hey guys,

i'm curious and i would like to hear some current CL55 owners opinions....

1- how happy are you with you CL55?
2- when do you think the next generation will appear?
3- if you were to purchase an 04...what kind of discount
would you be looking for off of sticker?
4- how well do you think the CL55 will hold it's value
after 3 years of use?
the reason i ask this question is because i usually
get a bug up my *** for a new car every 2-3 years.
5- do you guys feel that the kompressor motor will present
any problems in the future...rebuilds or excessive failures?

thanks again,

jeff

 

1. I am very happy with the car so far. I've had it for about 10 months and have about 7,000 miles or so. It exudes luxury, while giving excellent performance. The handling on a car this big will surprise you as well. Main gripe for me is the navi system.

2. Next generation should appear around 05 or 06.

3. I wouldn't know, but not that much if any.

4. Pretty strong resale value, as with any AMG car. Not saying that you won't get a bug up your ***, but atleast it won't be a giant beetle with the 55.

5. From my research, the motor is extremely durable and strong and can in fact handle more power than it comes with from the factory. (i.e. the aftermarket Kleeman is going to have a supercharger upgrade kit for it and its going to be about 700bhp)


HOPE THIS HELPS!!

 

I basically echo the reply above.

I've had my black/java/burl walnut CL55 since late March and have 10000 miles on it. It represents perhaps the best combination of design, performance, luxury and safety extant. The car handles like it weighs much less than its 4300 lbs and is extremely fast on straights and in corners. Be sure to get the trunk closer and keyless go. The parktronic is nice as well. I did not get the tire pressure monitor, as I had it on my 02 CL500 and it gave error messages too often. Next time I will get it though because it is nice to check pressure on the move. The only thing that I do not like about the car is the tendency of the front seat backs to spring back into place when trying to access the back seats. The nav system works well for me, but the sound system should be better. The seats are exceptional. With this car there is no need to prove anything on the road, as it easily will best most except 996 TT's and Vipers, and those are not directly comparable with it.

I suppose that the next generation will appear around 05 or 06. The CLS at Frankfurt show is the likely design direction and it is awesome.

My guess is that one could get a discount on new cars now.

Resale value is probably better than non-AMG Kompressor cars, but is nonetheless weaker than a few years ago on all high-end cars. Plan to take a hit if you sell.

The engine is quite strong, but think seriously about the extended warranty, wether you plan to keep the car or sell it after a couple of years. Repairs on this car will be very costly.

Finally, the CL55 Kompressor represents a quantum leap in performance over prior models and anything else near its price on the market now. The Bentley GT will be much more expensive and will be the hot number for a while, but for a several hundred mile weekend trip, the CL55 is likely at least as good. The M6 may be competition in a couple of years, but the redesigned CL with the AMG modifications is likely to better it.

 

thanks guys for the input.
i've been searching cars.com trying to get
a feel for the aftermarket. it varies widely.
i've noticed some very nice AMG's and CL500sports with
very low mileage. my dealer doesn't have one sitting
on their lot right now. i placed a call to my salesman
so he can check incoming inventory. no word back
yet.

i have one more question....how long do you plan
on owning your cars....2,3,4 years?

thanks again,
jeff

 

I agree with everything said above. The Nav works great for me, however, after seeing what Lexus Navs offer you see what is missing..

 

I think I'm going to keep mine for about 3-4 years. I would probably then trade up at that point if the new 55 had a very different, dynamic look to it along with an even better engine and electronics (which im sure will happen).

 

My salesman in Florida did not offer me a discount on the CL55.

He did say that the regular CL (500) has better lease residuals according the the MB guide. The CL600 is lower than the CL55. If I recall, the difference between the CL500 and the CL55 was 2% after 3 years.

If I trade my 2003 911 TT on the CL55, I will lose $20,000.
I like to trade every year.

I really enjoyed my test drive of the CL55. I haven't gotten used to shifting in the Porsche.

 

I agree, i went from my Acura's Navi system to my CL55 and was very disappointed. My lexus navi is far superior as well.

I agree with the comment above about the seats swinging back when they are pushed forward. Very annoying and I wish there was some kind of fix for it.

 

hey guys,

like i said in my earlier post i found some really low mileage CL's for sale online.
i found an 03 CL500w/sprt pkg. with only 900 miles on it for appox. 74000. this car is very interesting. seems that it is a lease repo from MB motor credit. i have yet to see the car in person/only a photo. it looks very nice. for about the same money i could pick up a brand new E55 kompressor at my local dealer. i've never bought used. what do you guys think?

 

hey guys,

well i ran a carfax report on the CL500 i mentioned above and it was bought back by MB under a lemon law. carfax has 5 different files in the vehicle history.
it seems the first owner had the vehicle for only 137 miles. the second owner had the car up to 900 and reported "manufacturer buyback(lemon)reported".
this person registered the vehicle "commercially".

i wonder what could have gone so wrong so quickly???
any ideas???

 

S55in PA
Before you go further in your consideration of a new E55, be certain that you can live with the new brake system. I had it on our 03 SL500 Sport, which we sold after a month or so, in favor of keeping the 02 CL500 Sport for my wife, in part because the brakes were a bit weird. Their stopping distance is rather poor according to the reviews, but they felt strange and gave quite artificial feedback at regular driving speeds. I understand that MB will either drastically revise that system or change back to conventional brakes, such as those in the CL55. My guess is also that any MB, including the SL55, will encounter significant aftermarket weakness when this problem is better understood.

 

hi victoryroad,

i know what you mean with the brakes. i picked up an 03 E500 for my mother this year and that car has new brake by wire system. every time i drive it, it takes a little while for me to get used to the braking distances. i would guess that MB would try to improve the system before abandoning it. just think if they abandoned it with MB's luck Lexus would design a system and perfect it!!!!!

 

I am perfectly happy with the car, zero problem, perfect performance. already putting around 5000k since august, keep on rolling...

 

SBC braking on the AMG models is different to that on the E500/SL500 and does not display the problems that have been noted by reviewers on these cars, further there has already been an upgrade on the 2004 model year.

 

in the reviews ive read of the E55 theyve stated thier dissatisfaction with the "irregular" braking of the SBC system, and unusually long braking distances for a supposedly high-tech safety enhancing technology. on paper it seems like a very good system. it just seems that in practice they havent mastered the correct feel for it.

 

I have a car with the SBC and I have to say it's totally transparent as far as I'm concerned - and I'm pretty sensitive to these things

 

Ive heard that mb has been having quite a few lemons on the w215 chassis... i guess if you buy a used one you would know if it was a keeper or not. Id be warry of someone selling a car with less then 15k miles unless there seriously broke- makes you think whats wrong with the car (ie. lemon, major car accident, previosly stolen)

I hit a guy with my old truck- he just bought a cl500 4 days prior car had 600 miles on it and i did $25000 in damage, needless to say when he got the car back from the shop he sold it right away (neighbor)

These cars only weigh 4300lbs??? The w140 cl weighed almost 5000lbs...

 

only??

the 500 weighs about 4200-4300. hell, the last S weighed nearly 5000 lbs. too. now it varies from 4200-4800 for the loaded 600.