Second road trip in the new CLE53 - 600 mile round trip including some great roads: Cherohala Skyway, BRP, Warwoman, 281, 215, Wayah, etc. The car is a blast. My friends in 992.1 GTS and Z4M40 said it “sounded incredible.” (I couldn’t hear either of their cars.) Handling in the wet was phenomenal - better than the M3 X drive competition.

The car is heavy but rear wheel steer offsets that to a degree and there is some feeling and lively feedback. Very comfortable seats over 5 hours the first day and 7 hours the second day. Massage and ventilation are great and love the huge moonroof.

I’m at 3000 miles after only 6 weeks. I’ve had a number of sports cars over the years, and so far this is one of my favorites as an all-rounder. Fun to drive, efficient, great sound system, easy to modulate the driving settings, user-friendly screens and navigation, seamless CarPlay, good power and brakes, etc. I think it’s a good value for the price point relative to the AMG lineup and obviously Porsche, and I enjoy the car more than the G8x and F8x BMW M cars.

 

Thanks for sharing your experience with the vehicle on a road trip! Car looks menacing with all the darken out badges. Happy to hear the positive impressions with it, this is a good value proposition in MB's lineup right now.

 

agree! Here’s another pic

 

The CLE Looks the best out of the 3, but I am probably biased.

 

I love the look of the 911, but it’s twice the price so there’s that….

 

CMCBenz,
Thanks for sharing.
Your remark, "The car is heavy but rear wheel steer offsets that to a degree and there is some feeling and lively feedback.". The rear wheel steering does offset the weight of this coupe and it does make a difference.
Not sure how it all would work (dynamics) if it was rear wheel drive only.
How do you rate the Michelin Pilot Sport S5?, they grip and seem fairly quiet even on roads that need maintenance.
Cheers,
LTBM

 

I really like them. I can tell they are more fuel efficient with less roll resistance, they’re great in the rain - even better than the PS4S imho. In the dry they’re not as grippy as the PSS and squeal a bit at the limit more than the PS4S. Of course that could be the weight of the car and it’s only downhill. I think they look fantastic and overall very happy with the tires. Noise is minimal in fact I haven’t even noticed tire noise at all except possibly on a poorly maintained road surface. Turn in is great but I don’t think they have as much feel as the PSS. Still, I’m Michelin all day and prefer it to anything else and appreciate that they put this tire on this car. It works very well.

To elaborate on the RWS- this is my first car with it, and I absolutely love it. I can shift the weight better and the car is more agile. Uphill this car could keep up with almost anything. Downhill is a wrestling match. But on level sweepers instead of maximizing speed into the corner I can have a bit more fun through the corner and switchbacks are incredibly fun. Passing is easier as well.

 

I actually don't like the 992 911 even if it was in my price range, just purely design wise, I actually like the R232 SL more. if I have to choose a 911 and in the recent years, the 991 911 I prefer more.

 

Which seats do you have in your car?

 

The base seats, not the Benz version of buckets.

 

My taste is in my mouth, but I like the front end of the 991 and the front end with sport fascia of the 992.1 about the same, but I prefer the rear end of the 992.1. I dislike the 992.2. The 991 rear end isn’t my favorite. The interior of the 992 is lovely but I actually like the 991 better especially with the carbon fiber trim. The 991R with buckets with the plaid inserts is absolutely gorgeous.

 

Fair enough : )

 

2022 SLs are in the price range of a new CLE AMG now

 

Ya but then it is comparing a used vehicle to a new.

 

SL’s are overpriced, as are the GT’s. $50k drop after a year or two with low miles. Probably see the same depreciation after 4 years and 40k miles on the CLE. Bottom line the CLE is a good value. My sales rep said they took the CLE out to a racetrack and it kept up with the GT55.

 

Yup : )