030 Package and designo CAN'T be combined?!
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Tampa Bay, FL
Something on 4 wheels..
030 Package and designo CAN'T be combined?!
Hi,
I already posted that info on the regular CL-board but I thought this info is especially interesting for everybody who's interested in getting a CL63.
1. according to OnStar and my local dealer the interior leather option 'Cognac Brown' has been discontinued.
2. What really surprised me: If you order the 030-Package, you can't get a designo (and vice versa)! Now what's the reason for that??
Would be great to hear your ideas/experiences on that one...
Oh, BTW, If you are interested in the black piano wood as part of the 030-package: That's gone, too..
I already posted that info on the regular CL-board but I thought this info is especially interesting for everybody who's interested in getting a CL63.
1. according to OnStar and my local dealer the interior leather option 'Cognac Brown' has been discontinued.
2. What really surprised me: If you order the 030-Package, you can't get a designo (and vice versa)! Now what's the reason for that??
Would be great to hear your ideas/experiences on that one...
Oh, BTW, If you are interested in the black piano wood as part of the 030-package: That's gone, too..
Last edited by FloridaE55; Oct 31, 2007 at 08:11 PM.
Senior Member
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CLK63 Black Series
I have seen a Designo White CLS63 in Germany (U.S. Spec) owned by a Californian that was equipped with an 030 Performance Package, light-colored interior (Sand? Ivory?) with light-colored oiled (not shiny lacquer) wood trim.
So the combination can be done on a CLS, but I don't know what sort of strings had to be pulled to get the car configured that way.
So the combination can be done on a CLS, but I don't know what sort of strings had to be pulled to get the car configured that way.
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Joined: Oct 2005
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From: CA
2010 CL65
Just helped a colleague spec his CL63 030 for Nov build....
Carbon-fiber interior trim is available again....having had/seen both blk wood and cf....would argue cf is more interesting vs 030 ethos....
Prob Designo not avail w/030, as Designo entails the girlie/codgerly wood steering wheel....(IMO, wood steering wheel (like 600/65) is a major negative in twisties/precision driving...tactile feel of thick-rim sport wheel is superb; and wood/cf wheel can become slippery in rapid twisties driving)
Have never seen a Designo combo that isn't tacky....be careful for what you wish...
That said, plan to soon spec another CL63 030 to replace my current copy, unless SLxx Blk will arrive in early Spr08.....as much as MBUSA bungled the interior trim choices of CL63 030, at least AMG Germany engineered an absolutely brilliant/memorably enjoyable-to-drive car.....
Carbon-fiber interior trim is available again....having had/seen both blk wood and cf....would argue cf is more interesting vs 030 ethos....
Prob Designo not avail w/030, as Designo entails the girlie/codgerly wood steering wheel....(IMO, wood steering wheel (like 600/65) is a major negative in twisties/precision driving...tactile feel of thick-rim sport wheel is superb; and wood/cf wheel can become slippery in rapid twisties driving)
Have never seen a Designo combo that isn't tacky....be careful for what you wish...
That said, plan to soon spec another CL63 030 to replace my current copy, unless SLxx Blk will arrive in early Spr08.....as much as MBUSA bungled the interior trim choices of CL63 030, at least AMG Germany engineered an absolutely brilliant/memorably enjoyable-to-drive car.....
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 790
Likes: 4
From: Tampa Bay, FL
Something on 4 wheels..
I have seen a Designo White CLS63 in Germany (U.S. Spec) owned by a Californian that was equipped with an 030 Performance Package, light-colored interior (Sand? Ivory?) with light-colored oiled (not shiny lacquer) wood trim.
So the combination can be done on a CLS, but I don't know what sort of strings had to be pulled to get the car configured that way.
So the combination can be done on a CLS, but I don't know what sort of strings had to be pulled to get the car configured that way.
The steering-wheel shouldn't be an issue because the brochure says that the wood steering-wheel is not part of the designo-package for a CL63 - so no matter if you order designo or not, you will always get a leather steering wheel on a CL63.
EDIT: Just got of the phone with MBUSA and the reason why they can't be combined is the wood-trim. There is a conflict between the 030 Package and designo.
Oh well, I guess Majestic Black with Cashmere Beige interior and Carbon Fiber Trim isn't a bad choice either...
- it's certainly easy to decide between designo and 030!
Last edited by FloridaE55; Nov 1, 2007 at 12:59 PM.
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Joined: Oct 2005
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From: CA
2010 CL65
Agree....majestic blk and cf should look great on CL63
But be aware that any interior aside from blk will prob accentuate the cheap-looking, coarse-grained leather on doors/dash/console.....and the cheap ?cloth trim MBUSA chose for area of rear shelf; behind rear head rests...(not leather as in CL600)...
Have silver/blk 030 w/cf trim...and have finally "rationalized" the shabby interior trim by telling self the coarse-grain leather plays off the technical/perf-look of the cf trim
....not sure I could attempt that admittedly absurd rationalization w/any interior aside from blk w/cf....
But be aware that any interior aside from blk will prob accentuate the cheap-looking, coarse-grained leather on doors/dash/console.....and the cheap ?cloth trim MBUSA chose for area of rear shelf; behind rear head rests...(not leather as in CL600)...
Have silver/blk 030 w/cf trim...and have finally "rationalized" the shabby interior trim by telling self the coarse-grain leather plays off the technical/perf-look of the cf trim
....not sure I could attempt that admittedly absurd rationalization w/any interior aside from blk w/cf....
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 790
Likes: 4
From: Tampa Bay, FL
Something on 4 wheels..
Agree....majestic blk and cf should look great on CL63
But be aware that any interior aside from blk will prob accentuate the cheap-looking, coarse-grained leather on doors/dash/console.....and the cheap ?cloth trim MBUSA chose for area of rear shelf; behind rear head rests...(not leather as in CL600)...
Have silver/blk 030 w/cf trim...and have finally "rationalized" the shabby interior trim by telling self the coarse-grain leather plays off the technical/perf-look of the cf trim....not sure I could attempt that admittedly absurd rationalization w/any interior aside from blk w/cf....
But be aware that any interior aside from blk will prob accentuate the cheap-looking, coarse-grained leather on doors/dash/console.....and the cheap ?cloth trim MBUSA chose for area of rear shelf; behind rear head rests...(not leather as in CL600)...
Have silver/blk 030 w/cf trim...and have finally "rationalized" the shabby interior trim by telling self the coarse-grain leather plays off the technical/perf-look of the cf trim
....not sure I could attempt that admittedly absurd rationalization w/any interior aside from blk w/cf....
My first choice was Cognac Brown - in that case, the dash and rear shelf would have been black, too. But that color-option is gone, unfortunately (got this verification from MBUSA as well). I simply like a contrast (dark exterior/lighter interior).
Here's a picture of a beige interior with CF-trim which I found on the 'regular' CL-board:
IMO, The lighter interior brings the focus to the CF-trim which isn't bad either..
Oh, BTW, since you're already the owner of a CL63 with 030, there's one thing I wanted to ask you: Is the steering-wheel any different compared to the standard CL63 steering wheel?
I'm asking because it is mentioned in the brochure as a feature of the 030-Package ('leather steering-wheel with shifters' - as far as I know, a standard on the CL63!?!) and a different member on this forum stated that it would come with a leather airbag-cover. Is that true (I'm talking about the stitching, you can also see that on the steering-wheel on the attached picture)?
Thanks in advance!
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From: CA
2010 CL65
Forgot about the FL weather vs dark interiors....coastal CA's yr-round 60-75F weather makes one forget that dark interiors can be challenging in hotter regions...
May want to try to see a CL65 40thAnniv live....IMO, the play of its tan/brownish leather (though fine-grained leather) vs cf is not particularly attractive/cohesive....
Steering wheel is same CL63 030 vs non-030: leather sport wheel w/paddleshifters.....unfortunately, airbag cover is not leather/stitched....
Ordered (and passed on) '08 CL65....and my special order incld sport steering wheel (std was wood wheel like S65's)...car arrived w/identical steering wheel as CL63 (no leather airbag cover).....only the CL65 40thAnniv (as in your pic) has the sport wheel w/stitched leather airbag cover (part of the value-priced $100K paint/steering wheel upgrade option)....
May want to try to see a CL65 40thAnniv live....IMO, the play of its tan/brownish leather (though fine-grained leather) vs cf is not particularly attractive/cohesive....
Steering wheel is same CL63 030 vs non-030: leather sport wheel w/paddleshifters.....unfortunately, airbag cover is not leather/stitched....
Ordered (and passed on) '08 CL65....and my special order incld sport steering wheel (std was wood wheel like S65's)...car arrived w/identical steering wheel as CL63 (no leather airbag cover).....only the CL65 40thAnniv (as in your pic) has the sport wheel w/stitched leather airbag cover (part of the value-priced $100K paint/steering wheel upgrade option)....
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,271
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From: CA
2010 CL65
Couple other thoughts for you....
May want to consider silver exterior, blk interior if temperatures are an issue...not sure whether exterior color/interior color has greater effect upon interior temps if car parked outside, esp in context of MB's latest glass/ventil seats, etc...also, after yrs of getting blk/blk cars, have switched to silver/blk as I hate occasional microswirls/scratches that even MB's blk paint, despite nanotech clearcoat and only using high-end hand car washes, shows to detail-obsessed observors in bright sunlight....
Also, ask your dealer to ask district rep...or email Rob Allan (hd of AMG US) directly re: availability of cognac....stuff goes in/out of availability.....e.g., for several wks, was difficult/impossible to spec cf....then blk wood....etc etc.....would ask the decisionmakers in NJ directly....
Good luck.
May want to consider silver exterior, blk interior if temperatures are an issue...not sure whether exterior color/interior color has greater effect upon interior temps if car parked outside, esp in context of MB's latest glass/ventil seats, etc...also, after yrs of getting blk/blk cars, have switched to silver/blk as I hate occasional microswirls/scratches that even MB's blk paint, despite nanotech clearcoat and only using high-end hand car washes, shows to detail-obsessed observors in bright sunlight....
Also, ask your dealer to ask district rep...or email Rob Allan (hd of AMG US) directly re: availability of cognac....stuff goes in/out of availability.....e.g., for several wks, was difficult/impossible to spec cf....then blk wood....etc etc.....would ask the decisionmakers in NJ directly....
Good luck.
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,240
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From: New Jersey
E550 4MATIC
Black interior is always a classic option, but in Florida, it gets very hot..
My first choice was Cognac Brown - in that case, the dash and rear shelf would have been black, too. But that color-option is gone, unfortunately (got this verification from MBUSA as well). I simply like a contrast (dark exterior/lighter interior).
Here's a picture of a beige interior with CF-trim which I found on the 'regular' CL-board:
IMO, The lighter interior brings the focus to the CF-trim which isn't bad either..
Oh, BTW, since you're already the owner of a CL63 with 030, there's one thing I wanted to ask you: Is the steering-wheel any different compared to the standard CL63 steering wheel?
I'm asking because it is mentioned in the brochure as a feature of the 030-Package ('leather steering-wheel with shifters' - as far as I know, a standard on the CL63!?!) and a different member on this forum stated that it would come with a leather airbag-cover. Is that true (I'm talking about the stitching, you can also see that on the steering-wheel on the attached picture)?
Thanks in advance!
My first choice was Cognac Brown - in that case, the dash and rear shelf would have been black, too. But that color-option is gone, unfortunately (got this verification from MBUSA as well). I simply like a contrast (dark exterior/lighter interior).
Here's a picture of a beige interior with CF-trim which I found on the 'regular' CL-board:
IMO, The lighter interior brings the focus to the CF-trim which isn't bad either..
Oh, BTW, since you're already the owner of a CL63 with 030, there's one thing I wanted to ask you: Is the steering-wheel any different compared to the standard CL63 steering wheel?
I'm asking because it is mentioned in the brochure as a feature of the 030-Package ('leather steering-wheel with shifters' - as far as I know, a standard on the CL63!?!) and a different member on this forum stated that it would come with a leather airbag-cover. Is that true (I'm talking about the stitching, you can also see that on the steering-wheel on the attached picture)?
Thanks in advance!
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 790
Likes: 4
From: Tampa Bay, FL
Something on 4 wheels..
Just curious: Why do you think the standard beige is going to look any different? The leather quality differs from the 65 - but the color? You're probably right that it's the CL65 Anniversary Edition but according to the brochure, the dash is darker than the rest - even on the CL63.
Right now, only 3 iterior colors are offered (black, beige and gray) - that's it..
The good thing is that my car won't go into production until February - and when it comes to colors and options, there might be some changes 'til then.
Gray would be an option, too..
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Posts: 1,271
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From: CA
2010 CL65
That pic is 65 40thAnniv....colors are bit more refined/darker (more akin to cognac) than the more yellowish sand/cashmere of CL63, but still IMO 40thAnniv interior colors didn't work well vs cf when I saw it live...
Obviously, colors/textures are personal preferences, but have been surprised many times (both positively and negatively) re: how colors/materials play together in real life (even indoors/at night vs sun, etc) vs pics....
Feb build will work in your favor....given how bleak is the new high-end car mkt....and MB's falling profit margins w/the weakening dollar, wouldn't be surprised if MB has more colors/choices/optional leather upgrade packages available by then.....and 2-3% increases in base MSRP....but offsetting cheaper mfr-subsidized leases and discts from dealer....there are often many upsides to a high-end recession...
Obviously, colors/textures are personal preferences, but have been surprised many times (both positively and negatively) re: how colors/materials play together in real life (even indoors/at night vs sun, etc) vs pics....
Feb build will work in your favor....given how bleak is the new high-end car mkt....and MB's falling profit margins w/the weakening dollar, wouldn't be surprised if MB has more colors/choices/optional leather upgrade packages available by then.....and 2-3% increases in base MSRP....but offsetting cheaper mfr-subsidized leases and discts from dealer....there are often many upsides to a high-end recession...
