Beowulf

Speaking to a dealer contact today on another matter and he said they'd heard that M-B will begin offering a factory option for US 55K cars that includes 19" rims, an uprated "Nurburgring" suspension, and the AMG LSD that has only been available on the SL65 so far, beginning fall 2005. Model-tailored versions of the package, if I understood correctly, will be available for the E55/CLS55/SL55 (may include the S55 too, just don't recall his mentioning it specifically). I know the CLS55 already comes with 19's, but he said these wheels are wider - as in 11" rears!. Dayum - dunno how they're gonna fit without tubbing!

Supposedly it's a package deal, including wheels/suspension/LSD and he said the the option msrp was ~$10K. He said this appeared to be just a factory-installed option at this point - no info on aftermarket dealer component availability.

I'd treat it as strictly rumor now, but interesting, if true - response to the M5's anticipated appearance here next fall?

FWIW

Vetluver

Maybe all the beggin at the Challenge had an effect. I asked for all these things when I talked to Rob Allen. Sure hope upgrades can happen too! Santa may come early.

adx

The order code for this option is 030 and is available by fall of this year.

Beowulf

Details please! My contact is trustworthy, but we'd all appreciate more info!

MBH

Yes, Please keep us informed about this wounderful option.

04E55 AMG

Will this be a retrofit option for us 2003 - 2005 owners or just for the 2006 model year going forward?

ThemisN

That would be hot.

adx

This is only available on new vehicles starting in the fall of 2005. Additionally, you get composite brakes with the optional sports package available only on AMGs. When ordering a new vehicle, you need to mention to your sales person option 030.

MBAMGPWR

Wow, that's amazing news! I think that's just what some of the 55K cars needed to be complete. I wonder what a 2006+ E55 with those options can do against the new M5?

AMGfan

Any word if these stopgap options for the 2006 W211 will be standard on the E63 or whatever the heck they call it for MY2007?

That would probably make the new 2007 AMG E cross the 100K barrier.

M5KILLR

you mean composite brake "pads" right? comp rotors would be 10k alone. that is friggin incredible though. in my new mercedes enthusiast mag from across the pond lists the 06 e55 as 493hp. so maybe they are coming clean with that little cover up.

Jakpro1

Is this MB's way of saying......pleassseeeeee pleeaassseee buy a low torque N/A motor...pleeassssseeeeeee

Retrofit on Kompress would be sweet though.

Just shows me that Benz IS listening and possibly reading the forum.

VelocitE55

I really hope the LSD will retrofit!!!

medici78

Or they are just finally rating the car on par with all the others that make equal real world power.

gmdebruyn

At the challenge event at Fontana, the head of the US AMG product marketing was there and he mentioned this package (hush hush on the sly, but he was whispering it to everyone). He said the main concern was that everyone was sending their cars to tuners right after receiving them, so why not just make the main mods at the factory, MB makes some money, and the customer gets a package deal?? Pretty good idea if you asked me.

Only question I have though is how will the suspension be different, since all of ours are airmatic?

Beowulf

Finally got the details - unfortunately the E55 is NOT included.

I'm transposing a fact sheet that the dealer received:
----------------------------------------------------------
Model Year 2006 AMG Performance Package Summary

For Model Year 2006. AMG will offer a special "AMG Performance Package" for certain AMG models including the SLK55 AMG, SL55 AMG and CLS55 AMG. This package uses components proven on the world's racetracks on AMG's official safety cars for Formula One racing. These special components are designed to deliver a heightened driving experience.

SL55 AMG Performance Package (Option Code 030)

* AMG Safety Car front bumper with side air extractors
* Alcantara AMG sport steering wheel
* 186 mph (300 km/h) top speed (electronically limited)
* AMG ABC Active suspension with "Nurburgring" calibration
* AMG "Compound" braking system
- AMG Compound front brakes: cross-drilled, internally-ventilated
15.4" two-piece discs with AMG 8-piston calipers
- AMG rear brakes: cross-drilled, internally-ventilated
13.7" two-piece discs with AMG 4-piston calipers
* AMG 19-inch twin-spoke multipiece alloy wheels with high performance tires
- Front: 8.5 x 19 inch 255 35 ZR 19
- Rear: 9.5 x 19 inch 285 30 ZR 19
* AMG Locking rear differential

Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price: $14,000 (tbd - not confirmed)
-----------------------------------------------------

CLS55 AMG Performance Package (Option Code 030)

* AMG front bumper wth special mesh inset and body modifications for rear tires
* Alcantara AMG sport steering wheel
* 186 mph (300 km/h) top speed (electronically limited)
* AMG "Nurburgring" suspension system (control arms and stabilizers)
* AMG "Compound" braking system
- AMG Compound front brakes: cross-drilled, internally-ventilated
15.4" two-piece discs with AMG 8-piston calipers
- AMG rear brakes: cross-drilled, internally-ventilated
13.7" two-piece discs with AMG 4-piston calipers
* AMG 19-inch twin-spoke multipiece alloy wheels with high performance tires
- Front: 8.5 x 19 inch 255 35 ZR 19
- Rear: 10 x 19 inch 285 30 ZR 19
* AMG Locking rear differential

Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price: $9,500 (tbd - not confirmed)
---------------------------------------------------------

SLK55 AMG Performance Package (Option Code 030)
* Alcantara AMG sport steering wheel
* Carbon fiber trim set
* 176 mph (280 km/h) top speed (electronically limited)
* AMG "Nurburgring" sport suspension system
* AMG "Compound" braking system
- AMG Compound front brakes (standard)
- AMG rear brakes: compound rotors with AMG 4-piston calipers
* AMG 18-inch twin-spoke multipiece alloy wheels with high performance tires
- Front: 7.5 x 18 inch 225 40 ZR 18
- Rear: 8.5 x 18 inch 245 35 ZR 18

Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price: $6,800 (tbd - not confirmed)

----------------------------------------------------
Looks like the best we can hope for is to retrofit some of the CLS
package upgrades to the E. Too bad. Among the AMG forums on MBWorld, the level of interest in pushing the performance envelope seems highest here, at least from what I've seen.

M5KILLR

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!! 186mph, is that a first with for a typical 155 limit being deleted? ive seen the 2 piece rotors on my frined sl65 and they are a beast. 10" factory rear mean 11's from hre. with lsd that would pull like a freight train. looks like the days of amg laying down to the m's is OVER!!! 3.5 years for the m5 to come to market and BAM, just like that the "well, it will handle better" could be out the window. that bloooooooows for the e though. maybe mb is wanting the cls be the ultimate 4 door and the e a step below. the most active forum here is the e55 forum, seems to be a big miss. but if they put a 65 in the cls with the 030 package that would be a stone cold killer.

good pull wolf!

BMBW

I hope to god they change their mind and offer it on the E55. I've been at a loss as to what to get next as I can't stand the looks of the new M5 and don't care for the handling/feel of the current E55. I was resigned to waiting to see what happened with the next generation E55 or the midlife facelift of the M5, but I think I'd jump on this package if it were available.

Beowulf

Thanks, PeterB! - FWIW, my contact confirmed that there WOULD be a CLS65 AMG. No "E65" announced so far, so I agree that the CLS is obviously the new 4-door M-B image leader. Still, there are a lot of us who prefer the styling and added rear seat space of the E.

The CLS55 may not be my chosen cup o' tea, but I've heard enough good reviews that I'm looking forward to driving the one ***** to the wall at the AMG Challenge event at Road America. Now if they can just have one on hand with the 030 option, my opinions may change. Even better, a chance to get behind the wheel of a CLS65 - which I figure would come with the 030 option at bare minimum (and hopefully a package specifically tailored to the car), would definitely turn my head.

hotmalma

smells of a Europe only option - lets hope not.

FloridaE55

And what do WE (W211-AMG owners) get in 2006?? Nothing?? Perhaps they take out the backseat (not necessary to drive the car)....

That would really p.... me off if the others get additional options and we - once again - would have to pay more and get less, see switch from 2004 to MY2005

cte430

I *****ed to Rob at LAST YEAR'S challenge. This would be great news and would show that AMG is truly interested in performance.

Kar don

so an SL55+14k basically gives you an SL65 minus the motor.

adx

I've read somewhere that the CLS65 will come with about a $50k premium above the CLS55.

Beowulf

Agreed. Look at the SL55/SL65 diffo. That puts it ~$140K.