Spotting CL55 Fake
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From: Bay Area, CA
2005 E55
Spotting CL55 Fake
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.
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From: Bay Area, CA
2005 E55
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From: Davis
Front and Rear track on the 2000 CL55 is 62.1 inches, while the the base model is 62.0 inches. Good luck : )
Just because the words AMG are on the seats and the dash does not mean those weren't also faked. I have known people who went to great lengths to fake the upscale model. Setting aside the silly track example above, I would check out the engine, tell him you heard these AMG engines are hand-assembled and signed by the craftsman who created them----see if you can spot that signature right in the middle of the engine. I suppose that too could be faked . . .
Just because the words AMG are on the seats and the dash does not mean those weren't also faked. I have known people who went to great lengths to fake the upscale model. Setting aside the silly track example above, I would check out the engine, tell him you heard these AMG engines are hand-assembled and signed by the craftsman who created them----see if you can spot that signature right in the middle of the engine. I suppose that too could be faked . . .
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S65
Have your friend pull up the engine code in the dash display. I don't know what it is for the CL55, but that would be hard to fake.
How, you ask?
Enter Dyno mode.
Key on -> press and hold R... damn, I can't remember, and I don't have my 65 here to try it...
Then, hopefully someone here with a cl55 can tell you their engine code (it's the same).
How, you ask?
Enter Dyno mode.
Key on -> press and hold R... damn, I can't remember, and I don't have my 65 here to try it...
Then, hopefully someone here with a cl55 can tell you their engine code (it's the same).
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From: Bay Area, CA
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I don't think the seats had an AMG logo on them, it did have the amg sill plates. I was just worried for the guy, but he believes it's a real AMG b/c it has air vents on the side skirts? He tells me thats how you can distinguish it from a cl500.
I don't live that close so I won't be able to see the engine to confirm it. Hopefully everything will work out for him. He doesn't question it, so I will have faith that he did his homework. I guess when he gets the dmv registration, then he will know for sure.
I don't live that close so I won't be able to see the engine to confirm it. Hopefully everything will work out for him. He doesn't question it, so I will have faith that he did his homework. I guess when he gets the dmv registration, then he will know for sure.
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From: Brooklyn
02 S500 Sport
I don't think the seats had an AMG logo on them, it did have the amg sill plates. I was just worried for the guy, but he believes it's a real AMG b/c it has air vents on the side skirts? He tells me thats how you can distinguish it from a cl500.
I don't live that close so I won't be able to see the engine to confirm it. Hopefully everything will work out for him. He doesn't question it, so I will have faith that he did his homework. I guess when he gets the dmv registration, then he will know for sure.
I don't live that close so I won't be able to see the engine to confirm it. Hopefully everything will work out for him. He doesn't question it, so I will have faith that he did his homework. I guess when he gets the dmv registration, then he will know for sure.
Dude 12k on a CL500 is still a good deal. So he has nothing to lose really.
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S65
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An authentic AMG would have an engine plaque signed by the AMG tech that built the motor, right? I have seen lots of fake AMG badges and bodywork/bodykits, seats, wheels, tailpipes, spoilers for sale on e-bay over the years, but I have never seen one of those engine plaques for sale. If it's got a plaque it's real, no plaque it's real fake 
Just as somebody else commented, $12k for ANY CL is a great deal, don't rain on the guys parade, if it is fake and that "good" of a fake he won't be embarressing himself too much...unless a real CL55 pulls up next to him and wants to race.
Just as somebody else commented, $12k for ANY CL is a great deal, don't rain on the guys parade, if it is fake and that "good" of a fake he won't be embarressing himself too much...unless a real CL55 pulls up next to him and wants to race.
Last edited by jrcart; May 19, 2010 at 04:43 PM.
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S65
Not necessarily.
My engine cover is sitting in the garage. I got tired of getting my hands burned every time I removed it to tinker under the hood. So, since I don't have the plaque (on the engine), that must mean it's fake, no? :P
About the only ways that I can think of to make sure it's a real AMG is to run the VIN or get the engine code out of the computer.
My engine cover is sitting in the garage. I got tired of getting my hands burned every time I removed it to tinker under the hood. So, since I don't have the plaque (on the engine), that must mean it's fake, no? :P
About the only ways that I can think of to make sure it's a real AMG is to run the VIN or get the engine code out of the computer.
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Now I hear the dealers advertising free maintenance on some 2010 models - the pedestrian ones naturally.
You need to be able to pay to play with an AMG!
PS
He did get a great deal and you should congratulate him! I love CL500s/SL500s even though I have a CL55. (I put my AMG badges, etc on my G500 to really mess people minds!)
Last edited by ivanj; Jun 1, 2010 at 10:19 AM.
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CL 55 AMG Kompressor
Your friend is completely nuts. To sell everything to purchase anything is a good start on the path to bankruptcy. To sell everything to purchase a depreciating asset is lunacy. Does your friend know the running costs of this vehicle? The purchase is the easy part it is the maintenance that needs to be looked at not just for a CL but any vehicle. The ABC issues will more than likely keep his car of the road for extended periods because he cannot afford the repair costs and will in the longe run probably force him to sell.
We all want things in life that at times we cannot afford. It is your friend's mentality of "I want it" that was one of the factors that has plunged the world into the GFC. Live within your means, stop worrying about purchases you cannot afford, discard the "keeping up with the Jones' mentaility" and you will see that life is good.
We all want things in life that at times we cannot afford. It is your friend's mentality of "I want it" that was one of the factors that has plunged the world into the GFC. Live within your means, stop worrying about purchases you cannot afford, discard the "keeping up with the Jones' mentaility" and you will see that life is good.
