I was planning on selling my E550 and had a buyer lined up, PPI done, and test-driven when he decided to be a flake and never give me a call back on the purchase date. I was originally considering a 2007 E63 AMG as a replacement and I had found one and gone through all of the necessary steps, but yesterday I came across a beautiful flint gray 2007 CLS63 AMG with P030 that really caught my eye.

So I'm really considering a 2007 CLS63 AMG instead when I do sell my car... any perspective from former E-Class owners or just owners in general? Pluses and minuses on the CLS63 versus the E63? To me the styling is much more dynamic and youthful (since I am younger), unique, and it's built on the same chassis, has the same engine & transmission, and feels like more of a cockpit when driven (yes I've driven both and they are very comparable in experience). Any thoughts or anything to add? My mind is not quite set yet I keep going back and forth

 

Went from the E55 to a CLS 63, you definitely gonna love the cls more, IMO, E63 a little more nimble, but CLS just looks more badass lol

 

My garage is too full. Ready to deal , sell that car of yours...

 

Bump

Funny, I am considering nearly the exact same thing!

I have a 2004 E55 that is in beautiful shape, has a pulley and a tune, nothing wild. I absolutely love the car....but....it's getting close to 90k miles. I can see now it is 10 years old, and maybe after all this time I should step up.

I too am considering a 2008 CLS 63 with the P030 option. (No one seems to know much about it, keeping the prices right in with the regular CLS 63 being offered!) but I am going to insist on it.

I have two concerns - first, is the swap of torque and HP between the two noticable enough to be bothersome? The E55 has 500+ tq and 469HP stock, the CLS63 seems to be the inverse at 470 tq and 507 HP .... thoughts?

Also, would the lack of headroom in the back seat make it uncomfortable for two adults to take a reasonable ride, say an hour or two?

Lastly, what do I watch out for?

Thanks!!!

 

I have an amazing cls and ready to deal , my garage is plugged and need to move it ...

 

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...take-road-test

This article is nice and may address the 55 vs 63 concern above.

 

I drive cls 55 w/ P030. The pull of the torque off the line is blood curling especially when the temps are in the 50's due to denser air intake into the supercharger.
The 63 experience is different due to the 7 speed dual clutch trans.
The choice is yours!

 

I've decided without a doubt I am going for a W219 CLS AMG, now the question is 63 vs 55 - the main things swaying me towards the CLS63 are the gearbox and engine (its out-of-the-box-performance), but I still can't help but think I'm giving up the opportunity to drive a 600hp monster if I get a CLS55 and put the money into it to mod it correctly, especially at elevation. I'll read over that review and do some more thinking, but I've found that a 2006 CLS55 and 2007 CLS63 don't have a huge price gap between them it seems.

 

Think they got rotor size wrong, my are bigger, 390mm on front.

 

The CLS63 uses the two-piece rotor ($$$) whereas the CLS55 uses the single piece rotor design on the front, correct? Same as the E55/E63?

 

Two piece but I think all US market ones have 390mm front rotors and 19" wheels. Or my car is P30

 

Thought so, that's one thing that scares me about the CLS55 is the SBC brakes which I didn't consider before, never owned a Mercedes with SBC and don't really want to.

 

Buy the cls63 in the classifieds that only has 7k.

 

Out of my price range and honestly, no offense to him as it is a beautiful car, I would rather buy an 07 with some actual miles on it because the weirdest issues I have seen (as well as my mechanics at StarTech and MB Clinic) stem from cars that aren't driven like they should be. Seals tend to dry out and I'd rather have the confidence knowing a car, in good condition of course, made it through XX,XXX number of miles and is still a solid car.

 

CLS63 AMG are made to be driven, mine just turned 120K, no issues yet and do not expect any, still looks as it was new.

 

Here's hoping I'll be singing the same song w/ my CLK63 at 120k miles. If so, I'll be one very happy guy indeed!

 

Pssttt I have nearly 130,000 on my E550 and it looks better than most 1 year old cars, these cars are definitely made to be driven and get cranky when they aren't. Here in Colorado AMG does their high altitude testing and they will run an SLK with a 4000lb trailer up and down lookout mountain as fast as they can until something breaks. They are engineered to last and be driven hard. So finding a higher mileage CLS63 is no problem to me. Did it with my E550 (then put on a ton of miles) and hope to do it with a used AMG in good condition.

 

Where they got hitch, I been looking for one to put on cls but can't find it

 

No idea man probably all custom rigging, just making a point

 

I have both an E and a CLS and the CLS is probably my favorite car I've had to date, out of probably 70 cars. You're right in that they're the same chassis with a different body shell on them so mechanical parts are going to cost you the same for either for the most part.

Im a crusty old **** compared to you (36) but the E always felt kind of "old mannish" and never really lit my fire aesthetically even though it is fun to drive and a very well built car. While the E might lack some of the appearance zest, I doubt you'll regret buying either one.

In regards to the 63, my personal opinion is to stay away from those unless you have no plans to modify it. Also get a warranty that covers the powertrain because the potential for engine failure is high compared to other AMGs, and the cost if you aren't capable of the repairs yourself is going to bankrupt you at your age.
They do sound nice at least

YMMV

 

Thanks for the good perspective, that makes sense. I'm starting to feel the same way about the E550 - not necessarily because of the old man look but I see them more often in my area now then I did back when I started driving. Good looking car and it does get looks still but the CLS is so much sexier. I'm sure the E63 will suit me just fine as you said but if I'm putting the money into upgrading anyway, might as well go with something that's a bit of a different experience. My concern with going with the CLS55 is mainly the SBC and reliability issues from modifying a supercharged car, but it is true that the M156 is prone to head bolt failures and even possible hydrolock all the way through the 2011 model year. That would be my first "mod" is to spend the 900 plus labor for getting some APR head bolts installed. We'll see what comes up on the used market and that will determine what I end up getting when I can finally sell my car as the first buyer flaked out, maybe it'll change when people get their tax refunds back this year. Now for that upcoming $59,000 a year in tuition, weee!