I am picking up a 2005 CL65 next week and am planning some initial upgrades. I'd really like it to run at least as fast as my '04 Lightning it is replacing (10.6 @ 126). Does anyone know if you can get away with a slightly larger tire on stock wheels? M/T makes a 305/35-19 that I would like to run on the stock AMG wheels.

Other plans are Exhaust, ECU/TCU tune, intercooler upgrade, and possibly intake system. Any & all advice about hopping up a CL65 much appreciated!

Might as well budget another 2k for new coils which you will need once you do a tune. Also make sure the abc system is good before you blow all your money on mods. Get the car looked over really good.

R.K.

If the coils have already been replaced after 2006 with the updated coils are they still likely to fail when a tune is added? The car has already been inspected by the local Stealership but I plan to get it up in the air myself before buying. Besides just a clearance issue I am wondering if the non stock rear tire size will srew with the brakes and stability control?

Yes it will screw with the stability control.

R.k.

Can a tuner correct for that? I can correct for non stock tire sizes with my SCT Pro Racer Package and my laptop in my Lightning's tune, but the Merc is a new animal for me.

Check with RACEHORSE as he just added an LSD and widened his stock wheels to fit 305 michelins. Would be great to hook with a stock wheels on the rear. I had to use my rear drag setup at times to hook under 100. Mods you list should put you in the 10's, but a 10.6 is a stretch.(meth and trunk res are god too) Coils could or could not be an issue after a tune. Keep us posted and take video!

Congratulations on the new car to be. As mentioned there are other things to be prepared for as far as maintenance and possible failure, but if you are comfortable with those items what you have listed is the basic recipe to get you moving. As far as the M/Ts, I think they only come in a 315/35/19 which they say should be mounted on a minimum rim width of 10". Stock CL65 rears are 9.5". There were/are some Mustang guys and CTS-Vs running them on 9.5" wheels but that is your choice. I don't know if they will rub. For the street I thought of them as well but for the track you are better off with just a 265/40/18. They hook great as long as both wheels catch with the open rear. They are slightly shorter so you will get a better gearing and lighter. The LSD was a big improvement for the street and if you can throw a high powered pickup around on the street then you won't have problem steering a CL with some sideways wheel spin. I haven't had it to the track since. As mentioned I am also running 305/30/19s on stock CL65 rear wheels widened to 10.5" Good luck with what you do and let us know how things go.

Congrats on the new ride!

I have a set of 305 MT Drag radial with 5 passes on them that I am going to be selling. They are mounted on 18 X9.5 Monoblock wheels. If you're interested let me know.

Interested! Shipping might be the biggest killer. I'll pm you my phone #. Have any pics?