france2112

Hi,
I am strongly considering getting a CLS55 AMG. I want an honest opinion of how you guys really like your cars as a daily driver. There are a lot of CLS55's for sale in the autotrader and I'm curious as to why so many people are getting rid of their cars after only 1 - 1.5 years? I'm looking for a car that has a best of both worlds role: sporty, fast, and comfortable. Also, I would appreciate hearing from anyone who did a Renntech ECU and pully upgrade. Did it really wake the car up or was it just a marginal increase? Thank you in advance.

troy@kronen

All of our customers have raved about the stage 2 upgrade. We are currently doing a stage 2 with H-pipe and exhaust. I have a stock dyno run and will dyno again when finished. Should have the final dyno for you by Friday and will post the two different runs.

Kevin M.

I haven't modded my engine so I can't reply to that, but I love my 55 as a DD, it's in my opinion the most beautiful Mercedes on the road, aside from the SLR of course. And honestly it has so much power, upgrading the engine is really pointless unless you go to dragstips, again my $.02

AdamG@NorCal

IMO, the Renntech Stage 1 will be the best bang for the buck if you want a noticeable increase in power.

siswati

Hi France
I have had my CLS55 for 15 months and I had the E55 for 2 years prior to that. As Kevin says the CLS is a real eye catcher - it defintiely is a stunning car from almost every angle. And its performance is almost equal to that of the E55. I have had no issues with mine, and I look forward to driving it every day! However is is a LOT smaller inside than the E55 and in that respect I suppose I am a little disappointed.

good luck with your decision

france2112

Thanks for the reply's. I'm looking at an 18K mile CLS55 AMG with the 030 performance package. I really don't like buying a car with this much mileage but the 030 package is so rare to find. I may pull the trigger if I can get the price down a bit. Thanks again and anyone else please feel free to give your opinion on the CLS55. Do you guys think 18K is too many miles because there are a lot of CLS55's out there with much less mileage but no 030 package?

Heisenberg

Its a perfect daily driver for me, and probably anyone who wants to drive a very fast, stylish, and reliable car that has a usable trunk and rear seats that are ideal for children. I like the CL a lot too, but dealing with car seats is painful without any rear doors.

I've found fuel economy to be reasonable given the two tons of weight and beast of an engine. I average 16-17mpg with mixed driving (and that is with engine upgrades to about 598hp/626tq and 20" wheels). While I certainly don't regret the engine mods, Kevin is probably right that the car has plenty of power in stock form. It is pretty rare that I can take advantage of the Renntech stage 5 kit, and the cost is very high. But when I let the beast rip on the 101 or some of the rural roads

There are a lot of inexpensive, DIY mods you can do to customize the car, Kevin M. being the master of these. For not a lot of money, you can have DVD-in-dash (my personal favorite!), illuminated door sills, various metal pieces to replace plastic parts, new steering wheel and pedals, etc.

spinsonic

yep, i rarely get a chance to full throttle my 55. with california bay area traffic, i would be lucky to break 60mph during the day and 80mph during late evenings. just a little short burst here and there, which the stock 55 does very well with the amount of torque on the engine. but if you have the cash to burn, why not mode it for even more power


as far as being a daily driver, its very comfortable. drive mine every day, too and from work in heavy traffic. the only thing that bugs me is the sound system.

france2112

So what do you all think? Should I pull the trigger on a car with 21K miles with the 030 package or get a lower mileage car without the 030? 80k is a lot for this car used with that amount of mileage so I will attempt to get the price down. I know I could get a full loaded lower mileage car for at least 5K cheaper but it wouldn't have the performance package. The car appears to be in good condition but it was dirty when I saw it so it was real hard to make out paint damage. There were areas of rock chips on the front bumper and hood that they tried to cover with touch up paint. Rims had no rash and other then that the car looked good. It was CPO'd so they put new tires and rotors on. Inside apeared to be very clean. So again, what do you think?

traumadoc

Are you really going to use the 030? For most folks I see in South FL, they add aftermarket rims anyway. You may take that into consideration....

As for the car.... I gave up a Ferrari 360 F1 for the CLS and despite missing the Ferrari dearly, I still love the CLS. Almost 2 years old and only 7000 miles mainly because it is not a daily driver (but it could be).

Kevin M.

Heres one without 030 for 10K less
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Merce...16400814QQrdZ1

I'd rather have a non 030, take the 10K in savings and buy some wheels and a little Renntech fun.
What are the options on the one your looking at?


Or one with Renntech mods already and very low miles...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Merce...18342840QQrdZ1

france2112

The car I was looking at has every possible option minus distronic. My ideal car is this with distronic and low miles but I just can't find it.

I hear what you are saying about the 030. It's nice that it comes with the 2 piece AMG rims and a LSD. I really don't know what to do?? 21K miles for that price is just too much.

rbtronnie5

I would sell you my car if you wanted it. My car is Pewter with Black Interior. I have every option besides 030. My car has 13k miles on it. I have also added the Renntech ECU, Renntech Pulley Upgrade, Air Filters. I also have in a box the Renntech Digital lowering box and camber kit. I haven't taken the time to install them because I have been enjoying the car too much and I have been waiting for my custom wheels that are on the way. The car is mint...no paint work etc. I really wouldn't sell the car because I do love it...but I have a deal on a Flying Spur from a friend that has come up. I would sell the car for $74,500 as is. $79,500 with the new wheels and the lowering package installed. The wheels are 3 piece wheels 20x9 and 20x11 rears with continental tires.

m_berman

I have a 06 CLS 55 with every option incl 030 but no distronic. I love the wheels and it almost makes it one of a kind due to the fact there are so few 55s with the 030. When pushed hard, you can feel the LSD especially if you have driven non 030s. For me, it was 030 or no 55. An added bonus is the steering wheel being Alcantar. Don't panic, 030s do not come with spare tires due to the LSD. The give you an air pump kit with gunk for tire sealant.

If you look hard, you may find a 63 for $80k which translate into a better resale when that time comes.

france2112

I just sent you a PM. Give me a call.

coolcamden

What custom wheels do you have on the way? If you end up selling the car w/o them, some of us may be interested...

france2112

I was interested in your car but you haven't got back to me yet. I may buy a CLS55 030 today unless I hear from you ASAP.

Kevin M.

I found you a car!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Merce...14595028QQrdZ1

$72,400 13k miles and 030 package, all that right options, looks like it has some kind of hard wired radar dector as well

france2112

Kevin,
Thanks. I actually called them right before you posted as I saw the e-bay ad. These guys are *******s! I understand business is business but they have no honor. They told me the car was $72,400 plus $595 dealer fee. I told them I wanted the car for $72,400 including dealer fee. It was late in the evening and they didn't have the VMI to look at so the manager told me he would call me in the morning as I wanted to know what work was done to the car. I called first thing in the morning with my offer and they said they would get back to me. Well someone called and offered 2K more then me so they ended the auction and sold the car. I understand money is money but they could of a least called me and offered me the car for the same money or given me a chance to offer more. I would have matched the offer. I guess I expect people to do the honorable thing as I would have done and given the original person, me, the chance to buy the car. Pisses me off. I would have expected more from a Benz dealer!! Now I feel they are no different then the used car place up the street and money is the only thing they car about.

Kevin M.

Wow sorry to hear that, and unfortunately it doesn't suprise me. The word honorable and auto dealers are not to be used in the same sentence, because it doesn't exist. I agree they should have come to you and offered you the car for the existing offer. Sad that would have still been a great deal. Hang in there, you will find something it just takes a little time.

Kevin M.

Check out this one.. nice Brabus mods!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Merce...spagenameZWDVW

rbtronnie5

sorry i was busy with work...i will call you today. thanks. ron

ROCKETW19

bro that was your fault you lost the car. you were worried about 595 dollars, on a car that you wanted. it was up for auction meaning highest bidder gets it. i wouldnt have called you either. it has nuttin to do with honor!

france2112

It's not like it sounds. He told me the price of the car and I was OK with it. I told him I would buy the car. Then he adds to $595 fee toward the end of our conversation and I said could you give me the car for the price we negotiated without the fee. He didn't know and had to ask the sales manager who was gone. It was closing time at the dealership so he told me he would call me first thing in the AM and fax me the VMI of service as I wanted to know if the car had been in the shop multiple times prior to it being traded in. I couldn't have bought the car anyway at this time because the dealership was closing. I called right when the dealership opened and the manager and sales guy I spoke with both were not in. I called every half hour until I spoke with someone and at that time the car sold. It really wasn't the $595, I wanted to know the VMI of service and they were not interested to get it to me. I kept telling them I will buy the car if it has had no major problems. The auction was not a "buy it now" so they could have called me and said someone else wants the car. I still would have wanted the service sheet but I can assume it would have been OK and I would have bought the car.

In a perfect world I should have been given the chance to buy the car ahead of the other person. I would have extended that courtesy if I was the salesman or sales manager. I do to others as I would want done to myself. Anyway, whats done is done so lets move on. I'll survive.

Dogshine

isnt the diff in the regular 55 filled w/ lifetime fluid and the diff in the 030 has to be changed every 10k miles or something?