Juggarnaut

Let's try to make this thread informative and factual. Rather than basing it on opinion or speculation.

For simplicity sake we'll compare both the CL55 and CL600 in stock form with similar options (we'll use the CL600 with AMG package).
I've cross-searched multiple MB forums and below are my findings from various individuals debating the "CL55 vs CL600" topic.


CL55

Pros:

• Sportier and livelier engine
• Deep sporty exhaust
• Much more supportive seats
• Larger brakes
• Quad AMG exhaust
• Slightly better resale value
• Rolled fenders and offsets allow for wider wheel options on the CL55 w/o them sticking out or rubbing

Cons:

• Supercharger gremlins, belt, pulley, and clutch issues may linger
• Non-linear acceleration due to belt driven supercharger

CL600 w/ AMG package

Pros:

• V12 TT delivers smooth & linear acceleration
• Ultra luxurious driving experience
• Higher engine reliability
• Sleeper, truly a wolf in sheep's clothing
• Massive Torque
• Easier and cheaper to modify to insane levels of performance
• Higher quality extended Nappa leather/Alcantara headliner
• Lower current resale value = cheaper bargain purchase
• Greater value considering "New" W216 CL600 using same exact engine (55K engine pretty much retired except for G55 platform)

Cons:

• Engine parts cost much more
• Falls short in the driver's enjoyment factor

sunpointair

So, I think you just pointed out and answered you own question !!!!!!!!!!!!

TMC M5

I am not so sure the CL600 has "much higher" maintenance costs. The CL55 and CL600 will have the same costs for ABC suspension issues, which are the biggest and most expensive likely headaches for both cars. The much smaller CL600 brakes will be much cheaper to replace than the AMG brakes. I would peg that as the #2 most expensive headache. What other high $ maintenance items have people run into? I haven't seen anything else personally...or heard anything else from other V12TT owners.

I think you need to add a few more "Pros" to the CL600...

-Massive Torque

-Easier and cheaper to modify to insane levels of performance

-Higher quality extended Nappa leather/Alcantara headliner

-Lower current resale value = cheaper bargain purchase

-Greater value considering "New" W216 CL600 using same exact engine (55K engine pretty much retired except for G55 platform)

Tom

Patentmat

Rolled fenders and offsets allow for wider wheel options on the CL55 w/o them sticking out or rubbing

Juggarnaut

Thanks for your inputs, I've updated the original post.

As far as the CL600, I believe the V12TT engine parts would be much more than the V8 Kompressor, so I'll have to edit my post unless someone can correct me?

silvercl55

I am not so sure the CL600 has "much higher" maintenance costs. The CL55 and CL600 will have the same costs for ABC suspension issues, which are the biggest and most expensive likely headaches for both cars. The much smaller CL600 brakes will be much cheaper to replace than the AMG brakes. I would peg that as the #2 most expensive headache. What other high $ maintenance items have people run into? I haven't seen anything else personally...or heard anything else from other V12TT owners.

I think you need to add a few more "Pros" to the CL600...

-Massive Torque

-Easier and cheaper to modify to insane levels of performance

-Higher quality extended Nappa leather/Alcantara headliner

-Lower current resale value = cheaper bargain purchase

-Greater value considering "New" W216 CL600 using same exact engine (55K engine pretty much retired except for G55 platform)part of what your saying is opinion.
the seats well some people like sportier seats suspension etc
cheaper price= better bargain?? if you have owned this car new or even fairly new that is a bad thing the price it has dropped is a bad thing for a person who has bought this years ago.
Mb is going back to the 55's turbo yes, but still so it doesn't matter so the 63's are now going to be a thing of the past.
bascially everything you said is opinion based on the type of person who would be buying it. one is more luxurious and one is more sporty bottom line the seats suspension brakes etc will be different that's part of what makes them different cars. otherwise they would be a cl55/600 just pick your different motor.

Juggarnaut

Some things that are still up in the air...

• On the subject of suspension, does the CL55 and CL600 with AMG sport package share the same suspension components and do they ride similarly?
• Does the CL600 have more sound insulation in the form of sound deadening material for a quieter ride?
• Is the BOSE system exactly the same in the CL55 and CL600?
• Rumor that the 2003 CL55/600 have more electrical issues than 04-06.

TMC M5

Are you talking about my post?

Tom

Patentmat

Regarding just the "Higher quality extended Nappa leather/Alcantara headliner", this is optional on the CL55 (mine has it) but standard on the CL600. A more appropriate summary would be that higher quality leather/headliner/stitching comes standard on the CL600.

TMC M5

Is that part of the designo package?

Tom

TMC M5

I just looked through the 79 2003-2006 CL55's for sale on autotrader (hey I don't mind looking at such a beautiful car). I looked at the interior shots and I couldn't find one that was a designo/extended Nappa leather. There was one that claimed to have the "designo cashmere" paint...but it doesn't appear to be a designo car...nor the same paint as your car.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false

I guess my point is that your designo option (BTW ..what a beautiful car) is extremely rare for a car that is pretty rare to begin with. It isn't like a parktronic...or keyless go option. Any idea how many designo CL55's were brought to the US?

Tom

CL55_Serge

as far as power goes, isn't the CL600 a better option than the supercharged 55 since you can get close to 600hp with mods like ECU/TCU re-programming, better air intake box and lighter main belt pulley?

BlownV8

You can get over 600 hp from just the ECU. I gained around 125 RWHP from the Renntech tune on my old CL600. There is more power available depending on the depth of mods but it is by far the cheapest Mercedes CL to get a 100+ hp bump.

Patentmat

It appears then that nearly ALL CL55s do not have the "higher quality leather/headliner/stitching comes that you get on the CL600". I suppose an accurate summary of the difference between CL55 and CL600, would be simply that the CL600 has a slightly more luxurious/sound deadened interior. I didn't know my car was so rare with these upgrades, and I have no idea how many designo CL55s there are out there. That autotrader ad you pulled up IS a different color, it is design cashmere metallic. Hope you saw mine for sale while you were searching. I don't want to tangent the thread so if you have other questions about mine in particular pm me.

TMC M5

Sorry to hear that you are getting rid of your car. If I was in the market for a CL55 I would snap it up. Your car is extremely rare!

I found it on cars.com.

Tom

02cl55amg

your debating with a cl55 and cl600. i thought about this for along time and instead picked up a 05 cl65. best car i have ever owned hands down and the best bargain on the planet. @ almost $200k new, a used one clean with low miles can be had for about $50k