C219 CLS55 and CLS63, 2004-2010

Autocar First Drive: Mercedes-Benz CLS 55 AMG

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old 10-15-2004, 08:59 AM
  #1  
Member
Thread Starter
 
slytoksy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Amsterdam
Posts: 210
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
E500
Autocar First Drive: Mercedes-Benz CLS 55 AMG

http://www.autocarmag.com/Firs...11168







Best AMG yet? It's a CLS call


Mistake. Thirty seconds of wheel-time in the new CLS55 AMG was all it took to understand that this is the AMG hotrod we should have compared with BMW’s new M5. Not that a CLS super-saloon was on hand three weeks ago (Autocar, 21 September) but, with the benefit of all-knowing hindsight, the far more sporting CLS would give BMW’s new icon a tougher fight. No, we’re not saying CLS AMG would triumph over M5 – that verdict must wait for another comparison – but the fight would be closer, more compelling.....




http://www.autocarmag.com/Firs...11168
Old 10-15-2004, 01:40 PM
  #2  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
CynCarvin32's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,923
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Mercedes Benz
Anyone want to buy my E55? Its in good condition! Driven but 1x a week! ALL options but pano and distronic!

Time to do some thinking. Maybe I should sell it now and just wait for my CLS to come in some time after the first of the year.

That car looks great!
Old 10-15-2004, 03:16 PM
  #3  
MBWorld Fanatic!

 
E55 KEV's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Washington D.C.
Posts: 5,530
Received 198 Likes on 156 Posts
2016 GLE63s / 2016 E63s / 2002 E55
We would Autocar have needed a CLS55 to go against the M5 when the E55 is faster because the CLS is heavier.
Old 10-15-2004, 04:49 PM
  #4  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
CynCarvin32's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,923
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Mercedes Benz
if the E55 does not have a proper dynamic and the CLS does who cares if its .2 slower to 100 kpm? I sure dont...
Old 10-15-2004, 05:05 PM
  #5  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Ted Baldwin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,436
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 4 Posts
300ce
We would Autocar have needed a CLS55 to go against the M5 when the E55 is faster because the CLS is heavier.

..........You may wish to cross check your info. I believe the CLS55 is actually faster.

Ted
Old 10-16-2004, 11:29 AM
  #6  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
cte430's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Long Island
Posts: 2,006
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
'07 Porsche 997TT
Man, if MB/AMG finally got the steering/handling right, i'm going to be pissed! I can see it now. "Debra, you remember when I had my '03 E500 for a year and said if I don't get an E55 i'll die? Well, even though I got my E55 in May, AMG has come out with a new..." CRASH, BAM,THWACK!!!!! See Chris duck as everything in reach get thrown his way, LOL.
Old 10-16-2004, 03:20 PM
  #7  
MBWorld Fanatic!

 
E55 KEV's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Washington D.C.
Posts: 5,530
Received 198 Likes on 156 Posts
2016 GLE63s / 2016 E63s / 2002 E55
Originally Posted by CynCarvin32
if the E55 does not have a proper dynamic and the CLS does who cares if its .2 slower to 100 kpm? I sure dont...
What in the world is "proper dynamic"? The 2005 CLS55 will have the same suspension setup of the 2005 E55. No different, so therefore, why would AutoCar need a CLS55 to compete against a M5?

Last edited by E55 KEV; 10-16-2004 at 03:24 PM.
Old 10-16-2004, 03:23 PM
  #8  
MBWorld Fanatic!

 
E55 KEV's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Washington D.C.
Posts: 5,530
Received 198 Likes on 156 Posts
2016 GLE63s / 2016 E63s / 2002 E55
Information Checked!

Originally Posted by Ted Baldwin
We would Autocar have needed a CLS55 to go against the M5 when the E55 is faster because the CLS is heavier.

..........You may wish to cross check your info. I believe the CLS55 is actually faster.

Ted
I get my information from the same place as you ... on the internet and the AMG website states both cars at 4.7 seconds 0-62. If the CLS is heavier than the E55, the W211 would theoretically be faster and better handling than the CLS55 with the same engine, tranny and suspension. So, again, why would AutoCar need a CLS to go against a M5?

E55 - http://www3.mercedes-benz.com/omb/am...ch_data_04.htm

CLS55 - http://www3.mercedes-benz.com/omb/am...ch_data_04.htm

Last edited by E55 KEV; 10-16-2004 at 03:28 PM.
Old 10-16-2004, 07:42 PM
  #9  
Member
 
Nicholai_AMG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Switzerland
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I think the cls55 is too expensive compared to the e55...with the same performance....but it looks greater....

this pix is



Last edited by Nicholai_AMG; 10-16-2004 at 07:46 PM.
Old 10-16-2004, 11:41 PM
  #10  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Ted Baldwin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,436
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 4 Posts
300ce
I think the cls55 is too expensive compared to the e55...with the same performance....but it looks greater

...............By your argument...........the E55 is less expensive than the S55 and performs better. Why then does the S55 cost more. Likewise, the CLK55 is built on a C-Class platform and cost $20K more than the C55. Why? I own neither an E55 nor a CLS55, but MB clearly is producing this car "upmarket" to the E55 just as the CLK55 is "upmarket" to the C55. Understandably people that own E55's will not like it.

Ted
Old 10-17-2004, 04:42 PM
  #11  
Member
 
05 KOMP SS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Clarkesville, GA
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
05 C230 SS Brilliant Silver
That looks awesome! Love the interior styling.
Old 10-17-2004, 11:21 PM
  #12  
Junior Member
 
tifosi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Menlo Park
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
MB
AutoCar had already compared M5 with E55 about a month ago.

CLS55 vs M5 should come out this Tuesday! can't wait.
Old 10-18-2004, 12:01 AM
  #13  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
CynCarvin32's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,923
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Mercedes Benz
Originally Posted by E55 KEV
What in the world is "proper dynamic"? The 2005 CLS55 will have the same suspension setup of the 2005 E55. No different, so therefore, why would AutoCar need a CLS55 to compete against a M5?
Ok then clearly we failed to read the same review. The one with the link above walks though how the car is different than the current E55 is some key area such as shock valving and spring rates. And the steering rack is also different when put next to the E55. While these seem small, such changes make all the difference when it comes to driving pleasure.

The steering is down right wooly in the 2004-2005 E55.

The core of the chassis is great in the W211 by the settings were where they went wrong.
Old 10-18-2004, 12:03 AM
  #14  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
CynCarvin32's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,923
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Mercedes Benz
Originally Posted by E55 KEV
I get my information from the same place as you ... on the internet and the AMG website states both cars at 4.7 seconds 0-62. If the CLS is heavier than the E55, the W211 would theoretically be faster and better handling than the CLS55 with the same engine, tranny and suspension. So, again, why would AutoCar need a CLS to go against a M5?

E55 - http://www3.mercedes-benz.com/omb/am...ch_data_04.htm

CLS55 - http://www3.mercedes-benz.com/omb/am...ch_data_04.htm

because there is more to a car than how fast it gets to speed. clearly some owners dont care about this but driving enthusiasts do. Luckily the people who test and review cars are driving enthusiasts.
Old 10-18-2004, 01:26 AM
  #15  
Senior Member
 
Belmondo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 438
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by E55 KEV
What in the world is "proper dynamic"? The 2005 CLS55 will have the same suspension setup of the 2005 E55. No different, so therefore, why would AutoCar need a CLS55 to compete against a M5?


CLS stock is lower than E55, if it has faster steering and what not it could easily handle better than E55 without any changes done to it on your way out of hte dealership.
Old 10-18-2004, 02:27 PM
  #16  
MBWorld Fanatic!

 
E55 KEV's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Washington D.C.
Posts: 5,530
Received 198 Likes on 156 Posts
2016 GLE63s / 2016 E63s / 2002 E55
Thanks for the update guys, I thought the CLS55 and E55 suspension would be one for one exactly the same. So the CLS55 is tweaked a little - will the the 2006 E55 get the same chassis upgrades?
Old 10-18-2004, 05:22 PM
  #17  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
absent's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Kenilworth, il usa
Posts: 2,924
Received 378 Likes on 244 Posts
'22 Alpina B7,'21 G63 Renntech obviously (wife), Wrangler(kids)
Originally Posted by E55 KEV
Thanks for the update guys, I thought the CLS55 and E55 suspension would be one for one exactly the same. So the CLS55 is tweaked a little - will the the 2006 E55 get the same chassis upgrades?
The same setup for '06 E55 is already confirmed.
Old 10-19-2004, 01:00 PM
  #18  
MBWorld Fanatic!

 
E55 KEV's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Washington D.C.
Posts: 5,530
Received 198 Likes on 156 Posts
2016 GLE63s / 2016 E63s / 2002 E55
Originally Posted by absent
The same setup for '06 E55 is already confirmed.
Cool! That should be the W211 Mid Model update and the direct injection 4 valve engines. Come on E63 AMG!

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.

Quick Reply: Autocar First Drive: Mercedes-Benz CLS 55 AMG



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:35 AM.