Spotting CL55 Fake
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Joined: Jul 2008
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From: New York
Mercedes S55 AMG
Remember the 2001 and 2002 AMG's are different than the 2003+ AMGs most people are used to.
Some key differences between a 2001 and a 2003 CL/S55 AMG:
1.) The Engine is not signed. Just like in the picture above, it just says AMG on it and looks like a regular 500 engine cover aside from that.
2.) There are 2 exhaust out that back, that say AMG on them. The newer ones have quad exhaust.
3.) There is no AMG logo in the seats. There is an AMG logo in the dash, though. Also, there are no V8 badges on the side, while the newer ones have V8 Kompressor.
4.) The 2001 do have AMG when you open the doors on the door sill, though.
5.) The wheels, if they are stock, will be the AMG monoblock 18 inch wheels, staggered setup with the back being wider than the front.
Some key differences between a 2001 and a 2003 CL/S55 AMG:
1.) The Engine is not signed. Just like in the picture above, it just says AMG on it and looks like a regular 500 engine cover aside from that.
2.) There are 2 exhaust out that back, that say AMG on them. The newer ones have quad exhaust.
3.) There is no AMG logo in the seats. There is an AMG logo in the dash, though. Also, there are no V8 badges on the side, while the newer ones have V8 Kompressor.
4.) The 2001 do have AMG when you open the doors on the door sill, though.
5.) The wheels, if they are stock, will be the AMG monoblock 18 inch wheels, staggered setup with the back being wider than the front.
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Joined: Dec 2009
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From: Bay area
CL55
Most people update the new taillights but not the headlights because of price, also dead give away is the brake calipers!!!!! It would also say ///AMG V8 compressor on the cluster!! Under rpm gauge!!!
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On a 2001 it would not say V8 Kompressor, since it has a normally aspirated engine.
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S65
Haters?
So, because we're trying to figure out how to get the guy to determine if his buddy got screwed, that makes us haters?
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Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Beverly Hills, CA
03' CL55 AMG
Well, i can tell you what i noticed in mine that the 500's don't have unless the person goes to great lengths to convert it
- Speedometer goes to 200MPH (500's stop at 160)
- The Tachometer says AMG Kompressor under the arch
- The steering wheel has shift buttons behind it on the left and right (metal plus/minus studs on the front side)
- Metal oval AMG badges are in the seat back around where your shoulder blades would be
- The engine cover says AMG on both sides and has a plaque with the signature of the person who assembled the engine
- The side skirts are split near the rear fenders
- The front diffuser's pillars angle outward from the top, (they angle inward on the 500)
- The rear bumper has a more aggressive molding
- The 55's have quad exhaust tips that have AMG engraved on the top side
- The brake calipers say AMG on them
- When the super charger kicks in you will hear a signature 'chirp' then 'whiring' noise as you accelerate (one of my favorite parts)
- Push-to-start was an option, at least on the 03's, mine doesn't have it
I guess most of this stuff can be faked so if you need to be positive run a VIN check or look at the registration documents
- Speedometer goes to 200MPH (500's stop at 160)
- The Tachometer says AMG Kompressor under the arch
- The steering wheel has shift buttons behind it on the left and right (metal plus/minus studs on the front side)
- Metal oval AMG badges are in the seat back around where your shoulder blades would be
- The engine cover says AMG on both sides and has a plaque with the signature of the person who assembled the engine
- The side skirts are split near the rear fenders
- The front diffuser's pillars angle outward from the top, (they angle inward on the 500)
- The rear bumper has a more aggressive molding
- The 55's have quad exhaust tips that have AMG engraved on the top side
- The brake calipers say AMG on them
- When the super charger kicks in you will hear a signature 'chirp' then 'whiring' noise as you accelerate (one of my favorite parts)
- Push-to-start was an option, at least on the 03's, mine doesn't have it
I guess most of this stuff can be faked so if you need to be positive run a VIN check or look at the registration documents
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Buddy of mine bought a 01 cl55(supposedly). Wife saw it already, but even she question it. Trying to determine without alarming the guy. It said cl55 on trunk, but no amg on right side. Had dual exhaust, but I believe the tips said Lorinser. In fact I believe it had a Lorinser side skirts as well.
Anyways, my buddy got it for $12k with 80k miles on it. Seemed a little too cheap, but I wasn't able to go with him to buy it. He sold almost everything he had to buy it.
Is there anything that the 01 cl55 have over the cl500 visually that distinguishes it.
Anyways, my buddy got it for $12k with 80k miles on it. Seemed a little too cheap, but I wasn't able to go with him to buy it. He sold almost everything he had to buy it.
Is there anything that the 01 cl55 have over the cl500 visually that distinguishes it.
If I was you I would not even bother getting involved or talking about it with him unless he brings it up. Sounds like they dont have their life in line to spend money on a Cl when he needs to sell things.- But thats their life. As said before 12k is a good deal no matter what CL. I dont know why so cheap but good for him for finding it.
Just if you do find out its fake or real just hopefully you dont get into an argument about something and it messes up your friendship. Remember its $12,000 car. Not worth arguing and ruining a friendship over. Also as said before run the Vin# Good luck and cant wait to hear what happines.
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PLAID
Buddy of mine bought a 01 cl55(supposedly). Wife saw it already, but even she question it. Trying to determine without alarming the guy. It said cl55 on trunk, but no amg on right side. Had dual exhaust, but I believe the tips said Lorinser. In fact I believe it had a Lorinser side skirts as well.
Anyways, my buddy got it for $12k with 80k miles on it. Seemed a little too cheap, but I wasn't able to go with him to buy it. He sold almost everything he had to buy it.
Is there anything that the 01 cl55 have over the cl500 visually that distinguishes it.
Anyways, my buddy got it for $12k with 80k miles on it. Seemed a little too cheap, but I wasn't able to go with him to buy it. He sold almost everything he had to buy it.
Is there anything that the 01 cl55 have over the cl500 visually that distinguishes it.
for update??? Real or Memorex??
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Posts: 1,477
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From: Los Angeles
04 CL55 (sold), 2012 CLS550 (sold), 2014 S550 (sold), 2015 ES300H (DAILY)
the original guy who posted this never even replied back. I would really like to be updated on how that situation played out....so was it a fake or not?
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 541
Likes: 22
From: USA
10 speed bicycle
If there is a reply from the OP the easiest way to tell:
VIN Begins:
CL 500 - WDBPJ75
CL 55 (non-K) WDBPJ73
CL 55 (Komp) WDBPJ74...listed just for reference
US market
Every benz model can be designated via the VIN characters 4-7
VIN Begins:
CL 500 - WDBPJ75
CL 55 (non-K) WDBPJ73
CL 55 (Komp) WDBPJ74...listed just for reference
US market
Every benz model can be designated via the VIN characters 4-7
Last edited by MBtech1098; Nov 8, 2010 at 07:38 PM.
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,254
Likes: 171
2002 CL500 to CL55 conversion
Well, i can tell you what i noticed in mine that the 500's don't have unless the person goes to great lengths to convert it
- Speedometer goes to 200MPH (500's stop at 160)
- The Tachometer says AMG Kompressor under the arch
- The steering wheel has shift buttons behind it on the left and right (metal plus/minus studs on the front side)
- Metal oval AMG badges are in the seat back around where your shoulder blades would be
- The engine cover says AMG on both sides and has a plaque with the signature of the person who assembled the engine
- The side skirts are split near the rear fenders
- The front diffuser's pillars angle outward from the top, (they angle inward on the 500)
- The rear bumper has a more aggressive molding
- The 55's have quad exhaust tips that have AMG engraved on the top side
- The brake calipers say AMG on them
- When the super charger kicks in you will hear a signature 'chirp' then 'whiring' noise as you accelerate (one of my favorite parts)
- Push-to-start was an option, at least on the 03's, mine doesn't have it
I guess most of this stuff can be faked so if you need to be positive run a VIN check or look at the registration documents
- Speedometer goes to 200MPH (500's stop at 160)
- The Tachometer says AMG Kompressor under the arch
- The steering wheel has shift buttons behind it on the left and right (metal plus/minus studs on the front side)
- Metal oval AMG badges are in the seat back around where your shoulder blades would be
- The engine cover says AMG on both sides and has a plaque with the signature of the person who assembled the engine
- The side skirts are split near the rear fenders
- The front diffuser's pillars angle outward from the top, (they angle inward on the 500)
- The rear bumper has a more aggressive molding
- The 55's have quad exhaust tips that have AMG engraved on the top side
- The brake calipers say AMG on them
- When the super charger kicks in you will hear a signature 'chirp' then 'whiring' noise as you accelerate (one of my favorite parts)
- Push-to-start was an option, at least on the 03's, mine doesn't have it
I guess most of this stuff can be faked so if you need to be positive run a VIN check or look at the registration documents
easiest way to tell on the engine is there will be an AMG part number sticker on the upper intake manifold, need to pull the engine cover to see. many many things were the same between cl500-cl55 of the 01-02 years. it wasn't until 2003 that these cars became widely different. a lot of part numbers will start with "A" on the engine and the tranny too. another sure fire way to distinguish the amg tranny and engine is the part numbers stamped on the underside. for example there was never a non AMG 722.636 transmission as far as im aware
