Benz-O-Rama

I think the time has come to shed my diapers and try on my big boy pants. I've spent sooooo much time and money making my E500 look more aggressive and one of the quickest ones out there, and I have achieved just that. I think you'd be hard pressed to find a nicer one out there, but alas, I feel empty inside when I drive it. While civics and most mustangs are surprised when my 2 ton pretty-mobile jumps to life and leaves them with nothing more than an English lesson from my "TORQUEY" license plate....I tend to cower and hide amongst the minivans when I see anything with an ///M badge. Hell, a girl on a cell phone stayed neck and neck with me in her 650 convertible.

Thinking about adding the following:

2003-2004 Sl55/600
2006 CLS55

If I were to get the SL, I keep the E500 as a daily beater, stripping her of all of her garland and christmas lights and sell them to offset some of the cost for the new 'vert.

If I get the CLS55, it's a redundant vehicle, and I'd sell my sheep in wolf's clothing which would further offset the cost. Although, with 82k on the clock, not sure how much a 2004 E500 is worth.

Anyway, what do you guys think? Newer, less problematic sexy CLS55, or the older, and most likely more problematic SL55/600? The SL literally makes me send the next generation of Benz-O-Rama children running down my leg. The CLS, on the other hand, is the wiser choice. I could throw car seats back there if need be, and it's sexy as hell, but it's no SL. But it would still have the factory warranty, and is based on the venerable W211 platform, and by 2006, the W211 was just about perfect.

Decisions, decisions....

If I go through with it, I'll have lots of W211 goodies for sale:

1. 19" VIP Modular VR05's
2. 18" E63 (P030) 2 PC AMG Wheels
3. Power folding mirrors
4. Limited production (1 of 12) Eurotek carbon fiber rear diffuser (E63)
5. VRP Shorty headers
6. Phone kit with bluetooth puck (2003-2004)
7. RENNtech lowering module (V1)


We'll see. Gonna look at some cars soon, and see what kind of deal I can make.

lig

Your car looks great now. If it isn't really giving you problems I would pick up an '05+ SL55 and have the best of both.

My brother's R230 (2004) is driving him crazy. Lots of the same electronic bs that drove me away from M-B.

He has Starmark coverage but it doesn't cover electronics.

GL on the hunt!

KidBenz

I would get the CLS. I live in NY so I need 4matic but I would probably have one if I lived a little more south. I think they are one of the nicest benzs out today. Also they are very similar to our E's which would be good if you dont like change. But I would stick with your car, its definatly one of the sickest E''s out there.

Quadcammer

to be quite frank, aside from looks, I think the sl55 is totally unimpressive. My father has an 07 with about 3k miles on it(Perf. package as well) and it does nothing for me driving wise.

It doesn't feel that quick, its not very comfortable, its a pain to get in and out of, and the automatic tranny sucks for a car of this type. I realize its a grand touring car and not a sports car, but 4400lbs makes everything a lot less enjoyable. I'd much rather have a 997 cabriolet.

The cls55 weighs less, offers far more in terms of room and comfort, looks great, and has decent ***** while still being a responsible family sedan.

I'd probably go for a CL600/65

RDSBENZ

CLS55

. . . and sell me your 19" wheels

mike vee

i think CLSs are booty...they are so ugly.

KL2DC

Hmmmm you can't go wrong with either choice although looking at your stable, maybe the R230 might be the right choice, after all there are only oh so many beautiful sunny days in life....

Could I get dibs on the 18" AMG wheels (depends on final price) I'm local...

tashakes

Sorry, Clayton, Obama just passed a new law, no W211's can be sold this year, so you will not be able to leave us.

Oh well, bummer.

But if it were possible, you WILL go for the CLS55.

559EVO

I'd say CLS55 all the way, I believe they are in the mid $40k range. A lil more and you might be able to get a C63 and not have to deal with all the forced induction problems, OR You can get a newer silver E55 OR E550 for a lil less and transfer all parts over? I thought about doing that one day.

sunny_j

CLS55 ftw

Abboushi

CLS is def the best choice..Good luck on the move Im goin BMW next time around the handling and power just sucks compared to the bimmers..

sunny_j

what BMW? i came from a 760 and it was full of problems. even though it was under warranty its just a pain to go to the dealer every few months. when my car went in it was gone for min. 1 week out of every 1.5-2.5 mothns

gaazmon

In regards to SL, the interior is so not impressive for a car that expensive vs the CLS has a gorgeous interior IMO (all that wood yummy ). However, I'm not a big fan of the exterior of the CLS, but if it came down to it, I think I would go with the CLS. I was looking into the SL500 recently, but with the interior and impracticality of 2 seats (even for a guy my age), I don't know. The only advantage I would think with the SL over the CLS is the ABC suspension vs the airmatic one.

Maybe look into an E63. The price has plummeted on those. Found a guy by my work selling his 07 dark gray for like 48k with like 32k miles.

I agree with previous posters, maybe look into a CL. It's soooo beautiful inside and out, by far the best. You could get a 05 or 06 CL65 for like less than 60K. You can blow that girl in the 650's skirt off w/o her even feeling it.

ruffrob

Get a Camry for your daily driver,and put the E on a revolving pedestal outside on your front lawn...LOL It's just that nice looking....

Boulder GT3

There's just no perfect car but there sure are lot's of good ones.

I think the 55 motors are terrific and easily jumped up. The only caution I would have it to be aware of the fuel use. I drove one around town for a week and averaged about 12MPG.

To me, the SL55 or 600 is really fast for what it is. Still, they are not very sporty. That much weight going one direction does not like to left or right easily. Nice cars but the motors seem out of balance with the rest of the car. The CLS looks great IMO but driving a sled that big with such limited room seems goofy.

Unless you are sick of the 211 form factor give an E55 a test ride. Great deals, can be made crazy fast, and it does feel much different than an e500.

Good luck, you can't lose.

locomercedes

CLS all the way! Of course, I'm a little biased

erifly

CLS55 all the way baby..but thats based Strictly on looks..I'm not too up on performance.

Benz-O-Rama

Thanks for the input and compliments, guys.

As stated above, the interior of the SL isn't that great for the price, but the exterior is simply sinful looking. The CLS is definitely the practical choice and the sexiest sedan on the planet, but the interior is almost exactly as my E500. That's not a bad thing, but I tend to like to go with something different when I shell out 40+ grand for a different car. I'm not against the CL55/CL600's, and it's definitely on my short list.

There's a nice sounding CLS55 in the Classified's right now for 45K.

RedG

Just curious why you haven't considered a CL55/CL600?

LIONHEAD

Just get both!

K-A

Dude, that indeed is sad, you really have one of the nicest W211's, or simply put, mid-size Sedans period that I've ever seen, just flawlessly executed and you don't have any goofy gimmicky garb making the car look like it's trying too hard.

But I'm assuming you've had it for all or most of those 5+ years and 80+K Miles, so naturally you may want to try new things.

I don't know what your budget is, but I'm guessing in the $40's, and it seems you want to stick with an M-B. If I were you, I'd take a look at some other makes just for the hell of it and see if anything gets your goat.

Out of the Benzes, I'd say CLS over the SL. I'd avoid ANY Benz before 2006 MY, and am not the biggest SL fan all in all, although they do look hot when done right. I personally think the CLS looks pretty ugly more often than not, but I get people dig it, so I'd say that would be the better choice.

velvet fog

Get an SL, but make it an 05 or later. As said earlier, there's only so many sunny days in life. I like the interior, it's very simple and elegant, the lines are smooth and flow nicely. The outside is pure sex.

I just got done driving an Infiniti M45 for a week and really did not like the interior. The seats were nice, but the dash and door panels were too busy and filled with lots of buttons that would look at home in an Altima (which is probably where they came from).

jmf003

If someone gave me a CLS I'd sell it to buy an SL. Well, I would if I didn't already have an SL.

I like some SL interiors better than others. In particular I think the Berry Red interior is drop dead gorgeous. I've had people stop me and ask which shop did my custom interior. It's 100% stock, of course.




As far as reliability goes, consensus is the more recent model years are more reliable but there are several folks in this forum with very reliable 2003 SL55s. Mine had an ABS leak when I bought it but it was repaired under warranty four years ago and hasn't had a serious issue since. YMMV, as the saying goes.

Have fun with the decision!

Benz-O-Rama

LOVE LOVE LOVE the berry red. Hard to find in a car that's priced correctly though.

gaazmon

Ya, the berry red with black wood is very nice. Its just the two seats I worry about cause always haling family members or friends around. At least with the CLS I have two seats in the back still, since I never really need the middle seat and no one I know can really fit in that seat comfortably.

I think I would lean more toward a CLS550 versus a 55 due to reliability things (especially since the 550 doesn't have SBC anymore unlike the 500 and 55).

Ya, your E500 is probably the most beautiful E500 out there (even though I don't like silver ). Very classy and well done. I think you can find someone who would buy it and give it a good home on this forum.