Any inputs on the CLS63
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Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Los Angeles, CA
E60 M5
Any inputs on the CLS63
I'm thinking about putting a deposit on the CLS63 this weekend and trade my E60 M5 for it.
I would like to know if there is any common problems experienced with the CLS? How's have the car lived up to your expectation. etc......
Any input would be appreciated. Thanks
Peter
I would like to know if there is any common problems experienced with the CLS? How's have the car lived up to your expectation. etc......
Any input would be appreciated. Thanks
Peter
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Joined: Jun 2002
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sls, e63
currently have cls55 (chipped) and recently sold m5. will be trading 55 on 63 with 030 option. m5 was nice but with VERY annoying features, particularly the wretched smg. did not find the m5 to handle better than the 55 in real world driving and mb seems to have somewhat better materials. think you'll be very pleased with the change, especially if you get the 030 option.
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Peterc4c, Russjr
really that bad with M5. ?....I read your comments on M5Board and I have currently a #1 spot for CLS 63 and also have an M5 2007 on order..(should configure that one in August...).
I am really torn on this......I had a 2004 E55....and love the AMG engine....not much else about the car....(materials feel cheap to me....a lot of shine...but not old MB quality)...The other thing was the feeling that the car was floating on the road.....
I have not driven a CLS55....not sure if it feels different .....(Lot more beautiful than E class) ...but I also like the sedan look of the M5 ( A lot better looking than E class)
I have driven the M5 once ..shortly and really enjoyed the brutality of it....I am not concenred about SMG or rough ride...I am VERY concerned on RELIABILITY......The E55 also had issues...(some that kept the car away from me for 2 weeks at a time)....not with the engine though.....
I am more on the M5 camp right now...(more raw feel to me) but can't seem to make a final decision....time is going to be running out in the next 4-6 weeks....
Any advice ?
really that bad with M5. ?....I read your comments on M5Board and I have currently a #1 spot for CLS 63 and also have an M5 2007 on order..(should configure that one in August...).
I am really torn on this......I had a 2004 E55....and love the AMG engine....not much else about the car....(materials feel cheap to me....a lot of shine...but not old MB quality)...The other thing was the feeling that the car was floating on the road.....
I have not driven a CLS55....not sure if it feels different .....(Lot more beautiful than E class) ...but I also like the sedan look of the M5 ( A lot better looking than E class)
I have driven the M5 once ..shortly and really enjoyed the brutality of it....I am not concenred about SMG or rough ride...I am VERY concerned on RELIABILITY......The E55 also had issues...(some that kept the car away from me for 2 weeks at a time)....not with the engine though.....
I am more on the M5 camp right now...(more raw feel to me) but can't seem to make a final decision....time is going to be running out in the next 4-6 weeks....
Any advice ?
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From: Southern California
S600TT, R350
Imagine a roller coaster.
Now pretend you could turn on and off the roller coast at will.
That's the CLS55
Now pretend you could turn on and off the roller coast at will.
That's the CLS55
This is probably the best way to describe the difference between M and AMG philosophies.
New 63s should be here very shortly. CLK63 Cab might be as soon as today.
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sls, e63
amg-1 the m5 IS a nice car, but it does require that you accomadate to some of its pecularities: namely the smg which is slushy in auto mode and brutal in 5or 6 mode; and of course i-drive is a nuisance, though not difficult to master. i also had an e55 and thoroughly enjoyed it; the cls, when it came out had a different steering box and, with the 030 option, feels exceptionally tied to the road with a very compliant ride. i just don't think in the real world driving we do, that there is any meaningful handling advantage to the m5, and bmw speedometers are, in my experience, always reading 5-12 miles an hour fast, so you get a false impression of its prowess. the m aterials in the cls are a noticeable upgrade from the e. i really liked my m5, just not as much as my cls and i felt the new 63 would be better yet.
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Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Los Angeles, CA
E60 M5
amg-1:
I love the M5. And I did consider the CLS55 before I purchased the M.
M: SMG is slushy in Auto, but I simply NEVER drive in Auto mode. I love the way S mode feels in 5. Most people will find that sweet spot for them and simply get used to driving in that mode. I also like the M suspension a lot more then the CLS suspension. But because of the many problems I've had with the car. Such as different fluid leaks, computer glitches, etc.... I just about had it with this car.
CLS: Fit and finish is awsome. both interior and exterior Styling is gorgeous, I did'nt like the backseat so much, but it's great if you consider the car a coupe.
In the end. Try both and see which you like more.
I was hoping to hear from the current CLS55 owners to see if there is any problem areas in the cls as well.
Peter
I love the M5. And I did consider the CLS55 before I purchased the M.
M: SMG is slushy in Auto, but I simply NEVER drive in Auto mode. I love the way S mode feels in 5. Most people will find that sweet spot for them and simply get used to driving in that mode. I also like the M suspension a lot more then the CLS suspension. But because of the many problems I've had with the car. Such as different fluid leaks, computer glitches, etc.... I just about had it with this car.
CLS: Fit and finish is awsome. both interior and exterior Styling is gorgeous, I did'nt like the backseat so much, but it's great if you consider the car a coupe.
In the end. Try both and see which you like more.
I was hoping to hear from the current CLS55 owners to see if there is any problem areas in the cls as well.
Peter
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Thanks for all the input....I wrote an e-mail to the dealer asking him to drive the CLS55....If I do this week end, I will tell you my feelings.....still 55% M5 and CLS 45%...HOWEVER, I have never driven the CLS...I guess I am judging it on my E55 experience ...and that 's probably not the right approach....
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From: Southern Cali (Ontario)
I would say at this point.. CLS is far more reliable than the M5...
just read the number of M5 failures compared to the CLS....
I'm always reading the posts at the M5board, there seems to be as many complaints as well as praises.
Most of those praises come when a M5 owner finds an some twisties or find a open stretch of road where he can hit 155mph...
Most of the time... you will be driving the car around town and on the freeway.. for those occassions you won't be able to relax, just looking out for a 63 AMG or a modded 55k motor.
My impression is that you have made your decision on the M5, just need to justify your purchase. I think most of these opinions will be bias towards AMG, with a few M defenders.
The 63 engines will be hard to beat and the CLS 030 with the 63 motor will be on par at almost every level with the M5. Wil the M5 handle better, probably, would it connect you with the road as 1 more than the AMG, probably. But the difference won't be as dramatic from the E55 to the AMG.
just wait until a few comparisons from MT, R&D, or R&T are released. I have a good feeling' that AMG will take back the crown after only 1 year of losing it.
just read the number of M5 failures compared to the CLS....
I'm always reading the posts at the M5board, there seems to be as many complaints as well as praises.
Most of those praises come when a M5 owner finds an some twisties or find a open stretch of road where he can hit 155mph...
Most of the time... you will be driving the car around town and on the freeway.. for those occassions you won't be able to relax, just looking out for a 63 AMG or a modded 55k motor.
My impression is that you have made your decision on the M5, just need to justify your purchase. I think most of these opinions will be bias towards AMG, with a few M defenders.
The 63 engines will be hard to beat and the CLS 030 with the 63 motor will be on par at almost every level with the M5. Wil the M5 handle better, probably, would it connect you with the road as 1 more than the AMG, probably. But the difference won't be as dramatic from the E55 to the AMG.
just wait until a few comparisons from MT, R&D, or R&T are released. I have a good feeling' that AMG will take back the crown after only 1 year of losing it.
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From: Kenilworth, il usa
GT63S ePerformance 4dr, '25 Bentayga Black Ed.(wife), Wrangler and 250 MLB(kids)
Got a call from my dealer if I wanted September prod. CLS63 but passed the offer.
Great car on its own but very limited possibilities of tuning turn me off.
Wish the made a turbo V8............
Great car on its own but very limited possibilities of tuning turn me off.
Wish the made a turbo V8............
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Originally Posted by TopGun32
I would say at this point.. CLS is far more reliable than the M5...
just read the number of M5 failures compared to the CLS....
I'm always reading the posts at the M5board, there seems to be as many complaints as well as praises.
Most of those praises come when a M5 owner finds an some twisties or find a open stretch of road where he can hit 155mph...
Most of the time... you will be driving the car around town and on the freeway.. for those occassions you won't be able to relax, just looking out for a 63 AMG or a modded 55k motor.
My impression is that you have made your decision on the M5, just need to justify your purchase. I think most of these opinions will be bias towards AMG, with a few M defenders.
The 63 engines will be hard to beat and the CLS 030 with the 63 motor will be on par at almost every level with the M5. Wil the M5 handle better, probably, would it connect you with the road as 1 more than the AMG, probably. But the difference won't be as dramatic from the E55 to the AMG.
just wait until a few comparisons from MT, R&D, or R&T are released. I have a good feeling' that AMG will take back the crown after only 1 year of losing it.
just read the number of M5 failures compared to the CLS....
I'm always reading the posts at the M5board, there seems to be as many complaints as well as praises.
Most of those praises come when a M5 owner finds an some twisties or find a open stretch of road where he can hit 155mph...
Most of the time... you will be driving the car around town and on the freeway.. for those occassions you won't be able to relax, just looking out for a 63 AMG or a modded 55k motor.
My impression is that you have made your decision on the M5, just need to justify your purchase. I think most of these opinions will be bias towards AMG, with a few M defenders.
The 63 engines will be hard to beat and the CLS 030 with the 63 motor will be on par at almost every level with the M5. Wil the M5 handle better, probably, would it connect you with the road as 1 more than the AMG, probably. But the difference won't be as dramatic from the E55 to the AMG.
just wait until a few comparisons from MT, R&D, or R&T are released. I have a good feeling' that AMG will take back the crown after only 1 year of losing it.
No offense to CLS55 drivers but I did not like it. ...I remembered now the burst of power from my E55 ... nice... but throttle response was not great....but more importantly the steering is not precise at all.....again I had the same impression of floating car I had with the E55....
I was shocked.....I was really going in excited about it and determined to change the M5 decision...I swear
I wanted to change my M5 decision on the accurate comments on this forum about the fact that we, car owners, never drive the cars daily the way the journalists do in the tests and therefore, I should choose the car that will be the most fun for our type of every day driving....
In the back of my mind I was fearing that the M5 would not be a good every day driver...and did not care about having better performance on a track.....
Well , even for every day going to the office I felt that the CLS would not be the car for me ...felt too disconnected with the road.....
The car looks great , Sounds great but not the driving impression I am now seeking....
So unless a 63 and perhaps with 030 package makes a BIG deifference ...I will re-consider....I am still disapointed from the experience...
I do not hold the truth....This is my personal opinion....CLS/ M5 are both great cars....different people seek different things...I apprently just defined it for myself......
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From: MO
06 E55,03 M3 (gone),05 Yukon, 03 Diesel PU,05 RK Custom, 03 SERK
AMG-1--Appreciate your heartfelt writeup. I agree that MB's aren't as connected to the road--miss that from my previous BMW's. The reasons I didn't go with the M5:
1. Don't wanna be married to shifting constantly. Had that in the M3 and don't miss it. And the auto mode sucks in the M5, apparently.
2. The M cars wanna be driven fast and sporty all the time whereas the AMG is easier to drive like an old man but you got the power when you want to fire it up.
3. I-drive doesn't sound fun and probably a distraction when driving.
4. Lots of little leaks in the M5 and some are adding a quart of oil every 800-1000 miles. I live 80 miles from a dealer.
5. M5 has lots less range on a tank of gas, so I've heard---smaller tank? less mpg?
6. M5 bodystyle is getting more attractive with time but the dashboard layout is less appealing than the E and the materials seem less luxurious.
Definately comes down to personal preference and isn't it great to have so many choices? I envy those who have both!!
1. Don't wanna be married to shifting constantly. Had that in the M3 and don't miss it. And the auto mode sucks in the M5, apparently.
2. The M cars wanna be driven fast and sporty all the time whereas the AMG is easier to drive like an old man but you got the power when you want to fire it up.
3. I-drive doesn't sound fun and probably a distraction when driving.
4. Lots of little leaks in the M5 and some are adding a quart of oil every 800-1000 miles. I live 80 miles from a dealer.
5. M5 has lots less range on a tank of gas, so I've heard---smaller tank? less mpg?
6. M5 bodystyle is getting more attractive with time but the dashboard layout is less appealing than the E and the materials seem less luxurious.
Definately comes down to personal preference and isn't it great to have so many choices? I envy those who have both!!
Last edited by grizbo; Jul 14, 2006 at 11:33 AM.
Member
Joined: Jun 2002
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sls, e63
really don't understand this talk of m5 handling prowess vs cls, especially with 030 option. having had both (m5 gone now) the handling of the cls is just as good- one has the mb feel, the other the bmw feel. recent magazine test showed inconsequential differenc in track times, although these are NOT track cars..... and no one talks about the overly optimistic speedometer on bmw's that give a very misleading sense of speed, although it is a fast car, just not as fast as speedometer shows.
