CLS55 test drive and mid life crisis update.
12-07-2006, 11:03 AM
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CLS55 test drive and mid life crisis update.
So I got to drive an 06 CLS55 last night.
Power - wow!!! very fast car...what else can I say, much quicker than the S6. 0 to 30mph is 1.8 seconds which is very useful as a daily driver (2.1 for the S6)
Handling - great balance of sport and comfort, not as tossable as the S6 or M5 as slalom test clearly show, I give the nod to the S6 in this department
Interior - black with high gloss laurel wood was top notch, the seat bolster adjustments are very cool, very easy to get comfortable. People make a big deal about blind spot but with the right side mirror, I rarely need to even turn my shoulder these days anyhow. Still give the nod to the S6 on the inside though - seems more like a cockpit
Exterior - Holy crap - pictures do not do it justice, no contest
Grip - Car had summer tires and it was above freezing but cold and a bit wet. The car handled quite well despite this, very few times did I see traction control kicking in with one exception, when starting at WOT on a slight uphill the car really struggled - tc was on for probably 5 seconds.
The last part is what I have to decide. Do I want to drive spirited all the time or do I want to REALLY drive spirited when the opportunities present themselves (ie. summer car that is comfortable in winter vs all year car).
Intangibles - depreciation -> CLS55 has already taken the depreciation hit, I can't even fathom the 2y residual on the S6 especially when the RS6 comes out - but then again, I plan to keep either car for 6-7 years so who cares?
Still Undecided!
One thing I noticed was a steering wheel vibration at moderate speeds - probably a wheel balancing issue. Is this common?
Power - wow!!! very fast car...what else can I say, much quicker than the S6. 0 to 30mph is 1.8 seconds which is very useful as a daily driver (2.1 for the S6)
Handling - great balance of sport and comfort, not as tossable as the S6 or M5 as slalom test clearly show, I give the nod to the S6 in this department
Interior - black with high gloss laurel wood was top notch, the seat bolster adjustments are very cool, very easy to get comfortable. People make a big deal about blind spot but with the right side mirror, I rarely need to even turn my shoulder these days anyhow. Still give the nod to the S6 on the inside though - seems more like a cockpit
Exterior - Holy crap - pictures do not do it justice, no contest
Grip - Car had summer tires and it was above freezing but cold and a bit wet. The car handled quite well despite this, very few times did I see traction control kicking in with one exception, when starting at WOT on a slight uphill the car really struggled - tc was on for probably 5 seconds.
The last part is what I have to decide. Do I want to drive spirited all the time or do I want to REALLY drive spirited when the opportunities present themselves (ie. summer car that is comfortable in winter vs all year car).
Intangibles - depreciation -> CLS55 has already taken the depreciation hit, I can't even fathom the 2y residual on the S6 especially when the RS6 comes out - but then again, I plan to keep either car for 6-7 years so who cares?
Still Undecided!
One thing I noticed was a steering wheel vibration at moderate speeds - probably a wheel balancing issue. Is this common?
12-07-2006, 01:03 PM
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4 wheels
Nope the vibration is not common, either the front wheels need balancing or the tires are shot. In order to solve your mid life crisis, get the CLS.
