blownS

Interesting. I expected the V to trap higher than the C, but the M5 trapping higher than the V with 50+ LESS hp...that's a shocker.

yooker

The gearing for the M5/M6's SMGII gearbox is perfect for the car once the engine gets spinning. Every upshift lands directly into the powerband for maximum acceleration.

ericpd

Oh man,... you are so right about that one. That note comin' outta the *** of the C63 is so righteous. The V comes nowhere near that. There are only a few things on earth known to deliver sonic sex to the human ears,... P51 Mustang w/Merlin (not Allison), a GE Diesel-Electric locomotive pullin 3/4 load from dead, an F4 tornado comin' right atcha, and a gaggle of Huey H1 on their way to come kill you. I'd say the C63 is at least 4th in que to join this group,... standing maybe behind a Shuttle Space launch, A Porsche 917 at idle, and the two part sonic experience of a Porsche 917 zipping past you at WOT while standing and watching at the rails. I say two part because you gotta combine the compressed sonic foreplay during it's approach with the sonic release after it's gone! Well, maybe I'm being a little melodramatic with all this, but it's important to get the point across that few rides on the streets today sound as prepared to do business as does the C63.

And to the other poster,... I wouldn't call the 7-speed Merc trans a slushbox. Well at least without qualifications. I read that that trans is pretty much the best automatic box on the planet,... and that's before AMG does it's magic to it. Now I could be wrong about that, but I do remember reading that somewhere.

As far as the V's SC whine, I understand that the new 4 lobe design not only increases efficiency (less rev to attain target psi's), it also helps to cancel a lot of traditional super charger noise. Makes sense, since noise and heat is basically wasted work. But trust me, you can hear it in the cabin just fine when you use the gas pedal to quickly lower the intake's barometric pressure.

I'm already thinking about some light modding,... nothing too drastic. But an exhaust (including headers) is at the top of this list. Add to that a pulley (2.55), and maybe a CAI kit. That's it. I read on another forum that these three things (with a controller upgrade of course) can deliver 525+ bhp and 550+ torques at the rear wheels,... that oughta do just fine.

Two things will motivate me to report back here,... an honest C63 engagement (regardless of who scores the kill), and anything that goes south, just in case another AMG family member is considering the V as an addition to their stable. A heads-up if you will!

ericpd

Well I'm outta here,... on my way home. Think I'll take the back way and miss some of the commute traffic. Still can't get the XM traffic feature to work! Later guys!

cvp33

I probably should just ignore this post but I did stick my nose in here so here goes. The transmission issue is actually caused by Daimler. You see from the engine back, the SRT8 is actually an E55 transmission and rear differential assemply. Daimler botched the gasket for the one of the couplers shipping it with a square gasket vs. round. Hilarious to me really. The radiator issue is inexplicable. No one has yet been able to explain it, but it goes away with a flush. The brake rotor issue is again a Daimler issue. Brembo spec'd the rotors and calipers, however, Daimler used a more aggressive pad which caused excessive scoring on the rotors.

That covers all of the TSB's, now remember all TSB's are covered under warranty and are no expense to the owner. As for the rear differential failure at 56,000 miles. I must admit that I have a very aggressive tune in this car and when it hits second gear, it either jumps sideways or leaves 30 feet of rubber. Mind you, this is at 60mph. So I must say that I'm to blame on the rear differential and I'm actually surprised it lasted as long as it did.

So to come full circle, you guys that can choose between C63's and CTS-V's and have a great dealer to fall back on have a very hard choice indeed. For me the dealer service experience would be the tipping point either way.

1st amg

ericpd, dont forget to take some video of your car with the headers and exhaust......very important, there is a guy around here who has the last generation V with headers and full exhaust...one night he launched the car in the downtown business district(lots of tall buildings and concrete) and I was outside a restaurant in valet waiting for my car with my wife, and holy S#$T, I thought it was Nascar that was let loose on the street, so I can imagine what your car with a whistle and whine from the supercharger would sound like.....but you should have gone with a C63

ericpd

Nicely done! LOL!

Satan

Would you like me to post my Netstar service report on my CL? All these issues are common as well. Tranny, Windows, Keyless Go Handles, etc... I love the car, but by no means is it trouble free.

yooker

Please post it so for us to see! I wanna see what other excuse he'll come up with.

cvp33

In the spirit of full disclosure, here is my repair history on my 2005 CTS-V. Remember, every carmaker can make a lemon. My car was out of service 44 days for 10 service visits in 9 months. Yeah, I'd say I got a lemon.

CLAIM HISTORY
R.O Date R.O Number Type Labor Operation Odometer Reading
01/08/2007 023669 # F2143 - CARRIER ASSEMBLY (COMPLETE) - REAR DIFFERENTIAL - REPLACE 38750 miles
01/08/2007 023669 # R0754 - RADIO RECEIVER-RETURN TO AC/DELCO ESC 38750 miles
01/08/2007 023669 # R0760 - RADIO, REMOVE AND REPLACE 38750 miles
01/08/2007 023669 # Z7903 - 3-DAY COURTESY TRANSPORTATION 38750 miles
11/06/2006 022391 # N9995 - CUSTOMER CONCERN NOT DUPLICATED 34623 miles
11/06/2006 022391 # Z7902 - 2-DAY COURTESY TRANSPORTATION 34623 miles
09/08/2006 021154 F Z7200 - CORPORATE PARTS RETURN REIMBURSEMENT 30847 miles
08/16/2006 020725 # K0060 - PEDAL, SHAFT AND/OR BUSHING, CLUTCH - REPLACE 30847 miles
08/16/2006 020725 # K1120 - CONTROL ASSEMBLY, FLOOR MOUNTED GEARSHIFT - R&R OR REPLACE 30847 miles
08/16/2006 020725 # Z7903 - 3-DAY COURTESY TRANSPORTATION 30847 miles
08/16/2006 020725 # Z5001 - VIP FREIGHT/POSTAGE REIMBURESEMENT 30847 miles
02/13/2006 186234 # J1420 - FLYWHEEL (MANUAL TRANSMISSION) - REPLACE 28742 miles
02/08/2006 186102 # K0040 - CLUTCH SYSTEM, HYDRAULIC - BLEED 28726 miles
01/19/2006 185353 # J6360 - POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE REPLACEMENT 27538 miles
01/19/2006 185353 D J6360 - POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE REPLACEMENT 27538 miles
01/19/2006 185353 # R0754 - RADIO RECEIVER-RETURN TO AC/DELCO ESC 27538 miles
01/19/2006 185353 # Z7901 - 1-DAY COURTESY TRANSPORTATION 27538 miles
01/19/2006 185353 # T2020 - TOWING 27538 miles
01/19/2006 185353 # R0760 - RADIO, REMOVE AND REPLACE 27538 miles
01/04/2006 184587 # C2021 - SUNSHADE AND/OR SUPPORT - LEFT - R&R OR REPLACE 27171 miles
01/04/2006 184587 # J3100 - RADIATOR ASSEMBLY - REPLACE 27171 miles
01/04/2006 184587 # F2143 - CARRIER ASSEMBLY (COMPLETE) - REAR DIFFERENTIAL - REPLACE 27171 miles
01/04/2006 184587 # Z7907 - COURTESY TRANSPORTATION - PARTS NOT AVAILABLE 27171 miles
11/05/2005 261086 # E0037 - CAP, WHEEL CENTER - ALL - REPLACE 22151 miles
08/29/2005 179466 # H9991 - CUSTOMER CONCERN NOT DUPLICATED 17372 miles
08/29/2005 179466 # R0754 - RADIO RECEIVER-RETURN TO AC/DELCO ESC 17372 miles
08/29/2005 179466 # Z7907 - COURTESY TRANSPORTATION - PARTS NOT AVAILABLE 17372 miles
08/29/2005 179466 # F3272 - PLUG, DIFFERENTIAL CARRIER DRAIN - REPLACE 17372 miles
08/29/2005 179466 # H9711 - FRAME, REAR SUPPLEMENTAL BUSHINGS - INSTALL 17372 miles
08/29/2005 179466 # K2755 - SYNCHRONIZERS - 1ST-2ND - R&R OR REPLACE 17372 miles
08/29/2005 179466 # R0760 - RADIO, REMOVE AND REPLACE 17372 miles
08/29/2005 179466 # R9995 - CUSTOMER CONCERN NOT DUPLICATED 17372 miles
08/29/2005 179466 # Y0039 - INVENTORY UPGRADE - REPROGRAM POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (P 17372 miles
08/29/2005 179466 # Z5001 - VIP FREIGHT/POSTAGE REIMBURESEMENT 17372 miles
07/25/2005 235554 # F2143 - CARRIER ASSEMBLY (COMPLETE) - REAR DIFFERENTIAL - REPLACE 15732 miles
07/25/2005 235554 # Z7903 - 3-DAY COURTESY TRANSPORTATION 15732 miles
07/25/2005 235554 # F1280 - PROPELLER SHAFT ASSEMBLY (BETWEEN TRANS AND REAR DIFFERENT 15732 miles
07/25/2005 235554 # Z5001 - VIP FREIGHT/POSTAGE REIMBURESEMENT 15732 miles
07/23/2005 205999 # Z2080 - ROADSIDE SERVICE (TOWING) 15732 miles
05/05/2005 008713 # Z2080 - ROADSIDE SERVICE (TOWING) 9720 miles
05/05/2005 232646 # F1514 - HALFSHAFT, REAR DRIVE - REAR - LEFT - REPLACE 9720 miles
05/05/2005 232646 # Z5001 - VIP FREIGHT/POSTAGE REIMBURESEMENT 9720 miles
05/05/2005 232646 # E0420 - WHEEL - ONE - R&R OR REPLACE 9720 miles
04/28/2005 232428 # F2005 - COVER AND/OR GASKET, DIFFERENTIAL - REAR DIFFERENTIAL - LE 9664 miles
04/28/2005 232428 D F2005 - COVER AND/OR GASKET, DIFFERENTIAL - REAR DIFFERENTIAL - LE 9664 miles
04/28/2005 232428 # Z5001 - VIP FREIGHT/POSTAGE REIMBURESEMENT 9664 miles
04/28/2005 232428 # Z7902 - 2-DAY COURTESY TRANSPORTATION 9664 miles
04/19/2005 232107 F Z7200 - CORPORATE PARTS RETURN REIMBURSEMENT 8374 miles
04/11/2005 231789 # F1514 - HALFSHAFT, REAR DRIVE - REAR - LEFT - REPLACE 8367 miles
04/11/2005 231789 # T2020 - TOWING 8367 miles
04/11/2005 231789 # Z5001 - VIP FREIGHT/POSTAGE REIMBURESEMENT 8367 miles
04/11/2005 231789 # Z7901 - 1-DAY COURTESY TRANSPORTATION 8367 miles
09/06/2004 A32938 I Z7000 - PRE-DELIVERY INSPECTION - BASE TIME 0 miles

ericpd

WOW!!! Ok now,... this is scary! The only relief I'm feeling is that this is for an 05 MY. Hope they fixed all this stuff. BTW, did your state have a lemon law legislation in place at the time? I'm almost certain the 44 days in within a year would have met the test here in Maryland. I hear the difference between the 05 and the 09 CTS=V is like night-n-day. Totally new and different car,... so there's room for hope. I pray!

MHP

Two days ago I got to beat on my first '09 CTS-V over here. Will post vids when I get home. It was stock with 6A. Felt almost as quick as my C off the line, but not quite as fast up top. The torque is undeniably nice and felt liquid across the board. In manual mode the car chirped 1-2, 2-3 nicely, though there's plenty of room for improvement in tuning (ECU and TCU). My only complaint is that the stock brakes absolutely suck by comparison to our M5 or C63. Very spongy with no feel whatsoever. Nothing a pad/SS line swap couldn't cure.
Overall it's a nice car for the $ and the LSA has a ton of potential.

Razorecko

I think theres alot of tq management for the auto. Also if you press and hold the trac for 5sec. it completely disables the whole system . For example I think the auto only does alot of 2nd gear starts because it'll just shred tires. I know on the manual you can barely take off in 1st gear w/out setting traction control crazy.

ericpd

Razor's right. If you really wanna feel the full impact of that SuperCharged LSA nuke plant, you gotta drive one where you have to use your right hand and sometimes your left foot to shift the gears. It's interesting what MHP said about the brakes though. They did feel a little more pedestrian than the C63, but I chalked it up to the fact that I drove the C63 PP with the two piece rotors. Compared to my C32, the brakes on the CTS-V definitely felt like an upgrade. Maybe I need to pay some attention to them next time I jump behind the wheel.

MHP,... you mentioned an SS line swap as one way to improve brake performance. Could you expand on that please? Not sure what that means or entails. Thanks!

YellowJacket

Cadillac is offering a performance brake package this spring.

ericpd

I thought they scrapped that package! I also read that it was suppose to include a differential cooler, a larger inter-cooler radiator up front and a third setting for the MRC dampers. Sounds like a 2010 options prolly seeing first light in the CTS-V Coupe. Wonder how close this brake option will be to the brakes on the ZR1,... or will they be exactly the brakes on the ZR1?

TA-9FF

Holy ****e, this thread is still active?

ericpd

LOL! Who knew?

AMGC60-3

Well I guess there is nothing interesting to talk about? What about the other thread? chipped 335 vs C63, that one just won't die.

rory breaker

Stock rubber lines have a tendence to expand under heat/pressure giving you that "spongy" feeling under hard braking. Stainless lines will eliminate that and provide a much more direct feel when applying the brake pedal.

TA-9FF

IMO, these type of asinine threads serve no purpose.

Fact: all cars are different, with different characters/quality/performance/etc.

Depends on what the person buying it is looking for, and once the decision is made, there should be no regrets.

Should I start a thread stating my MacBook Pro is superior to all PC's?

BerBer63

That's complete horses**t. I want to throw my macbook pro against the wall and get a proper PC.

TA-9FF

Agreed. I'm tired of super fast and stable interfaces.

I need Vista in my life. Sometimes, I crave the blue screen of death, and slow application startups.

tyanger

No, cuz it's a well documented FACT that PC's are superior.

LOL, j/k

TA-9FF

Tyanger................


LOVE THE AVATAR!