darren_dallas

Hi folks,

I know this is the CLS section of the forum, but was hoping to get some feedback from those of you who have experience with E55's and CLS55's.

I'm looking to get a newer car and would like to step into a slightly used 2006 CLS55 with E55. Can someone share with me the driving experience between the two and which one they prefer and why? I know it's all subject and I still need to drive the CLS55 for myself and plan to this weekend (2006 CLS55 with 030 and 11k miles).

Also, what is everyone's opinion on the depreciation on the 2006 CLS55's vs the 2006 E55's.

All opinions welcome as I go through this search.

Thanks for your input.

Regards,

Darren

nishi

assuming the E class is old (they haven't changed it since the 2003 model) I'm assuming they will soon introduce a new E class face hence depreciation should hit it then. The CLS look is new... so I guess go for the CLS, it looks hotter too

siswati

Hi Darren

I owned an 04 E55 for 2 years then purchased on 06 CLS55 which I have owend since January

My comparison
I really miss the E55 for the following reasons

It has 5 seats in the back as opposed to 4, and it has more leg room in the back. In the E55 I never had to move my drivers seat forward, no matter who got in the back - and I often have to move the drivers seat forward in the CLS - that really bugs me.

I also dislike the blindspots in the CLS that come from the high waistline and the superwide C pillar. Almost totalled my CLS55 the day I drove it off the lot - didnt see the car in the lane behind me!

I also miss the stealth aspect that the E has - No one ever notices it - the CLS draws too much attention and often from the wrong crowd.

But the part that I miss the most is the 12.1's that I could run in my E and that I have never been able to get in my CLS55.

That being said, the E55 market was going incredibly soft at the time I sold my car (Jan 06). There are approximately 9,000 of them out there in the wild and there are only 1,200 odd CLS55's ever built, and I do like the exclusivity aspect.

And for sure the car is gorgeous to look at - it really has awesome lines (some love it some hate it but thats normally true for a work of art) but as I said above its a double edged sword - sometimes the attention is not what you want!

In terms of handling, the CLS55 is definitely more planted in the corners - this could be a factor of the different steering ratios, 04 vs 06 - and the 19" wheels make a difference. I do like the compound brakes with the 030 model, as well as the LSD which so far hasnt helped didly in my 1/4 mile quests.

Knowing what I know now, I more than likely would have hung onto my E for a while - I took a bath in the sale - didnt really gain much except the exclusivity and the joy of driving one of the sexiest looking cars on the road today.

But if I didnt own either and I was looking to purchase one, I would base it on your space requirements - if you need the space, the E is the way to go for sure.

Good luck with your own decision making

nishi

I'm in a similar dilemna right now I bought a fully loaded 2006 SLK55 8 months ago - however always was in love with the E55 - never bought it because the dealership wouldn't give me a good deal on an 06 that was on the lot. 8 months later I miss the space that I would have in the E55... and eventually started looking around for one. Only ones I could find were 04s going for low-mid $60ks. The dealership I'm at was only willing to give me $53,000 for my car - which hurt me a lot!

any opinions? Is it worth trading my car in?

darren_dallas

Danny,

That is exactly the candid feedback I am looking for. Thank you very much. Space has been on my mind. I'm not looking to haul 4 adults that often. Realistically, it will be more like 1-2 kids (my son and his friend). What I think I may miss is the bench seat in the E55 though if we want to carry 2 of his friends. Not sure yet.

I like the thought of owning a newer body style though and think the CLS looks great. I am really looking forward to test driving some this weekend now.

Thanks again,

Darren

darren_dallas

Also, what about the ride on the 19" wheels and the suspension of the CLS55 compared to the E55?

siswati

The ride is definitely a touch harder - on the 19" PS2's you have to run 45psi - I am a fan of the 18" wheels - while I love fast cars I do enjoy comfort and I trasnport my clients a lot - they dont appreciate the finer points of teh car - they just want a plush ride - 18" also helps on the trips down the 1/4 mile

siswati

Darren
regarding space - if you are like me, even if you very seldom have someone in the backseat, on that one occasion you have to move your seat forward from your well refined seating position, you will resent it. Every time it happens to me I miss the E55

Rock

The best reason to get a CLS is to possess the best looking four-door coupe in the world. I was at the dealer yesterday and on the floor was a black on black CLS63 with the performance package............ and holy shiiit!!!!! That thing was to die for. I love my K3 E55 immensely but the CLS's really does have supermodel appeal. If cost is not a deciding factor my vote goes to the CLS55/63 (Please don't tell the E55 Forum I said that).

AMG_55

im telling

jangy

Shame on you, Rock!! The CLS is EVERYTHING the E is not.

darren_dallas

Well, I went and test drove a 2006 CLS55 with 030 package today. My wife hated it. I didn't dislike it as much as she did, but I also wasn't blown away.

First of all, the looks on the outside are fantastic (which is what drew me to the car in the first place). The interior though did not work for either us. The entire front dash feels too "old man-ish" for our taste. Also, the interior space in the front and rear seats feel very confining compared to the E55.

Still one of the best looking AMGs out, just the interior didn't work for me.

Thanks for the input on this forum. I appreciate the help.

Regards,

Darren

SLK55R

Personally I love the interior of the CLS. Not only is the exterior better looking but the interior is higher quality.

I was very dissapointed when I went to look at a E63 and noticed that the front dash is still not covered in leather like the CLS's.

darren_dallas

I would agree with you on the interior dash of the CLS. I would also say I did like the door coverings in addition to the dash. Felt soft to the touch, so I understand what you're talking about.

I think for me (and my wife) it really boils down space and the E55 feels just slightly roomier.

Thanks again for all the feedback.

Cheers,

Darren

SLK55R

yeah the E55 is roomier ... and faster ...

VTen555

Just went through a similar dilema last weekend. CLS55 vs. E63
I ended up with the CLS...wife voted for E63 she actually wrote a Pros and Cons list.

2K6E55

Yeah Rock... Traitor!!!

AdamG@NorCal

CLS for me!

BiG22DuBz

Dude, definitely go with the CLS55. I also was going to step into an E55 but I figured I'd drop some more and go with the CLS. EVERYBODY compliments my car (when it's clean). Bro, an E55 looks like a E320 with the sports package. When it comes down to it....same ride, same performance but more of a classy/chic look....CLS all the way!

ROCKETW19

i would stay with the CL before going to a CLS sorry but i think the CLS is ugly. i like the CL body style best but perfer the 4 doors of my E55. i havnt seen the new CL yet what about that one?

TopGun32

I was over at the M5board, and you proudly announced that you bought an M5?

http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=83416

I'm confused....? You didn't mention the M5 at all in your initial post.

MB Fanatic

Darren, I have had the pleasure, like Siswati, of owning both a E55 and a CLS55. Go with the CLS55, looks better, and just feels better than a E. Did I mention it looks awesome? My girls love getting in the back of the CLS55 and waving bye to all others on the road.

The CLS IMO also handles better thought it weighs more than the E thanks to 030. All around its a better car than the E55 which looks just like a regular E at the end of the day.

transferred

That's what I like about it. For my money, the E55 is better looking than the CLS55 too. It's for those who don't feel the need to shout loudly about their $$

If your buying 2nd hand, which your 55 thread suggests, E will be much better value too

MB Fanatic

All practicality wise, the E makes more sense if your taking people around all the time, but for me form overtook function in the end lol.

clos

my choice is the cls55 hands down but I owned an E and loved it very comfortable for all. Can't say that about the cls, I took on some new partners in my business so we tend to go out in my car all the time since it sits four, one guy can't go in the back and the other has to sit behind me and makes my ride uncomfortable both these guys are 6 feet tall.

So if your not going to be driving people around stick the cls but if you are going to be driving people around stick with the E55 much more space.

Clos