CL55 vs CL500

[mapleleaf]

I'm thinking about the possibly of buying a 2 or 3 year old CL (just to tide me over of course ) and wondered what the major performance differences are between the CL55 and the CL500.

I've seen & heard Maffs derestricted CL55 - I know its 0-60 is around 5 secs but I dont have any gen on the 500.

Any tips or things to look out for?? What is standard on the 55 that isnt on the 500 ?

thanks

 

[Alfie]

....................

...................things to look out for??.................................

someone in a CL65

Good choice. I have a CL55/CL500 brochure at home, I'll summarise the differences later.

 

[SG CL500]

I looked at both and plumped for the 500 but to be honest the biggest single influencing factor in that decision was £ - there was about a £10k+ difference in similar age/mileage CL's between the two models & I just couldn't justify it.

From memory the single biggest item that is standard on the 55, not the 500, is the supercharger! I think pretty much everything other than wheels & engine (i.e.toys/equipment) was standard between the two & you had to go to the 600 to get vented seats as standard etc. Of course you may find 55's are better specced than 500's.

I was making a massive leap in performance from my previous car (Honda Accord) so the 500 was plenty quick enough for me. I also do a high number of miles a year so the (comparative) better mpg in the 500 and more relaxed drive were contributing factors.

I think Maff has had both so he is undoubtedly better disposed to discuss this issue than I.

Overall though - I still love the 500. Yep if you have a 55/600/63 or 65 you're going to outpace me but you know what, I will still be smiling!

(PS mines a yr 2000 215 so the facelift model may be slightly different)

 

[SportsCoupeRich]

www.medwayautos.co.uk have a few nice cl500s at the mo. was there at the weekend and they seemed nicely specced etc.

 

[glojo]

CL 500 CL55AMG
City 16.3 14.3
Extra Urban 35.3 29.7
Combined 24.8 21.5

These are supplied figures by Mercedes-Benz. Maff has owned both models and will have a far more realistic set.

On these figures, I known which one I would choose, and it has a very nice Kompressor badge on the side

John

 

[JumJum]

Both great cars

The CL55k will do 100 mph in about 10 seconds
The CL500 will do 100 mph in about 14 seconds

The S, CL and SL all weigh very similar weights within 100kg difference all share the same chassis in different lengths

The CL500 performance is almost identical to the SL500 vid of the Sl500 0-100 both weigh almost the same share the same chassis in different lengths.

http://www.geocities.com/mrjumjum/SL500a.wmv

The S55 performance is almost identical to the CL55 vid it too shares the same chassis and weighs only a little more.

http://www.geocities.com/mrjumjum/0-100mphBadLaunch.wmv


The AMG seats are a little better, the AMG ABC suspension works a little better than the standard ABC, brakes are a bit better, steering has a bit more weight and feel.

Had an S430 economy is almost identical to the 5 litre V8 it would get 24.5mpg at 85 mph and would get more crusing at intermediate speeds 60, 70 etc, the S55 gets 23mpg at 85mph over the last 1850 miles the S55 has got 18.9 mpg, worst mpg 5.5mpg at the track The new 7spd box lets the sl500 get 27.3 mpg at 85 cruise.

There is a noticable performance difference between the kompressor and non kompressor cars, that said the 5 litre cars are no slouch either The AMG engines make a better noise under hard acceleration but are just as quiet at speed.

 

[Maff]

I think as has already been said, both a great cars, and i've been lucky to own both too.

CL500 0-60 is 6.2sec
CL55 0-60 is 4.7sec

Both cars come pretty spec'ed up, however the AMG does have a few more extra's as standard, such as AMG kit and wheels (of course) AMG seats and Nappa Leather, Dynamic Multi contor massagaing seats, and a couple of other minor ones.

The AMG has stiffer ABC suspension compared to the CL500, and a slightly harsher ride, be it a very minor difference.

AMG also has bigger brakes, steering wheel gear shift, AMG Speedshift transmission, quad tailpipes and lower stance.

The CL500 was the best car I have owned, up until the CL55, and the 500 was a great crusier and still had the punch to give some Porsche's and Subaru's a run for their money, the difference being the CL55 pretty much out paces most cars on the straight, even Ferrari's (however the new F430 would be interesting, F360's are a walk in the park )

 

[GrahamC230K]

Sounds like a CL55 could be your longer term solution Steve. Seats 4, a semi-practical solution!

 

[Alfie]

Variations in equipment and optional extras;


Isofix child seat attacments standard on CL55, option on CL500
ditto multi contour backrests for front seats
ditto Bose surround sound system.
Wood and leather trimmed gearshift and steering wheel not available on CL55, optional on CL500
Heated multi function steering wheel not available on CL55, optional on CL500
Diito ski bag and trailer coupling

CL55 has Nappa leather AMG seats. Sand coloured upholstery not available on CL55

Refrigerated compartment in rear backrest centre, not available on CL55.

CL500 has 306HP and 460Nm torque, CL55 has 500hp nad 700Nm torque.
CL500 0-60 6.3 secs, CL55 4.8 seconds
CL500 MPG 24.8 combined, CL55 21.4 combined.
CL55 110kg heavier than CL500
CL500 has 225/55 R17 tyres all round, CL55 has 245/45R18 front and 265/40R18 at the rear.

Seems to me apart from the obvious styling differences the biggest difference is the extra 200hp of the CL55.

Happy hunting.

 

[mapleleaf]

thanks for the info chaps .

decisions decisions. I'll let you know how I get on

edit:

Having slept on this I will probaly go for a high spec CL 500 - that way it'll not spoil me too much and give me something more powerful to aspire to for the next time .

The contract isnt up on the ML till October so thats when I'll have to do the swap (under instructions from wifey ) . The up side of waiting though is that there may be a few more faclift models available to choose from by then.