owning and driving a CL55 AMG vs. an E55 AMG

Styling is always subjective, but for my money, the CL is the BEST looking Mercedes of the current crop. I think the styling will do well over time if you plan on keeping the car for a few years. The E55 will be replaced within the next couple of years and you will be stuck with an old body style when the new generation E-Class is going to be much more sleek looking, not to mention the availability of air-suspension and ABC.<p><br>: <br>Question: Has anyone driven both (or very similar ... i.e. E55 or E430 w/the sport package, vs. the CL500)? <p>I own a C43 AMG now. I have a CL55 AMG on order. I wanted an E55 AMG before the CL55 became available, and would probably own one had the CL55 not been announced. (as a matter of fact, I believe my dealer took my order before it was announced)<p>My "number" should be coming up this June or July. God willing, some of my investments will come back (err... right!), and I'll actually be able to accept deliver w/o unloading too many things I didn't get crushed in... but even if I can, do I want to?!<p>Which is the "driver's car"? Which car is "tighter"?<p>Which is the car for someone who LUVS to throw his C43 AMG around both tight turns and long sweepers alike, at high speeds, and luvs that "pop" off red lights ... getting to the other side of the intersection, before the folks going the other way even get across the cross-walk on their own side! ^><p>Personally, I always wanted the E55 AMG. I love the E body w/the AMG enhancements. But yes, the new CL is w/o a doubt __hot__, and why I have it on order instead. <p>But is it worth the extra money when held next to the E55 AMG?<p>Is the CL55 AMG oriented towards too "mature" a driver? I'm not thrilled AMG didn't do any additional suspension work to it.<p>The C43 AMG is a pretty "raw" machine compared to these two. I own it, and luv it. I'm imagining the E55 AMG is a bit more "cultured". Yet even faster in every way. I _know_ the CL55 AMG is a _lot_ more cultured than both... <p>But the $97,000 question is, is it _too_ cultured?<p>Any opinions?<br>Better yet, any experience?<p>Thanx Folks.<br>Steve Mato<p>P.S. This question is cross-posted on the E55 board as well.<p>

<br>: Styling is always subjective, but for my money, the CL is the BEST looking Mercedes of the current crop. I think the styling will do well over time if you plan on keeping the car for a few years. The E55 will be replaced within the next couple of years and you will be stuck with an old body style when the new generation E-Class is going to be much more sleek looking, not to mention the availability of air-suspension and ABC.<p><br>[snip]<br><p>Thanx for the thoughts. I agree with the looks part of it. The CL's quite a "looker". But how "tight" is the road feel it when held next to the E55AMG? I'm dying to hear from someone who's driven both ... hard.<p>I do plan on keeping it for a long, __long__ time. I thought I'd keep my C43AMG until it became so old, that one day I might actually be able to sell it for the same money I bought it for <big grin>. (After all, after 3 years of ownership, I still don't have 10,000 miles on my '98 C43 AMG! )<p>Then came the 2001 CL55 AMG and 2001 E55 AMG with the reworked bodywork. Something's got to be said about owning a "year 2001" model (even if the E's body will be replaced .. I'm not so sure I like the newer on better ... I definitely HATE the newer CLK body).<p>I now figure one of those is the one to grow old with. But you know what I worry about? It's actually all the techno-wizardry in the CL. I believe the E55 AMG should "age better", since it's a "simpler" design. It doesn't have all the pneumatics in the suspension. Something's got to be said for that 30 - 50 years down the line.<p>I'm still up in the air! ^> (then again, the CL's got the better stereo <grin> )<br>