Test Drove a '14 CLS63 S-Model Yesterday
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2013 Bentley Continental GTC
Test Drove a '14 CLS63 S-Model Yesterday
What a beast! A very nice cruiser but also a true muscle car. The exhaust sounds good from outside but is a bit too muted from inside, IMO. My 2014 Carrera S with sport exhaust is usually great to listen to but it can sometimes be too loud inside but I can always press a button and lower the sound by activating valves in the exhaust; and my 2013 Bentley Continental V8 convertible's exhaust is great to listen to. I felt a little isolated from the CSL63's exhaust, though. Otherwise, it's a very sexy car and very comfortable and VERY fast.
The only thing I'm still unsure about before ordering a 2015 is the standard Nappa leather versus the Designo leather. The car I drove had the black Designo leather but I like the look of the standard black with contrast stitching and silver belts while the Designo is all black and not as interesting. But I've never sat in or touched a CLS63 interior except for this one Designo so I don't know if they feel any different. Anyone here have some experience with that question to give me some perspective?
The only thing I'm still unsure about before ordering a 2015 is the standard Nappa leather versus the Designo leather. The car I drove had the black Designo leather but I like the look of the standard black with contrast stitching and silver belts while the Designo is all black and not as interesting. But I've never sat in or touched a CLS63 interior except for this one Designo so I don't know if they feel any different. Anyone here have some experience with that question to give me some perspective?
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2012 CLS63
welcome to the forums: my guess would be that the designo seats will be much more comfortable, despite being cloaked in black, than the standard nappa, but again I am only guessing based what is in my S boat.......the contrast issue would bug me as well I think, being that we're IN the car most of the time; but I think seats that were more comfortable would help me cope with it 
I have ash color in my CLS, and wished: of course, I would have gotten the better leather
I have ash color in my CLS, and wished: of course, I would have gotten the better leather
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2013 Bentley Continental GTC
I drove up to Delray Beach today and saw several 2014 CLS63s. One with a platinum white Designo interior (nice!) and the other with the standard black interior with white stitching & silver seat belts (nicer!). The Designo leather is a little nicer to the touch but the standard leather is nice enough for me since I really LOVE the white stitching. If I could order the DEsigno black leather with the white stitching and silver belts, I would. But the standard interior is comfortable and soft enough and looks just amazing in black with contrast stitching, so my mind's made up.
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id wait to find a 14 loaded up for a discounted price since the 15 is coming out. i dont like the 15 much especially the interior, and the engine is the exact same. As for designo, i dont think it changes the type of leather, just the colors for the seats and other areas!
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I second (or is it thirded?) what Steinhart and nstanford99 posted. The designo leather is not a different grade, simply a wider range of color choices and the designo badge on the floor mats with leather edges vs the regular mats.
IMO the black designo option is a waste because for me the whole point of designo is to get something different than the standard gamut of colors.
IMO the black designo option is a waste because for me the whole point of designo is to get something different than the standard gamut of colors.
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and does anyone know the cost of designo leather on a cls? its not listed on the options list in canada
Last edited by mainly; Jul 4, 2014 at 02:02 AM.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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99 ML430, 01 CLK55, 07 R63, 15 E63 Wagon
For reference, designo is a ~$1,850USD option on the 212 body style. I've found that Canadian pricing is usually a little more than the US.
Please do report if you find out what the difference is. I'm curious myself.
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The standard black interior has light grey stitching and silver seat belts whereas the Designo jet black has no contrast stitching or belts. To me, it should be the other way around. I really like the standard black with contrast so that's what I'm ordering.
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wow Sanibel those look great: the seat crest is such a nice touch, as is the AMG on the steering wheel, I had a Targa with the seat crest and believe it or not that was one of my favorite things about that interior lol
it's the simple things in life
it's the simple things in life
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2013 Bentley Continental GTC
I can't imagine that the jet black Designo interior uses the same leather as the standard black interior because why would anyone pay thousands more just to not have contrast stitching and belts? Way too illogical, so despite assurances from many that the standard interior uses the same leather as the Designo interior, I seriously doubt that's the case. Toward that end, I visited a dealer just to compare the feel of the leather and there was no doubt in my mind that the Designo leather felt softer and nicer than the standard. However, the standard leather felt good enough for me since I really want the contrast.
What's pictured in my post above are pics from the AMG site and are of the standard black interior.
What's pictured in my post above are pics from the AMG site and are of the standard black interior.
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I can't imagine that the jet black Designo interior uses the same leather as the standard black interior because why would anyone pay thousands more just to not have contrast stitching and belts? Way too illogical, so despite assurances from many that the standard interior uses the same leather as the Designo interior, I seriously doubt that's the case. Toward that end, I visited a dealer just to compare the feel of the leather and there was no doubt in my mind that the Designo leather felt softer and nicer than the standard. However, the standard leather felt good enough for me since I really want the contrast.
What's pictured in my post above are pics from the AMG site and are of the standard black interior.
What's pictured in my post above are pics from the AMG site and are of the standard black interior.
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I can't imagine that the jet black Designo interior uses the same leather as the standard black interior because why would anyone pay thousands more just to not have contrast stitching and belts? Way too illogical, so despite assurances from many that the standard interior uses the same leather as the Designo interior, I seriously doubt that's the case. Toward that end, I visited a dealer just to compare the feel of the leather and there was no doubt in my mind that the Designo leather felt softer and nicer than the standard. However, the standard leather felt good enough for me since I really want the contrast.
What's pictured in my post above are pics from the AMG site and are of the standard black interior.
What's pictured in my post above are pics from the AMG site and are of the standard black interior.
im very confident that the jet black will be slightly different than the standard black passion leather in color. and will be on the middle door section, the entire seats and the center armrest- if its the same as other designo areas of coverage.
if its also softer thats a bonus....!
i think it may be worth it. especially if its a darker shade of black.
oh, and heres a pic from the uk Mercedes website... i couldnt figure out how to save the whole photo as it was in flash, but you can kindof see the center armrest appears to be a slightly darker shade of black than the rest of the center console.
Last edited by mainly; Jul 6, 2014 at 01:01 AM.
