Just stopped off at my dealer to check on my car, it goes into production April 3rd to be picked up at May 4th at the factory.

Anyway my dealer pulled up info on the MBZ computer, and they can no longer build any CLS500's or 55's, & E55's or E500 also the CLS has been pulled off for Euro delivery as well. They cancelled orders that were after mine, so I guess I got lucky

 

Interesting.. probably until 07s are available in a month for spec?

 

Well for sure all us CLS55-030 owners are among a select group, which feels GOOD, however, what is the market-place going to do the value of our Cars? - Bob

 

Pink elephant or instant classic?

 

I think the latter versus the former, I thought it was a damn nice car, a welcome change for MB.

 

I have had nightmares that my dealer was going to call me and tell me that there where no more 55 and that I would have to wait for the 63. If you car goes in to prod April 4 and its supposed to be here May 4 where the heck is my car.

I'm calling my dealer tomorrow to see what is going on he was supposed to call with a vin by now.

Hey kevin did they tell you when you would have a vin?

Clos

 

Unless the CLS550 comes with a significantly increased MSRP over the CLS500, resale values on the CLS500 may take a pretty big hit since the 2007 model will have a much more powerful engine, without sacrificing fuel economy.

The situation with the 55 vs 63 is very different. The 63 will get a nice HP boost and will rev high, but it also has less torque at "normal" engine speeds. Away from ultra high speed driving on the track, there will probably be little difference in acceleration. At typical road speeds, the 55 may even be quicker although the lower torque (i.e. less spin) and extra two gears on the 63 will probably at least make up the difference. Gas mileage will probably be about the same too. From what I've read the new 6.2L N/A engine guzzles at least as much fuel as the blown 5.5L.

Something else to consider -- the 55 is a wonderful platform for aftermarket upgardes. ECU, pulley, headers, camshafts, throttle body, etc can add substantially more power to a car that is already extremely fast, and the 5sp auto can handle it. On the other hand, the 6.2L N/A engine is probably already tweaked to near its full potential by AMG. Aftermarket forced induction is probably not an option since the 7sp tranny cannot handle much more torque than the stock engine has. I wouldn't be surprised if ECU upgrades are the only reasonable power upgrade path for the 63.

It is likely the base MSRP of the CLS63 will increase several thousand over the CLS55 also, although this is an unknown until M-B releases their 2007 pricing information.

After thinking about CLS55 vs CLS63, I decided to get a CLS55 now rather than waiting for a CLS63 late this year (Oct/Nov delivery according to local dealer for orders placed now). Plan is to enjoy the 55, pimp it out a bit, and skip the 63. In a few years when the CLS is refreshed and with a biturbo V8 or V12, and hopefully 4WD or at least a standard LSD...

In summary after my long diatribe...

• CLS500... pink elephant
• CLS55 .... instant classic!

 

I am on the list for a CLS55, will probably end up being an '07 63. FWIW the 6.3 should be alot cheaper to manufacture than the 5.5k. Much fewer parts. I am hoping the price will reflect that.

 

I will be surprised if it stickers for less.

A lot of R&D to pay back...


Instant classic

 

plus... ew, have you seen the side panel label for the 63? it doesn't say v8 kompressor anymore...

it say's 63 AMG. EWWW EWWWW hahaha. Either car would be great to drive though...

http://www.netcarshow.com/mercedes-b...llpaper_03.htm

 

Clos, the reason I get it May 4th is because were flying to Stuttgart to pick it up at the factory. You should of had a VIN long ago, if its due here next week it should already be on the slow boat over, its about 7 weeks from the time it leaves the factory until it hits the States. Sounds like your sales guy is a bit lazy, maybe speak to a manager that knows there stuff.

 

Interesting post, but the CLS won't get a V12 or AWD this time around. There is an outside chance a base CLS like the 350 or 550 may get 4Matic at FL time but not the AMG versions. I agree though, I think I like the "55" models better because of the torque. Now the CLK63 is going to be a complete thug on the road along with the upcoming SLK63 since the new V8 outpowers/torques the old n/a V8 by a country mile. There was CLS65 rumored for a while, but it was all based on pics not any underhood shots. I don't think the V12 will fit, well at least without major modifications.

I am a little worried that the CLS63 really be much faster than the CLS55 because of that torque difference and some testers might actually get slower 0-60 times because of that torque difference. We'll see. I can't see MB putting out a slower car than before. It is a curious thing as to why they didn't go with the newly revised 5.5L SC V8 in the 07' SL55.

I think the CLS550, E550 and especially CLK550 will be the real bargains of the MB range considering how much hp they'll pack for a money. I mean a basic E550 will have more hp than any AMG vehicle prior to 2003! Unless you have a Europe-only S63 V12 from 2001 sitting around.

M