First Long Trip Report
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: May 2025
Posts: 106
Likes: 66
From: Utah
2025 CLE AMG 53 Coupe
First Long Trip Report
Took my first long trip with my Sun Yellow 2025 CLE AMG 53.
Went from Utah to California Bay Area ( will be attending the Historic Car races at Laguna Seca) that is 800-miles. With two major traffic jams it took 13.5-hours.
Observations:
1) The standard seat is very comfortable for that duration. Seating position worked well for my 6’4’ height. Everything was placed where they should be for easy access.
2) Even in Comfort mode performance was excellent. A few times I had to rapidly accelerate due to dumb **** unsafe drivers. A few times from 75-mph to over 95-mph. Felt great!
3) Was really surprised with the gas mileage. I set cruise control to 78 and 83 for most of the trip. My average for the whole trip was 30.7-mpg. Amazing for a heavy car with that much power.
4) Recieved many thumbs up from passing drivers. Also had a trucker come up to me at a rest stop and asked about my car. Interestingly he was based in Utah near me and has seen me driving in the area.
5) I am really glad I added the 12-inch subwoofer to the factory audio system. The subwoofer level control is mounted on the door sill panel giving me perfect access with my left hand without having to look for the knob.I played my FLAC music from a USB thumb drive very cleanly and loudly for most of the trip. I have a cooling fan on the 500-watt amp so it ran with no heating problems. The car is quiet enough that I could listen to my classical music.
Overall it was a very, very pleasant experience. I am very pleased with purchasing this car.
I still have five 800ish mile legs planned for August and October. Looking forward to these trips!
Went from Utah to California Bay Area ( will be attending the Historic Car races at Laguna Seca) that is 800-miles. With two major traffic jams it took 13.5-hours.
Observations:
1) The standard seat is very comfortable for that duration. Seating position worked well for my 6’4’ height. Everything was placed where they should be for easy access.
2) Even in Comfort mode performance was excellent. A few times I had to rapidly accelerate due to dumb **** unsafe drivers. A few times from 75-mph to over 95-mph. Felt great!
3) Was really surprised with the gas mileage. I set cruise control to 78 and 83 for most of the trip. My average for the whole trip was 30.7-mpg. Amazing for a heavy car with that much power.
4) Recieved many thumbs up from passing drivers. Also had a trucker come up to me at a rest stop and asked about my car. Interestingly he was based in Utah near me and has seen me driving in the area.
5) I am really glad I added the 12-inch subwoofer to the factory audio system. The subwoofer level control is mounted on the door sill panel giving me perfect access with my left hand without having to look for the knob.I played my FLAC music from a USB thumb drive very cleanly and loudly for most of the trip. I have a cooling fan on the 500-watt amp so it ran with no heating problems. The car is quiet enough that I could listen to my classical music.
Overall it was a very, very pleasant experience. I am very pleased with purchasing this car.
I still have five 800ish mile legs planned for August and October. Looking forward to these trips!
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2025
Posts: 65
Likes: 13
From: Florida
2025 CLE 53
Wow sounds like a great trip thanks for sharing. Your mileage is fantastic. Laguna Seca Historic Car races sound amazing..... Do you see many other CLE's in your area? Here on the West coast of Florida I see very few and I've seen only 2-3 other CLE 53's. Stay safe...
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: May 2025
Posts: 106
Likes: 66
From: Utah
2025 CLE AMG 53 Coupe
In my home area in Utah I have yet to see another CLE - base or AMG. Pretty unique.
I have a corral parking space that allows me to park my car in the Laguna Seca infield area amongst other Mercedes-Benz cars. Will be interesting if I will see other CLE’s.
Lastly, this year’s featured marque is the 75-anniversary of Formula 1. Should be a lot of vintage F1 machines on display and on the track.
I have a corral parking space that allows me to park my car in the Laguna Seca infield area amongst other Mercedes-Benz cars. Will be interesting if I will see other CLE’s.
Lastly, this year’s featured marque is the 75-anniversary of Formula 1. Should be a lot of vintage F1 machines on display and on the track.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 679
Likes: 69
From: SWFL
2023 BMW M340i, 2025 MB CLE53 AMG
Took my first long trip with my Sun Yellow 2025 CLE AMG 53.
Went from Utah to California Bay Area ( will be attending the Historic Car races at Laguna Seca) that is 800-miles. With two major traffic jams it took 13.5-hours.
Observations:
1) The standard seat is very comfortable for that duration. Seating position worked well for my 6’4’ height. Everything was placed where they should be for easy access.
2) Even in Comfort mode performance was excellent. A few times I had to rapidly accelerate due to dumb **** unsafe drivers. A few times from 75-mph to over 95-mph. Felt great!
3) Was really surprised with the gas mileage. I set cruise control to 78 and 83 for most of the trip. My average for the whole trip was 30.7-mpg. Amazing for a heavy car with that much power.
4) Recieved many thumbs up from passing drivers. Also had a trucker come up to me at a rest stop and asked about my car. Interestingly he was based in Utah near me and has seen me driving in the area.
5) I am really glad I added the 12-inch subwoofer to the factory audio system. The subwoofer level control is mounted on the door sill panel giving me perfect access with my left hand without having to look for the knob.I played my FLAC music from a USB thumb drive very cleanly and loudly for most of the trip. I have a cooling fan on the 500-watt amp so it ran with no heating problems. The car is quiet enough that I could listen to my classical music.
Overall it was a very, very pleasant experience. I am very pleased with purchasing this car.
I still have five 800ish mile legs planned for August and October. Looking forward to these trips!
Went from Utah to California Bay Area ( will be attending the Historic Car races at Laguna Seca) that is 800-miles. With two major traffic jams it took 13.5-hours.
Observations:
1) The standard seat is very comfortable for that duration. Seating position worked well for my 6’4’ height. Everything was placed where they should be for easy access.
2) Even in Comfort mode performance was excellent. A few times I had to rapidly accelerate due to dumb **** unsafe drivers. A few times from 75-mph to over 95-mph. Felt great!
3) Was really surprised with the gas mileage. I set cruise control to 78 and 83 for most of the trip. My average for the whole trip was 30.7-mpg. Amazing for a heavy car with that much power.
4) Recieved many thumbs up from passing drivers. Also had a trucker come up to me at a rest stop and asked about my car. Interestingly he was based in Utah near me and has seen me driving in the area.
5) I am really glad I added the 12-inch subwoofer to the factory audio system. The subwoofer level control is mounted on the door sill panel giving me perfect access with my left hand without having to look for the knob.I played my FLAC music from a USB thumb drive very cleanly and loudly for most of the trip. I have a cooling fan on the 500-watt amp so it ran with no heating problems. The car is quiet enough that I could listen to my classical music.
Overall it was a very, very pleasant experience. I am very pleased with purchasing this car.
I still have five 800ish mile legs planned for August and October. Looking forward to these trips!
Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 139
Likes: 51
From: SF Bay Area
'08 BMW 335i Coupe '15 E400 Sedan '25 CLE 53 Coupe
Enjoyed your trip report and hope that you had a great time at Monterey Car Week. A short drive from home, couldn't attend this year. Auctions did well capturing $433 million, the second highest Car Week result of all time. What that says about the economy idk exactly.
Curious to hear if there were other CLE53 sitings at the event - perhaps a follow-up ??
And further - if you parked in the AMG corral, just how were the other owners reacting to the new upstart ?? 🙂
Curious to hear if there were other CLE53 sitings at the event - perhaps a follow-up ??
And further - if you parked in the AMG corral, just how were the other owners reacting to the new upstart ?? 🙂
Last edited by J.Raymond; Aug 20, 2025 at 03:12 PM.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: May 2025
Posts: 106
Likes: 66
From: Utah
2025 CLE AMG 53 Coupe
I did not see any other CLE AMG’s at the corral.
Within minutes after parking there were multiple folks that were taking photos of my car. I also had discussions with folks curious about the car.
I parked in the corral for four days. Very positive comments about the car. All really liked the yellow color and wheels.
Within minutes after parking there were multiple folks that were taking photos of my car. I also had discussions with folks curious about the car.
I parked in the corral for four days. Very positive comments about the car. All really liked the yellow color and wheels.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 514
Likes: 66
From: Naples, FL
2025 AMG CLE53, 2025 Range Rover P550E, 2025 Ford F150 Raptor
I did not see any other CLE AMG’s at the corral.
Within minutes after parking there were multiple folks that were taking photos of my car. I also had discussions with folks curious about the car.
I parked in the corral for four days. Very positive comments about the car. All really liked the yellow color and wheels.
Within minutes after parking there were multiple folks that were taking photos of my car. I also had discussions with folks curious about the car.
I parked in the corral for four days. Very positive comments about the car. All really liked the yellow color and wheels.
Too soon? You left that door wide open. (I am just kidding)
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Member
Joined: Sep 2024
Posts: 76
Likes: 29
From: San Louis Obispo, Ca.
2024 CLE AMG53, 2019 VW Tiguan SEL
Rocketman1980,
I forgot to ask, I noticed that your color is black on the metal part of your roof (between sunroof and rear glass)..
Did that come standard or did you have it wrapped after delivery? I did not have that option in 2024, if so on 2025.
My color is the MANUFAKTUR Moonlight White metallic and I thinking of getting it wrapped black to continue the flow of color.
LTBM
PS, the 53 AMG is a GT coupe design, it loves to consume miles, decent MPG's, (when keeping right foot off) with the ventilated/massaged front seats, it's perfect..
I forgot to ask, I noticed that your color is black on the metal part of your roof (between sunroof and rear glass)..
Did that come standard or did you have it wrapped after delivery? I did not have that option in 2024, if so on 2025.
My color is the MANUFAKTUR Moonlight White metallic and I thinking of getting it wrapped black to continue the flow of color.
LTBM
PS, the 53 AMG is a GT coupe design, it loves to consume miles, decent MPG's, (when keeping right foot off) with the ventilated/massaged front seats, it's perfect..
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 2,515
Likes: 900
From: DFW
SL63
Rokitman, I only spell it that way because of your license plate. No disrespect. Does your first long trip report now mean you love your MB? If you don’t love everything about it, is there anything you do love about your MB?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: May 2025
Posts: 106
Likes: 66
From: Utah
2025 CLE AMG 53 Coupe
LTBM - I had the whole car wrapped in clear Paint Protective Film (ceramic in the film too) but had the body colored roof section wrapped in glossy black PPF. I think it looks much better black between the the sunroof and rear window. Highly recommended. BTW - I will be visiting SLO in October for a 50-year reunion with my college roommates. Haven’t been in that area for over 40-years.
MB2timer - I liked the look of CLE AMG 53 the first time I saw it in the showroom. However, the dealer lot cars were all Starling Blue or Alpine Grey (neither I liked). I have always liked yellow if it fit the car. I took a gamble (not seeing any cars in yellow) with the Sun Yellow with AMG Night Package Plus and I really love the look. The Y-Design Spoked wheels with black accents finishes the look I was seeking. I do not like all black wheels but the accented wheels have just the right amount of black.
And as for performance - I was even more pleased with my purchase after driving the car 2,500-miles over the last eight days. One stint had me in the seat for 13.5-hours. Zero cramps or fatigue. Also, the audio system, augmented with a 12-inch subwoofer in the trunk, also presented zero listening fatigue. The car was quiet enough to listen to my classical music files.
And the speed/acceleration performance had me grinning quite a lot. The 30+ MPG was icing on the cake.
I have another 2,000-mile trip next week and another in October.
Absolutely love this car.
MB2timer - I liked the look of CLE AMG 53 the first time I saw it in the showroom. However, the dealer lot cars were all Starling Blue or Alpine Grey (neither I liked). I have always liked yellow if it fit the car. I took a gamble (not seeing any cars in yellow) with the Sun Yellow with AMG Night Package Plus and I really love the look. The Y-Design Spoked wheels with black accents finishes the look I was seeking. I do not like all black wheels but the accented wheels have just the right amount of black.
And as for performance - I was even more pleased with my purchase after driving the car 2,500-miles over the last eight days. One stint had me in the seat for 13.5-hours. Zero cramps or fatigue. Also, the audio system, augmented with a 12-inch subwoofer in the trunk, also presented zero listening fatigue. The car was quiet enough to listen to my classical music files.
And the speed/acceleration performance had me grinning quite a lot. The 30+ MPG was icing on the cake.
I have another 2,000-mile trip next week and another in October.
Absolutely love this car.
Last edited by Rocketman1980; Aug 21, 2025 at 03:29 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 2,515
Likes: 900
From: DFW
SL63
LTBM - I had the whole car wrapped in clear Paint Protective Film (ceramic in the film too) but had the body colored roof section wrapped in glossy black PPF. I think it looks much better black between the the sunroof and rear window. Highly recommended. BTW - I will be visiting SLO in October for a 50-year reunion with my college roommates. Haven’t been in that area for over 40-years.
MB2timer - I liked the look of CLE AMG 53 the first time I saw it in the showroom. However, the dealer lot cars were all Starling Blue or Alpine Grey (neither I liked). I have always liked yellow if it fit the car. I took a gamble (not seeing any cars in yellow) with the Sun Yellow with AMG Night Package Plus and I really love the look. The Y-Design Spoked wheels with black accents finishes the look I was seeking. I do not like all black wheels but the accented wheels have just the right amount of black.
And as for performance - I was even more pleased with my purchase after driving the car 2,500-miles over the last eight days. One stint had me in the seat for 13.5-hours. Zero cramps or fatigue. Also, the audio system, augmented with a 12-inch subwoofer in the trunk, also presented zero listening fatigue. The car was quiet enough to listen to my classical music files.
And the speed/acceleration performance had me grinning quite a lot. The 30+ MPG was icing on the cake.
I have another 2,000-mile trip next week and another in October.
Absolutely love this car.
MB2timer - I liked the look of CLE AMG 53 the first time I saw it in the showroom. However, the dealer lot cars were all Starling Blue or Alpine Grey (neither I liked). I have always liked yellow if it fit the car. I took a gamble (not seeing any cars in yellow) with the Sun Yellow with AMG Night Package Plus and I really love the look. The Y-Design Spoked wheels with black accents finishes the look I was seeking. I do not like all black wheels but the accented wheels have just the right amount of black.
And as for performance - I was even more pleased with my purchase after driving the car 2,500-miles over the last eight days. One stint had me in the seat for 13.5-hours. Zero cramps or fatigue. Also, the audio system, augmented with a 12-inch subwoofer in the trunk, also presented zero listening fatigue. The car was quiet enough to listen to my classical music files.
And the speed/acceleration performance had me grinning quite a lot. The 30+ MPG was icing on the cake.
I have another 2,000-mile trip next week and another in October.
Absolutely love this car.
Link;
https://mbworld.org/forums/general-m...t-your-mb.html
Last edited by MB2timer; Aug 21, 2025 at 11:16 PM. Reason: +link
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,581
Likes: 114
From: Mass
2026 GLE 53 Coupe
Took my first long trip with my Sun Yellow 2025 CLE AMG 53.
Went from Utah to California Bay Area ( will be attending the Historic Car races at Laguna Seca) that is 800-miles. With two major traffic jams it took 13.5-hours.
Observations:
1) The standard seat is very comfortable for that duration. Seating position worked well for my 6’4’ height. Everything was placed where they should be for easy access.
Went from Utah to California Bay Area ( will be attending the Historic Car races at Laguna Seca) that is 800-miles. With two major traffic jams it took 13.5-hours.
Observations:
1) The standard seat is very comfortable for that duration. Seating position worked well for my 6’4’ height. Everything was placed where they should be for easy access.
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