(little OT) test drove a CL55.... - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

phillym5 · 1st December 2003, 22:46

i just got back from dropping off my truck a Mercedes. They had a 2004 CL55 on the lot. (3 year waiting list for one) The sales guy Raymond Woellhaf gave me the key..i hopped in the drivers seat and away i went. It is pretty quick. i really only got up to about 80. it didnt seem "too" much faster than the M5. i really got to launch it from a standstill and a rolling start. its fast and lots of good amenenities(sp).... BUT, i could not pass the fact that it was auto. even i the tip tronic if you hit the reddline it will upshift...no matter what. it is a awesome car, but i didnt feel like it was a "drivers car". If i wasnt into heal toe, downshifting, blipping throttle, i would consider it. anyway its only right for me to say its techtite with grey leather. 49 miles and the price is 125,000. they are not asking more than sticker. Betten Imports Grand Rapids MI. thanks guys for the test drive.

josh.

Gustav · 1st December 2003, 22:50

Yupp, the CL55 is not the involved drivers car. But it is fast in a straight line, esp. in higher speeds

This is from an S55 AMG:

http://www.geocities.com/mrjumjum/S5590-157mph_0001.wmv

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

rennen · 1st December 2003, 23:17

I swapped my M5 for my friends CL55 for a weekend when I was looking for a new car. My opinion was pretty much the same as yours. I just could not get excited about the car. It was very fast, but just too un-involving for my taste. There really is something about a manual that makes driving so much more enjoyable. That said, if I had to commute to work everyday and sit in traffic, I would probably own one. I live three miles from my office, so right now it's not a concern.

BmwNut · 2nd December 2003, 01:40

Those things are monsters, and they have my respect. That being said, they are not for me. I'm with you on the auto issue too Josh, as I can get more satisfaction out of double clutch heel and toeing my Jetta than driving any car with an auto.
On a sidenote my buddies dad has a CL55 and the ECU has been replaced many times. They cant find out what is wrong with it, so they are sending a tech from AMG all the way from Germany to California to work on his car. And my bud thought it was cool when Dell sent someone to his house to fix his computer. Pretty stand up service if you ask me.

Boston m57777 · 2nd December 2003, 02:27

They are monsters...

bstnsportsfan · 2nd December 2003, 02:40

Why would Mercedes make a beast like the CL series and not offer a manual? But then again, do any of thier cars come with a manual? Seems like when selling a $100k+ 400+hp car you would want a manual atleast as an option.

young-nyc · 2nd December 2003, 03:02

they did offer a manual on a slk i believe
oh and the other reason MB doesn't offer manual, besides the fact they don't know how to make one is because
with high horse powered cars, the clutch would be a very big issue, but with automatic that wouldn't be such a concern

Bokke · 2nd December 2003, 05:07

I think the CL is one of the best looking cars on the road...2 me, the CL55 is the Beauty & the Beast

One of the car mag's got the CL55 to do 4.23 to 60mph - that's f*@*@*g fast!

and you aint gonna miss a shift! - not that I have ever missed a shift

The only bad thing about the CL's, IMHO, is that they depreciate faster than anything I know. In a couple of years an 03 with low miles will be an awesome car!

Oh by the way, my E55 arrived on the boat in Jacksonville today due at the dealer sometime in the next 10 days....

Have no fear my baby is not going anywhere....

Andy-UK · 2nd December 2003, 14:47

I think the CL looks fantastic. There aren't that many truly huge 2 door cars out there. Performance is also fantastic. But as people have already mentioned the lack of a manual option is a bit of a downside.

Tom C · 2nd December 2003, 16:56

I think some people here are missing the point of the CL55. It is a luxury cruiser....that just happens to be endowed with face distorting power. It is by no means a sports car. Yes...it does have soome sporty characteristics.....but its focal points are luxury and power. I happen to love the design....elegant...yet in AMG guise (and in the right color)...it is wickedly aggressive looking. I would love to add one to my stable.

The depreciation in value should be viewed within a certain context. 2001 and 2002 models are really down in value because they do not have the supercharger. These can be picked up at bargain basement prices (relatively speaking). 2003 models are experiencing depreciation no different than a 996TT. People are reluctant to purchase a slightly used $120k for even $100k. Presumably, someone in the market for a $100k could easliy afford to purchase the new model for the $20k premium and have the peace of mind of a new car (not someone else's headache). I think the availablility of the E55, with the same motor and a $30k+ lower MSRP, amplifies this problem for CL55 used prices.

Anyway....I love the CL55 and hope MB does not do anything to its beautiful lines within the next couple of years.

Tom

Terk · 2nd December 2003, 17:05

I too have always like the CL and told myself, If I ever moved to the dark side I would seriously consider the CL55. With that being said, I think that if I was going to spend a $170K cdn on a benz, I think that I would pass on the back seat and get the SL55.

Regards,

Terk.