CLS vs CL55

[toffee-pie]

Guys,

With 2004 ish CL55s basically non existent, I have seen CLS55 AMGs, am I right in saying this has the same power plant as the CL55 ? The key differences aside from obvious styling being a 5 speed shifter and no hydraulic suspension? What features does this have, in terms of auto wipers, lights, memory seats etc? Is there just 1 trim level?

And more crucially, are CLS cars horror stories or reliable workhorse ?

 

[Howard]

All SC AMG 55's come with the five speed regardless of CL or CLS guise.

Personally I love the CLS shape ( I have a 500 ) , a 55 will be on airmatic which is 90% as good as the ABC system in my opinion and easier and cheaper to work on if it goes wrong ( which it will eventually )

Whether I'd say either are a 'workhorse' I'm not sure ! I've always got tools in the boot of mine and feel relentlessly guilty about it !

Trim levels and options can vary , but being that the 55 is the top of the range , I'd expect most to be pretty well specced up

 

[toffee-pie]

is this true for uk models?

Standard Equipment
Standard Equipment
Mechanical
5.5L SOHC SMPI 24-valve AMG-built supercharged V8 engine
5-speed automatic driver-adaptive transmission-inc: AMG SpeedShift, fingertip manual mode, Touch Shift, optimum gear programming, comfort mode
Electronic stability program (ESP)
Rear wheel drive
Independent 4-link front suspension w/anti-squat geometry
Independent 5-arm multilink rear suspension-inc: aluminum links, wheel-hub carriers, anti-squat geometry, alignment control
Front/rear enlarged stabilizer bar
Airmatic dual control air suspension-inc: adaptive damping system (ADS II) electronically controlled pneumatic spring struts, integrated variable-rate shock absorbers, coil springs
255/35ZR19 front/285/30ZR19 rear high performance tires
Vehicle-speed-sensitive pwr rack & pinion steering w/integrated hydraulic damper
8-piston perforated/ventilated front/4-piston perforated/ventilated rear pwr disc brakes
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) w/brake assist system
Sensotronic brake control-inc: soft stop, automatic brake drying, predictive brake priming
21.1 gallon fuel tank
AMG dual exhaust system w/quad polished stainless-steel tips
Exterior
Pwr tilt/sliding tinted glass sunroof w/one-touch express open/close, memory
AMG sculpted front apron w/mesh intake, side sills & rear apron
Silver grille w/(3) chrome ribs
Variable-focus halogen headlamps-inc: polycarbonate lenses, light-sensing auto-on headlamps, automatic lamp substitution
Touch turn signals (flashes three times w/one touch)
Halogen front fog lamps
Single red rear fog lamp
Programmable daytime running lamps
Dual pwr folding heated mirrors-inc: reverse tilt down RH mirror, auto-dimming driver mirror, memory
Blue-tinted glass
Dual aero-blade windshield wipers w/infrared rain sensor, heated washer system
Interior
10-way pwr adjustable heated front AMG-designed sport seats w/pneumatically adjustable lumbar support, drivers easy-exit courtesy seat folding adjustment, pwr height-adjusting front head restraints, 3-position memory
AMG-design Nappa leather upholstery w/alcantara shoulder areas
Hand-finished Matte burl walnut wood trim
Alcantara headliner
Full-length center console-inc: front/rear storage, wood-trimmed rolltop cover for rear storage, (4) cupholders, 12V pwr outlet in rear storage
Velour carpeting & AMG floor mats
Stainless-steel door sill trim w/AMG insignia
Stainless-steel pedals w/rubber studs
AMG leather-trimmed sport steering wheel-inc: raised thumbgrips, fingertip shift controls, audio/multifunction display controls
4-way pwr tilt/telescoping steering column w/memory
COMAND cockpit management/data system-inc: AM/FM/weatherband radio, in-dash CD-player, in-dash color-LCD screen, (10) soft keys
Multifunction displays in speedometer face-inc: trip computer, Maintenance System, oil level check, digital speedometer, reminder/malfunction messages, driver-programmable settings, cruise control, tire pressure warning system audio status
Mercedes-Benz Maintenance System Plus display-inc: distance remaining to next maintenance, type of service due, reminders
Instrumentation-inc: fuel/coolant temp electronic bar-graph, digital touch shift/mode selection display, quartz clock
AMG-design ivory-color gauges w/soft white backlighting
Pwr windows w/express down/up
Pwr door locks w/drive away locking
Cruise control
Tele Aid global positioning system (GPS) satellite system-inc: stolen vehicle recovery, remote door unlock service, automatic alarm/collision notification
SmartKey system-inc: remote central locking system, anti-theft engine immobilizer, driver-programmable user-recognition features
SmartKey infrared-remote-inc: opening trunk, opening/closing windows & sunroof, panic alarm, fuel filler door, lock/unlock all doors or drivers
Universal garage door opener
Anti-theft alarm system w/towaway protection
Automatic quad-zone climate control-inc: dust/pollen filters, humidity/ dewpoint/sun sensors, rear-cabin temp controls, tunnel mode w/one touch closing of all windows
Electrically heated rear window w/auto shut off based on time/exterior temp
AM/FM/weatherband stereo w/CD player-inc: 7.1-channel amplifier, Harmon Kardon Logic7 digital surround system w/(12) speakers, Digital Dynamic Volume Control, fiber-optic communication among components
Illuminated glovebox
Storage pocket w/motorized wood-trimmed door
Pockets in all doors
Seatback pockets
Front footwell parcel net
Auto-dimming rearview mirror
Dual visors w/illuminated vanity mirrors
Courtesy lights w/delay shutoff
Entrance lamps in all doors
Night security illumination
Automatic environmental comfort lighting-inc: center console, door handles, all footwells, front/rear seating areas
(4) reading lamps
Leather-trimmed AMG-designed shift knob
Folding rear armrest w/enclosed storage
Cargo area 12V pwr outlet in side panel
Safety
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) w/brake assist system
Driver/front passenger adaptive dual-stage air bags
Front/rear side-impact air bags/air curtains
3-point shoulder belts w/emergency tensioning device (ETD), belt force limiters
Rear lower anchors & tethers for children (LATCH)
Illuminated emergency trunk release
Electronic stability program (ESP)
Programmable daytime running lamps

 

[toffee-pie]

Inventory | Top Line Auto Inc. | Auto dealership in Dallas, Texas[sold_days]=-1

 

[John]

Bar a few things, that spec is not a million miles from the standard specification on mine (E55).

What specification is it for?

Not sure if COMAND, sunroof, garage door opener or HK were standard - they weren't on the E.

Wheel sizes are different too.

 

[KillerHERTZ]

Alcantara headliner & Pwr tilt/sliding tinted glass sunroof w/one-touch express open/close, memory arent standard.

 

[dpeach78]

I assume you're looking to buy either a CL or CLS? One thing that has always put me off owning cars with the hydraulic ABC system is the countless stories ive read of big bills when it goes wrong (and it always seems to fail sooner or later.) I've had work done on the Airmatic system on one of the E55's i owned and the cost was very reasonable. Also never been a fan of the interior on the CL cars - the CLS is much nicer.

As a side note i had a CLS55 draw alongside me on the M25 a week or so back. Gave me the thumbs up (being a fellow AMG owner) and then he floored it - sounded absolutely glorious!

 

[toffee-pie]

I still think the CL55 AMG is awesome, and the inside is not at all a bad place to be.
And Yes, I have my mind fixed on that 5.5L supercharged lump. Now or never. :$

 

[toffee-pie]

thoughts guys?, 120k miles? a concern?

I will look at it once the dealer gets it, has just arrived as a p/ex.

Mercedes-Benz CL 5.4 CL55 Kompressor AMG 2dr

 

[whitenemesis]

As long as it's been serviced correctly, no problem

 

[John]

Yes, as said - with a good service history... and if it is in good condition and good running order, 120,000 is pretty much 12,000 a year - nicely run and mostly up to temperature I would assume (unless it has being doing a Yodel but I doubt it in that sort of car).

 

[toffee-pie]

going to check it out once Its ready, blue is pretty rare, no?

whats the cheekiest straight cash offer i could get away with you guys think?

 

[John]

Don't see many blue ones around - on here or out on the roads.

Difficult to know on price because you don't know how much the car owes the trader.

Start as low as you want and haggle!

I doubt you will get it for less than £8k and more likely £8.5k...

To find the walk away price, that is the absolute lowest price, you have to be prepared to walk!

If it is a good car, it is probably not worth haggling over too much to find that out...

 

[toffee-pie]

I saw a beautiful looking cls 55 amg also near enough to me and it sold already it seems, was on AT. ~40K miles. - was a bit over my budget but nothing a bank wont sort out.

 

[toffee-pie]

looking at this 2003 cl55 saturday folk.

any pointers, i already have print outs from the cl500 check list, Is there anything i should look out for particularly relevant to cl55s?

 

[Howard]

Pre 2003 these cars were NA , they only got the supercharger after then. There is a BIG difference in power.

I can't see any photos on that listing , but as it is a 52 plate car , I would tread carefully as it is right on the cusp of the changeover.

Look under the bonnet , NA ones will have a big black flat engine cover , supercharged ones have a grey engine.

£9k seems extremely cheap for a supercharged one to be honest.

 

[C240Sport97]

supercharged engine looks like this:

 

[toffee-pie]

yes, i know what the engine looks like

I have seen a few 03 models with the supercharger, have to wait and see....
04 models are non existent it seems.

 

[John]

yes, i know what the engine looks like

I have seen a few 03 models with the supercharger, have to wait and see....
04 models are non existent it seems.

Probably all the owners on here have all the 04s!

Check the air suspension out properly...

 

[toffee-pie]

Car not available yet (for viewing) but I have the Reg, its facelift model, bigger nav screen and 4 tail pipes.