Ok guys major problem. I have on order a 65 that should be coming in within the month. Now I've been doing some thinking and with the depreciation of AMG's leasing is the way to go. Financially it makes sense to lease a 63 for about 3000 a month for 12k 39 month or 3400 12k 27 month. A 65 would run me about 4400 12k 39 month or 5200 12k 27 month. Question is what kind of hit to expect within 2-3 yrs of a 65 if i go ahead and purchase, the residual is about 43 percent or so and that would mean $200,000 after 3 yrs will be no more than $90,000 with mileage around 20k. But do you guys think that the 65 will hold more value than the previous ones, if so than I think I'll be going ahead with it, anything less than $120,000 or so for no more than 3 yrs is crazy. Your thoughts are appreciated.

 

As soon as numbers (money) are involved, the CL63 wins. Keep in mind that you also have the option to get the 030-package with, IMO, nicer wheels and a cool interior (black piano or carbon).

My 2 cents..

 

I thought the wheels came standard on the 65, and what is the piano wood, any pics of it? I've yet to see it. Plus what would you think the 65 would be worth in 2-3 yrs with respectable mileage? Lets keep in mind that the 65 depreciated as bad as it did with the introduction of the new body.

 

A big component of the depreciation of W220/C215 S65/CL65s was MB obsoleting them with the W221/C216 immediately after filling the pipeline. This won't happen within three years to a C216 CL65, so you won't see the same horrendous drop. (Which, by the way, was a wonderful opportunity for buyers who timed their purchase of the old model wisely. )

That said, the V12s will certainly depreciate more severely than other models. Once you've driven the 65, it's a bit like an addictive drug, and you really don't care.

 

Will likely be trading in CL63 for CL65 next wk....and grappling w/choice...

Would $0-down lease....does anyone actually buy any new car anymore??? Buying is such an archaic concept from ?15-20yrs ago....consider cheap, mfr-subsidized leases; sales tx implications; opportunity cost of capital; and lease-gap insurance....but need to understand lease arithmetic of MF, residuals, etc to make sure dealer is providing fair terms....

Would predict '08 CL65 would trade-in for ?$100K-$120K in 12mos, w/5-15K mis....new car mkt has softened considerably.....chk autotrader to see bloated US inventory levels of new CL63, S63/65.....means discts/cheap leases on new cars...and poor trade-in values once driven off lot....also consider that MB may obsolete the elderly, heavy 65 motor within next 12-18mos w/a new V12 motor, further pressuring 65 values downward...

CL65 seems to unfortunately have those unattractive S65 wheels (not the CL63 030 wheels which IMO are very attractive wheels); spec'd mine w/all-leather sport steering wheel (not the codgerly wood steering wheel that is std) and carbon-fiber interior trim (not the similarly codgerly poplar/walnut trim)....

Will see it live and drive it briefly before signing lease....have my doubts re: the tacky quilted leather, lame S65 wheels....and its relative nose-heaviness (65 motor is some 250lb heavier than 63's) and weak traction on wet/bumpy pavement....

But do appreciate 65's superior tq on smooth, dry, high-speed stretches of fwy....and despise the crappy, coarse-grained leather MBUSA chose for CL63....

Am irritated that MBUSA bungled the interior/wheels choices of two otherwise brilliant coupes....

Net, net, CL63 is, by far, best overall car I've ever driven (incl vs 599)...use it as both a daily urban commuter car and as my wkend car for early AM drives through the local mtn twisties.....so CL63 vs CL65 will be a difficult decision for me....

 

Very well thought out statement of fact.

I actually like the AMG leather. I think its a good fit for a sporting GT coupe. I felt the Executive leather was a bit too buttery soft for an Autobahn tearer.

I will have a set of 030 wheels off my CL63 (new take offs) for sale in late november if you need a set to make your choice a no brainer.

Weight is a FACTOR.

I now drive a GT coupe and frankly have grown tired of it. The sheer mass of this car begins to gnaw at your sensibilities. It was the same feeling I got when I traded my E46 M3 for a 650i but on a far grander scale. Nimble is the word I'm looking for. A car can battle with it's own relationship between size, power handling and weight, but only a few cars possess the ability to be deemed "nimble".

GT Coupe = not
DB9 = not
650i = not
cl55 = not

997 = yes
m3 = yes
m6 = yes
f430 = yes

cl63 = to be determined (loved the test drive however)

it doesnt have much to do with the gross weight of the car as much as the engineering of the suspension and how it relates to the tranfer of power.

trust me, you will eventually grow tired of a "drunken pig" as your daily driver. Thats what I've come to learn.

 

what are the colors and options of this car? why trade it in when you can let me have it

 

What about GT Speed Coupe?

 

BTW, what about designo on the CL63? Wouldn't that 'upgrade' the leather-quality as well? OK, that would leave you with the unsporty wood again...

Wow, difficult to make the right choice even when money DOESN'T matter..

 

I think the wheels of the 030-package usually come standard on the 65, but once again, not in the US..

Here is a pic of piano wood. It's from a BMW but it's almost the same, no matter what make and model (just as the name says, it is like the surface of a piano..):



The depreciation might not be as huge as it was before, but the words 'depreciation' and 'V12' simply belong together...and I'm also speaking from experience here..

 

I'm familiar with the piano wood as my friend has it on his range rover, just never seen it on CL class. And as much as I love the carbon fiber, I don't know which route to go, pics to of both cars woud help a lot, thoughts? Oh and btw are the brakes on the 63 and 65 the same?

 

here

https://mbworld.org/forums/cl-class-w216/208557-carbon-interior-available-cl63-if-you-opt-performance-package.html

 

I've seen that but still no black piano anywhere

 

Have CL63 030 silver/blk w/cf interior trim....so very much appreciate its strengths

Designo stuff is tacky.....all kinds of girlie colors/woods/wood steering wheel....and a $10K option for which one rcvs perhaps $1 back upon trade-in....

Weight is a complex issue w/cars used on public roads....CL63 is 4600lb; CL65 is 4900lb; 599 is 4000lb.....if in any high-speed accid (for ex, rear-ended on fwy in emergent deceleration...no other car in world I'd rather be in than CL63/65)...or driving in mtn twisties, often face errant oncoming drivers...again, no other car I'd rather be in than CL63/65....

Sure, 599 is slightly more nimble than CL63/65 in certain twisties (although 599 is some 3" wider than CL, so tight mtn twisties force greater slowdown in 599), but I suspect most who can afford either car are somewhat risk-averse (and have a bit to lose in life in any negative outcome).....so any perf is discounted by overall active/passive safety risks....

Would observe that have several colleagues in CA who own both CL63 and 599....they each seem to choose to drive CL63 90%+ of time (incl wkends) and remark it's best overall car they've ever driven; they get new AMGs and Fs every 6-12mos at MSRP (so 599 is free anyway)....but they all have issues w/599's dubious passive safety.....and they're all closely pondering whether they even want CL65 (w/its ancient motor and tacky quilted leather).....they share my issues w/65 (they've each owned new 65s in past....and it's clearly not as addictive to everyone)

 

I just ordered a 030 CL63 with cf Nov 1 build...


can you post pics of your interior so I can see how the carbon contrast with the black leather? I was also interested in knowing if the rear console is done in carbon

Ive never seen a carbon CL before....

THnaks

 

Barolo, as much as I am a tech fanatic re: cars, am a Luddite re: cameras/photos....will ask some pals re: how to post pics from a cell phone...

In any case, CL63 cf includes rear console (and elegantly executed, even vs F...and much better than P)....just learned my 65 w/cf was delayed in produc....but dealer rcvd 65's slvr/blk and blk/blk w/blk wood (which is also well-executed by AMG)...

Don't know how long you keep cars (I rarely keep any cars beyond 6mos) but cf apparently has yellowing issues on cars like P's (ask guys w/elderly CGTs)....don't know how AMG cf holds up...my cars spend most of life in garages at home/office, when not being driven 15Kmi/yr....so don't know...

 

Im sure a person as well spoken as yourself would invest no more than five minutes figuring out how to transfer then post a pic.

 

Even the $90,000 figure seems a bit high. I've seen numerous times on e-bay, autotrader, auctions, etc... CL65s with 8,000 to 17,000 miles sell for 70k to 85k
This should be good for you though because then you can negotiate with the bank and buy it for even cheaper than you wanted

 

Saw/drove CL65 today....and passed....

Cars have S65 wheels...which look OK on S65 but awful on CL65, esp vs CL63 030 wheels; not a fan of the notably high weight of 65 motor over wheels (steering feel is very similar to that of my prior '07 CL600's)...lacks the superb steering precision/feel of CL63.....quilting on CL is more tolerable than on S65, but still dubious....noted that this CL65 has the Yoko tires, not ContiSports that CL63 030s seem to have....and the steering wheel, though all-leather sport wheel, still has the damn plastic airbag cover (not leather) that CL63 has.....

At $200K today, w/a ?$100K trade-in value in 12mos, CL65 (w/all this bungling of interior trim/wheels, etc) just seems like an insulting value, esp to frequent-buyers of high-end AMGs who can appreciate any subtle dynamic and aesthetic differences vs the already-brilliant CL63....and are willing to pay for well-engineered, well-spec'd/detailed products, no matter trade-in value....suspect my next AMG will be CLxx w/new V12 motor and/or SL63 BlkSeries in Spr08.....

Barolo, may want to reconfirm cf availability w/your dealer....hearing AMG won't do it any longer for CL63 030 or CL65 (blk ash wood will be only decent choice)....

 

damn i hope youre wrong about this