Admittedly the Mercedes CLS Class isn’t for everybody.

If you’re the type that doesn’t want to go against the grain or stand out, then forget about the CLS 550 or the CLS 63AMG and walk away.

But if you’re a person that says “damn the torpedoes-all ahead full!” then the CLS class is for you.

One simply cannot judge the CLS 550 or the entire Mercedes CLS class if you plan on basing your judgments on what a sedan should look like or what a coupé should be.

As stated in an earlier post, we were given a CLS 550 painted in Metallic Barolo Red and had Black Leather interior and Laurel Wood Trim to play with.

She also came equipped with three packages- the 318 Trim, Sport and the Premium package.

The optional Distronic Proximity Control and Parktronic system were also installed.

Upon engine start I’m pleased to report that the change in the exhaust tips shape did nothing to affect the sound of the all too familiar hum of the engine.

I then set the computer to comfort mode and the Airmatic semi active suspension to full soft.

I gently put a little pressure on my foot and it felt like we were gliding down the road.

The ride felt more like you were on the sofa in your living room and not in a car and the steering wheel was smooth and sensitive.

My friend/dealer then tells me to go ahead and set it to Sports mode.

Find out for yourself what sports mode does when you take a test drive at a San Antonio Mercedes Dealer.

Recently a friend of mine wrote me saying that he won a huge pile in Vegas and was thinking about getting the 2009 Mercedes SL600 Roadster and wanted some advice.

Aside from the usual expletives and downright words of envy, here’s what I wrote back:

Great choice! Who wouldn’t want one?

The Mercedes SL600 Roadster is actually a rocket with wheels and a seat.

Turbocharged 5.5 liter V12, Alloy block and Alloy cylinder heads, 36 valve, 510 horsepower engine.

Gets to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds without so much as a wave!

It may be slower than a McLaren but then again when was the last time you put the pedal to the metal and didn’t get written up for it?

MSRP is $139,100 and TCO is $186,031.

This said (and if you’re really willing to shell out that much) wouldn’t you want to consider the other roadsters in the family?

Aside from your choice, there are three other variants in the SL class-the SL 550, SL 63AMG and the SL 65AMG.

The SL 550 has a 5.5 liter, 32 valve, V8 engine.

Its 382 horse power is fed through a Seven Speed Touch Shift Manually Interactive Automatic Transmission.

The SL 63AMG has a 6.2 liter V8, 32 valve, DOHC, SEFI 518hp alloy engine, 0-60mph in 4.5 seconds.

The SL 65AMG can hit 60mph in just 4.2 second and is powered by a 604hp, 6.0 liter Turbocharged V12 SOHC, SEFI engine.

FYI, the entire SL class got their own version of “Nip and Tuck”.

Redesigned Bi-Xenon headlamps with Active Curve Illumination, the two AMG’s have got a more aggressive body style and a new multimedia interface that has iPod, Bluetooth and DVD capabilities.

Personally, if I could only afford it, I’d go for the SL 63AMG which is actually a replacement to the SL 55AMG.

Why? Because:
• Both the MSRP and TCO is cheaper;
• Even if it’s cheaper you still get more “oomph” than the SL 600;
• It’s cheaper and easier to maintain a V8 than a V12

But to see what the best deal is on the street be sure to check in with the San Antonio Mercedes dealer.