This is just a very objective perspective from someone who totally loves the CLS55. I am sure there are some of you, who like me, have debated this move. With a ton of reservation and secong guessing my decision, I pulled the trigger a week ago Friday. The following is simply my opinion...

The bottom line is they are both amazing cars, but very different. The primary issue I had with the M5 was the look of the car vs. the AMG. I still think the CLS is a MUCH better looking car from the side angle. The rear view goes to the BMW and the front is a toss up (with a slight favor for the CLS IMO). I must say that the M5 looks much, much better in person than in pictures. When I arrived to pick it up and saw it, I was relieved because I was happily suprised.

The interior is a tough call. The BMW is the most comfortable interior I have sat in. Some of the controls (like turn signals) are better in the BMW. The iDrive is so-so. I am getting used to it, but the longer MB stays away from that type of system, the better. The "keyless go" in the BMW is better because there is no annoying beep to contend with. Locking the car only requires touching ot on the door handle to lock. No button on the door is cooler. The placement of the start button on the dash is better, but should be moved to a more visible location.

The drive is the big difference. The MB has torque and will leave the M5 from a dead stop. Since my car isn't passed the break-in period, I can't really explore the upper limits. What I can say is that over 2k RPMs and up to the current limit of 5,500 RPMs, when in P500 mode, this thing has a ton of power. In a drag race from a dead stop, the CLS should win. The unbiased truth is that they are probably about the same with the low end edge to the MB and the upper RPM edge to the BMW. The handling of the BMW (as I learn the car) is amazing. At first I didn't notice a big difference, my opinion on that is starting to change. It is a sportier drive. The EDC adjustments make a much more noticeable change to the suspension than the Airmatic settings do.

The SMG is very cool and requires more driver involvement. The more I use, it the more I love it. It is already second nature after only 300 miles.

The BMW Bluetooth is amazing. Why MB isn't there yet is cause for embarrassment.

The paint on the MB is slightly better as is the nano clearcoat which will really protect the car's finish longer term.

The HK Logic 7 is better sounding in the BMW (don't know why).

That's it for now. Again, both are great car and there shouldn't be a battle between the MB and BMW camps. Neither car is better than the other, just different. I do miss the CLS a little.

I love them both, but for now the BMW is in the garage.

 

congratz to your new M5.

i hope you wont have any problems with that car and tons if fun. like you said ... both are nice cars and when the M5 suits you more atm than the CLS then it was the right choice.

never had the chance to drive in any of the two but it must be awesome.

 

Congrats!

 

congrats!!! obviously tey can't really be compared but how do they both compare to the G?

 

Congrats! We need more M5 owners like you that can truly appreciate the difference between the CLS and the M5. More power to you.

 

BTW, why has the M5 such a high fuel-consumption?? This might not be an issue from the money-point, BUT it might be an issue (a very annoying issue, IMO) in combination with the tiny 70 L-tank..

When it comes to performance, those two cars seem to be very close (there might even be a little advantage in favour of the CLS). So why couldn't they do any better (12/18 MPG, I guess) after such a long development?? I doubt that a low gas-mileage is required to achieve a great handling...

As I said, it's not a question of money, it's a question of convenience when you have to fill-up every 220 miles...

Just my 2 cents...

 

Thanks for the infomative, unbiased, and unemotional comparison. I passed on the M5 as there is always something new coming down the pike so I put a deposit down on a C63. Let the board know after break in how things are.

 

I'll get a CLS 63 in a year or so and then wait for my Panamera. That car will hopefully be the best of all.

 

They don't. The G is such a visceral experience compared to both the CLS and the M5. Don't get me wrong, the BMW and MB are amazing cars, but the G is just a total thrill ride. The sound of the motor behind your head and the loud exhaust...and the handling. It is the best car I have ever had! What I don't miss is the 996TT that the G replaced. That car was just missing something for me.

 

Thanks. Like I said, I really love both cars. IMHO, MB is in a position to win the battle. What I would like to see is a CLS55 with the choice of a SMG gearbox (or manual tranny) and a reduction in weight to enhance the handling. They can do it if they choose to, but I don't understand why they don't. That would seal the deal for me. Like I stated earlier, I like the look of the CLS better (overall), but the drive of the M5 is better. The M5 feels like a much smaller and lighter car. It sucks that there isn't one car that has both for me.

The upcoming Panamera could be it, the jury is still out. I am really curious to see the numbers on the 030 package CLS. I expect much better handling from that. I also love the Maserate Q-porte. It needs 100HP more and that might just be "IT".

 

It is starting to bother me and I am not even getting on it yet since I am still in the break-in period. Like I said, both cars have advantages and disadvantages. The M5 gets gas mileage like the Lambo...makes sense since they have virtually identical engines as far as HP, torque, displacement, redline, etc.

 

congrats
i saw a black m5 on the freeway 2days ago. looks much better in person, like u said. however i have to disagree w/ u on the looks of the rear end, i think the cls looks better, just my opinion. the m5 is faster than the cls in a straight but it has to work harder to do it. as for handling, it should be like night and day, the m5 is much more driver oriented. enjoy a great car, i hope it will come w/ a stick soon.
the panamera will **** on all other performance saloons when it comes out, until then the m5 is the most driver focused sedan on the market

 

congrats...great read too!

 

Congrats....by the way, you have a lot of fun to look forward to....I got to drive the M5 2 weeks ago and was able to drive it all the way to the red line....tons of power... I had an 2004 E55 and always loved the torque...BUT the M5 did not feel to me like it was loosing on the torque side, even though the numbers clearly say it......based on the accelerations I felt, you coud have told me that the M5 was supercharged and I would have believed it.

Totally different feel...this is why I am torturing myself daily between the M6 I have on order (May-June delivery) and the CLS63 I have ordered 18months ago....(god knows when that will come in??....I thought mid year 06 but I am getting more sceptical)....I am really torn between these two cars..if only the bimmer had a better interior....

 

Looks are 100% subjective. While the CLS and M5 were parked side by side, I saw both from the rear and the CLS looked droopy to me. The side view it where the M5 leaves something to be desired. It looks way too boxy. I wish it was more sleek. I have 1st slot on the M6, but I am really unsure as I take my kids to school and it might be too much work without the rear doors. The M6 has the sleeker look I desire so I will see what happens when the time comes. Tough call.

You're speaking as if you have driven both cars...have you?

As for the Panamera, I am withholding judgement until it is out.

 

no, i read a lot. the panamera is a porsche, it will **** on all in terms of performance and driver involvement, just like the cayanne.

by the way, i have driven a gallardo and didnt like it one bit, it understeers way too much (very fast on the straight though). they need to make a sv version w/ rear drive and less weight.

 

Sorry pal, but until you live with these cars and spend a lot of behind the wheel time, you shouldn't comment. Reading is very subjective and tests tend to be just that, tests by people who spend a few hours behind the wheel and may not get to know the cars in the same way as someone who drives them on a regular basis.

I have owned 3 996TT's and the Gallardo runs circles around them in every aspect (except 1st gear acceleration). As for the understeer you mention, you drove a car that was messed up or didn't get to learn how to drive it properly. The Gallardo is a neutral as they come and the handling of that car is head and shoulders above all others I have owned including Z06 Vettes, Vipers (old and new) NSX and more.

 

Enjoy your M5. Good buddy of mine has one we took a few pics of our cars a few weeks ago. I have a E55 not a CLS55 but they all look aggresive

I drove his car and it's a BEAST above 5000 RPM and over 100 mph.

https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/127320-kids-had-play-date.html

Enjoy in good health!

 

Congrats! Both are very good, just different. Enjoy and stay out of trouble.

 

I miss the exclusivity of the CLS....5 series are a dime a dozen and to the average person my car looks like a 525i. The ride and interior are siimply amazing. Everyday is better and better. My AMG days are not over though....I am sure there is another MB in m future.

Here is the perfect car IMO....SMG III gearbox linked to the AMG 63 motor with the ride/handling/feel of the M5 and the look of the CLS (with a nicer tushy). The M5 seats and some of the features of iDrive with the radio controls of the MB. What I am realizing is a hybrid of the M5 and CLS is my pefect car. Each has strengths and weaknesses and somewhere in between both is perfection for me. I think the M6 could be the best of both for now.

 

Congrats on a very nice car, hope you will continue to enjoy it.

You know, most M owners prefer the stealthy look of the M5, at last that goes for the Euro owners.

One of the ting I liked the most with my M`s was that 99% would take it for a normal BMW.

Your point with to small fuel tank is valid and has been dicussed on our forum as well.
Regarding the consumtion, I think you will discover that it will normalize after you have stopped playing with the downshift every moment you can, and the engines is fully broken in. But you will never win a economy race with it.

 

To each his own...I like cool and flashy. The M5 looks like a 525 on steroids...so it is cool, but it is not flashy. The drive makes up for the common look. I do like it though. My partner has a Black 530 and with the 2 parked side by side, the average person won't notice the difference.

 

Excactly And if you feel like beeing flashy, you can just fire up the mighty Gallardo and take it for a spin, Nobody would take it for a Fiat on Steroids.

BTW: In what way do you feel it outhandles the 996TT ? Is is in the "feel" or have you actually done some timing to make that conclution ? Numbers from Europe on the "Ring" and also the Hockenheim indicates more or less simular performance. I belive the 996TT was faster on the ring and the G was faster on Hockenheim.....

EDIT: Thats wrong. The G beat it on both tracks. Sorry for the mistake.

Anyway both of them are great cars and definatly on my wish list.

When the M5 is properly broken in and have gotten +4000 miles on it, take the Gallardo and the M5 out and let us know how big the difference is.



Take care

 

Nice write up. Level headed to say the least. Congrats.

 

I can drive the G much faster than the 996TT. It grips better, has a much more neutral feel, waaaaay better balance, the brakes are better, it is lighter (and feels it!) There is no comparison...