designo wino CLS 55 AMG
Discussion
I am fortunate to have / have had some legendary cars including integrale, DB4, 8C, but I will tell anyone who will listen that the CLS55 is the best car I've ever owned.
I can think of no other car that so ABSOLUTELY nails its design brief. I bought it to "try" thinking I would keep it a few months, and was utterly seduced. Kept it 2 years.
If i could only drive behind one powertrain for the rest of my life, it would be that supercharged V8. I don't quite get the adulation for the 63 shown on here. The 55 has it licked on all fronts IMO.
Brilliant, brilliant cars.
I can think of no other car that so ABSOLUTELY nails its design brief. I bought it to "try" thinking I would keep it a few months, and was utterly seduced. Kept it 2 years.
If i could only drive behind one powertrain for the rest of my life, it would be that supercharged V8. I don't quite get the adulation for the 63 shown on here. The 55 has it licked on all fronts IMO.
Brilliant, brilliant cars.
J4CKO said:
Mr E said:
J4CKO said:
Not used full throttle yet ?
I rarely use full throttle. It’s uncouth and usually not required. Nice to know it’s there though. Streaming wet and cold A-road overtakes are actually tricky, almost as nervy as the Griff is in the wet when you boot it, the extra safety net of the traction control offset by the sheer size of the ocean liner it's controlling.
I need more practice. I've been daily-driving a gutless VW Caddy for 12 months. Maybe I'm just a girl. It should have an LSD on this car to keep it's backside in order. Quaife do one, installed with fresh oil it's £1500, probably money well spent.
In the dry it will be an absolute rocketship.
Sliproad onto a fast moving motorway - onto the slip nice and steady, 40, 50, 60, a space 200 yards off, gentle press on the throttle and a roar from the afterburners, you're there in the gap and braking, or on the mirrors looking for the gap in the middle lane traffic - if there is a gap, irrespective of any speed differential between lanes you're 'avin' it, no messing. 3 glances in the mirrors, 3 dabs on the gas, 3 flicks on the indicator, and click... distronic cruise on, maybe 10mph above traffic speed just to be sure. Directors/S-Line lane for the rest of the journey, swatting peasants aside with another two flicks of the cruise stalk. Job done. Maybe just tweak the seat heating down a touch, close the sunroof up, and contemplate exactly when you should nudge awake the thai lady with the big knuckles.
I found this when I was thinking about a CLS..just sums it up.
in 2013 SFO said:
some thoughts I had on my CLS55 (posted previously on another forum):
Sept 10:
Last weekend I drove to Suffolk from London.
On the way home on Sunday evening in the rain, the CLS55 really came to life.
Is that a gap? Seconds later, I’ve sailed past 10 cars. Other cars appear as if they have suddenly stopped. And that is without kickdown. We only went from 5th to 4th. Hardly got beyond 4000rpm.
Is that a bend? Do I need to slow down? Not really, Sport 1 will ensure that it stays the course. Of course it does.
Rain? Yes, it makes the interior more snug. The car feels utterly secure.
Noise? At night, you hear the engine more clearly as there’s less distraction about. But what grunt. Stunning sounds, that only V8s produce – addictive and highly pleasant mechanical roar, deepening and increasing in volume and pitch, a real treat. Who cares if I’ve just burnt yet another litre of Momentum 99? It was most worth the expense. The soundtrack is never ever intrusive. After a quick burst, it is all quiet just like a limousine for a spot of cruising.
And all of this in utter comfort.
The rain even cleans the car – it’s cleaner than when I left London as so much rain has washed a lot of dirt away.
Nowadays, I don’t look at the Mercedes Approved Use Car Locator anymore. I covet no other Mercedes (at least ones that I afford anyway!).
Amen.
Jan 13:
2 and a bit years later, and the love affair continues ..
again coming back to London from Suffolk tonight.
roads are dry, there is salt about, and it's below 0
again the CLS just charges, and snarls a bit and hey, we have made the other cars look like they are standing still
folks are much better at keeping left on 2 lane bits of the A11 and M11, and I sail past them with the gentlest of roars.
on up hill sections, the V8 flattens the gradient which slows other cars.
the acceleration from 60mph onwards with a firmish prod on the accelerator is truly awesome .. you wonder whether the dial is supposed to move quite that quickly
and all the while the car feels rock solid, stable, hunkered, unperturbed and completely magnificent.
I love love my CLS55. It really is the most incredible car .. you can't even buy a new Golf with what my CLS55 would fetch if I sold it.
Sept 10:
Last weekend I drove to Suffolk from London.
On the way home on Sunday evening in the rain, the CLS55 really came to life.
Is that a gap? Seconds later, I’ve sailed past 10 cars. Other cars appear as if they have suddenly stopped. And that is without kickdown. We only went from 5th to 4th. Hardly got beyond 4000rpm.
Is that a bend? Do I need to slow down? Not really, Sport 1 will ensure that it stays the course. Of course it does.
Rain? Yes, it makes the interior more snug. The car feels utterly secure.
Noise? At night, you hear the engine more clearly as there’s less distraction about. But what grunt. Stunning sounds, that only V8s produce – addictive and highly pleasant mechanical roar, deepening and increasing in volume and pitch, a real treat. Who cares if I’ve just burnt yet another litre of Momentum 99? It was most worth the expense. The soundtrack is never ever intrusive. After a quick burst, it is all quiet just like a limousine for a spot of cruising.
And all of this in utter comfort.
The rain even cleans the car – it’s cleaner than when I left London as so much rain has washed a lot of dirt away.
Nowadays, I don’t look at the Mercedes Approved Use Car Locator anymore. I covet no other Mercedes (at least ones that I afford anyway!).
Amen.
Jan 13:
2 and a bit years later, and the love affair continues ..
again coming back to London from Suffolk tonight.
roads are dry, there is salt about, and it's below 0
again the CLS just charges, and snarls a bit and hey, we have made the other cars look like they are standing still
folks are much better at keeping left on 2 lane bits of the A11 and M11, and I sail past them with the gentlest of roars.
on up hill sections, the V8 flattens the gradient which slows other cars.
the acceleration from 60mph onwards with a firmish prod on the accelerator is truly awesome .. you wonder whether the dial is supposed to move quite that quickly
and all the while the car feels rock solid, stable, hunkered, unperturbed and completely magnificent.
I love love my CLS55. It really is the most incredible car .. you can't even buy a new Golf with what my CLS55 would fetch if I sold it.
WTFWT said:
I am fortunate to have / have had some legendary cars including integrale, DB4, 8C, but I will tell anyone who will listen that the CLS55 is the best car I've ever owned.
I can think of no other car that so ABSOLUTELY nails its design brief. I bought it to "try" thinking I would keep it a few months, and was utterly seduced. Kept it 2 years.
If i could only drive behind one powertrain for the rest of my life, it would be that supercharged V8. I don't quite get the adulation for the 63 shown on here. The 55 has it licked on all fronts IMO.
Brilliant, brilliant cars.
Awesome post I can think of no other car that so ABSOLUTELY nails its design brief. I bought it to "try" thinking I would keep it a few months, and was utterly seduced. Kept it 2 years.
If i could only drive behind one powertrain for the rest of my life, it would be that supercharged V8. I don't quite get the adulation for the 63 shown on here. The 55 has it licked on all fronts IMO.
Brilliant, brilliant cars.
But the DB4 - that's some kind of Citroen, right?
andy43 said:
Hi Mr Hertz, watched all your '55 videos already I have to admit - very useful 
Nurburgring - and in the wet - braver man than me.
Looks a lovely car - the lowering does make a difference to the way it sits, and it's cheap and easy with the Airmatic system - lowering doesn't knacker the ride quality either as far as I can tell? But I need to work out ground clearance into my drive before either Star'ing it if my indie can do it - or fitting lowering links.
X pipe and C63 back boxes on this one, possibly a step too far.
Your paddles - did you swap the whole wheel, or were the E63 paddles plug'n'play.. or dremel'n'play?!
Cheers Nurburgring - and in the wet - braver man than me.
Looks a lovely car - the lowering does make a difference to the way it sits, and it's cheap and easy with the Airmatic system - lowering doesn't knacker the ride quality either as far as I can tell? But I need to work out ground clearance into my drive before either Star'ing it if my indie can do it - or fitting lowering links.
X pipe and C63 back boxes on this one, possibly a step too far.
Your paddles - did you swap the whole wheel, or were the E63 paddles plug'n'play.. or dremel'n'play?!
- more videos coming soon.You will need a specialist with Mercedes STAR Diagnostic system to lower the car, a standard garage wont be able to do this. I havent noticed any change at all in the ride quality. from time to time I have scraped the rear Diff-cooler on speed bumps etc, however if you keep an eye on the road simply use the lift system to get over these.
The CLS55 boxes are louder than the E55 ones out of the factory anyway, so a C63 box wont be much louder, I went with straight pipes instead of an x-pipe, decent cheap mod.
The paddles are a steering wheel off, Dremel jobby, you can get plastic aftermarket replacements however I prefer the Aluminium OEM replacements.
KillerHERTZ said:
Cheers - more videos coming soon.
You will need a specialist with Mercedes STAR Diagnostic system to lower the car, a standard garage wont be able to do this. I havent noticed any change at all in the ride quality. from time to time I have scraped the rear Diff-cooler on speed bumps etc, however if you keep an eye on the road simply use the lift system to get over these.
The CLS55 boxes are louder than the E55 ones out of the factory anyway, so a C63 box wont be much louder, I went with straight pipes instead of an x-pipe, decent cheap mod.
The paddles are a steering wheel off, Dremel jobby, you can get plastic aftermarket replacements however I prefer the Aluminium OEM replacements.
More questions if I may - more videos coming soon.You will need a specialist with Mercedes STAR Diagnostic system to lower the car, a standard garage wont be able to do this. I havent noticed any change at all in the ride quality. from time to time I have scraped the rear Diff-cooler on speed bumps etc, however if you keep an eye on the road simply use the lift system to get over these.
The CLS55 boxes are louder than the E55 ones out of the factory anyway, so a C63 box wont be much louder, I went with straight pipes instead of an x-pipe, decent cheap mod.
The paddles are a steering wheel off, Dremel jobby, you can get plastic aftermarket replacements however I prefer the Aluminium OEM replacements.
If it's lowered on Star, can you have different settings for Comfort, Sport 1 and 2? eg keep Comfort standard height, but drop it an extra 20mm in Sport 1 for instance?
And so you know if this 'wheel would fit? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MERCEDES-E-CLASS-W211-L...
It looks like it would, all I need now is a handy youtube video on how to swap them over...
andy43 said:
More questions if I may
If it's lowered on Star, can you have different settings for Comfort, Sport 1 and 2? eg keep Comfort standard height, but drop it an extra 20mm in Sport 1 for instance?
And so you know if this 'wheel would fit? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MERCEDES-E-CLASS-W211-L...
It looks like it would, all I need now is a handy youtube video on how to swap them over...
Its exactly the same as before but overall 2cm lower. FAO: In standard spec the car doesn't actually lower when you put it in Sports 1 or 2, only at above 60 (I think its 60 If it's lowered on Star, can you have different settings for Comfort, Sport 1 and 2? eg keep Comfort standard height, but drop it an extra 20mm in Sport 1 for instance?
And so you know if this 'wheel would fit? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MERCEDES-E-CLASS-W211-L...
It looks like it would, all I need now is a handy youtube video on how to swap them over...
)Yeah that wheel should fit, not sure about the connectors for the paddles, but should be fine.
Krikkit said:
The way it's done on STAR is to set the system's "0" height reference level to -20mm, so all its heights are adjusted in all modes. The same effect happens if you fiddle the height sensors on each wheel.
Personally I don't think they need it, but each to their own.
Its a voltage drop on each corner IIRC.Personally I don't think they need it, but each to their own.
I could have gone lower but I didnt want it to look ridiculous, they are a little too high in stock IMO
Just found this thread from the "Reader's Car of the Week"!
I'm not usually a Mercedes fan, but OP your car is absolutely stunning!
The styling of the 1st Generation CLS is spot on, your colour combination is fan-bloody-tastic (no sign of the usual white to black German palette via silvers and greys) and who wouldn't love a big V8 with forced induction?
I have absolutely no need of a car like that, but I so much want one!
I hope it treats you well - just enjoy!
I'm not usually a Mercedes fan, but OP your car is absolutely stunning!
The styling of the 1st Generation CLS is spot on, your colour combination is fan-bloody-tastic (no sign of the usual white to black German palette via silvers and greys) and who wouldn't love a big V8 with forced induction?
I have absolutely no need of a car like that, but I so much want one!
I hope it treats you well - just enjoy!
Mr Tidy said:
Just found this thread from the "Reader's Car of the Week"!
I'm not usually a Mercedes fan, but OP your car is absolutely stunning!
The styling of the 1st Generation CLS is spot on, your colour combination is fan-bloody-tastic (no sign of the usual white to black German palette via silvers and greys) and who wouldn't love a big V8 with forced induction?
I have absolutely no need of a car like that, but I so much want one!
I hope it treats you well - just enjoy!
See, PH needs more of that kinda stuff. Well said Sir.I'm not usually a Mercedes fan, but OP your car is absolutely stunning!
The styling of the 1st Generation CLS is spot on, your colour combination is fan-bloody-tastic (no sign of the usual white to black German palette via silvers and greys) and who wouldn't love a big V8 with forced induction?
I have absolutely no need of a car like that, but I so much want one!
I hope it treats you well - just enjoy!
I now own the car that the long quote was about - they are wonderful cars Part limo, part dragster and with the designo interiors, very special places to be too.
Nice to know what it feels like though !OK, OK, I'll admit in manual in 3rd, I've floored it keeping just short of kickdown, but got nowhere near a red line. Can't do it more than briefly in auto in this weather - it's pointless - it'll kickdown and kick off. Non-traction light is an easy job in 3rd in the wet, never mind 2nd. And I agree, it's just so unnecessary.
Streaming wet and cold A-road overtakes are actually tricky, almost as nervy as the Griff is in the wet when you boot it, the extra safety net of the traction control offset by the sheer size of the ocean liner it's controlling.
I need more practice. I've been daily-driving a gutless VW Caddy for 12 months. Maybe I'm just a girl. It should have an LSD on this car to keep it's backside in order. Quaife do one, installed with fresh oil it's £1500, probably money well spent.
In the dry it will be an absolute rocketship.
Sliproad onto a fast moving motorway - onto the slip nice and steady, 40, 50, 60, a space 200 yards off, gentle press on the throttle and a roar from the afterburners, you're there in the gap and braking, or on the mirrors looking for the gap in the middle lane traffic - if there is a gap, irrespective of any speed differential between lanes you're 'avin' it, no messing. 3 glances in the mirrors, 3 dabs on the gas, 3 flicks on the indicator, and click... distronic cruise on, maybe 10mph above traffic speed just to be sure. Directors/S-Line lane for the rest of the journey, swatting peasants aside with another two flicks of the cruise stalk. Job done. Maybe just tweak the seat heating down a touch, close the sunroof up, and contemplate exactly when you should nudge awake the thai lady with the big knuckles.
I found this when I was thinking about a CLS..just sums it up.
Part limo, part dragster and with the designo interiors, very special places to be too.andy43 said:
J4CKO said:
Mr E said:
J4CKO said:
Not used full throttle yet ?
I rarely use full throttle. It’s uncouth and usually not required. Nice to know it’s there though. Streaming wet and cold A-road overtakes are actually tricky, almost as nervy as the Griff is in the wet when you boot it, the extra safety net of the traction control offset by the sheer size of the ocean liner it's controlling.
I need more practice. I've been daily-driving a gutless VW Caddy for 12 months. Maybe I'm just a girl. It should have an LSD on this car to keep it's backside in order. Quaife do one, installed with fresh oil it's £1500, probably money well spent.
In the dry it will be an absolute rocketship.
Sliproad onto a fast moving motorway - onto the slip nice and steady, 40, 50, 60, a space 200 yards off, gentle press on the throttle and a roar from the afterburners, you're there in the gap and braking, or on the mirrors looking for the gap in the middle lane traffic - if there is a gap, irrespective of any speed differential between lanes you're 'avin' it, no messing. 3 glances in the mirrors, 3 dabs on the gas, 3 flicks on the indicator, and click... distronic cruise on, maybe 10mph above traffic speed just to be sure. Directors/S-Line lane for the rest of the journey, swatting peasants aside with another two flicks of the cruise stalk. Job done. Maybe just tweak the seat heating down a touch, close the sunroof up, and contemplate exactly when you should nudge awake the thai lady with the big knuckles.
I found this when I was thinking about a CLS..just sums it up.
in 2013 SFO said:
some thoughts I had on my CLS55 (posted previously on another forum):
Sept 10:
Last weekend I drove to Suffolk from London.
On the way home on Sunday evening in the rain, the CLS55 really came to life.
Is that a gap? Seconds later, I’ve sailed past 10 cars. Other cars appear as if they have suddenly stopped. And that is without kickdown. We only went from 5th to 4th. Hardly got beyond 4000rpm.
Is that a bend? Do I need to slow down? Not really, Sport 1 will ensure that it stays the course. Of course it does.
Rain? Yes, it makes the interior more snug. The car feels utterly secure.
Noise? At night, you hear the engine more clearly as there’s less distraction about. But what grunt. Stunning sounds, that only V8s produce – addictive and highly pleasant mechanical roar, deepening and increasing in volume and pitch, a real treat. Who cares if I’ve just burnt yet another litre of Momentum 99? It was most worth the expense. The soundtrack is never ever intrusive. After a quick burst, it is all quiet just like a limousine for a spot of cruising.
And all of this in utter comfort.
The rain even cleans the car – it’s cleaner than when I left London as so much rain has washed a lot of dirt away.
Nowadays, I don’t look at the Mercedes Approved Use Car Locator anymore. I covet no other Mercedes (at least ones that I afford anyway!).
Amen.
Jan 13:
2 and a bit years later, and the love affair continues ..
again coming back to London from Suffolk tonight.
roads are dry, there is salt about, and it's below 0
again the CLS just charges, and snarls a bit and hey, we have made the other cars look like they are standing still
folks are much better at keeping left on 2 lane bits of the A11 and M11, and I sail past them with the gentlest of roars.
on up hill sections, the V8 flattens the gradient which slows other cars.
the acceleration from 60mph onwards with a firmish prod on the accelerator is truly awesome .. you wonder whether the dial is supposed to move quite that quickly
and all the while the car feels rock solid, stable, hunkered, unperturbed and completely magnificent.
I love love my CLS55. It really is the most incredible car .. you can't even buy a new Golf with what my CLS55 would fetch if I sold it.
Sept 10:
Last weekend I drove to Suffolk from London.
On the way home on Sunday evening in the rain, the CLS55 really came to life.
Is that a gap? Seconds later, I’ve sailed past 10 cars. Other cars appear as if they have suddenly stopped. And that is without kickdown. We only went from 5th to 4th. Hardly got beyond 4000rpm.
Is that a bend? Do I need to slow down? Not really, Sport 1 will ensure that it stays the course. Of course it does.
Rain? Yes, it makes the interior more snug. The car feels utterly secure.
Noise? At night, you hear the engine more clearly as there’s less distraction about. But what grunt. Stunning sounds, that only V8s produce – addictive and highly pleasant mechanical roar, deepening and increasing in volume and pitch, a real treat. Who cares if I’ve just burnt yet another litre of Momentum 99? It was most worth the expense. The soundtrack is never ever intrusive. After a quick burst, it is all quiet just like a limousine for a spot of cruising.
And all of this in utter comfort.
The rain even cleans the car – it’s cleaner than when I left London as so much rain has washed a lot of dirt away.
Nowadays, I don’t look at the Mercedes Approved Use Car Locator anymore. I covet no other Mercedes (at least ones that I afford anyway!).
Amen.
Jan 13:
2 and a bit years later, and the love affair continues ..
again coming back to London from Suffolk tonight.
roads are dry, there is salt about, and it's below 0
again the CLS just charges, and snarls a bit and hey, we have made the other cars look like they are standing still
folks are much better at keeping left on 2 lane bits of the A11 and M11, and I sail past them with the gentlest of roars.
on up hill sections, the V8 flattens the gradient which slows other cars.
the acceleration from 60mph onwards with a firmish prod on the accelerator is truly awesome .. you wonder whether the dial is supposed to move quite that quickly
and all the while the car feels rock solid, stable, hunkered, unperturbed and completely magnificent.
I love love my CLS55. It really is the most incredible car .. you can't even buy a new Golf with what my CLS55 would fetch if I sold it.
Here was the original auction sale listing the OP mentioned. The sale price of £13,230 includes the commission. But there's VAT on the 5% commission too if you're not VAT registered (like most of us) so it would have been £13,381.20.
ACA have put their buyers premium up to 6% for their next classic auction, annoyingly.
ACA have put their buyers premium up to 6% for their next classic auction, annoyingly.
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