it looks nice but i still prefer the stock one. the stock one looks sportier while the alcantara one is a bit thicker.

jmeyers

It took me a while to find a host that would allow unlimited downloading of this file, but here it is: http://www.savefile.com/files/6840984

I apologize for the advertising that accompanies the file, and I would appreciate hearing about other sites that offer free file-saving without such accompanying content.

Comments on the content are invited.

Tony007

Looks to me like their marketing/brochure guys and their MBUSA employees don't share the same information or communicate too well, eh?

FloridaE55

MBUSA will be in big trouble if that brochure shows all we get.

FloridaE55

Next try:

Called MBUSA AGAIN and got the complete package verified. I certainly asked her about the brochure and told her that some items are missing or are different (rear wheel size).

She explained to me that the reason for those differences might be the delayed availability (I don't know how old the brochure is and if it will be the final versin before publication). She told me as well that the previous posted complete content is up-to-date and she agreed that they would face big trouble if they promise people options they wouldn't get.

She wanted to send me an e-mail with her contact-info (extension) and the content of the package. I will post it as soon as I got it.

FloridaE55

O.K., here is the promised e-mail:


Enclosed you will find the information on the performance package for the
CLS 55 AMG, i do hope that this wil be helpful to you. If you have any
questions you can reach us at 1.800.FOR.MERC

Sincerely, Sonia Carlan

CLS55 AMG Performance Package

· Special AMG body modifications for larger rear tires
· AMG sport steering wheel with Alcantara insets and thicker rim
· 186 mph (300 km/h) top speed (electronically limited)
· Special AMG suspension system (revised control arms and stabilizers)
· AMG “Compound” braking system
o AMG Compound front brakes: cross-drilled, internally-ventilated 15.4”
two-piece discs with AMG 8-piston calipers
o AMG rear brakes: cross-drilled, internally-ventilated 13.7” two-piece
discs with AMG 4-piston calipers
· AMG 19 inch twin-spoke multipiece alloy wheels with high performance
tires
o Front: 8.5 x 19 inch 255 35 ZR 19
o Rear: 10 x 19 inch 285 30 ZR 19
· AMG limited slip differential

jmeyers

I cannot recall the last time I hoped so hard that I was wrong! The specs which Sonia cites are the basis for a real performance enhancement. Now, does anyone know what this is really going to cost us?

sprins

My guess is $25K to $30K easily.

Tony007

Cost for the package is $9500

sprins

You're right:

2. CLS 55 AMG Performance Package

2.1 Content
• Internally ventilated composite brake discs measuring 380 x 36mm on the front axle
• Multiple-disc limited slip differential incl. reinforced final drive unit
• 19" AMG multi-piece twin-spoke light-alloy wheels, (front: 8.5 x 19 ET 25 with 255/35R19, rear: 9.5 x 19 ET 28 with 285/30R19)
• Maximum speed limitation (Vmax) increased to 300 km/h
• AMG ergonomic sports steering wheel in leather /Alcantara (black)

2.2 Price
Code 030 Performance Package CLS 55 AMG (219.376): 9,860€ incl. 16% VAT


The Performance Package for the CLS 55 AMG is available only with the payable equipment code 475 (Tyre pressure monitoring)

2.3 Availability
The Performance Package for the CLS 55 AMG is available from September 2005.

That's a real bargain!

Frank Wiesmann

[QUOTE=FloridaE55]O.K., here is the promised e-mail:


Enclosed you will find the information on the performance package for the
CLS 55 AMG, i do hope that this wil be helpful to you. If you have any
questions you can reach us at 1.800.FOR.MERC

Sincerely, Sonia Carlan

CLS55 AMG Performance Package


· AMG “Compound” braking system
o AMG Compound front brakes: cross-drilled, internally-ventilated 15.4”
two-piece discs with AMG 8-piston calipers
o AMG rear brakes: cross-drilled, internally-ventilated 13.7” two-piece
discs with AMG 4-piston calipers

This brake part I find confusing. According the official release posted on the AMG Owners club forum, the brake upgrades consist of 15.0 inch rotors upfront, no change mentioned in the rear. According to MB USA, the brakes installed are identical in size to those of the CL65 and S65. I highly doubt they would have different packages for the US and Europe, or do they really?!

FloridaE55

The brake-size is one of the few things about this package that doesn't seem to be in question. All different sources I have seen so far list this bigger brakes as apart of the package.

Even the "limited" brochure posted by jmeyers shows those bigger brakes (see link in his post).

I don't see a reason why a package can't be different between Europe and the USA. Even the base interior of the US-version is different, f.e. the cup-holders (or the rest-heat function, not available in the US, standard in Germany).

Once again, I highly doubt that MBusa give out wrong information, especially on such a detail.