Cls63 amg

[jazzsalt]

Hi,

I am a new member seeking some advice from some wiser heads than I.

I am seriously considering purchasing a new CLS63 AMG - am having a test drive at the weekend and finance quotes etc have been received.

Key question is whether to go for the AMG Peformance Pack Plus and the limited slip differential? Both options add £9065 to the purchase price ... so are they worthwhile? Do you notice the difference? What also worries me is that you get no credit for these options in terms of resale value.

By way of background, I have specced already "comfort" related options such as AMG ride control suspension, the luxury pack, sound system, reversing camera etc.

Appreciate your thoughts

 

[bolide]

Search this forum - there are dozens and dozens of threads similar, if not identical, to this

If you were truly worried about resale value you wouldn't be buying new

Nick Froome

 

[jazzsalt]

Apologies - I did search for similar threads and did not find anything. If you can point me in the right direction that would be great.

Perhaps I was not clear; I want to know whether these options are worthwhile from a performance/driving experience perspective. Is it a noticeable improvement from the standard CLS63 AMG?

 

[RichardM]

Most of the similar discussions are around the C63 rather than CLS

Both will be very desirable options come resale time, but you'd never recoup that money. The Peformance Pack depends if you feel you want/need the power increase but the limited slip differential will make a big difference to the handling.

Here's a couple of threads on the LSD:
http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/general-discussion/111722-lsd-c63-amg-luxury-essential.html
http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/general-discussion/102116-c63-amg-lsd-advice.html
http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/general-discussion/94078-c63-ppp-without-lsd.html

 

[jazzsalt]

Thanks Richard - I'll review those threads!

 

[prprandall51]

I think you need to decide how you are going to use all that power. If you intend to spend most of your time driving it like you stole it, then the LSD should make a big difference to your enjoyment of the car.

However, lots of people who buy these sorts of cars simply enjoy the pleasure of occasionally tapping into all of that brutal, devastating acceleration from time to time to squirt past a line of cars (and there's nothing wrong with that). If you are that kind of driver then you will never benefit from an LSD.

On a track, most of your cornering will be improved by an LSD but on the public road it is unlikely you will get the benefit unless you take it to a quiet spot in the middle of Wales or go round roundabouts like a nutter.

 

[A210AMG]

Hello

I would not have thought a CLS would be driven in a 'track' manor and also spending an additional £9k on the options is pretty much money lost come re sale.

I would rather have more toys inside, nicer hifi?, heated cooled massaging seats, heated wheel etc etc


Post some pics if and when you get the car.

 

[Nickellese]

I think you need to decide how you are going to use all that power. If you intend to spend most of your time driving it like you stole it, then the LSD should make a big difference to your enjoyment of the car.

However, lots of people who buy these sorts of cars simply enjoy the pleasure of occasionally tapping into all of that brutal, devastating acceleration from time to time to squirt past a line of cars (and there's nothing wrong with that). If you are that kind of driver then you will never benefit from an LSD.

On a track, most of your cornering will be improved by an LSD but on the public road it is unlikely you will get the benefit unless you take it to a quiet spot in the middle of Wales or go round roundabouts like a nutter.

Really good advice!

If it were me I'd leave those boxes un-checked. I generally spend most of my time behind the wheel crawling in traffic so would'nt see the benefit very often.

I see mine as more of a GT car, I find It pretty imtimidating to hustle around these narrow Somerset roads as it is!

 

[C240Sport97]

CLS63 performance pack is a rip off .. there is no difference in the V8 bi-turbo engine, it's a simply a software remap. Do you really need the extra torque and hp? If you do, get it done by an aftermarket tuner.

C63's naturally aspirated V8 performance pack option includes lighter engine bits from the SLS engine, thereby making the engine lighter, more responsive, urgent and more race car like. That is worthwhile. Plus you can't get these bits simply by a software remap.

I would however got for the LSD .. big powerful cars should have that as standard as it helps traction out of bends. It increases the enjoyment available from the car.

 

[C240Sport97]

no doubt you already know about the deposit contribution on a CLS 63 in excess of £11k!

 

[Nickellese]

post some pics if and when you get the car.

+1

 

[jazzsalt]

Thanks everyone - really appreciate the feeback.

I don't think I will go for the AMG Peformance Pack or the LSD as I definitely more of a GT type of driver. Also, I live in London ...

I did see the current offer available and have an even better one which makes the purchase a no brainer

I am having a 1hr test drive at Mercedes Benz World this weekend which will certainly help to make my mind up.

Photos will definitely be posted should I get the car!

 

[drdolittle]

The CLS63 is a MONSTER of a car. If you are a GT driver then you will definitely not need the LSD or the performance pack.

I prefer the old model of CLS to the new one - I think the new one has some very odd lines. BUT the 63AMG is a masterpiece of an engine with a magnificent noise possibly only bettered by the noise made by Katherine Jenkins in the full throws of passion

 

[steve333]

I almost bought a cls63amg but got the cls500 instead(the extra running costs per year were higher than i was comfortable with).As others have said it is a real monster of a car with more power than you will ever need in normal driving conditions which(unless you will be taking it on a track)makes the ppp option a non starter for me(after an hour test drive you will be hooked).

 

[jazzsalt]

I am now even more excited about Sunday's test drive

 

[DSLiverpool]

I did see the current offer available and have an even better one which makes the purchase a no brainer

!

Add up what its going to cost over the lease period inc deposit and view that as a hire charge.

Its going to cost you £40k MINIMUM to hire that for 3 years, hardly a no brainer ?

 

[jazzsalt]

I am utilising that offer - I have much better one spread over 24 months.

Yes - it is expensive but then that is the nature of the beast ...

 

[steve333]

I am utilising that offer - I have much better one spread over 24 months.

Yes - it is expensive but then that is the nature of the beast ...

^You can buy a 2007(in my opinion a much nicer car than the new shape)cls63amg for around £27k(that you will own & is yours to keep as long as you wish),even if you need a loan to spend £27k & spread it over 3 years at todays low rates it would leave you a whole lot of change over a leased new cls63amg over the same period & you won't have to hand it back in2-3 years-that imho is a no brainer

 

[jazzsalt]

Financial sense rarely comes into it when buying a car like this. If I can afford it and I like the car, then I will get it

 

[The _Don]

Congrats the cls63 is a awesome car as per your post above go for it - you only live once.