DoctorV8

Hi everyone!

I've been browsing here for a few weeks now, and I must thank Adam for his excellent in depth review of the 03 vs 01 cars, as well as all the great pictures!

I've finally decided on a car...should have it in the next few days...Black opal, Java, Burl, Keyless go, tire pressure sensors, trunk pulldown, nav CD's.

I've seen pics of other cars in this color....does anyone have pics of a Black opal CL?

Thanks,

Sanjay (in Texas)

BLKCL55

Congrats Doctor, I'd love to see what a Black Opal CL looks like... as well as the Almandine Black.

awiner

Welcome to the forum. I just saw a 2003 CL55 last week in Black Opal / Java with chestnut wood. The Black Opal was very nice. Almost like a deep dark denim while in the sun.

I didn't have my camera or I would have snapped some pictures. The new CLK is very popular in Black Opal. However, the CL in Black Opal is rare thus far. I have only seen that one and I see a lot of CL's in my ventures.

DoctorV8

Thanks, guys.

I am actually still wavering a bit....have a lead on a brilliant silver/charcoal car that would be easier to keep clean (this will be a daily driver) but it doesn't have the low tire pressure system that I have been spoiled by in my Corvettes.

Silver may not be as rare, but Adam's car sure looks good. And heck...all CL55's are rare, right?

awiner

If you really want to keep your car looking clean and want to use it as a daily driver, I would seriously rethink the Opal Black/Java. Not only will the Opal Black be a handful to take care of, but the the Java interior will as well. Food for thought. I'm pretty **** retentive about my cars and that is why I choose the Brilliant Silver / Charcoal combination. I too use my car as a daily driver.

On another note, the tire pressure monitoring system has had lackluster reviews. Many people that have that option talk about errors and erroneous readings. When asked if they would order that option again, most if not all said "NO" . What I am getting at is if this option will make or break your decision, you may want to reconsider the option based on information from owners with the option.

DoctorV8

Thanks for the input, Adam. I have a new lead on a Tectite/Charcoal car that will be built 2/20/03. I really like Tectite, and it will probably be easier to keep clean.

It also does not have the tire pressure system.

Wonder why the system is error prone? The system on my 2001 Corvette has been flawless (and it was standard equipment on these $40,000 cars since 1997). No excuse for MB there.

Do you know if it uses sensors built in to the valve stem?

SM

pocholin

Welcome aboard, nice car you chose for your next benz.

How fast is your Rustang???, sorry with an M, rustang......sorry
Twin turbo sounds nice for that 5.0

awiner

Tectite is a great color. Don't think it will be any easier to take care of vs Opal Black however.

The actual sensors on the MB Tire Pressure system are units that literally strap around the inside of the rims. It should also be noted that if you ever wanted to switch rims, there is no guarantee that the sensors will fit the diameter or be reliable in the readings they will give.

DoctorV8

My TT Mustang makes 450 rwhp and 510 ft lbs at the rear wheels, with a very conservative timing curve and only 10 psi of boost in deference to the all original 140,000 mile 5.0 short block. It runs great and is TOTALLY stealth, with the turbos quieting the exhaust and the smooth idling stock cam. I even have trick stock looking larger rims to clear the big brakes.

On street tires, I went 12.0 at 119 mph before it was tuned right....haven't driven it much lately, but it only made 420 rwhp/460 rw ft lbs back then.

See more here: http://www.geocities.com/motorcity/s...mustanglx.html

Adam,

The tire pressure sensors clamped to the rim sound just like the trouble prone units on the previous generation C4 Corvette. I wonder why MB doesn't use the Valve stem type sensors that have been trouble free in my C5 Corvette.

The black opal car has the nicer (IMHO) split five spokes, so I don't foresee changing rims.

Do you know if removing the sensors sets a trouble code? And if the system malfunctions, do you get an annoying warning light, or do you merely not get a reading on the display?

Thanks again for all the info.

JamE55

Welcome and congrats DoctorV8! Pls post pics when you get a chance.

awiner

I did some research and found that the wheel sensors are indeed part of the valve stem assembly. Sorry for the confusion. However, these are the same assemblies that have caused problems for the past couple years.

If the pressure monitors get an error or not found error, you will be alerted. This is one reason why people are so ticked with the system. They say they spend more time reseting the errors by means of a calibration procedure than its worth.

A-Train

Avoid the tire pressure monitoring system. Previous CL had it and always gave me errors, even after the dealer tried to fix it. Two other people I know of had the same situation -- one on an S and another on a CL. Was very careful to make sure when spec'ing the 55 to avoid the system this time around.

Congrats on whatever 55 you end up with.

- A-Train

DoctorV8

Thanks guys. It is disappointing that MB doesn't produce a reliable tire pressure monitoring system. Like I mentioned, THe C5 Corvette system has been a pleasure to use over the past 34,000 miles. Oh well!

Will keep you all posted!

ZCore

Congrats Doctor and keep us posted. By the way I love your ZR1. Thats one bad ride.

nrosoff

I have this color combination on my 2002 CL600.

I love the color combo. The car is used as a daily driver. It is marginally easier to maintain than most blacks. If I could go back I would chose a lighter color. More than likely silver.

When I order my CL600 I got every option available except the tire preasure monitor. The reason had nothing to do with its realibility. Tire preasure varies because of a lot of reasons. The only true way to monitor them is cold, with a good quality guage.
IMO if you inspect and check the preasure of your tires 1/2 per week, having a system that monitors them does not make sense.

DoctorV8

Thanks! Here is a blurb with some pics. The car makes 663 HP at 6800 rpm, and even at 7500 rpm, it makes 640 HP.

http://www.geocities.com/motorcity/s...5/my90zr1.html

JamE55

HHmm that link is not working. Saying something like.."Sorry site temporarily unavailable...??"

DoctorV8

Stupid geocities. Try it again later.

In the meantime, here are some other pictures.

http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c4/doctorv8/

Sanjay

pocholin

Wow, nice collection of cars! Congrats!

FC Corp

My 02 S600 is Tectite and will say it is very easy to keep up. My previous cars were either black or obsideon black and those were nightmares. With the Tectite, swirl marks are a thing of the past. However, going to trade it in for my 03 which will be Designo Mocha. Anyone have any experience with this color?

As for the tire pressure system, just a gadget for kicks. Mine goes out every now and then, not often though. Just reset it and after about 30 mins of driving it resets. Now the trunk closer, that is something which will spoil you. Gotta have it.

DoctorV8

Designo Mocha? Wow...beautiful!

Went up to Dallas to check out the Black Opal/ Java car.....I LOVE the color. Glad to hear someone has a positive experience with the tire pressure system.

I'll be taking delivery Monday! It's TORQUE TIME!!

FC Corp

Just where in the "TX Hill Country" are you? I grew up there.

DoctorV8

I work in New Braunfels, bought a house overlooking Canyon Lake.

Sanjay

FC Corp

My ranch is outside Kerrville. I normally drive down there in July/August of each year.

Did you go by the Benz place in SA? I had to deal with their service dept last summer, needed a new tire. They did not even balance it, had to take it back. Such a waste of time. I went into the show room and it must have been the only car dealership I have walked into where not a single sales person approached me. Oh well, guess I didn't look the part.

DoctorV8

I wasn't too impressed with the salespeople there, but I haven't dealt with the service dept. Thanks for the warning.

When I test drove a 2002 CLK55 there recently, I ended up being the one educating the salesman on the finer points of the car. Pretty sad...but that's usually the case when I go to a dealership.