What's this!! No S65 for the Yanks?

[manvessel]

Say it ain't so!!! I just read the latest addition of the STAR (J/F '04). No S65 for the Stars and Stripes?? I was bitten by the AMG BUG when my wife and I decided we needed a third car to use when we have one of our others in the shop for service (renting Chevy Cavaliers or Ford Taurus' just wasn't making it). We decided to test drive an '03 S55 on a fluke (we had our mind set on an S600). All it took was pulling out of the dealership to convince me this was a Benz of a different color. My wife usually leaves the test drives and mechanicals up to me (she gets to pick the colors and options), but I told her she HAS to drive this one. That was all it took. The acceleration, the handling, the room, the comfort. WOW!!! We were hooked. We went home to revel in our new found discovery. We already had a saloon and an estate vehicle (both Benzes) so we decided at our ripe old age (41 & 52) we needed something fun. The dealer had an '02 CLK 55 Cabrio with only 4K on the odo. We test drove it, fell in love and it was ours, well, hers. Since I have the job of escorting our two offspring to school every day, I chose (?) the sedan as the daily commuter, but the deal was that I get the next one. My mind was set on the S55 til I heard about AMG's newest incarnation. A V12 with the AMG touch. Too good to be true. Got on the Euro AMG website and low-and-behold there was the CL65, but the kids were a problem. My daughter is 5' 7" and headed well toward the 6' range. Just not enough room in the back of the CL for her (and her brother who is close behind at 5-4). If it wasn't for the open air of the Cabrio, they both would hate it back there. So S-Class it was. Now we are told there will be no S65 for Uncle Sam's kids. Well, I know that Mercedes listens to it's owners and I am voting to bring this model to the Colonies. Let me know if we get enough votes. I've started the S65 change jar in the event that our dreams come true.

[Chappy]

manvessel,

Welcome! :)

Sad, yes, that the S65 won't be coming here (at least at this juncture) :(

Glad to have you sharing with us in the AMG forum. Please make sure to add your name to the "AMG Roll Call" thread as well.

BTW, where are you located?

[Tom Hanson]

I'm not so sure. There are parts listed for a USA version. Could be a mistake, but maybe not. Stand by for further announcements..

[Chappy]

Originally posted by Tom Hanson
I'm not so sure. There are parts listed for a USA version. Could be a mistake, but maybe not. Stand by for further announcements..

Thanks for the update, Tom. Let us know :)

The info I received for the S65 not hitting our shores came from the latest issue of The Star.

[manvessel]

Thanx for your help, guys. I will keep an eye on this site. So let me know if anything further develops.

[Manuel 320CE]

Originally posted by Chappy
Sad, yes, that the S65 won't be coming here (at least at this juncture) :(
But the CL65 is coming, right ??
No back-seat headroom issues here :)

[Chappy]

Originally posted by Manuel 320CE
But the CL65 is coming, right ??
No back-seat headroom issues here :)

CL65 should be for sale in the U.S. by late summer/early fall, perhaps sooner :)

[Tom Hanson]

Ah, yes. The CL65. Do you think they could give it any more horsepower? Is just over 600 enough ? Wll there be a Renntech version ? I can't imagine. I remember some very well-prepared big-block Corvettes putting out this kind of power. Somewhat less subdued, but sure a blast to launch !! The 110 octane racing gas smelled pretty good too.

[manvessel]

Just read Autoweek News (01/31/05 issue) that says Mercedes will bring the S65 to Uncle Sam Land in March. Then I got a call from my friendly dealer confirming the good news. Anyone know if the interior will be similar to that of the S600 (4 zone A/C, Walnut on the Vanity Mirror and OH S**t Handles, Alcantara on the ceiling and door posts, etc) or will it be more like the S55 (Drive-Dynamic Seats, Active Vetilation on front seats, etc.)?

[ggoodman]

The S65 is definitely coming here next month at a base price of $169,000. I would expect the amenities to be similar to the S600.

[Tom Hanson]

If it were mine, I'd need a few spare sets of rear tires and some free speeding tickets !! Awesome car, and I think we all have a right to own a car with over 600 hp.

[manvessel]

Anyone know if the S65 will have the current 5 speed tranny along with the "detuned" engine (738 ft/lb) or will they use the 7 speed, pull the chip and let-her-rip (850 ft/lb)? Or are they going to save the 7 speed for the redesigned 2006 (supposedly to look like a baby Maybach)

In response to Tom, I hear that having an xtra set of rear tires is not such a bad idea. Rumor is you never ever, ever, ever turn off the traction control (ESP) !!!

[Eddy]

no 7-G for the 65's. But Renntech a 600 is almost the same. Incredible ride. Are Renntech mods a warranty issue in the south??

[Chappy]

Originally posted by Eddy
Are Renntech mods a warranty issue in the south??

Good question. But, most of the folks I know with RENNTech mods are already out of warranty.

You might contact Brumos and inquire. :)

[Eddy]

I know Renntech is a big no no for cars under warranty in Canada.