ER1

I am considering buying a used E550, CLS550 or S550 with the V8 biturbo engine and with the AWD 4matic (or E500, CLS500 and S500 BlueEfficiency 4matic here in Europe). If we set other factors such as price, size, and convenience options aside, I am interested in the performance aspect.

The E550 and CLS550 develop 408 hp and the S550 435 hp at least on paper as reported by Mercedes-Benz. My question is: what is the truth, has anyone tested these models perhaps on a dyno or using a VBOX GPS? Which car would be the fastest in reality from 0-60 mph (0-100km/h), 0-100 mph (0-160km/h) and 1/4 mile (0-400m)? (comparing completely factory stock, because I need to keep the MB warranty!)

I am asking this, because at least back in the days of the 55K engine (2003-2006) when the E55/CLS55 AMG were rated at 476 hp and the S55 AMG at 500 hp in reality they were identical in power output and the E55 AMG was the fastest due to its lighter weight.

Thanks in advance for any opinions (preferably with good arguments) or experiences!

Arrie

I think you answered your own question. The 27 HP higher power on the S is not enough to compensate for the much heavier car if you compare the cars for acceleration. The lightest of these cars will be the fastest off the line.

The S in theory could be fastest for the top speed as the weight does not effect that much but the aerodynamics of the E and CLS may be so much better that the S cant beat them for top speed either.

ER1

The reason I'm wondering is because I remember seeing a 4.2s 0-60 mph in a car magazine for the CL550 with the 435hp engine (which should be comparable to the S550), but I have seen just 4.8-5.2s for the E550/CLS550, which would indicate that the S550 is faster despite its weight.

W210

C&D 4.3 0-60 for E550 4matic
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...an-test-review

Not sure how the weight compares to the CLS550 4matic?

C280 Sport

Out of the 3 listed I would choose the CLS. Rare, good looking, not too big and not too small in size but is just right The fit and finish is better on the CLS over the E but the E will have more space except the S has more. It really comes down to what you want.

ImInPA

More important than the 27 extra hp is the gearing and traction. The CL is 4Matic. I find my S350 Bluetec to be a tick or two faster than my E350 Bluetec. 30 hp difference. The main thing is that the RWD E would trigger the traction control and ESC during full on throttle as the 400 ft-lbs of torque easily overpowered the rear tires. With the S350 with 4Matic, there is much less wasted energy, as the 4Matic is able to twist all four tires. Gearing and traction is the key.

ER1

Thanks to everyone for the replies!

I'm only looking at 4matic/AWD cars due to the 6+ months of snow we have here... thus, I'm only comparing E/CLS/S550 4matic models.

I've basically ruled out the E550 due to the fact that it's a little boring. I like the looks of the CLS (my previous car actually was a previous generation CLS55 AMG '06 before my current '13 Audi A6), but the S550 is actually the same price or even lower, because I can buy a year older model for less than the newer CLS. Additionally, I've always looked at the S-class and wanted to buy one, but somehow I always seemed to find a better deal elsewhere. Especially now, when the S-class has got the most power of the three and the best comfort, I'm really considering one (after the new S-class comes out and prices take a hit).

So perhaps I'm a littlebit torn between the S-class and the CLS. The car would be my daily driver.

CLS550 4matic:
+looks & style
+rear seats can be tilted for added practicality
+more suited for my age (30+) perhaps?
-not so practical due to only 4 seats (although I normally carry more cargo than occupants, so this would not be such a big minus)
-less power than the S-class and perhaps a tad slower
-I've already owned a CLS55 AMG '06 for a few years

S550 4matic:
+more power
+elegance
+comfort
+5 seats
+it's an S-class, the creme de la creme!
-size
-the rear seats cannot be tilted, so less practical for cargo
-perhaps I'm still too young for an S-class and would look like I'm driving my dad's car or that I'm a chauffeur or something? (my apologies to all young S-class owners!)

Anyone else had a choice between CLS or S-class? Which one did you buy and why or which one would you buy and why?

ER1

So the performance figures are (R&T):
E/CLS550 4matic (408hp) = 4.3s 0-60, 10.4s 0-100, 12.8s@112mph 1/4mile, rolling start 5-60mph=4.7s
CL/S550 4matic (435hp) = 4.2s 0-60, 10.2s 0-100, 12.8s@112mph 1/4mile, rolling start 5-60mph=4.9s

So they are practically identical, but the CL/S550 is maybe slightly faster than the E/CLS550 except for the rolling start.

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...an-test-review

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...-cl-class-test

Arrie

In your firts post it seemed like the only thing that matters is the power and how fast the car is from the line. Now it seems it is something else.

If you believe the posted numbers (which I don't as 27 HP in my opinion is not enought to compensate for the weight difference between the cars) then the selection is very simple. If it is not about money you will want to go with the S class, PERIOD! Very much superior car compared to the other models in this discussion.

ER1

Arrie - I originally wanted an educated opinion or preferably facts about the performance difference, because I did not have that information and other things are rather subjective. What I wanted to know was that if the hp difference (408 vs. 435 hp) was just a marketing trick by MB (like with the AMG 55K engine 476 vs. 500 hp) and that the engines in reality are just as powerful or that the S-class engine is perhaps underrated and actually is more powerful than 435hp. Actual dyno figures for comparison would have been great, but it seems no one has such figures so the next best figures are magazine tests.

You are right that the 27hp (on paper) difference would probably not be enough to offset the extra weight of the S/CL-class. However, based on the R&T performance figures of the S/CL class, these models are actually underrated and more powerful than the E/CLS-class, since the performance figures show that the S/CL-class is a bit faster than the E/CLS.

Performance was originally my main concern and question, but now that it seems that all models are practically equally fast, I enjoy hearing other people's (subjective) opinions about the CLS vs. S-class.

W210

I guess much depends on if you need rear seat headroom space. Also keep in mind the CLS will stay fresh for awhile, while a new S will be out soon.

C63newdude

To the OP,

Yes, the 03-06 E55, CLS 55,C55 and all of the 5.5 Kompressor related cars had that power but the fuel economy was aweful. Also, the acceleracion on the "lesser" newer 4.7 Bi-turbo is equal or better despite the "much less HP and Tq"

Back to why the S, CL and CLS "supposely" have more power is because the marketing from Mercedes mandates that an owner that spends $20000 more on a CL or CLS must have on paper a "more powerful car" than someone with a E class and in reality that might be true but wer are talking about minor tweeks on the ECU software, nothing internally changes, the engine is the same.

Everyone knows that a C63 AMG has the same engine than the E63, CL 63, SL 63 and CLS 63 but the C63 engine comes from factory detune. The same thing happens with Porsches, can you imagine putting the same output on a Boxter than a 911 or a Cayman and a 911? then the 911 wouldn't sell.

I deciding myself between a CLA 45 AMG and the E-550. Having had a C63 , I am more inclined for the V8 torque, specially with the great tuning posibilities.

ngerstman

This is my two cents which is only worth one cent! I am a practical type of guy. The cls has a bad back seat and reduced visibility. The s class is way bigger than anything that I would need to drive unless I had a driver and was sitting in the back. The e550 is an absolutely great car that is rock solid, fun to drive, not too big, not too small. I wouldn't have much use for a car the size of the s. It won't be as much fun to drive as the e, is a boat, less fuel economy. Why would you want that as an every day driver? No more comfortable inside than an e. Just bigger and heavier. I think the new e is about as good a luxury car as has ever been made, period. Not crazy priced performance, quality and luxury. That's my story and I'm sticking to it!! Thanks. Regards. Ned.

C63newdude

^^You and I agree on a few things. The E class offers a whole lot for the price, the gap on price between the CLS and the E is significant and even more from the S class but let me say something very clear, the S class is much better built inside than a E-class. It is made exclusively for comfort with all the top notch materials. With that being said, the E class is still a great bargain but it is not as refined as the S class.

There is a market for each class. I am in the same group as you, I am very satisfied with a E class if I had to pick but the CLS is nicer quality also and the S class is even better.

ngerstman

Can't disagree with anything that you are saying. From my perspective when I target a car the first step is to decide the right class of car, the size. The e class, 5 series bmw, a6 audi are the sweet spot. I just have no use for anything larger and anything even moderately smaller is too cramped for me, being that I'm 6' 2". Next is functionality, safety, etc. So while the cls is nice there is just too much form over function versus the e class. My ideal car would be an e class built to s class quality. But the overall quality and fit and finish of the my e550 is more than acceptable, I think Mercedes hit it out of the park with the current versions. Thanks. Regards. Ned.

marvinlee

Rated power has stayed the same for the E550 4matic of various years, but actual performance appears to have declined. I've not seen any recent report of an under-five second 0-60 time for the 2014 E550 and I've not tried to time mine. Does any one have better current information?

marvinlee

The S-Class really does have a superior interior. The 4.6 V8 sounds quieter from the inside, and may actually be quieter per some Mercedes spokesperson claims of engineering refinements made on S550 engines. The same car (2014) also had larger body gaps than my 2014 E550 and the engine idle vibration could be felt through the steering wheel. That astonished me since steering wheel damper technology and active engine mounts are well understood preventatives to this problem. Our three successive Cadillacs, all of different years, had zero perceptible steering wheel vibration when the engine idled.

E Classy

get the s-class.

MBNUT1

If true it is unbelievable that Mercedes would deem this acceptable. I have felt this on C Class's and I considered it unacceptable there

marvinlee

I've been told that eight cylinder engines have a characteristic fourth order vibration related to the number of combustion events per revolution. Some cars--and maybe Mercedes also--have steering wheel dampers built into the steering wheel. Others rely on soft engine mounts, rigid body construction, or highly braced steering columns. I can feel more engine idle vibration in the Subaru six, but felt none in the 2012 E550 I checked before ordering the 2014. It is an annoyance rather than a reason for repair.

MBNUT1

Wow I'm impressed with your explanation.

C63newdude

I don't know what you consider"various years". The 4 matic just got relesease over a year ago. The bi-turbo series is from 2012 and we just turned into 2014 so it can't be various years. As per the test, the one test that I have seen did 4.3sec 0-60 which is very quick for a 2 ton car.

These cars are gaining 80hp and like 120lb-tq with tunes in top of the extra HP that you already get from the "undisclosed factory output power" which it is rumored to be like around 450hp to begin with.

C63newdude

Exactly...it all comes down to your needs and budget. If I was single with lots of money living in hollywood or malibu I would be driving a SLS black series.
I have a family and an adult handicap son thus I need room to get him in and out of the car. The E class does it for me. An S class is out of my price range(budget) but I agree, I would love to have a CLS or S class if I had the money.

C63newdude

^^^ Ironically(fast forward 6 months from my own post posted just above) and I am driving a CLS 550 biturbo

SLpat

Congrats with new car. It is a matter of choice as all are great cars.