CLS 55, are they crap?
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From: dallas
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they are by no means crap. Now people that buy used ones for 20k$, sure those are crap. They cant afford maint on a 100$k car, just because its a fraction of the price now doesnt mean the parts are. Yes brakes on any p30 (performance package) car are very pricey- 2peice rotors. The normal ones are only like 120$/each and are pretty huge and thick for being so thick. It may not feel as stiff or handle quite like an m5 or cts-v. But it will undoubtly blow them away in a straight line. (not the new superchargd v*) They are built on a slightly moddified e-class chassis so the cars electronically are almost identical. They are great cars if you can actually afford them. Ofcourse buying an extended warranty will make that easier. I can also promise that nothing can brake as quickly as that car.
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.here's the link to my autotrader ads :
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false
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From: Brandywine MD
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they are by no means crap. Now people that buy used ones for 20k$, sure those are crap. They cant afford maint on a 100$k car, just because its a fraction of the price now doesnt mean the parts are. Yes brakes on any p30 (performance package) car are very pricey- 2peice rotors. The normal ones are only like 120$/each and are pretty huge and thick for being so thick. It may not feel as stiff or handle quite like an m5 or cts-v. But it will undoubtly blow them away in a straight line. (not the new superchargd v*) They are built on a slightly moddified e-class chassis so the cars electronically are almost identical. They are great cars if you can actually afford them. Ofcourse buying an extended warranty will make that easier. I can also promise that nothing can brake as quickly as that car.
The ability to afford the repairs and it constantly breaking down are two vastly different things. Please show me a CLS55 selling for $20,000?? It is not a reliable car, buy it because you love the performance and looks but dont fool yourself its not a reliable car.
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BB Supra - Bingo! Had the same problems on our E55... notice how even on the Benz forums it's mainly the guys that are leasing new cars all the time or barely driving theirs with low miles that are always saying how they never have problems. And others that actually drive their cars, do lol? Bought our E55 new and sold with almost 50K miles, few issues in the beginning, then for the last like 20K miles it was one thing after another. Electrical issues - check, suspension issues - check (airmatic system replaced, and then front system starting having issues again right before selling it), HU replaced - check, IC Pump replaced once, and oh yeh how can I forget the fuel leaking issue that seems majority of the AMG's (not sure about other models?) have and of which MB refused to acknowledge and still to this day won't.
I agree, has nothing to do with not being able to afford the car and repairs... the issue like you mentioned is the frequency with which it can happen and the cost of said repairs. Find a really good Indy guy to do an full check up before purchasing, especially since the dealers will a$$ rape you on these cars lol.
Would I consider another once, hard to say... honestly after driving the CTS-V I preferred the V and it's character more and plus it has a manual trans which is getting rare today even in sports cars let alone a sedan lol. I've always always wished Benz offered a manual trans.
But that new AMG TTV8 is a sweet engine, anyone see the test on the new S63? Smokin fast for it's size, it ***** slaps the old S55/S63 in performance. Be interesting to see what it will do in the lighter E class.
I agree, has nothing to do with not being able to afford the car and repairs... the issue like you mentioned is the frequency with which it can happen and the cost of said repairs. Find a really good Indy guy to do an full check up before purchasing, especially since the dealers will a$$ rape you on these cars lol.
Would I consider another once, hard to say... honestly after driving the CTS-V I preferred the V and it's character more and plus it has a manual trans which is getting rare today even in sports cars let alone a sedan lol. I've always always wished Benz offered a manual trans.
But that new AMG TTV8 is a sweet engine, anyone see the test on the new S63? Smokin fast for it's size, it ***** slaps the old S55/S63 in performance. Be interesting to see what it will do in the lighter E class.
Last edited by Surfer; Mar 16, 2011 at 08:45 AM.
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From: Brandywine MD
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BB Supra - Bingo! Had the same problems on our E55... notice how even on the Benz forums it's mainly the guys that are leasing new cars all the time or barely driving theirs with low miles that are always saying how they never have problems. And others that actually drive their cars, do lol? Bought our E55 new and sold with almost 50K miles, few issues in the beginning, then for the last like 20K miles it was one thing after another. Electrical issues - check, suspension issues - check (airmatic system replaced, and then front system starting having issues again right before selling it), HU replaced - check, IC Pump replaced once, and oh yeh how can I forget the fuel leaking issue that seems majority of the AMG's (not sure about other models?) have and of which MB refused to acknowledge and still to this day won't.
I agree, has nothing to do with not being able to afford the car and repairs... the issue like you mentioned is the frequency with which it can happen and the cost of said repairs. Find a really good Indy guy to do an full check up before purchasing, especially since the dealers will a$$ rape you on these cars lol.
Would I consider another once, hard to say... honestly after driving the CTS-V I preferred the V and it's character more and plus it has a manual trans which is getting rare today even in sports cars let alone a sedan lol. I've always always wished Benz offered a manual trans.
But that new AMG TTV8 is a sweet engine, anyone see the test on the new S63? Smokin fast for it's size, it ***** slaps the old S55/S63 in performance. Be interesting to see what it will do in the lighter E class.
I agree, has nothing to do with not being able to afford the car and repairs... the issue like you mentioned is the frequency with which it can happen and the cost of said repairs. Find a really good Indy guy to do an full check up before purchasing, especially since the dealers will a$$ rape you on these cars lol.
Would I consider another once, hard to say... honestly after driving the CTS-V I preferred the V and it's character more and plus it has a manual trans which is getting rare today even in sports cars let alone a sedan lol. I've always always wished Benz offered a manual trans.
But that new AMG TTV8 is a sweet engine, anyone see the test on the new S63? Smokin fast for it's size, it ***** slaps the old S55/S63 in performance. Be interesting to see what it will do in the lighter E class.
i love my cls55 its currently on its way to Eurocharged for the next round of power mods, would i own another Benz never next up GTR R35
Last edited by BB Supra; Mar 16, 2011 at 12:51 PM.
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In short, cars with that much technology are not for the penny pincher.
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I race motorcycles and win, need I say more 
16k miles on my 55 and it's been in the shop twice in 6 years, I do go through rear tires about every 2k miles, but that's the price you pay riding low.
16k miles on my 55 and it's been in the shop twice in 6 years, I do go through rear tires about every 2k miles, but that's the price you pay riding low.
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AMGs
I have owned an 05 SL500, 05 SL55 and 05 SLK55. I kept the SLK 55 and sold the other two cars because the SLK doesn't have all the electronic do dads to go bad. No electronic brakes or air suspension. I have had no problems with the SLK and have done the Kleemann headers, ecu and cat delete. It is a great car with real brakes and suspension, is as fast as the SL 55, handles better and is more fun to drive. I agree with the other posters that you will have problems with the tech laden cars as they age. My SL 55 had to have its suspension rebuilt just before the wrrty. expired. I had it fixed and sold it. Mercedes cars are not crap but, there is a reason why the high tech cars depreciate so hard. My SLK 55 is the only one I would own out of wrrty. Ken
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agreed- CTSV= plastic interior and my V WAS A DISASTER FROM DAY 1
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I have personally have 2 E55s, SL55, CLK55, and G wagon from mercedes and every single one of them in the time i owned them never had a issue over $500 dollars which needed to be fixed nor did any of them have any electrical issues. The 55 Kompressor cars modded are amazing and beat 95% of street car out there in comfort and style go for it!
Justin
Justin