Initially ordered a CLS55 but after considering its harsh ride and long wait, I opted to get the regular CLS instead. I finally got a white CLS500 with AMG package and almost all available packages and options except tel. and distronic. What a beatiful car. People around me looks at my car pointing their fingers probably asking "what is that beautiful car?" hehehe. Now I have a tint question to any CLS owners who live in OC or LA county. I heard from one CLS55 owner that tinting the back window is probably one of the hardest area to tint (according to his tint shop) since it requires the removal of some parts of the car. Any recommended tint shops around the area who is somehow familiar with the CLS rear window tint procedure? Thanks.

 

Can you please post more pictures of your beautiful car. I've never seen one in white. Thanks.

 

I can't understand why people tint their windows?
Unless you are a celeb, let all the gals see who drives that sexy machine

 

Yap, I'm a celebrity (just kidding). I don't know. I just like privacy on the road. How can I pick my nose? I will post more pics as soon as I take it out of the garage. I have never driven it for a week now worrying that the car might get some dust on the streets. Maybe I'll just keep it in the garage and stare at it everyday as if it is a priceless artwork. This car really looks good, pictures don't do justice.

 

Is it me or are a large percentage of CLS's are white?

 

I've lived in California, Las Vegas & Dallas, and dark tint helps significantly in keeping the interior from boiling when it sits out in the hot sun (plus adding a layer of UV protectant). I like it from a privacy standpoint as a driver, plus it's nearly impossible to see inside the car at night if someone's casing a parking lot looking for stuff to steal. And I think it makes the car look even better!

 

Although I love the standard "blue" mercedes tint, there is nothing that compares to a good 20% or 5% tint on a car. Have 30% on my E right now - just not dark enough But I grew up in Palm Springs CA which has 115 degree summers so I'm partial - I used to have 2 layers of 5% tint on my Jeep Cherokee 10 years ago. That's a bit extreme, but I loved it at the time. Nothing wrong with tint as long as it's done well and is good quality.

 

My CLS500 has LLumar Metallic 35% installed without taking out the rear deck and seats. My installer at Accutint in Seattle felt he could do the install without disassembling car components. The job turned out very well. You really need to find a VERY experienced installer. They is very little clearance about the third brakelight, about paper thin.

I felt 35% was just right because it did not make the car look "Limo", yet it fit with the black body color very well. You can still see the driver in daytime, yet at night the interior darkens up considrably.

 

Thank you SO much for posting those pics. My CLS500 will also be black with tint and chromes, and you just confirmed that I'll be thrilled with the outcome. Congrats on your beautiful car.

 

bm75204/KB5 What is the going rate for those polished/chromed 5 spokes?
They look great with that color! Wish I could find the pic of our thermometer pegged at over 120. It actually was only a cool 110 or so. Tint is a must.

 

I'm also curious what KB5's dealer added for that. Typical is about $1000, though I paid $500 on my only new car purchase w/chromes. You know you have to go with the bling in LV, Mike.

 

No spinners here LOL. ;-) Don't know how the chromed 5 spokes would look on a lighter color. Imho those 5 spokes really look sharp on black and not too overboard. Time to switch colors again? Like I told you by the time my order goes in next month, it will have changed 10x.

 

My original car arrives in 4 weeks, so I completely understand. Is Pewter the current choice?

 

I ordered the chrome wheels 30 days prior to taking delivery of the car on March 1. Phil Smart MB in Seattle ordered stock wheels earlier and sent them to California for chroming. The price quoted was $1200.

In addition to the chrome wheels, I ordered from the Tire Rack, Michelin PS2 tires to replace the stock Conti Sport Contact 2's, which are now for sale.

Sorry the photos do not show the wheels well. We had a gray day in Seattle when I shot the pics. I'll post another photo when we get sun (Seattle really does get sun).

 

KB5 --- Thanks for the info. I have PS2s on my 540 and love them. My past experience with Contis has been mediocre, so I might follow your lead on that one. I look forward to any other pics you might have.

 

Nooooooooooo...... it sits in the sun!

 

Not often anymore, as the car will be garaged at home and at work. The worst was my black/black SL500 in Las Vegas and having to run errands in the daytime. Now I know how a pizza feels when it gets tossed into the oven.

 

KB5, thanks for the tint info. At least now I know that it can be done even without removing any parts of the car. I agree on the black interior, its very hot during summer. I was this close on getting this Iridium Silver with black interior. After my experienced with black leather seats in my previous cars, I said no more black.