mannnu81

nice...i wish my hard decisions were likethis too ...good luck with your purchase

apdesign

Bentley Gt...no Question. New Cl Looks Ok.

Ted Baldwin

..............I just saw the CL550 in person at my MB dealer. This is really not a nice looking car. I hesitate to say this, but in all honesty it looks like a Camry Solara. I understand that new body styles need some time to grown on you, but I just don't see it. Pics of the AMG versions are fantastic. This must be the biggest improvement in appearance between AMG and non AMG models in the entire mercedes line up.


Ted

HLG600

Although the W216 is a sharp looking automobile, the Bentley

A. Is better looking (IMHO)
B. Has 550 Horsepower
C. Has All Wheel Drive

Germancar1

I find this "exclusivity" argument about the Bentley to be hilarious. The Bentley Conti GT is everywhere in the richer areas in Anywhere, USA. Secondly the car is built atop a VW platform and uses VW switchgear in places. The CL has never sold as well as the SL or S-Class so I hardly doubt you'll see them everywhere. Does anyone see the outgoing C215 CL everywhere or all the time? I don't, and I'm in the Chicago and Western suburbs of Chicago and the old CL isn't a common sight like a S or SL is. The only exclusive Bentley is the Arnage.

M

mjr24

I see more SL's in the Chi. suburbs as opposed to CL's.....but not many more. I think people would rather buy a SL and have a hardtop coupe/convertible in one than buy the CL and only have one. That is why you see more.....I don't think it is due to the CL being more rare.

I did see a new CL in person today when I went to browse at the dealer. The car sucks, no offense to anyone who has one, but it sure isn't something I would sell my SL for. I think the SL still looks more futuristic than the new CL. Sure, the interior is nice....but big deal. It's not any nicer than the 215 CL's interior. It's funny, I heard people comment how big the 216's backseat room was.....huh? It looks the be the same size as the 215....and there is no way in hell you can fit people back there comfortably unless you are 4 foot 3. The AMG version may look alot better (although I doubt it, new side skirts and front bumper is only going to improve so much)...but it looks like a dud. I can only cringe at what the new SL would look like.

I wish I had bought a SL55 now....because it doesn't seem like there is going to be any newer and cooler cars out for awhile now. I didn't buy the 55 originally because I didn't think I would keep the SL for more than maybe 2 years until I saw something else cool I would want.

Germancar1

Well I can't tell you what to think about how the car looks, but this about the interior not being any better than the previous model isn't the case. The C215 was better than the W220, but there were some cheap spots. The C216 has no such spots.

I think you'll like the new CL better with the AMG pack or in full AMG guise, the CL63.

M

clkwork

I would pick the Bently, but please God don't get it in red!

2K6E55

The Bentley due to all the above reasons and its UNIQUENESS.

ORK1

I prefer CL because

1. It's roomier inside, most likely, it's more comfortable.
2. Handles better and easier.
3. To me, Bentley looks even uglier then CL, and it still looks too much like a hatchback.

BTW, i just read a comparison test CL500 vs. Betley Continental GT. Both cars were used and ran around 10kmiles, author said that 'suspension of Betley was making creaks and annoying sounds, Mercedes was perfect, Bentley seats are from too hard leather etc. etc'. Judging by the test, CL is much better car all around, but to my surprise he concluded that he would prefer Betley because it's Bentley . He simply coundn't make up any more satisfying argument. I think it's just a psychology of most of those, who can't affrord such cars, 'If i had that money i'd go for Bentley' 'if i had that money i'd go for Phantom not Maybach'

Germancar1

Where was this comparo?

M

Germancar1

All the Bentley really has here is the name and some interior uniqueness to go along with its AWD (nobody is going to drive a Bentley on purpose in the snow are they?). The Bentley is ugly to me and it really isn't unique beyond the name, its build a VW for goodness sake.

M

ORK1

In Russian magazine (5th wheel).
i forget to mention, that author didn't fell like there was a 160 hp difference between two cars. May be because Bentley weights much more..

tgood

Living in Southern California, there are both lots of Mercedes and Bentleys. Don't know about your area but with that being said, I'd go for a Bentley. There are already new S550's and CL550's flooding where I live. The value of the Bentley will not deperciate as quickly either. And if nothing else, it's a Bentley..

dragynstar

What do you think about the maintenance cost and repairs between the two? I've been agonizing over the same thing between a 2005 Bentley GT or new CL, but what worries me is how costly maintenance will be on GT because of the short warranty period (2 years I believe) versus a full 4 years 50K miles for the new CL. Plus I can never find a forum for Bentley GT owners that are as useful as MBworld. Can't seem to find anyone willing to do extended warranty on the GT, not to mention insurance is more difficult to find. Most of the big insurers don't even have the GT as an option to be insured.

S550_Fan

Bentley warranty is 3 yrs/ unlimited

xraes

I went throught the same dilemma before I bought my S550 a couple of months ago. I was able to find a couple of vey low mileage 05 or 06 models with almost no miles being sold by Benltey dealers. Twice I was able to negotiate a new 3 year warranty from time of my purchase, unlimited miles. I didn't even think about trying to get a non-dealer warranty. Both these cars were sold new by their respective dealerships so they had service records, knew the original owner, etc. I originally wanted the new CL but decided to try the S550 for a while until the CL63 comes out. I'm comparing apples and oranges here but here's my opinion: I've driven the CGT and I own the S550 designo. The Bentley drives great, sounds great, is very comfortable, very unique, etc. My nearest dealer is 3 hours away so that was an issue for me, but by all accounts, I'm friends with a couple of owners, they've had zero problems after 2-3 years. Where the Bentley lacks in my opinion, the S550 excels; the interior of my car is more comfortable, as classy, MUCH better Nav. system, all the electronic gadgets, distronic, ipod, night vision, massage function, etc., and so far, zero maintenence issues, plus, I have a local dealer. Sooo, in conclusion, order a CL 63 designo, get a great grand touring car with 500 plus hp, AND get a beautiful interior with all the gadgets you could ask for (at least that's what I'm gonna do).

ItalianStallion

CL550 is ugly (no offense please).
You can't go wrong with the Bentley. Honestly, its pretty close to the perfect GT. And if you don't like the hatchback look, go for the GTC. With the top up it doesn't have that hatchback look and with the top down its a showstopper.
Rolling through NYC with the top down makes everybody

dragynstar

Xraes, I'm glad to have someone who's had some experience with both the GT and the s550/cl550 to bounce questions off of. I realize that technology on the Bentley is nowhere near on par with the Benz. I've also heard that the Nav in the GT is rather mediocre. But the Bentley cachet is a hard one to beat, so its difficult weighing the options between being more comfortable and technological advanced, or wowed by the Bentley factor. Personally I like the exterior of the Bentley more, but CL/S Class interior is exceptional. But after owning several Benz's these past few years and dealing with issues such as slow inaccurate Nav, horrible climate system, and a host of minor electrical issues & annoyances - I certainly hope its been fixed with these new models. Anyone have feedback on this?

apdesign

I totally agreed with you bro...be careful if this idot SL65amg see you log such a comment like that, he will go nuts on you. That's what happened to me when I told him the CL550 look ugly. See this thread https://mbworld.org/forums/cl-class-w216/190785-some-newer-shots-my-2007-cl-550-designo.html.

xraes

Hey AP, let it go man. There's a big difference in saying you don't care for a certain car and calling a guy an idiot. Add something useful if you can. You're continual rant is a bore.

BullOnWallSt

Save some money and get a 06 CL65 and put some money into it! Great Success

MB Fanatic

The Bentley weighs as much as an A1 Abrams tank, and, as a result its motor is no match for its tank like status.

ItalianStallion

The same could be said about the CL550. The Bentley is definitely faster.
The 550hp in the Bentley is more than enough to get it moving. It has all wheel drive so you can launch it pretty hard. 0-60 in under 5 seconds in an ultra-luxury gt coupe is quick enough. Obviously, if you want a fast car you can look at something else in that price range. But since you're not street racing or burning up the drag strips, the twin turbo 12 cylinder in the Bentley should be enough to satisfy the occassional need for speed.

crb49

Just saw pics/article in Autoweek re: the new Continental.

http://autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/ar...73289848167112

Looks a bit more sleek and obviously quicker.

Also been seeing a new 63 on the floor at MB Anaheim Hills. TOUGH choice. I'm not sure there's a wrong decision here.