absent

It just does not make any sense.
It is a sedan competing against the E-class,is based on it and at least in my eyes is not really that attractive.
It looks like a Toyota Solara with 4 doors ,except that one was first.
I don't believe it will increase sales for MB,it will only cannibalize the sales of the E.
Utterly pointless excercise.......

rguy

I am glad somebody said it. Nice to know not everyone is a yes man.

nRo

it's amazing.

deedee545i

I also don't like it.... I remember that I read a comparison between CLS500 and 645ci... When putting these two models in one picture, 645ci makes the CLS500 looks damn ugly...I didn't like the style of 645ci initially but this comparison made 645ci more appealing to me.

stickyc

I'm sure not everyone likes every car that comes out, but I think it's a refreshing change from traditional Mercedes styling. It's more aggressive and will appeal to a different group of people than the E. I currently drive an 03 E500 and am on the waiting list for a CLS55 because of the differences. My mother, who is more conservative, will keep her E.

cte430

Looks are of course subjective. Based on pics i've seen, I don't particularly care for the look of the car. That may change once I see it in person, so i'll keep an open mind. I guess what is more disconcerting to me (and some may think I am entirely off base, it's just my opinion) is just how FAST MB got this car out. I think MB/AMG is dangerously close to diluting the "mystique" of AMG cars (do we really need a G55?). It is an E class with new "clothes". How much time really went into this design? I have the same feeling on the new SL/CL 65 which I think makes no sense. Just stuffing a bigger engine into the same car and still have the same handling/steering issues as always makes me scratch my head.

colinforte

Could not agree more!!!! I also drive a 2003 E500 and will be first at my dealer to get the CLS 55 . It would be a boring world if everybody liked the same things. Can you imagine if everybody on the road drove a Mercedes because everybody thought that that was the only car worth driving... how boring.

Belmondo

For you may be , however here is a reaction from someone who ACTUALLY had a chance to see one on the dealer's lot:

Erik
Fast Avant

Registered: Sep 2002
Location: Sweden
Posts: 4682


I visited the local MB dealer today, with an AMG center.

They released the CLS this weekend and they had a CLS350 with AMG package (19" etc.).

Oboy! That car is amazing, very good looking!
So nice lines, and low too.
If I could afford one I'd get one straight away.
Price is like E-class + about 12.000 Euro.

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E55 KEV

I think the reaction of the CLS will differ between the USA and Europe. Why, because, Europe has little or no frame of reference to compare this car too. We get these cars that reminds us (me) of the CLS and they don't:

Oldsmobile Aurora
Chrysler 300M
Toyota Solara
Lexus ES330









If the Oldsmobile Aurora was sold in Europe the CLS would not have been styled that way.

stickyc

These days it's difficult to come out with a truly new design. Heck, the freakin hyundai sonata kinda looks like the C-Class. Unless you're driving something truly exotic, there's going to be other cars that resemble most other models.

Belmondo

In your Neighbourhood there is probably every second, third house looks the same---did not prevent you from buying your house, didn't it?

Personally I dont see how the cars you posted relate to the CLS.
Same goes for new BMW5 I ve seen comparissons to Pontiac front and Kia rear.

absent

Have seen the CLS500 in Berlin last Monday,I would not post my opinion based on magazine pics only.

Belmondo

There is nothing wrong with anybody not liking a car, any car.
I remember awiner in CL55 forum was saying that CL65 is also not needed or not that different from CL55---- try saying that to treynor with his SL65, looks like he has zero doubts about 65 versus 55 dilema. I htink it will be same for those who will buy CLS.

E55 KEV

That is true, but every house in the neigborhood will be close to the same price and amenities. All those cars pictured cost 2 to 3 times less than the CLS. The Mercedes CLS styling may be 'new' to Mercedes but that styling is copied and not new in Auto Design.

I guess you don't have an eye for details, subtleties, nuances or car shapes and design?

E55 KEV

I have seen it also in Washington DC. I took these pics that I posted here:

https://mbworld.org/forums/cls-coupe-c219/83208-i-saw-one-last-weekend.html



A friend called me to say she saw a Mercedes driving around DC the very same weekend that looked like a Chrsyler 300M. I emailed her the pics and she says it was the same car in dark green.

Belmondo

I hope you are aware what words some people use to describe 300c and magnum, yet you have both. I was surprized to learn how many people think that both 300c and magnum are ugly because personally i like them both.
I'm sure those people would advise you to check you eyes ASAP.

Belmondo

And what is your friend driving?

1SICKLEX

I think the CLS is gorgous inside and out. The German designs look more and more Japanese. The Japanese designs look more German. I am talking about some cars not all. The CLS does look very Japanese. It continues the current design trend of small windows.

E55 KEV

Maybe you live in a vacumm or all your associates and you are not aware, but the 300C and the Magnum are huge successes. The car goes for $10K over sticker in California and the dealers can not keep them on the lot. DCX has added 3 shifts to build them and they may have to build another plant in NJ to meet demand. So no matter what Belmondo thinks of its looks you are in the minority and clueless. The LX cars are the only cars on the market that someone buys that also owns a Bentley and Ferraris. People that can afford any car in the world are buying the 300C and Magnum and loving them. The CLS will never get that kind of broad base appeal - and you say or apply that people are saying negative things. Belmondo you are all wrong and have no stats to back up your claim. The subject of this thread is the CLS and you should have not talked about the 300C/Magnum and you have no information to back it up. That was kinda dumb.

First of all, I never said the CLS was ugly or unattractive? My point in this thread is that it looks like or is similar to other cars that are not sold in Europe and the styling is not new overall.

I did not buy the Magnum nor the 300C just for looks. The Magnum replaced a Ford Explorer Sport Trac (is that attractive?) which I hated. I have a website and never took one pic or built an page to dedicate to the Ford. I did not spend any money on upgrades and hardly washed it - and If I had a pic of that in my signature you would not have said one word about what people say or think about your Explorer.

I would rather have a $32k 340HP Mercedes derived 300C than a Mercedes C240 V6 with 168HP and no room, power or excitement for the same price. And if the LX cars are not attracative to some, that is understandable, but it is really not a rip-off of any other cars on the road today while the CLS IMO is.

I have an E55 and never has it garnered the attention, looky-lous, and gawks like the Chrysler LX cars do and Mercedes could barely sell 500 per year. No one ever asked me to roll down the windows are stopped me to talk about my E55 and any Mercedes I have every owned.

The sales volume so far indicates the LX cars are a success and the CLS will be the smallest volume car in the Mercedes line up (my predication) and not improve on Mercedes yearly sales number which this year has been terrible just like last year. This car will not improve Mercedes sales overall! Mercedes had no showroom traffic draw for 2004 and for 2005 the CLS will not increase overall sales as the BMW X3 and the 645Ci does.

E55 KEV

She drives a BMW and is looking at the CLK55 AMG & Porsche 911. Like that matters!

E55 KEV

Just like on my Magnum RT Hemi and my 300C Hemi.

E55 KEV

My main frustration with the CLS is that we were duped. A couple of years back Mercedes had originally implied that we would get a 2 Door Coupe of the W211 E-Class. Now that I would have loved. This is a poor example of a Coupe? Yeah, the performance is there and it is unique for Mercedes but it is not a Coupe and they should stop saying it is. Anyone looking for a real coupe will not give the CLS a second look because it seems a little stupid for owners to be driving around saying they have a damn coupe when it is not. This car will not compete well at all against its designed competition the BMW 645Ci.

Mercedes does not build cars just for the hell of it - they build them to sell and increase profits and overall sales volume. DCX thought the 300C with the Hemi would be a niche car and they alloted low sales volume and the buying public went crazy over them. The case will not be the same for the CLS - they will limit production but they will never have to increase productoin or build a new plant to meet consumer demand on the CLS. IMO, the CLS C219 will be the shortest lived chassis in Mercedes history - only 3 years - with no updated new chassis after that.

IF A CAR IS NOT A WINNER IT IS A LOSER.

amgplayer

E55KEV:
Being in D.C. and driving a previous generation E class ,which didn't have the distinctive difference between AMG and it's standard cousin that the present model does or have a significant power differential, people may not have given you the respect our cars deserve. The new DamCry twins were introduced to the public with fifty', some dubs, and "does that thing got a hemi?". Of course that gathers more attention. Also yours being tricked like it is brings the attention.

I know I will love my CLS55 just like I loved my C32, and just like I love my E55. Change is good! McDonalds get's it done, but every once and while I need a croissandwich.

E55 KEV

Personally, I don't see the current W211 E55 as all that much different from the standard non-AMG especially with the Sport Package being available. Of course, we enthusiast know. Most people just can't tell the difference in the AMG cars or even know what they are. No tricks yet - the Magnum and 300C is all stock at the moment. Still riding on the factory rims.

The subject was initially the CLS and we should have not gotten sidetraced with how the Magnum or 300C looks. But I guess I had to be flamed sometime.

E55 KEV

This is funny. When I got home tonight the December issue of European Car had an editorial - "The Age of the Porno-chick Car". The author was ranting about the "vulgarity and overstatement" styling from the big three, BMW, Mercedes & now Audi with their upcoming "contrived and heavy handed" designed front grill. He writes this about Mercedes:

""Stuttgart (Mercedes) appears to be following Munich's (BMW) lead. If the CLS is a statement of intent then the Bangle-bashers are soon to have a new target for their fury. I showed a picture of it to my 5-year niece and she went and hid behind a chair."