New Guy, Checking in...
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2005 X5 4.4i
New Guy, Checking in...
Hi all,
I'm a few months out from the expiration of my current lease and have pretty much concluded that my next car will be a CLS 55 or 63. Drove a 55 the other day and was thoroughly impressed for the brief time I was in it.
The drive was cut short when the front underbody pan ripped off the car at ~ 100 mph due to the apparent failure of the CPO-inspection mechanic to replace the fasteners. That was a bit more excitement than I had been looking for, but didn't sour me any on the concept.
Anyhow, nice to meet you all, and apologies in advance for the stupid rookie questions that are sure to emanate from me in the near future.
I'm a few months out from the expiration of my current lease and have pretty much concluded that my next car will be a CLS 55 or 63. Drove a 55 the other day and was thoroughly impressed for the brief time I was in it.
The drive was cut short when the front underbody pan ripped off the car at ~ 100 mph due to the apparent failure of the CPO-inspection mechanic to replace the fasteners. That was a bit more excitement than I had been looking for, but didn't sour me any on the concept.
Anyhow, nice to meet you all, and apologies in advance for the stupid rookie questions that are sure to emanate from me in the near future.
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Joined: Feb 2005
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From: Hollywood CA
2011 twin turboed prius
Hi all,
I'm a few months out from the expiration of my current lease and have pretty much concluded that my next car will be a CLS 55 or 63. Drove a 55 the other day and was thoroughly impressed for the brief time I was in it.
The drive was cut short when the front underbody pan ripped off the car at ~ 100 mph due to the apparent failure of the CPO-inspection mechanic to replace the fasteners. That was a bit more excitement than I had been looking for, but didn't sour me any on the concept.
Anyhow, nice to meet you all, and apologies in advance for the stupid rookie questions that are sure to emanate from me in the near future.
I'm a few months out from the expiration of my current lease and have pretty much concluded that my next car will be a CLS 55 or 63. Drove a 55 the other day and was thoroughly impressed for the brief time I was in it.
The drive was cut short when the front underbody pan ripped off the car at ~ 100 mph due to the apparent failure of the CPO-inspection mechanic to replace the fasteners. That was a bit more excitement than I had been looking for, but didn't sour me any on the concept.
Anyhow, nice to meet you all, and apologies in advance for the stupid rookie questions that are sure to emanate from me in the near future.
Welcome.
CLS is here to stay. You got a 55 up to 100 on a test drive?
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Silicon Valley, CA
1999 C280 Previous / 2008 E350
Hi all,
I'm a few months out from the expiration of my current lease and have pretty much concluded that my next car will be a CLS 55 or 63. Drove a 55 the other day and was thoroughly impressed for the brief time I was in it.
The drive was cut short when the front underbody pan ripped off the car at ~ 100 mph due to the apparent failure of the CPO-inspection mechanic to replace the fasteners. That was a bit more excitement than I had been looking for, but didn't sour me any on the concept.
Anyhow, nice to meet you all, and apologies in advance for the stupid rookie questions that are sure to emanate from me in the near future.
I'm a few months out from the expiration of my current lease and have pretty much concluded that my next car will be a CLS 55 or 63. Drove a 55 the other day and was thoroughly impressed for the brief time I was in it.
The drive was cut short when the front underbody pan ripped off the car at ~ 100 mph due to the apparent failure of the CPO-inspection mechanic to replace the fasteners. That was a bit more excitement than I had been looking for, but didn't sour me any on the concept.
Anyhow, nice to meet you all, and apologies in advance for the stupid rookie questions that are sure to emanate from me in the near future.
but dissapointing how the front part got ripped off during test drive. Bad impression from the dealer if you ask me.
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2005 X5 4.4i
Thanks for the welcome.
As to making 100 happen, starting from 70 it didn't take long to get there (as I'm sure you guys are well aware), and the sales guy didn't seem to have a problem with it.
Today I drove a CLS63 and had a good 1/2 hour in it to get acquainted. Drove both highway and city for roughly 20 miles. My impression: Uh..., wow. What an absolutely fantastic car. And what wonderful noises it makes.
I have loved my X5 since day one, but for the first time in almost 3 years I cannot wait for the lease to be up. Notably I have driven a lot of neat iron in that period, but none of it has made quite the same impression.
As to making 100 happen, starting from 70 it didn't take long to get there (as I'm sure you guys are well aware), and the sales guy didn't seem to have a problem with it.
Today I drove a CLS63 and had a good 1/2 hour in it to get acquainted. Drove both highway and city for roughly 20 miles. My impression: Uh..., wow. What an absolutely fantastic car. And what wonderful noises it makes.
I have loved my X5 since day one, but for the first time in almost 3 years I cannot wait for the lease to be up. Notably I have driven a lot of neat iron in that period, but none of it has made quite the same impression.
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From: Sherman Oaks, CA
06 CLS55 w/ P030, 05 Jag S Type R, 05 TBird-68 Dodge Charger R/T-440 w/4speed I'm original owner
BTW........FJ lets you test drive anything even a Maybach.
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2005 X5 4.4i
I must admit that the 55 seems to have a huge benefit from a mod-ability perspective in that forced induction engines typically have room to turn up the boost, without affecting reliability / driveability too severely. I'm always a fan of cheap power.
That said the 63 is the 'new' model, and naturally aspirated engines have their own set of benefits--throttle response and more linear power come to mind. Plus, the 63 gives you the 7 speed and paddles.
Fortunately, my drop-dead date isn't until November, so I have plenty of time to do my homework.
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2005 X5 4.4i
The best place to test drive cars is at Fletcher Jones in Newport Beach. It's next to the 73 freeway. Test drove CL 65 and SL 65 and got both of them easily up to 120 on the freeway. Could have done 140 except for the chicken factor. No cops at that location.
BTW........FJ lets you test drive anything even a Maybach.
BTW........FJ lets you test drive anything even a Maybach.
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Joined: Feb 2005
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From: Hollywood CA
2011 twin turboed prius
The jury is out at present. I barely drove the 55 before it had its unfortunate little failure, so I didn't really have the opportunity to get to know the car.
I must admit that the 55 seems to have a huge benefit from a mod-ability perspective in that forced induction engines typically have room to turn up the boost, without affecting reliability / driveability too severely. I'm always a fan of cheap power.
That said the 63 is the 'new' model, and naturally aspirated engines have their own set of benefits--throttle response and more linear power come to mind. Plus, the 63 gives you the 7 speed and paddles.
Fortunately, my drop-dead date isn't until November, so I have plenty of time to do my homework.
I must admit that the 55 seems to have a huge benefit from a mod-ability perspective in that forced induction engines typically have room to turn up the boost, without affecting reliability / driveability too severely. I'm always a fan of cheap power.
That said the 63 is the 'new' model, and naturally aspirated engines have their own set of benefits--throttle response and more linear power come to mind. Plus, the 63 gives you the 7 speed and paddles.
Fortunately, my drop-dead date isn't until November, so I have plenty of time to do my homework.
Great job ,
looks like you will make a wise and well thought out decision. You seem to identify rapidly where both cars shine.
I know 100 mph in this car feels like 60. LOL. Getting to 100 from 70 can happen rapidly, the 63 from 70-120 is silly quick
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2005 X5 4.4i
Thanks. I never got past about 85 in the 63, but when I shut off the thing was pulling just as hard as it had been at 30--if not harder.
I will note that I fully expected the car to be fast as hell--simply reviewing the numbers makes that obvious. What I didn't expect was the 'Jekyl and Hyde' component of the car. Setting the Airmatic and trans to comfort and then using restraint in throttle application yielded a vehicle that was as docile as a Honda Accord.
I have never experienced a car that could so completely change its nature with the touch of a button (2 actually), and further be world-class in either mode.
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From: California, USA
E63 P30, CL500 Sport
Wow, I'm surprised FJ let something like this slip by them. That could've been very dangerous at 100 mph
Back to your question..... over the past couple of years the debate between 55 and 63 went on back and forth almost endlessly. And it wasn't until the previous few months that many people have started to realize that both cars are in fact close in performance (when they're both stock of course). However, and like you mentioned, once you start modding, the 55k engine just yields much more power with very impressive results at (relatively) cheap cost while the 63 is much harder to extract power out of. But if you are not concerned about modding too much, then the 63 is probably the way to go. It is the "newer" model, newer transmission (7G), better exhaust note, slightly more refined interior/exterior changes, etc....
Back to your question..... over the past couple of years the debate between 55 and 63 went on back and forth almost endlessly. And it wasn't until the previous few months that many people have started to realize that both cars are in fact close in performance (when they're both stock of course). However, and like you mentioned, once you start modding, the 55k engine just yields much more power with very impressive results at (relatively) cheap cost while the 63 is much harder to extract power out of. But if you are not concerned about modding too much, then the 63 is probably the way to go. It is the "newer" model, newer transmission (7G), better exhaust note, slightly more refined interior/exterior changes, etc....
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From: So Cal
2010 RRS ; BMW K1200R; 14 E350 ; 14 RRS on order
Wow, I'm surprised FJ let something like this slip by them. That could've been very dangerous at 100 mph
Back to your question..... over the past couple of years the debate between 55 and 63 went on back and forth almost endlessly. And it wasn't until the previous few months that many people have started to realize that both cars are in fact close in performance (when they're both stock of course). However, and like you mentioned, once you start modding, the 55k engine just yields much more power with very impressive results at (relatively) cheap cost while the 63 is much harder to extract power out of. But if you are not concerned about modding too much, then the 63 is probably the way to go. It is the "newer" model, newer transmission (7G), better exhaust note, slightly more refined interior/exterior changes, etc....
Back to your question..... over the past couple of years the debate between 55 and 63 went on back and forth almost endlessly. And it wasn't until the previous few months that many people have started to realize that both cars are in fact close in performance (when they're both stock of course). However, and like you mentioned, once you start modding, the 55k engine just yields much more power with very impressive results at (relatively) cheap cost while the 63 is much harder to extract power out of. But if you are not concerned about modding too much, then the 63 is probably the way to go. It is the "newer" model, newer transmission (7G), better exhaust note, slightly more refined interior/exterior changes, etc....
63 > 55
