GarciaE55

I am shopping for a replacement for my E55K and was originally considering a 2005-06 CL65 as my daily driver, since they have depreciated massively.

However, I have had concerns of the lack of driving excitement except for in a straight line obviously.

Recently, I have also looked at the CLS55 (ideally w/ 030 pkg), since I have always loved the look of the CLS and prefer the versatility of 4-doors, but I keep getting drawn to the CL65 due to the fact you can buy a $180k car in the $50s today.

Is the CL65 that much more substantial of a car than the CLS55 considering it cost double of the CLS55 when new?

How do you guys compare these cars overall considering they are priced similarly today?

Thanks!

Mathmik

I feel u there.... I have been looking at used Gallardos just because they are so much cheaper and affordable now then ever. I think if your looking for something to handle better then the E55 then look at the Black Series or BMW M series, Lambo

retardedmunk

I have owned both....love the torque of the CL65 but the looks and driving excitement of the CLS55 is greater ofcourse.... I have my car currently for sale --the CLS55.....this car is one of the best looking CLS'S in south florida....another thing to remember is that the CL is a old body style and the CLS is still fresh and as it seems to be an ageless body style....no other sedan or car looks like it.....I recently offered my CLS55 for trade for a CL65 ...mainly because I wanted to have a car I can take to the drags ....the CLS is not that kind of car ...no way...but other then that no way would I want to exchange....oh and the fact that the 65'S were incredibly expensive and just dropped like rocks....well they were way overpriced to begin with .....there wasnt a lot of difference between the 55 and 65 but a $50k price jump.....the fact is the cars were priced about $80k more then they were worth....

Improviz

....here is an '05 CPO with 45K miles for $57K!
Link to CPO car:

GarciaE55

Does your car have the 030 package?

I agree that the CL65 were definitely overpriced at $180k when new. Did you find the quality of materials and solidity considerably favoring the CL65?

How much better does the CLS55 handle than the CL65?

I much prefer the CLS' styling, but love the 65's monster motor and power potential. I wish there were a CLS65.

GarciaE55

Where do you guys see the depreciation of the CLS55 going over the next couple years? I see that they are finally dropping. It seemed like for the longest time they commanded a huge premium over the E55, but the gap is starting lessen.

GarciaE55

Assuming the CLK Black Series is a 10 out of 10 in regards to handling;

How does the CLS55, CLS55 030 pkg, CLS65 and w211 E55 stack up?

Thanks again for the help

c32used

IMHO I don't think you can compare any other regular AMG cars to the Black series especially in handling...the CLS is a fabulously great looking car...if you can get a CL65 $180k car for $57k then its pretty obvious the CLS55/63 holds its value way better.

GarciaE55

I guess it would be apples to oranges comparing the CLS to the CLK Black.

How about against an M5? I drove my neighbor's 2007 M5 and it handles tons better than my E55 and I have the Renntech lowering module and wheels.

Will the CLS55 w/ 030 be closer to the M5 or like my E55? I read somewhere that the CLS55 was essentially an E55 with a sexy sheetmetal. Is this totally true?

c32used

The M5/6 doesn't hold a candle to CLK BS either...according to reviews but as per reviews the E63 handles above or the same as a Current M5 so I presume the CLS63 will also. But best way is to test drive one to personally compare. The M5 is a hell of a looker and monster but I prefer the sleek look of the CLS it will make you say wow and leave you full of debris when it takes off on you. Per review the older versions E55 and CLS55 would be out shined by the newer M5.

If I had to pick it here is the order:

1. CLS55/63
2. Newer M5(very close)
3. E55/63(even though the review was M5 vs E63 vs RS6(current)

GarciaE55

Can the ESP on the CLS55 be fully defeated?

On my E55, the ESP will still intervene when disabled when I start sliding the car and trying to drift or excessively power oversteer the car around corners. Very frustrating.

juicee63

Always run in dyno mode and ESP is defeated

Improviz

You drift on public roads?? Hopefully you at least do this where there's no traffic, so that if you lose it you won't hurt anyone but yourself.

Anyway, this begs a question: if drifting and such is what you're after, then why wouldn't you look for a lighter sports car, which will always be a better-handling car than any two-ton luxury sedan?

Get a C6 Corvette, those things drift like *****....

GarciaE55

Drifting is exaggerating a little.

Occasionally I like to go around corners and 360 degree roundabouts heavy on the throttle sliding the tail out and steering with the throttle. Its fun to do once in a while. However, my w211 e55 won't allow much horseplay even with the ESP off.

I do have a sports car as well, but most of the time I am in the 55.

Note, I never do this when other cars or pedestrians are in sight. If I were to screw up, the only thing that would get damaged is possibly my ego.

GarciaE55

I heard that extended use of dyno mode shuts down the car. Is this true?

Mathmik

I like to know if that is true too