smjc_99

Hi Guys ,
I am looking for a slighly bigger car than my infiniti g37x

used to own a previous c class and a 5 series. I test drove the new GS F -sport, very nice to drive but somehow for me japanese luxury cars do not have that solid carved from granite feel of German esp Merc. Also, the exterior on GS is blah especially from the side

I disike the new 535, heavy feeling and numb steering

Like K-A, I like the solidity of E350 and composed ride and feels lighter than 535

I also test drove the 2012 cls 550 , omg could not belive a car 250 lbs more than E350 can handle so well and has very good steering and the noise is fantastic. The cls makes u feel sporty inside due to its coupish interior and makes u drive like that . If someone can live with 4 seats , IMHO it is the best combo of luxury and sport

I am now considering the E350 in black exterior color( this color i am sure on the E,) or the CLS ,
on the ClS I am debating between palladium or black ( i usually like black cars but on the CLS i am not sure )

Any thoughts on these two colors on the CLS?

hyperion667

cls is snug inside, but you get used to it....
e is much roomier, but you won't have that 550 if you get the e you want.....

you don't like the e550?

both colors are nice, I have black.....hell to keep clean, but a hell of a lot better looking when it's clean.....
iridium is my other car color, very nice because you get a few shades here and there......
can't speak on palladium though......but it's nice too.....

smjc_99

HI Hyperion,
I test drove the E550 4matic first , Honestly it did not feel very sporty . I then right away drove the CLS550 4matic , big difference in terms of steering feel, handling , grip and sportiness and better engine growl imo.

I also test drove the E350 and it felt lighter than E550 but not as fun as the CLS . You have both and more seat time , what are your impressions?

it is going to be E350 4matic or CLS 550 4 matic ( I like the E class in balck and CLS in a lighter color - palladium, steel and silver )

Is your CLS silver or black ?

K-A

Either way, you can't go wrong!

BM2BZ

if price and space are not the issues, i would prefer the cls. and by reading your post, i think you like how the cls drives. also, you won't see as many cls as e on the street. but like what ka said, you can't go wrong w/either. go luck !

WEBSRFR

Maybe a 100 year old lady drive that E550 for an hour before you did and the throttle was calibrated to someone else's driving. Might want to try another E550 test drive but this time reset the throttle before your drive, set the transmission on S, and perhaps set the Airmatic to sport if the car is equipped with airmatic.

hyperion667

they're both great cars and have their own strong points.......
I'd go for the cls though, you'll like it more.......

and get the P1 too..........and yeah, my amg is iridium

threeMBs

+1.

E550 is essentially the same car as CLS550, when equipped with now optional airmatic, with less opulent interior but with more room. E550 will run circles around E350 in any direction (unless maybe tested E550 was "luxury" while E350 was "sport" and maybe they were equipped with different tires).

IMHO, the choice (for OP) should be between E550 4matic and CLS550 4matic. Comparing E350 to CLS550 when E550 is readily available makes no sence to me.

smjc_99

I had a chance to also test drive 2011 E550 with airmatic and IMO no way the E drives like the CLS. The cls steering and grip is much better over E550 and leans less .

The E550 drives well but it is less sportier to drive than CLS

I understand that intent of E is diffrent from CLS but I am only pointing out what I observed and felt while driving the two models

petee1997

The E550 with airmatic should perform the same as the CLS550. Both cars are on the same platform. Same car,better shell on the CLS.

When I trade my E350 4M next year, it will be for the CLS 550 4Matic. I just want a new body style.

I must admit that my E class has been the nicest MB I have owned to date. First for it's reliability second for the sheer pleasure of driving it.

Regardless of which MB you chose, you will be happy like most of us on this forum.

BenzV12

That's a good point

threeMBs

Two comments:

1. 2011 E550 is quit a different car from a 2012 E550 (engine and other things).

2012 E550 airmatic (not the 2011 version) should drive very similar to 2012 CLS550 (with CLS being a bit sportier).

Most handling difference is from wider wheels with a bit lower offsets (wider track) and especially wider tires. Was CLS fitted with 19" wheels/tires option by chance? If so, it can easialy be rectified by proper aftermarket wheels/tires package.

2. My main point was that you are thinking of E350 vs. CLS550 and not E550 vs. CLS550 (as I would). IMHO E550 compares much more to CLS550 than E350 does, with CLS550 being a bit better handling car than E550 sedan (as it was intended to be, mostly due to OEM wheels/tires MB chose for both). But in no way CLS550 should be cross shopped with E350, as IMHO E550 is that car and not E350. Also in no way E550 handles or feels less sporty than E350, regardless of E550's MY.

I'm not making an other 350 vs. 550 argument (this subject was already addressed numerous times with no clear outcome). Just IMHO when CLS is cross shopped vs. E sedan, it should be 550.

smjc_99

For me I felt the CLS 55O way superior in steering, handling and sportiness over 2011/2012 E550 so may get a CLS

K-A

M-B would be lazy if they allowed both sister cars to drive exactly the same. Tweaks make the CLS feel appropriately sportier, while the E's architecture and purpose make it infinitely more open-air-spaciously comfortable, speaking for myself who's head can't even fit in a CLS.

smjc_99

I agree, for folks above 6 feet, headroom is an issue in cls

I guess CLS wAS meant to be sportier in looks and handling than E at the cost of interior room and added cost

hyperion667

haha, yes, we all know KA is of NBA height......I'm 6'2" and fit into my
cls just fine......

the cls will make you happy every day!

cashking

I've recently driven the E350 and have the E550. I completely agree with ThreeMBs

threeMBs

Obsolutely it is and I never said that it (CLS) is not sportier (than E).

What I did state is that E350 is in no way (feels) sportier that E550. IMHO on a contrary (regardless of MY).

smjc_99

Threemb,
the Cls I drove was the E550 4matic with 18" wheel package with all seasons and not the 19s. The 2011 and 2012 E550 4 matic also had the 18" wheel package.

I agreee E350 and E550 are different and should not be compared but comparing E550 to CLS550 is also a moot point since they are pirced differently with CLS premium on Stock CLS over Stock E550 cars going towards the coupe style , leather dashboard, nicer soundng engine note , better stering feel, handling etc.

threeMBs

Well with all due respect, you're the one cross shopping CLS550 vs. E350 and you're the one stating that E350 felt sportier than E550.

All I suggested was to look at E550 instead of E350 (vs. CLS550 that is). Then when you replied that you felt E350 was sportier than E550 - well I strongly disagree with that.

I think to continue this is like you put it "a moot point", but as was suggested above you can not go wrong with either from the above.

K-A

Agreed. I find the E to be a more comforting environment with a ceiling that can accommodate my head, while obviously the CLS is sportier and more intimate feeling.

Both have their perks, I obviously prefer (and need) the E's.

hyperion667

I like cheese

marvinlee

After all the above, this buyer opted for the E550 4matic sedan. It corners as well as the driver's skill justifies,

cashking

I also got the E550. I'm happy with the handling but I'm less satisfied with the lag when I hit the pedal.

Dema

CLS looks much more appealing than new E facelift. So I would go with CLS without hesitation. CLS is designed to be sportier, so even E550 or E63 won't give you so much fun.