03 CL55 vs CL600
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From: Ottawa, Canada
B200, C70 HPT Coupe
03 CL55 vs CL600
I'm interested in upping to a CL soon, and I'm looking and the 2003 CL55 AMG, and CL600. I know they make the same hp, but the bi-turbo V12 makes a lot more torque. Has anyone here driven both these cars and compared them? I love the look of the 55, but like the fact that the V12 is turboed and has more tuning possibilities.
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From: NJ
2009 SL63 AMG
With an AMG body kit, you can duplicate the sharp look of the CL55. The CL55 motor would be more reliable, granted that it is hanbuilt by AMG. However, the 600 is indeed faster due to the contin0us pull of the Twin Turbo V12 motor. And, for a $6-7K chip, you can boost power to 625 hp and 745 tq. PM red00light, for he currently owns a CL600 and previously owned an S55 I believe (which is very similar to the CL55). I'm sure he could give some more details. 
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From: back in Jersey
360 Spider
Originally Posted by HLG600
The CL55 motor would be more reliable, granted that it is hanbuilt by AMG.
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From: Phoenix, AZ
2007 CL600
Originally Posted by E500C70
I'm interested in upping to a CL soon, and I'm looking and the 2003 CL55 AMG, and CL600. I know they make the same hp, but the bi-turbo V12 makes a lot more torque. Has anyone here driven both these cars and compared them? I love the look of the 55, but like the fact that the V12 is turboed and has more tuning possibilities.
When I bought my CL500, the dealer had a 55 and I just wasn't impressed enough to step up the few dollars.
The AMG does hold its value better.
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Joined: Dec 2005
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From: York, UK
2005 clk320 convertible
Now i dont mean to cause hassle, but do really think all the engines are hand built.
This would mean every employee would have to hand build 1000 engines a year. Now thats some hard work there.
This would mean every employee would have to hand build 1000 engines a year. Now thats some hard work there.
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From: Boston
2006 SLK55 AMG
i'd go for the Cl600 without even thinking about it... V12 biturbo, lordi ! ECU Upgrade for $5k and that car will be a TQ monster... only problem is that the CL600 loses its value very quickly. you can find 2003 CL600s for $60k ... whereas a 2003 CL55 wouldn't be that inexpensive. Plus now that the new CL is coming out, the value will fall madly!
if i was you and had the money for a CL55, get a new model! or an SL600.
if i was you and had the money for a CL55, get a new model! or an SL600.
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From: Boston
NSX
I've driven both extensively. The 600 is much faster than the 55 in a straight line. No doubt. Much easier to upgrade to mega power levels. The 55 looks better but you can get a 600 with the AMG body kit... you will have to change the exhaust yourself to quad tips but eisenmann makes a nice exhaust thats lighter and more free flow than the AMG exhaust.
The brakes are better in a 55, as are the seats. Seats may look similar, they aren't. The steering in the 55 for whatever reason felt slightly better to me. You will have to change the wheels too, but there are better lighter aftermarket wheels than the factory AMG wheels.
Its a matter of money really. If you want to buy a car and leave it alone, get the 55. If you have to fiddle, then the better canvas may be a 600.
The 55 will hold its resale value slightly better, but thats irrelavent if you are modding the cars.
The brakes are better in a 55, as are the seats. Seats may look similar, they aren't. The steering in the 55 for whatever reason felt slightly better to me. You will have to change the wheels too, but there are better lighter aftermarket wheels than the factory AMG wheels.
Its a matter of money really. If you want to buy a car and leave it alone, get the 55. If you have to fiddle, then the better canvas may be a 600.
The 55 will hold its resale value slightly better, but thats irrelavent if you are modding the cars.
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The V12 Biturbo engines are handbuilt also. MB doesn't tell you that because most of them go into non-AMGs and Maybachs...classic MB marketing that may detract from the AMG "one man, one engine" theme. Can you imagine: A $375,000 Maybach engine not hand-built but a $60,000 C55 engine is?
