My car is supposed to be completed on 9/14 and should be delivered by late October (I'm hoping for sooner, of course). The specs:

• Lunar Blue Metallic
• 19" AMG 5-spoke wheels
• Premium One Package
• Wheel Package Plus One
• Almond/Mocha Nappa Leather
• Burl Walnut Wood Trim
• Wood/Leather Steering Wheel
• Active Multicontour Driver Seat
• Driver Assistance Package
• Parktronic with Active Parking Assist

I've just about got my garage squared away for the new car. Can't wait to get it!

Ken

You will definately love your new cls and welcome.. Any mods planned?

Hi,

Thanks for the welcome. I'm definitely looking forward to this car. I went back and forth for a few months between this and the Porsche C2S, but the CLS is a better fit for my mission these days.

Only thing I have planned so far is window tint - I'm thinking of 3M Crystalline. Any suggestions?

Ken

That's a great build. Congrats on the new car.

Thanks!! It's going to be a long month or so of waiting...

Ken

Congrats!

My CLS was completed yesterday, two days ahead of schedule. Build sheet and VIN received. I don't know how long it takes for the car to get to Bremerhaven, but I'm checking the cargo tracking site every hour or so...

Ken

My car came in earlier than expected (a nice surprise!) and we picked it up on Monday. The 2-hour drive home gave me a good opportunity to begin playing with the Distronic. Lots of learning time to put in...

Here are a couple of quick pics taken yesterday between central FL rain showers. I love the Lunar Blue - I just need it to stay sunny long enough to get a good photo of the metal flake...

Ken

Beautiful. Congrats and enjoy for many miles to come.

Thanks - very much appreciated!

Ken

congratulations on the new ride.

how were you able to get the the wood steering wheel with the wheel combo?

I was told from my dealer that the 5 spoke AMG wheel could not be combined with the wood steering wheel....

oh so jealous..she's beautiful!

Thank you, thank you.

The wood steering wheel and the 19" 5-spoke AMGs have nothing to do with each other, so far as I could tell. The online build tool allows the combination, so I spec'ed it that way and neither my dealer nor MB squawked.

It came out great, that's for sure. Absolutely gorgeous.

Ken

Very nice, congrats and enjoy in good health

you're lucky!

for some strange reason MB build won't allow 19" 5 spoke AMG wheels with black leather/black ash wood trim & wood steering wheel combo. I got stuck with the non AMG 19" 5 spoke alloy.

again, enjoy your beautiful ride!

Thank you for the kind words.

Ken

On the one hand, blacked out like that was never a consideration for me so I never tried it in the build tool. On the other hand, you just got me curious, so I ran it through - turns out that the issue isn't the wood steering wheel, but the fact that the 19" AMG wheels are only available in combination with the Almond/Mocha or Ash/Black interiors, but not the all black.

Maybe available via Designo?

Thanks, we definitely will!

Ken

Looks like the AMG wheel package options will not be allowed if you have Designo paint or leather choices. Never realized that until now but that is what the website says.

Had to have the 18s with all season tires anyway, went with wheel pack 1 and stuck with black sport leather so it was a non issue for me. And got a flat bottom steering wheel that I quite like. Also an all black headliner with the black sport leather. Hope to have the car in 10 days ...

Interesting info re: Designo and AMG wheel options.

The flat-bottom steering wheel sounds good. Is that an AMG option? How'd you arrange for it on the 550?

The ten days should go quickly...

Ken

The flat bottom steering wheel comes with AMG wheel pack 1 or 2 but only in leather wrapped. If you choose heated steering wheel or wood/leather mix in your steering wheel, the flat bottom steering wheel gets deleted. Had a hard time turning down the heated wheel cos this will be an NJ based car but I really like the flat bottom and saved a few $ in the process.

Car arrived at the dealer today - various option installs start today and I should have it next week ( due more to my own travel schedule than any slowness on the part of the dealer ). May swing by to take some pics for posting tonight.

I gave some thought to the heated wheel myself (not sure why I didn't notice the flat bottom), but opted against it, partially due to living in FL these days and partially because I really wanted the wood. It came out great and I'm glad I went with it.

That said, the flat bottom wheel really reminds me of the formula car (I'm an occasional Skip Barber driver), though I do not need to be driving like that on the road.

Glad to hear that your car made it to the dealer. I'm looking forward to seeing those pics!

Ken

Beautiful build! Very excited for you - how are you enjoying your experience thus far? Yours was delivered 2 days prior to my receiving mine!

Enjoy in good health and company!

I absolutely love the car! For me, at this point in my life, it's the perfect balance of luxury features/appointments and sport(y) performance. I get a lot of use from Distronic (makes cruise control actually usable in traffic) and Parktronic (the 'how far to pull in' indicators, not the parallel parking wizardry) and am glad I ordered them.

Lunar Blue is truly gorgeous and must be seen in a range of lighting conditions to fully appreciate its depth and sparkle. Here's a link to some better photos, post-detailing: facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151956389708516.1073741825.773113515&type =1&l=d9c90994a1

How're you enjoying yours?

Much appreciated and the same to you!

Ken

Ken,

I'm excited to see the album but unfortunately the link isn't working (copy and past into address bar).

I agree completely concerning the use of the vehicle re: balance, I find myself in a period of transition from vintage turbo Porsches to a usable family staple as I'm expecting my first child in April. Its the perfect blend of irresponsible power coupled with the ability to be incredibly civil and appear to be one of the 'sheep'. The ability to reduce the rear tires to smoldering ash on a whim with simple overindulgence of the right foot never fails to bring a smile to my often frowned visage.

My experience thus far as been fraught with a few CEL issues which were attributed to a over-torqued spark plug on Cylinder #1, which the dealer has been a joy to deal with to resolve the issue. I'm actually awaiting on its re-delivery later this morning.

The one thing I can say about the Mistress, ahem CLS, is that it is one of the few cars whose design and architecture actually induces emotion. I find myself looking over my shoulder as I walk away for that 'one last glimpse'.

I do genuinely hope you are getting as much enjoyment from yours as I am from mine.

Very well put, sir.

I was looking seriously into a new Porsche C2S before deciding to shift my balance point from "sports car with luxury appointments" to "luxury car with sport performance". The CLS has really hit the sweet spot for me.

Sorry to hear about your CEL issue, but glad that your dealer has responded well. Good luck with the car today!

I admit to having the same "last look" urge about this car. Not too many of my other toys have engendered the same feeling. The airplane I built, one or two of my motorcycles, but not too many cars. My CLS definitely does.

Have I mentioned how much I love this car?

Ken

BTW, this forum (for reasons unknown) doesn't seem compatible with Facebook album links. I've replaced the original embedded link with the text version, though you'll likely have to reload the page to see it.

Yes I am with both of you guys on the combo of looks and V8TT power coupled with family friendliness. The CLS won out over the Audi S7 and 650GC because I could install an OEM DVD system for the kid in the back. Audi and BMW did not allow it. Kid loves it. Also, over Thanksgiving, my 550 will be tested as a family hauler with ski gear as we head to VT for early ski season. Will have the OEM roof racks on and ski holders mounted plus other equipment in our fairly good sized trunk. My dealer told me I am the first client to ever order OEM roof racks. And yes they are made by Thule.