designo wino CLS 55 AMG
Discussion
tumble dryer said:
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!
Being completely honest I don't actually need this car either, but in ten years they'll be banned and in twenty years they'll be gone.
nicfaz said:
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.
Lovely lovely looking car - I think it's this one? I had a velvet blue Alpina - the designo mystic blue is very close to that and probably my favourite colour, and with the cream leather Part limo, part dragster and with the designo interiors, very special places to be too.
If anyone's feeling brave there's a much bluer CLS55 for sale at the moment. Blue, very blue
I think in the flesh this'd look stunning.
Designo BLUE
Edited by andy43 on Saturday 20th January 12:18
Edited by andy43 on Saturday 20th January 12:22
ianwayne said:
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.
Yep, that's what it sold for to the previous owner. I paid £1k premium on top six months later, but it's had multiples of that spent since April.ACA have put their buyers premium up to 6% for their next classic auction, annoyingly.
jaik said:
Excellent work. I was sniffing around the ad for this car shortly before you bought it, but went for a V10 S6 Avant instead. I was kind of hoping you’d say it’s rubbish to justify my decision!
It's actually completely rubbish, you're right. Wouldn't recommend one at all.Did that help?
With two kids and a dog, plus elderly relatives knocking about the place I should really have got a nice sensible family estate.
An avant quattro with a Lamborghini engine stuffed into it may have been stretching the sensible quite a bit...hope you're enjoying it!
KillerHERTZ said:
J4CKO said:
I do wonder where prices will go, I still find myself looking at 55 engined cars.
Only way is north now. they have been around £10k+ mark for past 4 years, slightly rising now.You still looking for one? I might be selling mine v soon
I have been thinking for a while that cars like this will cease to exist... and then I'll have missed out. My idea was do it now while there's still low mileage cars out there.
It passes the 'look back' test - park, walk away, HAVE to look back. Just to check it's not pissing out vital fluids or that the suspension's collapsed...
It is mega comfy on long journeys, and it'll hitch its skirts up quite well on bendy stuff considering it's such a lardarse.
Oh, and it sounds and feels ridiculous.
MissChief said:
Ive never been a huge CLS fan but that car is fabulous. Fantastic colour and I love the interior too. So many German cars are bought in silver or black, no one has any thought for anything else. Yours is wünderbar!
Danke Readers Cars said:
Might we suggest an exhaust upgrade, too?
Tick. X pipe and C63 back boxes fitted by previous owner. Epic noise.KillerHERTZ said:
J4CKO said:
I do wonder where prices will go, I still find myself looking at 55 engined cars.
Only way is north now. they have been around £10k+ mark for past 4 years, slightly rising now.You still looking for one? I might be selling mine v soon
would love it but got a new kitchen (worktops cost more then my car ffs, priorities !) and building work going on, two kids at Uni, wifes 50th imminent, Sons 21st and the other one is going on a Uni trip to Japan so skinter than a skint thing for the next few months, oh and not sure whether have a job going forward.andy43 said:
Being completely honest I don't actually need this car either, but in ten years they'll be banned and in twenty years they'll be gone.
That Designo Blue one looks great - a very similar colour to the car that I don't actually need (I do like a manual gearbox)!
That’s a proper machine, I hope it’s going well OP!
I spotted an S55 Kompressor with the same engine as yours once in my village high street outside a Sainsbury’s and had a chat with the owner, said the car is an animal and actually quicker than the later 6.2 M156 models. He showed me a video of him doing 155 and said the acceleration was so brutal, his words were, ‘I smashed into the limiter at 155’. I didn’t doubt that for a second, anyways he booted it off and my god, the sheer size of the thing, wheelspinning off as you hear that V8 thumping was just amazing, something about big old heavy V8 barges that can’t be replaced, yes the new triple clutch quad turbo 4 wheel drive 4 wheel steering whatever new shape can do 0-60 in 3 seconds but there’s something about old fashioned 5 speed auto big body mercs for me.
I for one will not be searching the classifieds as I simply don’t hve the bottle to own that car, not even about it being a potential money pit, I’d struggle to handle it, a CLK 430 gave me a few scary moments. I’ll stick to my diesel rep mobile. I’ll maybe get one when I’m older with kids and responsibilities so I don’t end up pushing it and ending up in a ditch haha!
I spotted an S55 Kompressor with the same engine as yours once in my village high street outside a Sainsbury’s and had a chat with the owner, said the car is an animal and actually quicker than the later 6.2 M156 models. He showed me a video of him doing 155 and said the acceleration was so brutal, his words were, ‘I smashed into the limiter at 155’. I didn’t doubt that for a second, anyways he booted it off and my god, the sheer size of the thing, wheelspinning off as you hear that V8 thumping was just amazing, something about big old heavy V8 barges that can’t be replaced, yes the new triple clutch quad turbo 4 wheel drive 4 wheel steering whatever new shape can do 0-60 in 3 seconds but there’s something about old fashioned 5 speed auto big body mercs for me.
I for one will not be searching the classifieds as I simply don’t hve the bottle to own that car, not even about it being a potential money pit, I’d struggle to handle it, a CLK 430 gave me a few scary moments. I’ll stick to my diesel rep mobile
. I’ll maybe get one when I’m older with kids and responsibilities so I don’t end up pushing it and ending up in a ditch haha! Chestrockwell said:
pidsy said:
This thread isn’t helping me stick to my planned replacement for the M3 (mini JCW).
Goes back to classifieds...
Goes back to classifieds...
andy43 said:
Chestrockwell said:
pidsy said:
This thread isn’t helping me stick to my planned replacement for the M3 (mini JCW).
Goes back to classifieds...
Goes back to classifieds...
Chestrockwell said:
That’s a proper machine, I hope it’s going well OP!
I for one will not be searching the classifieds as I simply don’t hve the bottle to own that car, not even about it being a potential money pit, I’d struggle to handle it, a CLK 430 gave me a few scary moments. I’ll stick to my diesel rep mobile. I’ll maybe get one when I’m older with kids and responsibilities so I don’t end up pushing it and ending up in a ditch haha!
I had the normal 5.5 (Non AMG) and it didnt bankrupt me, I dont beleive (correct me if I am wrong here owners) that the AMG ones arent ridiculously more expensive to run ? the 55 engined cars anyway ?I for one will not be searching the classifieds as I simply don’t hve the bottle to own that car, not even about it being a potential money pit, I’d struggle to handle it, a CLK 430 gave me a few scary moments. I’ll stick to my diesel rep mobile
. I’ll maybe get one when I’m older with kids and responsibilities so I don’t end up pushing it and ending up in a ditch haha! Dont think they are significantly worse on fuel, i.e. pretty bad, consumables are similar, tyres a smidge bigger and most of the rest of an E/CLS 55 is the same as any other. The S, CL and SL can be a bit more challenging due to ABC which is more complex than Airmatic on the E and CLS
I think with research and doing some work yourself they can be fairly cost effective to own, especially if you buy one at the right price, that isnt a hound as they shouldn't depreciate by any meaningful amount now.
KillerHERTZ said:
Ive had mine for nearly 4 years, in that time it hasnt cost me any more to run than all my previous Mercs (bar petrol and rear tyres).
They are not money pits at all as long as you look after them.
Y'know that almost sounds sensible. They are not money pits at all as long as you look after them.
Except I'm budgeting for more rear tyres and fuel than an F1 team...
Probably time for an update. Foot down : it is a rocketship. Now the roads are dry. The phrase ‘rolling onto the throttle’ is one I’ve heard many times but this is the first car I’ve owned where it’s relevant.
Flat out it sounds mental – the X pipe and C63 back boxes are sensibly burbley at light throttle under 2k rpm but it gets angry and ear splitting very easily if you press harder. I’m considering bigger back boxes or something to just calm it down a bit – and I’m typing that as a decatted TVR owner. It’s a wonderful noise but it’s too easy to get antisocial with it. The AMG cold start is a thing to behold. It's f-ing loud.
While on the subject of antisocial behaviour, about 17 mpg is currently showing, mostly low speed stuff with not much motorways. Going to Zomerset in a few weeks, 400+ mile round trip, so that should knock the average up a touch.
In terms of changes so far the debadged flanks and bootlid I think look much better, cleaner. Found an appropriate numberplate to replace the previous owners plate on the DVLA site for a mere £400 – so I definitely don’t need the badges now…
Mechanically – just one front ball joint so far. Windscreen replaced via insurance due to a crack, and they authorised a genuine Merc screen at no extra cost which I was expecting to fight for.
Replacing the missing headrest button on the power seat control panel meant a whole new control unit… £100+ from Merc. Or £12 used from ebay. Guess which I went for. But I would never have got the door to bits without a youtube how-to. Everything on this car is complex. Can't take anything to bits without googling it first.
Supercharger oil was changed – I bought a pair of three quid 100ml syringes and hoses to do this.
Used my sloped driveway and a spirit level on the ‘charger plenum to make sure it was level, bunged rags under the drain so I didn’t lose the plug when it came loose, sucked the old dark brown crap out with one syringe – it absolutely stinks – then refilled with the other syringe. I did this process twice to flush it a bit as it only uses about 150ml a time and the oil container is nearly a litre. Hardest part was getting the drain plug (with a few turns of ptfe tape round the thread) back in – very fiddly.
Old - liquid goat s
t
New - honey coloured Jetoil II
I have cleaned this car a lot. It really needs to live in the garage. Gliptone’d the leather a couple of times. It’s booked in for a paint correction detail – I have never had anybody professionally clean my car, never mind attack it with a machine polisher so this should be interesting. Snow foam wash, tar removal, de-ironing, clay bar, single stage polish and then swissvax wax on top rather than a ceramic coating. I'll stick some post-polished pics up, provided the local birds don't crap on it before I get the camera out.
Tech : I bought a genuine Merc 2018 satnav disc from ebay for £30 and the nav works now the faulty aerial has been replaced. Utter crap satnav compared to modern cars, but it’ll do.
I was thinking about upgrading the Comand head unit to a chinese android jobbie but in the end I’ve decided to keep it original so added a Pure Highway 400 DAB unit, tucking the bluetooth head unit into the ashtray so it’s hidden with the flap closed. Aerial is stuck to the passenger side of the windscreen. Power from an extra lighter socket fitted in the glovebox, next to the factory Aux In 1/8” socket for the Comand unit. Another struggle getting from the existing lighter socket round to the glove box - behind the dash is packed full of electrical 'stuff' on this car.
I was also considering a ‘remap’, pulley, bigger cooler and pump etc etc but instead I’ve just had the ECU and TCU updated to the latest (latest is 2007 I think - modern!) software via a Star-equipped specialist – costwise a couple of hours labour. It has smoothed the gearchanges out a touch with fewer clunky shifts, and I’m convinced the supercharger isn’t coming in with such a noticeable thump now either.
So to sum up, absolutely loving this car. The CLS regardless of powerplant is a class act. Add in the daft engine and the looks, noise, feel, everything, is just very special – think I have only seen one other ’55 out and about, plus a couple of E55s. Howmanyleft suggests just 372 CLS55s are in the UK, spread between ’05 and ‘07. Don't make 'em like this anymore.
Future plans : rear tyres, probably Goodyears to match the fronts. Don't like mismatched tyres. Service – I’ll use MB for this to keep the stamped history up. Paint those wheelhubs VHT silver. Maybe the rear arches too – slight bubbling evident. Won't use the silver paint there though. Geo check – that rear end still feels baggy. Keep pouring petrol into it
Flat out it sounds mental – the X pipe and C63 back boxes are sensibly burbley at light throttle under 2k rpm but it gets angry and ear splitting very easily if you press harder. I’m considering bigger back boxes or something to just calm it down a bit – and I’m typing that as a decatted TVR owner. It’s a wonderful noise but it’s too easy to get antisocial with it. The AMG cold start is a thing to behold. It's f-ing loud.
While on the subject of antisocial behaviour, about 17 mpg is currently showing, mostly low speed stuff with not much motorways. Going to Zomerset in a few weeks, 400+ mile round trip, so that should knock the average up a touch.
In terms of changes so far the debadged flanks and bootlid I think look much better, cleaner. Found an appropriate numberplate to replace the previous owners plate on the DVLA site for a mere £400 – so I definitely don’t need the badges now…
Mechanically – just one front ball joint so far. Windscreen replaced via insurance due to a crack, and they authorised a genuine Merc screen at no extra cost which I was expecting to fight for.
Replacing the missing headrest button on the power seat control panel meant a whole new control unit… £100+ from Merc. Or £12 used from ebay. Guess which I went for. But I would never have got the door to bits without a youtube how-to. Everything on this car is complex. Can't take anything to bits without googling it first.
Supercharger oil was changed – I bought a pair of three quid 100ml syringes and hoses to do this.
Used my sloped driveway and a spirit level on the ‘charger plenum to make sure it was level, bunged rags under the drain so I didn’t lose the plug when it came loose, sucked the old dark brown crap out with one syringe – it absolutely stinks – then refilled with the other syringe. I did this process twice to flush it a bit as it only uses about 150ml a time and the oil container is nearly a litre. Hardest part was getting the drain plug (with a few turns of ptfe tape round the thread) back in – very fiddly.
Old - liquid goat s
tNew - honey coloured Jetoil II
I have cleaned this car a lot. It really needs to live in the garage. Gliptone’d the leather a couple of times. It’s booked in for a paint correction detail – I have never had anybody professionally clean my car, never mind attack it with a machine polisher so this should be interesting. Snow foam wash, tar removal, de-ironing, clay bar, single stage polish and then swissvax wax on top rather than a ceramic coating. I'll stick some post-polished pics up, provided the local birds don't crap on it before I get the camera out.
Tech : I bought a genuine Merc 2018 satnav disc from ebay for £30 and the nav works now the faulty aerial has been replaced. Utter crap satnav compared to modern cars, but it’ll do.
I was thinking about upgrading the Comand head unit to a chinese android jobbie but in the end I’ve decided to keep it original so added a Pure Highway 400 DAB unit, tucking the bluetooth head unit into the ashtray so it’s hidden with the flap closed. Aerial is stuck to the passenger side of the windscreen. Power from an extra lighter socket fitted in the glovebox, next to the factory Aux In 1/8” socket for the Comand unit. Another struggle getting from the existing lighter socket round to the glove box - behind the dash is packed full of electrical 'stuff' on this car.
I was also considering a ‘remap’, pulley, bigger cooler and pump etc etc but instead I’ve just had the ECU and TCU updated to the latest (latest is 2007 I think - modern!) software via a Star-equipped specialist – costwise a couple of hours labour. It has smoothed the gearchanges out a touch with fewer clunky shifts, and I’m convinced the supercharger isn’t coming in with such a noticeable thump now either.
So to sum up, absolutely loving this car. The CLS regardless of powerplant is a class act. Add in the daft engine and the looks, noise, feel, everything, is just very special – think I have only seen one other ’55 out and about, plus a couple of E55s. Howmanyleft suggests just 372 CLS55s are in the UK, spread between ’05 and ‘07. Don't make 'em like this anymore.
Future plans : rear tyres, probably Goodyears to match the fronts. Don't like mismatched tyres. Service – I’ll use MB for this to keep the stamped history up. Paint those wheelhubs VHT silver. Maybe the rear arches too – slight bubbling evident. Won't use the silver paint there though. Geo check – that rear end still feels baggy. Keep pouring petrol into it
August. Car was detailed about six weeks ago - massive difference. Much fewer swirls and even some of the deeper scratches have improved. It was a ten hour job, topped off with swissvax shield which has teflon or powdered unicorns in it or something. Beading in the rain is unreal. Excuse arse crack.
And it's much easier to clean
Paddles!! G Paddles from ebay. Plastic but they work great and are dead easy to fit in place of the old buttons.
Car will hit 60k in the next week or so, which means I'm getting close to my insurance 5k mileage limit.
Plan is to get space in the garage before the winter. Note to self, clear garage.
I just had another text from the previous owner asking if I want to sell. Noooooo.
And it's much easier to clean
Paddles!! G Paddles from ebay. Plastic but they work great and are dead easy to fit in place of the old buttons.
Car will hit 60k in the next week or so, which means I'm getting close to my insurance 5k mileage limit.
Plan is to get space in the garage before the winter. Note to self, clear garage.
I just had another text from the previous owner asking if I want to sell. Noooooo.
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