david_101

hey,
i'm in the dealership for service and considering another ride.
but before jumping into a CLS500, i'd be interested to know whether the 500 engine will be changed to the 550 for 2007 or 2008.
anyone know if that change, and others, are imminent?
looking forward to your speedy replies.
thanks,
david

traumadoc

The folks at MB are non-committal at this time. While the 550 engine WILL be in the new CL to debut in Geneva, they will not say when it will be in the CLS. Same with the normally aspirated 6.3 liter in the CLS AMG. My dealer says that MB wants to test the market on other models first and may stick with what they now have.

Rumor on the other hand says that both will be available on the 2007 models.

As with everything else from MB, it will first show up on this forum, then the dealers MAY find out. Finally after you see a few of the new vehicles running about town, they will be available on the mbusa website!

david_101

thanks for your thoughts. i believed similarly that MY2007 would bring the new engines. for that reason, despite whatever deal i could get on the car, i think i should pass for now.

the 500 302hp engine in the 4000+ lb car with 7G transmission just doesn't feel great compared with my current (2002) 55 342hp engine in a 3500 lb CLK.

the CLS500 0-60 is 5.9 on the MBUSA website; my CLK55 is supposed to be 5.1. yet the sensations are night and day, the CLK55 feeling fleet under foot and the CLS500 feeling like it was lumbering and straining to make the number.

OTOH, the suspension of the CLS with sport pkg was superior to my CLK's suspension. the CLS felt lighter and better-handling than my car. the CLS steering was even twitchy, which i learned while winding around tight and narrow suburban roads around the dealership.

i think the 550 engine would make a world of difference in the CLS. the 63 engine probably wouldn't even be necessary to get performance comparable to my current CLK55. and that would be just fine for me.

despite how much i appreciated my dealer for offering me a deal on one of their most wanted cars, i must wait for the next engines or know that i wouldn't be happy even with the deal.

speaking of deals, here's what they offered:

CLS500 (pewter)
AMG sport pkg w/ 5-double-spoke wheels
black nappa leather
premium pkg
keyless go
voice activation and phone
destination and delivery
gas guzzler
$76,918

is that a good number?

hlkc

$77K is good deal. I paid more then that in 03/05. Back to your comparison, I don't think you should compare 2 different engines in 2 different cars... You paid what you get. If you want the CLS style with 55 or 63 power than you need to pay for $100K+. I am regret that I did not get it because I was not ready to swing $100K when I get it at that time and now obviously I want more power and don't mind to pay $20K different. But if you want comfort and style, I think 500 is a very good choice to a lot of people, such as my wife. But if you want a daily car with 4 doors and CLS sexy style, I would strongly recommend 55 or 63. I am still debating should I get a CLS63, S63 or 997 next since I have CLS 500 already. See my point?

cannga

Considering that the direct competitor is already using 5.5 liter engine (BMW 550), my opinion is middle of next year as 2007 model because they don't have a choice. At least I hope so. :p'
I am waiting myself. The other thing is I believe next year, the current version of the SBC brake will be gone also? (A good thing.)

Eric H.

If this engine swap takes place...I'm getting rid of the car sometime next year. Anybody want to take over my lease? I still got 47 of 48 months left HAHAHA. I should have stepped up and gotten the 55 off the bat. This car is too damn slow.

cannga

BTW, quote from http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/WebX?14@@.ef965ae

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>#12 of 12 Re: Mercedes' new 32-valve V8 [greentea] by merc1 United States of America Oct 25, 2005 (11:19 pm)
Bookmark | Reply | E-mail Msg
Replying to: greentea (Oct 25, 2005 9:19 am)
Yeah I'm not sure why they waited until now to remame the car the S550 because the "S500" that went on sale in Europe last month has the same exact engine. Yes the old DOHC 32V V8 was a monster back in the day, and the particular hp/torque figures you qouted are from its application in the legendary W124 500E/E500 of the early nineties. Abosolutely loved that car!

Well as always a new engine starts out in one model and the spreads rather quickly. Yep for 2007 I'm betting on a CLK550, CLS550, E550, ML550, R550, GL550, and SL550. Question is where does the related 4.6L V8 with 335 hp fit in beyond the S450? I can't see anything past maybe a M, R, and GL450 being sold here.

david_101

i'm fortunate not to be unduly constrained by the price differential between the 500 and 55.

i would not be satisfied by the 500 performance. i would be dissatisfied to find that a 55 was made obsolete by a 63 within 12 months of acquiring the 55.

seems to me that after settling on the CLS itself, there might be only two choices:

1. wait to learn what certain changes are in store for MY2007; and
2. acquire a 55 and be prepared to dispose of it within 24 months.

it's very possible that during the 12 months following release of the new CLS model(s) they would be difficult to get, even if paying a premium over sticker.

if that's true, and release of new models is probably nine or 10 months from now, then 24 months would be about enough time to allow supply and demand to balance some, making aquisition a realistic option.

if the 55 is supplanted by another AMG engine, then the car value probably would drop more than the amount a simple model year would bring. so, purchasing in the face of an engine change could be somewhat more costly.

i might've just sold myself on a 24 month lease. i'll call around tomorrow, but i think i know just the person to go to...

thanks for listening.