The first CLS we had ever seen was in that Iridium. It was a 500 at the ATP tennis tournament in Cincinnati last August sponsored by MB. Wifeee said you should sell the 360 Modena and get that. Yeah right... trade my baby for a 4 door...

Of ALL their models on display (SL, CLK convertable, SLK, R and more) the CLS500 attracted the most attention and really grew on me. It was near the espresso booth. All week I would drink espresso when it was 95 degrees and take the long road to our seats just to gawk at the car.

We were in Cincinnati all week but midweek one of our friends asked if I had seen the MB tent. Tent? I asked? I have entered through the South entrance and made a beeline to the espresso booth all week. I did not know there was a tent. "Come with me" he said. Went to the tent at the North entrance and there it was.... Proof that God exists.... a CLS55 AMG. OMG!!!!!!!!!

No more espresso for the remainder of the week. They could have charged me admission to the MB tent. My nose prints on every window. Tennis??? What tennis???? Security had to escort me out of the MB tent at closing time. I was hooked. As usual the MB reps at the tourny knew very little about the car but they were correct about 1 thing....
"Good luck finding one!"

I called our local dealer (we live in a small town in KY.) the next day and he had a 500 in Pewter with very few options. Couldn't even tell me when he would get a build slot for a 55. Said he would have to trade 1/2 his inventory for a slot. Called 60 miles away in Charleston W.V. They just received a build slot.... How is that for luck!!!! They gave it to us.

Now it's built and on a ship somewhere in the Atlantic. The 'Don Juan' (SGIX). Anyone know how to track these ships. The wait is killing me!!!!

 

Doc, glad you found the car of your dreams (it's mine to). You will soon have a car as incredible as my K2 E55 just much more beautiful!!!

 

Congrats man! I am fanatical about mine! Its just as good as it gets in every respect; scary fast, jaw dropping looks, incredible sound and pure luxury! The last couple weeks of waiting are obviously the toughest but hang in there, she's so worth it! Just wait till you hear the exhaust!

I look forward to some pics and your thoughts once your in it!

 

shiptrack

Here's a link I used last spring for my E55. Unfortunately, it's a crapshoot. The ship can only be tracked on this website if it radios in its position with weather info. The Don Juan hasn't radioed in since May But check in as your expected date gets closer. You never know.

 

Here's the current schedule for your boat

Scheduled to be in Baltimore 12/2

 

Oh, and last. You can type in your VIN under cargo tracking. You get your VIN but you can also see all the other VIN's on the boat and see how many MB's your CLS is traveling with.


Don Juan photo

OK, now I'm done.

 

Saw am E55 last week at the dealer. They are a rare bird here in KY. Beautiful car and what a beast!

 

I'll post photos....

 

Hey, posting cat-pics was my idea!? Never heard of Copyrights??

 

Is the greatest form of a compliment. And since our cars will be almost identical (except for your 030) I thought you wouldn't mind....

 

Yeah, you thought right...

 

I see you are in NW Ohio. Are you watching one of the greatest rivalries in college football? We live 5 minutes from SW Ohio. Do you use your car in the Winter? I hope the weather is nice when it arrives...

Thanks again....

 

Looks like he definitely means business!

 

Just my opinion but as much as I like the CLS, and I really like the presence it creates on the road, there is no way I would trade a Ferrari for one. Tell me you're not going to do that. Get the benz but keep the 360. I was next to one today and couldn't keep my eyes off it.

 

I thought about keeping it but the costs were getting too high. The car NEVER gave me any problems but routine maintenance was killing me. Needed a new clutch and was going to be $7000. Warranty was up and it had 20,000 miles on it. It was a sad day....... I miss it...

I am on the list for a 430. Performance is unreal but IMHO I really do not like the new styling. Now I hear Ferrari is developing a V10 to compete with the Gallardo.

 

Halftime . . . . . GO BLUE!!!

Winter - Yep, I just put on my snows this week. We'll see how the Beast does in the white stuff.

 

traumadoc-

Your boat is on its way

 

i was at the ATP too, I saw the CLS55 in the tent........that was the first time I saw one too, amazing!

Good Tennis also!

 

We have a box and stay all week. U from Cincy?

 

I'm hoping for a tailwind? It's not a daily driver (every other day when the weather is nice). CANNOT WAIT! Thanks for the update. What site is that?

 

Try the link in post #4. Enter Don Juan for ship name and presto.

 

Found it!

 

congats! but i still cant believe you sold the 360 for it.

btw your ship is moving fast.

 

But we needed a 4 seater. Seems we are always going somewhere with our friends.

I never drove it.

My wife was scared to drive it (translates to "eliminates the designated driver").

Folks in Eastern Kentucky really don't appreciate it. I was getting gas one day last summer and the lady next to me saw the prancing horse and asked me "Is that the new Mustang?"

Super fast but the 430 blows it away.

Thanks for the update on the ship.

 

That is just plain sad.