pmenger

Ok I did the amg challenge graduate school and its time to leave Porsche behind. I need opinions as to the e63 vs cls63 debate. I'm making a dealer deposit but not entirely sure which way to go. I believe the e55 was a better performance package but the cls was a better looker. The decision is not just performance, an e63 to those not in the small circle of enthusiasts will look no different than a 45k e320. The cls makes more of a statement, I know I shouldn't be so superficial but lets be real. Let the flames begin...

MB Fanatic

Get the CLS63. Expect a bit of a wait time of more than a year though since the new V8 6.3 is going into the R63, ML63 first.

traumadoc

Was at the dealer yesterday and looked at the E55. Next to the E500 it looked "beefier" and definitely made a statement. The CLS however does make a different statement indeed. For practical reasons, the CLS body style is newer and one will see much less of them (even here in Miami). I was counting cars yesterday from the airport to our condo. 5 E's, 5 BMW 6's, 3 BMW 7's, 1 S and ZERO CLS's.

Is also makes sense that since the current E body style has been out for a while, it will be replaced sooner than the CLS therefore adding to the attractiveness of the CLS.

Jakpro1

Just my 2 cents.

CLS will give you better handling, but some say even more cramped than the E in the backseat due to hard slant on the roof. Some have complained that it didn't feel as roomy as the E interior even though it's near identical.

CLS I think makes you turn your head and look, but E is just a beautiful design...I just love the car from the side profile. Watched an E55 from the rear few weeks ago...just stunning, but also saw a CLS pull out from a health club and the design is so different, you really take notice.

Good luck..tough choice.

cte430

Interesting about the handling thing beteen the two cars. I did both days at Lime Rock and drove both cars. I did not think the CLS handled better. Different, not better. The steering is certainly "lighter" than my '04 E (but than again, so was the '05 E I drove at the challenge which we have all heard). Several others I spent the day with agree as did Tommy Kendall and Jeff Andretti. Who knows? We're so far away from driving any car near it's capabilities it's a pretty moot point anyway.

Stricks

For me it would be the CLS63 if I had to pcik between the two. It's just my wife and I (kids gone - sorta), so we only need the rear seats for guests. The goal is a CLK63 convertible (and rear seats for when we HAVE to have a rear seat) and an SL63. [When you quit dreaming, you're dead.]

pas

I just haven't been able to warm up to the looks of the CLS inside or out, I doubt you'll notice much of a difference in performance so just go with the one you like the looks of the most that is the car you'll be happiest with. I personally prefer the E-Class. They make the CLS500 so getting an AMG version really doesn't offer any exclusivity in either model.

Stiggs

Dude...its a mercedes....be superficial! Why not!

Nij

I see CLS 500's all the time here in Chicago. I bought my E55 a couple months ago and had the opportunity to get a CLS 55 for a little more but didn't because of 2 things.
1) The body looked like a mix of a Honda Accord coupe and a Maybach
2) The back was just different to me, didn't look like a Mercedes

But relax, now that I see so many, the car is growing on me hardcore! I actually went to the dealership last weekend to see what they could do about trading my 05 E55 in for a CLS, but the $$$ wasn't reasonable. Either way, I'm happy owning an E55. But go for either 63 when it comes out, both are gonna be awesome

VelocitE55

The CLS is definetly more of a statement maker. The sheetmetal is fresh, its a new design. The E, though it will be facelifted, is approaching middle age. Newer is better! The CLS is a jaw dropping car and I still get asked about it all the time! Good luck!

Jim Brady

I've had both, E55 and CLS55. I've done AMG graduate school also. E55's been out 3 years, the CLS gets white line parking everywhere. When we ran at Calif. Speedway concensus was the CLS steering was better period. Better means more predictable. Otherwise straightline and other perfomance about the same. If you want more room the E's your choice, If you don't have to haul a bunch of people around its the CLS. Only negitive on CLS is the outward vision. I had to put fisheye's on the pass side due to people hanging in the blind spot checking out the car.

cntlaw

Just to let you know, CLS styling has been well accepted as an official image of both sports and luxury in Hong Kong. E will stay as a family car. It is wise for MB to decommission AMG from the E.

Bipasha493

CLS63