After seeing the HP/TQ #'s and the cars, I came away impressed with the CL65 & SL65. Those 2 along with the McLaren SLR were at the NY Show. Yesterday I noticed an ad for sale in the AutoWeek classifieds for the three. Get this: CL65, 50K over sticker, SL 65, 75 over sticker and SLR for 1.7 M! I think both 65's list for about 170-180, so you are talking low to mid 200's. Crazy! I guess money was no object and you wanted one who cares but I cannot imagine too many selling for over sticker since the price is too high to begin with.

 

That is crazy I guess I missed that ad in Autoweek. I think they will be great performers talking about the CL 65 and SL 65 but they are not worth a 50-75K over sticker asking price. IMO.

 

Funny, the handling characteristics of the 55 engine can't be handled by the current cars, raising the weight to 4800lbs and sticking in more power is ludicris imo. Porkers that can only travel in a straight line, Outhandled by every BMW!!

Lou

 

Especially when you compare them to an E55 which is very close in performance for only $90k loaded. I love this car. Yea, it's still a porker and will break the tires loose just punching it at 30mph (with traciton off). It is a hell of a lot of fun just driving around. When I want to bang the corners, I'll take the tt.

 

Exactly. Besides, the E55 is a 4 door and weighs about 4000-4100 lbs, no where near the 2-door CL65 or Sl65 which weigh 4800lbs!! Like I said, the 55 engine is already overkill in that chasis. The ultimate car would have a 55 or 65 engine wrapped in a BMW chasis with BMW driving dynamics, brakes, steering feel etc. BMW will have that in the M6/M5, its just MANGLE has hurt the marque with some of his designs and the cars are not nearly as attractive as the MB counterparts. You should read Roundel(BMW CCA Mag), all the letters talk about how bad the cars look. Luckily, people are still buying the BMW dynamics in spite of the looks. Sooner or later if MANGLE doesn't ease up, profits will be hurt. Good forbid he MANGLES the bread and butter 3 series!

Lou

 

MB makes absolutely the worst cars ever. They flat out do not work. We are very good friends with our MB dealer so we have had a lot in the last 8 years (ML320/430/55, S500/600, SL500/55, etc). The cars flat out do not work. Every single one has spent lots of time in the service bay. Right now we have an SL55 that has been in about 6 times. We're finally going to be done with the MB marque when my mom's DB9 comes in.

They don't even feel good to drive. They have the worst steering and brake feel of any car i have ever driven. I would take the driving experience of an M3 over an SL55 any day all else being equal (price, looks and status).

-Steve

 

LSM - completely agree with you re: SL chassis.

I really don't see the point of the SL or CL 65s. Who would buy these cars at close to 180k vs. competition (Bentley, Aston, etc. (I don't consider a 4800lb pig competition for Porsche or other sports cars)?

Maybe Mercedes has no plans on selling too many of them, and will use it as bait to move some of their other models.

offroadr - same experience I've had with the MBZ marque -- imo the luster is far gone.

 

Offroad, I think your a little too far over your skies on this one. While you're correct, MB has had some quality problems, they are no where near the "worst cars ever". Trust me, I had a 1985 Chrysler lazer turbo .... .

I have had a great experience so far (only 1300 miles, but all my neighbors talk positively about theirs (6 or so benz's). I think all the cool gadgets add complexity to the car that add too many problems. I'll still take them though as I love the gadgets (and they all work right now).

 

Its a differnt kind of car.. Its a car that a man can buy for his wife but the sl65 will still blow the doors off many supercars.. I think its a sick car that deserves respect..

 

People that pay over list simply amaze me.

 

Jasclass:

How about doing a real life comparison of your three cars? Start a thread. I'm sure we'd all like to hear.

 

1.7m for SLR?

its like buy 1 get 1 free, buy enzo get CGT free with that price LOL

 

Jasclass, can't tell if your rippiing me or not I paid sticker for my E55 and got my '04tt for $7,500 off list on an ordered car.

And yes, I do think I have a problem. I have about $20k in stuff laying around waiting to put it in a car. In reality, I bought an '03tt and bought the stuff for it but discoverd a problem with the '03 so me and P have a court date, 1/10/05, unless I accept there settlement offer before than. Can't go into detail now.

I was serious about getting your feedback on tt, gt3 and gt2.