Hey guys, long story short I am looking for a new car. I'm not rich or even have tons of money to waste. I'm 25 and make an avg money. I've never really looked into MB's before, mostly because of only having auto trans and I love manuals. I was searching ebay and came across the amg cl55 which caught my attension, after some research I'm looking at the 2003's. So my question is, whats the run down on these? Are the really exspensive to maintain or similar to audi? I'm looking to use it as a daily driver, in the winter it will be put away. I'm really just looking for some owner inside info.Other cars I was looking at included, Audi A6 2.7t stg 3(450whp), Supra tt, 03-05 M3,00-05 M5 etc...this would be a big step up compared to cars i've owned.

Compared to that boat, maintenance will probably seem average.

The drivetrain is pretty reliable. It will be faster than almost anything else you're looking at. It won't handle like an M3. You may have some suspension related expenses (search for ABC suspension) but the motor won't grenade like an M3, it's younger than a Supra, and it's not seriously overworked like some high power Audis. It is different from any VW or Audi. You will miss AWD, until you put your foot down and realize you're not just driving a fast car, you're driving a missile.

Thank you for the info. The thing I like most is the luxury combined with speed. I'm guessing it has a nice luxury ride to it, also its nice it already has a ton of power in stick form, everything else you have to get it there. What are the actual #'s on it btw?. I'm not looking for a weekend racer, more of a daily, fun on back roads and straight lines. As far as the speed, what is it comparable to? I mean will it hang with corvette, mustang, camaro, s4 etc? Also how good are the auto trans for a sports car? Is it a car that will take 100k+ miles? I just know nothing about MB's....


p.s. Are there any other models similar price 15-25k I should look at?

C32, C55, CLK55, E55, CL55, CL600, S55, S600 are the cars in that price range. That's from small to big, basically. Luxury, speed, and build quality go up with that list, reliability is a mixed bag because there are more gadgets to break as you go up that list.

I have a CL600, so I can sort of answer the question. It will definitely last 100k miles. Once you've got traction (the car is heavy) it is crazy fast. Like time warp fast, and I've driven Corvettes, Mustangs, 500+ hp Subarus, etc.

Any of the Forced Induction models are also generally easy to tune. S/C models need a pulley and tune. The Twin turbo models are detuned from the factory, so they just need a tune.

The manual transmission is pretty much dead. It's fun, but it's not fast anymore. The Cadillac CTS-V fastest-sedan-around-the-Nurburgring record was set using the automatic version. Porsche now includes the PDK automatic on their top end cars. Most journalists say the manual is for "weekend" Porsche drivers, the PDK is for racers. On the MB 55 and 600 motors, the problem is torque. Automatics are good on high torque cars, and with that much power, you really don't care so much about what gear you're in.

It looks like I'm leaning toward the CL55 and I also really like the E55. It seems the only real difference are 2dr vs 4dr right? The E55 seems like it will be the easiest to find, and I'll be able to get the lowest miles on that car in my price range, plus its nice having a little more room, easily carry 4 adults. The main thing I am worried about is if i'm ready for a car like this, I mean I can afford to buy it but if the motor blows or trans go up that would be insane...How about normal stuff like brake pads, plugs, oil change etc regular maint.? Is it going to cost me like $500 for brake pads??

So you said in the other thread that the e55 doesn't have ABC? It has something different? What do you think about the e55? Same motor as the CL55 just bigger and a few different options..

The E55 has airmatic for the suspension (uses air to adjust ride height and dampening) vs ABC which is fluid I believe. The airmatic is catered more towards maintaining the ride height irrespective of load in the car (trunk or passengers in the backs eat) but some one correct me if i'm wrong with the ABC, it's an active suspension setup aimed atreducing body roll by pumping fluid into the corner that is most compresseded in a turn to level the car out. More complex system and I'm guessing more expensive to repair.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkRvV2iWZZw

Good summary!

The CL is a luxury grand tourer. The front cabin is right out of an S Class so it's much nicer than an E.

If you can't get a warranty or aren't interested be prepared to have a few thousand tucked away for issues. The ABC system on the 55/65 AMGs and 600s is notoriously prone to expensive repair bills....like $6000 repair bills.

CL is an S class interior and gadgets (top end), but less room than an E class.

The W210 E55 is naturally aspirated. It's quick and very reliable (conventional spring and strut suspension, no supercharger or turbos, etc.) given what it is.

The W211 E55 is supercharged. Very fast, but less reliable due. Ditto for the CL55/S55 (same engine, but with ABC instead of Airmatic, so it's even less reliable).

I would consider the 600 motors, too. They have a boat load of torque. My CL600 cost way less than an equivalent E55.

Good info,I'm trying to learn alot before a purchase. The ABC system definetly worries me, I really don't want a $6k repair bill for suspension. So the E55 AMG has a more reliable susp., has less options but for me it will have 100x's more than any other car I've owned. For being basically a super car motor its pretty reliable though? I've seen several over 100k, how well do they take it(assuming it hasn't been beat to hell)? Also so can you give me a run down of what cars have this V8 Supercharged AMG motor?

edit: Ok so I just looked at the S55 AMG, so why is this car cheaper than an E55? I found 1 with 60k for $22,500 with full history and records. The S55 is the same body as the E55 right?

The W220 (old S Class) has been the old shape for more than 4yrs now so prices are way depressed. The W211 (old E Class) is only the old shape by about a year...

Either way the W220 wasn't considered the most reliable Benz by a fair distance which has helped them depreciate very quickly. The E Class doesn't depreciate as much in percentage terms.

The E and S are completely different vehicles, think E Class as equivalent to a BMW 5 Series and S as the 7. The S Class is a luxury saloon car with the E the executive vehicle.

Yeah I'm really liking the E55 amg. It fits all my needs, roomy, comfy, luxury, daily driver and did I mention the power...