Traded in CLA 250 for C400.
Last edited by Sbn; Nov 11, 2014 at 10:58 AM.
Its just a better car, I had them parked side by side and C400 just at a higher level of refinement and class both interior and exterior. CLA looks great from some angles but embarrassing in others. The CLA suspension extremely hard at time unbearable. Not knocking on the CLA but just not the car for me and the family. It was hard to let the CLA go but after a week in the C400, wouldn't go back to CLA250 or take CLA45 over the C400.
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For me, the CLA only makes sense to young 20-somethings who are looking at their first "luxury" car or to empty nesters. Doesn't make sense for anybody else (esp a family), IMHO....
Air suspension on 3 of my vehicles.
I'll just give details on one, since the other 2 mirror the first.
Airmatic compressors replaced at all 4 corners during 80-90k interval.
Airmatic suspension air bags replaced in rear at 90k
Airmatic module replaced at 90k.
All under factory extended warranty.
And it's been almost the same story with my E class.

For me, the CLA only makes sense to young 20-somethings who are looking at their first "luxury" car or to empty nesters. Doesn't make sense for anybody else (esp a family), IMHO....
I had 18" wheels and as much has I like MB, I cannot dismiss the hard ride unlike many on the CLA forum, its pretty bad! Accidently hit a pot hole and you get jarred like nothing else. I think this will hurt the CLA over the long haul and prevent MB from full penetration of its intended market after the hype subsides. So unfortunate because it was a nice MB starter or I may say its a nice car for $35k to sport around in. For that price its hard to look at any thing else in the same price range. My kids, 9, 7, 3 loved the car.
I took a substantial hit no doubt but that's life, money is a medium of exchange for peace of mind and happiness. It didn't make sense to me to keep something I didn't like while admiring something I did like. I went ahead and got what I admired. C400 is perfect not underpowered like C300 and not over powered like C63 but they are coming out with C450 Sedan fall 2015 maybe I might end up taking another hit...lol j/k
Air suspension on 3 of my vehicles.
I'll just give details on one, since the other 2 mirror the first.
Airmatic compressors replaced at all 4 corners during 80-90k interval.
Airmatic suspension air bags replaced in rear at 90k
Airmatic module replaced at 90k.
All under factory extended warranty.
And it's been almost the same story with my E class.

Actually I traded in my W204 for CLA so not new to the brand.
I was surprised that it was only a couple of inches shorter than my C300, because it did look much smaller. My biggest surprise, however, was the interior ... it was much tighter than the W205. Less front leg room, less head room, and rear seating so tight that I couldn't even get into the car.
I didn't have a chance to drive it, but I could never own this car based on the interior space. Really dramatic difference compared to the 2015 C series.
I was surprised that it was only a couple of inches shorter than my C300, because it did look much smaller. My biggest surprise, however, was the interior ... it was much tighter than the W205. Less front leg room, less head room, and rear seating so tight that I couldn't even get into the car.
I didn't have a chance to drive it, but I could never own this car based on the interior space. Really dramatic difference compared to the 2015 C series.










