It seems that several members (including myself) have both a CLS AMG of some variant (55 or 63) and a Porsche 996/997, etc. I am curious how people compare the two cars. In reading about each car, I have often seen some people trading in one car for the other and so on; however, I never thought each car was directly comparable to one another.

I have recently purchased both Vehicles - CLS63 as previously posted, and a 997 C4S Cab (check out Rennlist for postings there). I have been driving each for a few weeks now and have been getting a feel for both cars. I now have about 1,500 miles on each. While I have not done a side by side track comparison, I have driven each on my daily commute (45 miles each way mostly highway) and have played around town on the weekends. Below are my laymans thoughts based on comparing daily driving of each:

HANDLING. In my mind, the Porsche is the better athlete. You feel connected to the road, turns are tight, and the car provides the driver with significant confidence. The handling often reminds me of driving a go-cart on a track when I was 13 years old.
The CLS, on the other hand, is fully capable, while performing as a more mature statesman. The car will certainly go where you point it, however, there seems to be more isolation between the driver and the road.

SPEED. While I have read the published track numbers, I initially doubted them. OEM reports showed that the CLS63 (4.3 to 60) would be faster than the 997 C4S Cab (4.7 to 60). While I have not specifically clocked either one yet, my sense is that this is a toss up. Again, I have not specifically clocked them yet, but will do in short order. Obviously the weight of each car plays a big role in this, but it is interesting that one car has 507 HP and the other has 355 HP yet each perform relatively close to one another.

INTERIOR. The AMG is significantly more comfortble in my mind than a standard CLS (I previously owned a CLS500). Better supportive seats, more athletic steering wheel. Compared with the porsche, the CLS provides significantly more interior room, controls are laid out with plenty of room around them, and the car is more comfortable on long drives. It feels like I am wearing a tuxido when I drive it. The Porsche, on the other hand, feels like a glove. The interior is compact, controls are close together, and everything seems to be just where they need to be in order to drive hard.

Appearance. They both look awsome, need I say more!

As both cars continue to break in, I will look for the opportunity track them both and get more specific performance measurements. While each car is built to be athletic and aggresive, in my mind, the CLS is more the statesman while the porsche is young buck. They are both aswome cars and I am glad I have each one in my driveway.

 

nice write up....too bad driving in south florida SUCKS!!!! Nothing compared to SoCal which i visited for the first time since childhood a month ago and drove the PCH.

T

 

I hear you on that one. Thats why I keep a 993 up in North Carolina!

 

Nice post, I too have had the pleasure of enjoying an SL55 and a 997 TT, I agree with the point of the Porsche feeling connected to road, my 911 is almost telepathic, it's a very firm yet comfortable ride and will stop on a dime, even w/o Carbon brakes, it will also undoubtedly clear the SL in a drag race to nearly any speed, but notby much. The SL is the more suitable for my lifestyle, I drive about twenty minutes to work a day and usually with the top down, I love the ease of speed the 55K cars have, you can drive it as a Honda or a Ferrari, whichever you prefer. I have about 10K on the SL and about 2K on the 911, the 911 is my Sat. and Sun. car, it is without a doubt the best handling car I've come across, the freaking thing sucks itself to twisty roads like no other, you can take nearly any turn at whatever pace you like, but don't underestimate the SL55, the car is beastly fast and can cook tires in a right foot second! The car is a gifted handler and braker given it's heft, so the two are not very comparable as far as performance, but they are very closely priced and offer great experiences on their own, neither can be faulted for what they do, the SL55 is a 493 HP luxo-missile and the 911 TT is the pinnacle entry exotic! I am currently trying to unload the 997 for sticker because I am listed for an F430 Spider in Summer of '07 as well as the 10th US 997 TT Cab. and can live without the Turbo for a few months, but no longer than that! I'm just glad to be around during such great automotive times!

 

Nice write up. Don't take this the wrong way but everything you said is incredibly obvious. I know that comes across as an insult but it's really not LOL! You correctly mentioned that many here have made the switch from one to the other while the cars are so different and really can't be compared.

I did the switch also (wished I could have both), and now looking to upgrade to a TT. The cars ARE so different - that's what I meant earlier and it is interesting seeing people have both or make the trade for one or the other.

The only thing I would say has to do with your speed comment. Porsche (like many others) are pretty conservative on their HP figures and track times. I believe Car and Driver was able to do a 3.9 or something crazy like that for a 0-60 time. Realize that what they had to do to the car in order to achieve that number is NOT something you'd do to your own car. The other thing that needs to be considered is that even though the 997S "only" has 355 HP it weighs several hundred lbs. less than the Benz.

My 997S has no where near the acceleration ability of my modded E55 but that is the only area where it falls short as far as a driver's car. The TT should take care of that! Even so, get the 997S in it's power band and it pulls pretty hard.

I'm also on Rennlist (E55AMG) and have seen your posts.

 

What are your TT specs?

 

No insult taken - that being said, based on the way AMG's are written about, talked about and Mod'd , I actually think some of it is not as obvious to a layman until one actually drives the two. In fact, I had someone in my CLS63 today and they were complaining that the car felt Firm! I guess compared to his volvo, it does Post pics of the TT on Rennlist when you get it, I look forward to seeing them and hearing how it compares to your E55.

 

Well, E55 is already gone - it will be a comparison to my current 997S. It will most likely not be until spring summer if i'm lucky.

you're also right about different perspectives and how someone may think the CLS firm. Someone recently posted on rennlist (I think) who had an AMG and thought the TT was too loud. Most "porsche guys" have been complaining that it's too subdued. Like you said, not as obvious until you drive both and what your'e coming from.

 

Atlas Grey/Black & Sand Beige Two-Tone
Sport Chrono
Carbon Package
Heated Seats
Supple Leather
CD Changer
Multi-Function Wheel
Embossed Headrests
Black Mats
Clear Side Turn Signals
1,9XX Miles
Porsche Specified Break-In
MSRP $128,900

Although, it sold on eBay last night, supposedly a dealer won the auction, I'll let you know if he comes through and his phone number if you have any interest. The auction ended for $126,800.

 

As a member that has both CLS55 and a 997TT, I agreed on what you said about the handling, interior and The 997TT is obviously faster than the 55 in all department.

Lately I have been neglecting my 55 as I am having way too much fun in the TT . But what is surprising to me is that now that I have a TT to compared with, I realized just how good the CLS55 really is. Even thought it's a much bigger car that the TT, it has about 90% of the speed and maybe 85% of the handling of the TT but with a much better interior.

As I have said it before, I think the CLS55 is one of the best car there is out there period. It gets just as many looks as the 997TT and unlike the M5, wont't be mistaken as a regular 5 series with a bodykit.