cjf_moraga

Interesting comparison between an ABC equipped S550 and a new (but standard equipment) BMW 7-series... Look at the complete lack of body roll as the S550 corners...

http://blogs.edmunds.com/straightlin...mktid=cj260233

Chris

WSH

Indeed, ABC is most valuable safety/precision option on 550, along w/DistPlus (esp its BrakeAssistPlus/BlindSpotAssist functions)

Far better value than the negative value offered by the silly AMG poseur body kit/wheels (to advertise the girlie brakes) and Pano Roof (to maximize one's head/spinal injury risks in any rollover)

WSH

BTW, sounds like '10 S/CL ABC is even more advanced w/cross-wind stabilization, etc

First '10 CL65s arrive in SF in July, so will be able to test these advances soon amidst the often-heavy crosswinds on SF Peninsula fwys

QuadBenz

For a car with girlie brakes, 108 ft stopping distance sounds pretty good to me. The IL testers sounded pretty impressed with them as well. I'm sure they're much much worse than your CL65 but by most peoples standards, a 4000lb+ car that stops in 108 ft is impressive.

vonbeeler

I drove the new 7 yesterday and the new M3. The 7's new tech is impressive as was the engine however the noticeable body lean after being in my ABC equipped car was a disappointment. To me ABC is as important as a V-12.

vonbeeler

Agreed the brakes are sufficient and I never noticed the lack of caliper manliness until I read some earlier posts about it. Now I look at my brakes through my 19" AMG wheels with a little disappointment. Especially now seeing a little rust on one of the caliper bolts. I now envy the look of the AMG calipers..... but not enough to spend for caliper/car upgrade.

vonbeeler

Good post Chris the video says it all.

WSH

Brake calipers and size of brakes are all cosmetic stuff, for the "man-purse" factor, much like size of wheels

Relevance of brakes is pedal feel (ability to titrate braking in spirited driving); fade resistance (can exhaust many alleged perf brakes in mtn twisties driving, let alone tracks)....and real-world, emergent braking dists on a possibly wet and/or bumpy road surface

And tech of tires...and wear of tires (as many perf tires have <<10K mi lifespans) have major roles in braking dists

In dry/smooth conditions, would argue 997GT2 and Scud have better pedal feel than S/CL65...but in 99% of real-world conditions would prefer to have AMG S/CL brakes over PCCB/CCM...or 600 brakes

And don't know of any competent BMW braking system in any relevant setting

Carl Lassiter

Thank god you never looked up the relative puny-ness of the rear brakes on "your" 08 CL63 030.

The reviewers that talk about a lack of MB pedal feel must all be wrong. Me too when I noticed the same thing driving a C32...

whoover

What does that mean? The rear brakes on any CL63 are significantly larger than the front brakes on a CL600.

QuadBenz

I think he's just taking a jab at WSH? I'm not entirely positive on that though..

whoover

Thanks. I guess I missed the beginning of the film.

MBZFAN55

Not true and I'm a bit surprised at this comment emanating from you, of all people. Although wheel size certainly has a cosmetic appeal, the large wheel/tire/aspect ratio, are integral to a vehicles' handling ability. The oversized (non-girly) calipers with 8 pistons, 4 pads per wheel and 15.4" rotors on the CL63 are literally race car brakes and surpass the braking ability of probably 99% of the vehicles on the road. Here, size does matter.

QuadBenz

They are truly magnificent to look at. I enjoy staring at the rims/brakes on my ML63 occasionally. I'm not sure if they're the same as the CL63's but they are different than my other cars, I will admit that. Although, I still don't feel the S550's brakes are lacking in performance.

2005E500

I personally like the factory sport kit on my S550 for asthetic reasons. I don't see why it is a poseur kit since it is an option from the factory and isn't the same as the S63 or S65. The last I checked, a factory sport kit equipped S550 isn't worth less than one without the kit, all else being equal.

Red Marko

Don't worry, WSH is teasing you (or maybe not).
Lots of people like AMG look, few don't.
If you like it, that's what counts.
Afterall it is NOT an aftermarket crap/POS offered by some "tuners"
Enjoy the car.

2005E500

MBZ should have offered a Sport and Luxury bumper package for the S550 like they did on the C-class for no extra charge. But then again, maybe they figured, what's 5-6% to folks who can afford a $100K car

MB Fanatic

Seriously dude, STFU. Stop bashing on those who have non-AMG cars. ****ing retard.

QuadBenz

I haven't been here very long and I've already seen 100 posts from him basically saying that non-AMG's shouldn't even be called Mercedes, and that he knows people who drive 599's. I do however agree with you.

gyzmo123

I AM GETTING SICK OF WSH TOO!!!! He's a d o n key! I have yet to see his AMG despite me asking him for the pics... I just get ignored. He's a poser.... an opinionated poser... the worst kind imho.

QuadBenz

I actually believe he has a CL65. He goes by VKSF on the AMG PrivateLounge and you need a VIN and some personal info to even get access to the site. It automatically lists what vehicle you have based on your VIN and it does say he has a 2009 CL65. He's not a liar, just a PITA.

SL2003driver

Red Marko

Gyzmo123,
That must be devastating, QuadBenz confirming that WSH actually has the car.
Those nigtmarish nights ahead of you.
If I were him, I'd never post any pics, especially at your asking/begging/bowing. So just drop it. He will still ignore you (and that hurts).
BTW, what are you eating for lunch?
May I suggest some boiled crows?
Good Day.

SL2003driver

Just wondering do you like cognac in your coffee?

gyzmo123

It is devastating indeed! I guess I am a believer in WSH now. I just wish he wouldn't be such a D O N key.