I've had my eyes on a 2003 or so CL55 AMG. I had looked at the CL600 as well, and although they seem close in power, the CL55 AMG has that bit of a rougher edge that I like - it feels a bit more alive while the CL600 is understandably a bit more smooth.

Now, I am not sure if perhaps I should also take a look at a 2003 S55 AMG, or perhaps a 2005 C55 AMG. I want the power, but I also don't want something that's too big and feels like a big floaty car - which is why I compromised on the heavy, albeit smaller than S55 - CL55.

What do you guys think? How does this CL handle around corners?

 

I had a 03 CL55 a little while back...and LOVE the car. At stock I wouldn't say it handles all the best but with a decent drop its all gravy!

I had it dropped an est. 2" on links....can't go wrong with the car IMO.

and the mods like pulley and ECU...its soooooooo much better. So nice that my dad borrowed the car for a week and never got it back... lol

 

It's a really heavy car, no doubt - how was the power? It's funny how the 2002 models are not too much cheaper than the 03's, but the 03's have a great increase in power output.

 

Which 55 AMG car? It depends on your priorities with the car. I'll compare the E55 (W211), CL55 (W215) and S55 (W220).

Performance
The E55 is the lightest of the supercharged V8 cars and thus the quickest in a straightline. The CL55 is 200+lb heavier, blunting its acceleration perfromance relative to the E55. The S55 is heavier yet.

Handling
Interestingly the bigger cars handle better than the E55. The CL55 and S55 have the excellent Active Body Control (ABC) system which does a great job controlling body motion. These cars have good handling balance and feel surprisingly nimble, but don't expect M5-like handling. The E55 has the less-sophisticated Airmatic DCII system than the big 55s. It's not really designed for ultimate handling. At the limit the E55 understeers pretty stubbornly. CL55 is the best handling of the supercharged V8 cars.

Styling
E55 is a conservatively styled sedan. It's a great sleeper that doesn't attract a lot of attention. CL55 looks the most dated IMHO. S55 is a pretty handsome big sedan.

The C55 is a completely different beast. It doesn't have the supercharged V8, but is signicantly smaller and lighter than the supercharged cars.

 

Great points - I agree. So you think the CL55 looks the most dated? It still has an aggressive, edgy look to it - but I can see how from the side it is a bit dated.

 

the reason for the jump in power in the 03 vs the 02 is cause the 03 was the first year the 55 came with the kompressor.

With the tunning and pulley, if I remember correctly, the increase was 85ish rwhp.

I think the CL look is classic. clean and not too over the top. but then again, I am a fan of older style cars.

of the E, C, S and CL...the E55 has the edge cause of the weight and only because the C didn't come with the s/c.

best of luck...hope the info helps. Either way, any 55 AMG is fun as hell to drive. And I LOVE the way these cars sound on the start up...

 

I know which on you should get.....

By far the best of the 55s !!!

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false

No, But seriously it all depends on what typr of car you are looking for.
the E, S, C, CL... all very different it all aspects. I love the E55s, total sleeper but is a total monster. Plus the engins have A LOT of potential.

 

agreed...the E55 out of your choices will be the fastest, IMO. I have run a few different 55s and the E was always the one I had a problem with.

 

In case you are interested:

http://www.mbworld.org/forums/merced...ml#post3632665

 

Go with the 493HP 55 motor, you won't regret it!

 

best of luck

heck i'd sell my 04 with 36k miles on it for $29k, never thought of getting rid of it, but i'd let it go and move on.

 

Well, right now I have a 2003 e500 which has a kot of problems, and since Mercedes updated the s class and cl in 2003 there might be quite a few problems but 2004 would be a good year to start out with one of those two.

 

weird...no probs at all with my e55, its great

i had an 04 clk500 that just had a few K of warranty work

guess its the luck of the draw

 

E55 AMG all the way. would get 05 or 06 model year if i could do it over again tho. i have an 04 and they were still working out the kinks. lucky me, i know a guy who can help with that! mine is k4 kleemann with a few other upgrades and is ridiculous at full throttle. i have always liked the 215 chassis cl styling too but like 4 doors and smaller size. really depends on your personal preferance... but you want the supercharger for sure!

 

Yeah I think the E55 (2003 and over for all 55's with the supercharger seems the best) is amazing.

The CL55 does have one advantage though...it's really rare, considering even CL500's are not all that common. I see a lot of E classes though, and obviously the E55 is rare as well - but still the body shape is much more common then the CL.

It is funny how these cars depreciated so much over the last few years, some of them like the CL or S AMG's had over 100K price tags and now can be had in the 20's!