Stig2082
Active Member
- Joined
- Dec 24, 2011
- Messages
- 96
- Location
- SW London
- Car
- CLS 350 Shooting Brake and a cheeky TVR Chimera
Thought I would pen a quick few words to report back on first few months of ownership of my 2008 CLS 63 AMG.
I have always dreamed of owning one of these magnificent cars, but it has been a distant thought as they remained beyond my resources, and the head heart battle was always won by the head. I had passenger ride in the newer CLS AMG at Brooklands a while back and was even more smitten, and even more certain that owning one wasn't for the likes of me. I continued to enjoy my CLS 320, and dabbled with a Honda s2000 and Boxster S. And then it happened... I realised I could chop in the Boxster and my CLS 320 and afford a CLS AMG. The price of them second hand is now incredibly affordable so I decided to take the plunge. As my 320 was a facelift I was keen to get a facelift AMG as I didn't want to be in what felt like an older car- but there are hardly any around. Looking at how many left.com there are only 118 of the first gen 63AMGs registered and of those only about 30 are the facelift (LED rear lights etc), so is a small pool to choose from! Anyway, one did pop up on Autotrader. It was higher mileage than ideal, but was very well specced and was even rarer in having the sports package (LSD, bigger breaks, unrestricted, sports steering wheel, uprated suspension ) After some test drives and inspections and ringing round its service history I handed over the money and shortly afterwards it was sat outside my house.
As it was even the same colour as my previous CLS, it was slightly surreal and felt very familiar - that was until you turned the ignition. The sound, the sound, the sound - is so intoxicating! The car also trembles ever so slightly as that huge engine throbs away. The steering wheel feels nice and chunky and is that flat bottom shape that came with the sports package. One of first things I note is that C (comfort) and S (sport) do signal a real difference. In the 320 it wasn't noticeably different, but now I actively choose the setting and my wife will only drive it in C and amusingly to me describes it to others as the ‘Mercedes AGM’. With S on it is begging to be driven and holds it in gear and the slightest touch of the pedal and off it goes. C is much calmer and quieter, but still hugely potent as required. In general driving it is of course totally unusable in most scenarios and a brief push will see it reach the limit of wherever you happen to be, but it so satisfying to roll down the rear windows to hear that blip and growl when the moment is right. It is on a longer trip with some overtaking possibilities when `i realise quite how astonishing the car is. I am a cautious over taker, but the ability of this car to accelerate is phenomenal and I soon realise safe gaps permitting, you can get past most things! For a big car it handles amazingly with the air suspension keeping the whole thing flat and not feeling like the heavy thing it is. The roar of the engine is quite hard to pin down, guttural perhaps - but so thrilling when you have a chance to properly open it up. It is a visceral experience which I liken to being in an aircraft (a Messerschmitt perhaps!?) as it attacks your senses in such a delicious style, and sounds like no other car I have ever driven. At the same time the horizon is approaching rather quickly and you have to ease back very promptly. I had a chance to briefly use it on an airfield recently and for the first time managed a flat out standing start. The wheels fight for grip and then it simply takes off, delivering some G force along the way which just makes me laugh and swear out loud. Another way to enjoy it is in M manual which takes some concentration but again is very rewarding as you can leave it in gear and prod the rev range all the way and listen to the wonderful blips as you change down. The paddles are not the quickest in the world so is best left on auto for the kick down moments.
Ever since I have developed a liking for fast cars I have always felt that I could have something just that bit faster – but now I think I have reached the limit of my appetite. I also enjoy the ‘Q’ car status of the CLS AMG which doesn’t shout its credentials but is obvious to those in the know. It also of course takes 4 and a roof rack so is pretty practical as it goes. So in conclusion I still have to pinch myself when I realise I have an AMG, which I can drive whenever I want, not waiting for the occasional track day experience! It is everything I hoped it would be and am looking forward to many more contented motoring months. Cheers., now off to fill her up…again…
I have always dreamed of owning one of these magnificent cars, but it has been a distant thought as they remained beyond my resources, and the head heart battle was always won by the head. I had passenger ride in the newer CLS AMG at Brooklands a while back and was even more smitten, and even more certain that owning one wasn't for the likes of me. I continued to enjoy my CLS 320, and dabbled with a Honda s2000 and Boxster S. And then it happened... I realised I could chop in the Boxster and my CLS 320 and afford a CLS AMG. The price of them second hand is now incredibly affordable so I decided to take the plunge. As my 320 was a facelift I was keen to get a facelift AMG as I didn't want to be in what felt like an older car- but there are hardly any around. Looking at how many left.com there are only 118 of the first gen 63AMGs registered and of those only about 30 are the facelift (LED rear lights etc), so is a small pool to choose from! Anyway, one did pop up on Autotrader. It was higher mileage than ideal, but was very well specced and was even rarer in having the sports package (LSD, bigger breaks, unrestricted, sports steering wheel, uprated suspension ) After some test drives and inspections and ringing round its service history I handed over the money and shortly afterwards it was sat outside my house.
As it was even the same colour as my previous CLS, it was slightly surreal and felt very familiar - that was until you turned the ignition. The sound, the sound, the sound - is so intoxicating! The car also trembles ever so slightly as that huge engine throbs away. The steering wheel feels nice and chunky and is that flat bottom shape that came with the sports package. One of first things I note is that C (comfort) and S (sport) do signal a real difference. In the 320 it wasn't noticeably different, but now I actively choose the setting and my wife will only drive it in C and amusingly to me describes it to others as the ‘Mercedes AGM’. With S on it is begging to be driven and holds it in gear and the slightest touch of the pedal and off it goes. C is much calmer and quieter, but still hugely potent as required. In general driving it is of course totally unusable in most scenarios and a brief push will see it reach the limit of wherever you happen to be, but it so satisfying to roll down the rear windows to hear that blip and growl when the moment is right. It is on a longer trip with some overtaking possibilities when `i realise quite how astonishing the car is. I am a cautious over taker, but the ability of this car to accelerate is phenomenal and I soon realise safe gaps permitting, you can get past most things! For a big car it handles amazingly with the air suspension keeping the whole thing flat and not feeling like the heavy thing it is. The roar of the engine is quite hard to pin down, guttural perhaps - but so thrilling when you have a chance to properly open it up. It is a visceral experience which I liken to being in an aircraft (a Messerschmitt perhaps!?) as it attacks your senses in such a delicious style, and sounds like no other car I have ever driven. At the same time the horizon is approaching rather quickly and you have to ease back very promptly. I had a chance to briefly use it on an airfield recently and for the first time managed a flat out standing start. The wheels fight for grip and then it simply takes off, delivering some G force along the way which just makes me laugh and swear out loud. Another way to enjoy it is in M manual which takes some concentration but again is very rewarding as you can leave it in gear and prod the rev range all the way and listen to the wonderful blips as you change down. The paddles are not the quickest in the world so is best left on auto for the kick down moments.
Ever since I have developed a liking for fast cars I have always felt that I could have something just that bit faster – but now I think I have reached the limit of my appetite. I also enjoy the ‘Q’ car status of the CLS AMG which doesn’t shout its credentials but is obvious to those in the know. It also of course takes 4 and a roof rack so is pretty practical as it goes. So in conclusion I still have to pinch myself when I realise I have an AMG, which I can drive whenever I want, not waiting for the occasional track day experience! It is everything I hoped it would be and am looking forward to many more contented motoring months. Cheers., now off to fill her up…again…
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