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**winstoncds** · 03-08-2009, 03:19 AM

Mercedes Benz CL550 by Autoart. Autoart does not bother to call it the CL550. Just as CL-Klasse. Probably to hide the fact that it is not the more desirable V12 engined CL and most expensive car in the entire Mercedes Benz range. They may probably bring out the V12 engined car in the future.
The fit and finish of the car is top notch. The paint is nice and smooth. The model is surprising very light. The older CL600 seems to weigh twice as much as this one. Either the new car is made up of more plastic parts or the metal casting is thinner. But no complains really. Less load on my glass shelves.
The interiors could have definitely been better. The steering wheel would look at home in a diecast 1/4th of the price of this one. The stalks could have been made too look more delicate and to scale. Maisto has done a better wood finish on their CLS than AUTOart managed to do on this one. I would have liked to have the white car but the black interiors would have been even more dreadful.
The engine looks better finished than the AMG's. No caution stickers to be found. The bonnet which refuses to remain up. Just like it did some years ago with the older CL. Come on AUTOart. You can do better than this on a 100 USD model.
Overall, I would give the car 6 stars out of 10. I felt happier when I opened the box to find the older CL600 than when I opened the clam shell of this new CL. This is supposed to be Mercedes Benz' flagship car but AUTOart seems to have forgotten that and given us a model unbefitting of that status.
[Image: 1008411.jpg]

gtmaniac · 08-25-2009, 08:54 PM

Still couldn't believe they used that king of bonnet hinge for this kind of price. It is an eyesore to an otherwise a very beautiful coupe. Same goes to my S63 AMG.

Eugene · 03-23-2010, 03:39 PM

Even AutoArt is not upto it

tapan2125 · 03-23-2010, 06:04 PM

hey diablo,
nice collection u've got there. both the cars look gud.even i have a previous generation cl but in white and imterior is greyish colour.it seems that autoart is not able to keep up the quality standards these days specially when it comes to german cars.they just can't match kyosho i guess.

**winstoncds** · 03-24-2010, 12:27 AM

Thanks Tapan. The older gen CL600 was my first Autoart and I got it from Nikhil. I remember telling Nikhil this is my first and last Autoart and the dude tells me. ' no worries...you will come back for more.' Big Grin

I guess he was right.

The_Paladin · 03-30-2010, 01:35 PM

Overall i think the car looks pretty good but they forgot to paint some details that will make the car looks way better. If i were you il be opening the car and fixing those problems with a bit of paint here and there, the wheel need some paint and the engine need detailing, from what i can see all the pieces are there but Autoart didnt paint them.

siddvi · 03-31-2010, 02:57 AM

Nice review Diablo and great shots, wish they made the truck open-able with some nice carpeting & spare wheel.

Diecast · 03-09-2011, 01:41 AM

That previous gen Cl is so rare ... luckily we both have one!! Smile

**winstoncds** · 03-09-2011, 01:55 AM

Yes Ravi. Glad I have that one. It kind of balances the rather insipid Maisto S500.

Petrolhead · 03-09-2011, 06:22 AM

I have the old 1:18 Mercedes Benz CL600 by AutoArt too!In white. Smile

Was one of my very first AutoArts,as well.
I've also got the new AutoArt 1:18 Mercedes Benz CL550.So that's another one the three of us have in common.Mine's silver,though.AutoArt did cut quite a few corners on this one.They've got weird quality control.Some of their more recent efforts in the same price range feature near flawless interiors and engine-bays.The example of the 1:18 Chrysler Charger E49,a model I'm particularly impressed with,comes to mind.