OP
OP
I like my 18" wheels .. plus they had new tyres all round 5k miles ago.
Bonding with my CLS 55
- Thread starter C240Sport97
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OP
OP
Must be nearly worn out then??
not at all .. I got 12k miles out of the last set of rears (same as new), and they were just under 3mm when I replaced.
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So 12, 000 miles, which means at least a couple of years to try and persuade you to change to 19"
of course you might have sold it by then ? Which is a distinct possibility !!
OP
OP
So 12, 000 miles, which means at least a couple of years to try and persuade you to change to 19"
19" off the agenda ...
am used to my 18" after all this time
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19" off the agenda ...
am used to my 18" after all this time
But they would look soooooo good.
There's a big difference - so much more than that extra inch
.
OP
OP
yet another update:
I just spent 4 days during the last b/h weekend driving in Northern France’s stunning selection of D (B roads in UK speak) and N (A roads in UK speak) roads.
This was a Petrolhead Nirvana tour (my fifth), which I have always done with a Porsche.
I took the CLS55 this time, out of curiosity of what it could do, and how it would perform. I confess I was worried that it would be murdered in the bends by its weight and heft.
I need not have worried.
The CLS55 kept up with 2 Porsche 996 Turbos, a souped up Cosworth Escort Turbo and 2 Jaguar XKRs with no problems at all. If anything, they were holding me back
With Airmatic DC in Sport II, gear in 3rd or 4th, powering out of sweeping corners, thundering up hills, and sweeping into corners with the lightest of throttle to keep the car balanced, the CLS55 was utterly awesome and completely majestic. It dealt with camber changes, bumpy roads, tight bends with incredible alacrity, agility, finesse and nimbleness. Truly, it felt a bit hot hatchback, but with tremendous torque to squat the car down and fire it out of corners. Thoroughly intoxicating, and unbelievable in its capabilities.
One of our group simply could not believe how a car the “size of a flat” could run away from him, and how the CLS55 was right up there chasing the 996 Turbo lead car (I admit chasing is much easier than leading).
Steering feel was plentiful, as with the weight transfer, I really knew what the car was up to, and how close I was to its limits. It’s talkative and responsive when driven very spiritedly across challenging roads.
The noises it makes on full throttle up a hill is so addictive, sounding like controlled explosions getting louder and more insistent in a discreet, yet compelling and “don’t ignore me”, fashion.
When the roads got a bit bumpy, the CLS sort of floated above the bumps and took them in its stride .. leaving the stiffly sprung Jaguars and Porsches flailing .. I really enjoyed these roads as the CLS55 really came alive feeling much lighter, but no doubt was nearer its limits.
I passed 1 of our group, he mentioned that it sounded fantastic, like a “Messerschmitt”.
On top of all this, the CLS55 consumed roughly the same amount of fuel as the 996 Turbo, and about 15% less than the XKRs!
My CLS55 .. I am very pleased I decided to keep it.
It has far exceeded my expectations and outperformed on all levels.
What a sensational machine, what a car, what an engine, what phenomenal suspension.
AMEN (not that I believe in any God!).
Those who like clean cars please look away
I just spent 4 days during the last b/h weekend driving in Northern France’s stunning selection of D (B roads in UK speak) and N (A roads in UK speak) roads.
This was a Petrolhead Nirvana tour (my fifth), which I have always done with a Porsche.
I took the CLS55 this time, out of curiosity of what it could do, and how it would perform. I confess I was worried that it would be murdered in the bends by its weight and heft.
I need not have worried.
The CLS55 kept up with 2 Porsche 996 Turbos, a souped up Cosworth Escort Turbo and 2 Jaguar XKRs with no problems at all. If anything, they were holding me back
With Airmatic DC in Sport II, gear in 3rd or 4th, powering out of sweeping corners, thundering up hills, and sweeping into corners with the lightest of throttle to keep the car balanced, the CLS55 was utterly awesome and completely majestic. It dealt with camber changes, bumpy roads, tight bends with incredible alacrity, agility, finesse and nimbleness. Truly, it felt a bit hot hatchback, but with tremendous torque to squat the car down and fire it out of corners. Thoroughly intoxicating, and unbelievable in its capabilities.
One of our group simply could not believe how a car the “size of a flat” could run away from him, and how the CLS55 was right up there chasing the 996 Turbo lead car (I admit chasing is much easier than leading).
Steering feel was plentiful, as with the weight transfer, I really knew what the car was up to, and how close I was to its limits. It’s talkative and responsive when driven very spiritedly across challenging roads.
The noises it makes on full throttle up a hill is so addictive, sounding like controlled explosions getting louder and more insistent in a discreet, yet compelling and “don’t ignore me”, fashion.
When the roads got a bit bumpy, the CLS sort of floated above the bumps and took them in its stride .. leaving the stiffly sprung Jaguars and Porsches flailing .. I really enjoyed these roads as the CLS55 really came alive feeling much lighter, but no doubt was nearer its limits.
I passed 1 of our group, he mentioned that it sounded fantastic, like a “Messerschmitt”.
On top of all this, the CLS55 consumed roughly the same amount of fuel as the 996 Turbo, and about 15% less than the XKRs!
My CLS55 .. I am very pleased I decided to keep it.
It has far exceeded my expectations and outperformed on all levels.
What a sensational machine, what a car, what an engine, what phenomenal suspension.
AMEN (not that I believe in any God!).
Those who like clean cars please look away
Last edited:
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Airmatic is ace. Those who say "I couldn't tell the difference between it and a car on springs" are only getting half the picture. It's not just about ride quality.
It's the way it adjusts to keep the car flat into the bends that makes the difference.
It's the way it adjusts to keep the car flat into the bends that makes the difference.
Last edited:
D
Deleted member 37751
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And just think, you nearly sold her....
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Those wheels don't look like they've got nearly enough brake dust on Sean, you must've been taking it easy.. 
Cheers,
Gaz
Cheers,
Gaz
sspeed
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Totally agree John..
Now I have sampled it I can see why it was "developed" (get it) in the first place..
I took a bend the other day at 80 that in my other car I thought was adventurous at 60..
This car made no fuss or drama.. It just did it and sort of said "Call that a bend" ?
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The way AIRmatic responds to road surfaces and driver inputs is truly impressive!
MOCAŠ
MB Enthusiast
Those who like clean cars please look away
Thank goodness - I no longer own the dirtiest AMG in the UK!
Excellent write-up, btw.
OP
OP
I wasn't that flat on the bends .. but at least the bumpers didn't scrape the tarmac
a very near miss .. thanks to the Jaguar dealers which would not do the discounts I wanted
Those wheels don't look like they've got nearly enough brake dust on Sean, you must've been taking it easy..
they were clean and sparkling at the start
you should see that drilled holes on the discs .. many of which are semi/fully filled !
what have you bought .. I know a W203 does not have Airmatic
I like to think that the driver's inputs were what made AIRmatic work so well
Thank goodness - I no longer own the dirtiest AMG in the UK!
Excellent write-up, btw.
it's much dirtier in real life .. lots of dead insects
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Great write up Sean. Weather wasn't to good then ?
I know what you mean re the Airmatic, on the S-Class its absolutely amazing when you really push the two tons to the limit.
Saying that since I have had the new strut, engine and gearbox mounts done on the CL the ABC in sport mode is also very, very impressive.
I know what you mean re the Airmatic, on the S-Class its absolutely amazing when you really push the two tons to the limit.
Saying that since I have had the new strut, engine and gearbox mounts done on the CL the ABC in sport mode is also very, very impressive.
OP
OP
weather was nasty on Friday, fine on all other days.
ABC is even more effective than Airmatic .. I remember an SL55 cornering almost completely flat.
OP
OP
completely standard apart from rear silencer delete:
http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/amg-performance-lounge/116466-fitting-x-pipe-v8-kompressor.html
