Cross shop the CLE53 AMG
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Joined: Nov 2023
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Kia stinger gt2
Cross shop the CLE53 AMG
Hi folks!!! Newbie to this forum and have done some research but asking those who actually have this wonderful auto.....
Did anyone compare this to either the BMW M850I/840(B58 inline 6) or the M440i/M4?
CLE53 size is more of the 8 series coupe but cost and power more of the 4 series yet sits between all not actually having a direct competitor......
I truly understand that BMW in general is more dynamic and MB is more comfortable but again, the CLE53 AMG blurs those lines......
Let's here it.
Did anyone compare this to either the BMW M850I/840(B58 inline 6) or the M440i/M4?
CLE53 size is more of the 8 series coupe but cost and power more of the 4 series yet sits between all not actually having a direct competitor......
I truly understand that BMW in general is more dynamic and MB is more comfortable but again, the CLE53 AMG blurs those lines......
Let's here it.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 514
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From: Naples, FL
2025 AMG CLE53, 2025 Range Rover P550E, 2025 Ford F150 Raptor
Really didn't cross shop anything.
BMW 8 series with the 6 cylinder would be about the closest thing I could think of. M4 is too ugly with the beaver snout and a bit more on the sporty spectrum versus luxury.
Everything else is either $100K more or in a completely different spectrum. For what it is worth, we sold our 2022 911GTS about 3 months prior to getting the CLE53, however they are zero comparison to each other and completely apples and oranges.
BMW 8 series with the 6 cylinder would be about the closest thing I could think of. M4 is too ugly with the beaver snout and a bit more on the sporty spectrum versus luxury.
Everything else is either $100K more or in a completely different spectrum. For what it is worth, we sold our 2022 911GTS about 3 months prior to getting the CLE53, however they are zero comparison to each other and completely apples and oranges.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2023
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Kia stinger gt2
Really didn't cross shop anything.
BMW 8 series with the 6 cylinder would be about the closest thing I could think of. M4 is too ugly with the beaver snout and a bit more on the sporty spectrum versus luxury.
Everything else is either $100K more or in a completely different spectrum. For what it is worth, we sold our 2022 911GTS about 3 months prior to getting the CLE53, however they are zero comparison to each other and completely apples and oranges.
BMW 8 series with the 6 cylinder would be about the closest thing I could think of. M4 is too ugly with the beaver snout and a bit more on the sporty spectrum versus luxury.
Everything else is either $100K more or in a completely different spectrum. For what it is worth, we sold our 2022 911GTS about 3 months prior to getting the CLE53, however they are zero comparison to each other and completely apples and oranges.
MBWorld God!
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Speaking of CLE vs 911 https://mbworld.org/forums/cle-class...arrera-4s.html
MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
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Here is a thread from the same forum member: macan gts and cle 53 https://mbworld.org/forums/cle-class...macan-gts.html
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 40
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From: Phoenix, AZ
(currently) 2025 AMG CLE 53 Obsidian(formerly) 2022 CLS450 4Matic Diamond White on Black leather
I did cross shop (on paper) the M440/M340 but eliminated them purely out of a lack of inventory. Can't sell it if you don't got it. And I wasn't about to hear justifications for stupid pricing "because they're so hard to come by". I did also cross shop the new Audi S5 - totally different vehicle, I know. But the Audi and the CLE were really the only two current vehicles that held any interest for me. Lease rates from Audi were not competitive at all and a lease on both vehicles were about the same $$, even though the Audi sticker was a good $10k less. And the CLE is in a completely different class, so easy decision.
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Trending Topics
MBWorld God!
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https://mbworld.org/forums/cle-class...-pictures.html
For CLE and that 440i that OP you mentioned.
For CLE and that 440i that OP you mentioned.
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MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 32,342
Likes: 6,318
MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 32,342
Likes: 6,318
I did cross shop (on paper) the M440/M340 but eliminated them purely out of a lack of inventory. Can't sell it if you don't got it. And I wasn't about to hear justifications for stupid pricing "because they're so hard to come by". I did also cross shop the new Audi S5 - totally different vehicle, I know. But the Audi and the CLE were really the only two current vehicles that held any interest for me. Lease rates from Audi were not competitive at all and a lease on both vehicles were about the same $$, even though the Audi sticker was a good $10k less. And the CLE is in a completely different class, so easy decision.
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 34
Likes: 7
G42
Cross shopping the CLE with a C8 and G80, Interesting read on the G80 Forum
I owned a 21 M440i and 22 M4, IMO the CLE slots above the 440i and below the M4
M3/M4 vs AMG CLE
I owned a 21 M440i and 22 M4, IMO the CLE slots above the 440i and below the M4
Last edited by Gidrow; Sep 19, 2025 at 06:27 PM.
MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 32,342
Likes: 6,318
Cross shopping the CLE with a C8 and G80, Interesting read on the G80 Forum
I owned a 21 M440i and 22 M4, IMO the CLE slots above the 440i and below the M4
M3/M4 vs AMG CLE
I owned a 21 M440i and 22 M4, IMO the CLE slots above the 440i and below the M4
Last edited by W205C43PFL; Sep 19, 2025 at 09:10 PM.
Member
Joined: May 2025
Posts: 106
Likes: 69
From: Utah
2025 CLE AMG 53 Coupe
My story:
I bought The Wifey an Audi A7 in 2020. Covid hit so it took a while to take delivery but well worth the wait. Perfect luxury/sport balance for her needs. Absolutely love this car.
So in 2024 I got to thinking about getting the S5 Coupe for me. Easy to switch cars having identical driver control systems. However, I did not like the “iPad stuck to the dashboard” design of the S5 display. The salesman said to wait for the 2025 model as it would have the distributed displays like her A7. So I waited - but no update in 2025 and Coupe was discontinued.
Off to hunt for a luxury/sport coupe in the 2024 market. Lexus - ugly. BMW - ugly. MB CLE AMG Coupe - yep.
But too late in 2024 to order a 2024 (I don’t like lot cars) and too early to order 2025. Waited and then ordered the 2025 in the Sun Yellow paint which was not offered in 2024. Win for me as I really like yellow.
Went to Laguna Seca in August and parked amongst some BMW coupes. To me, and others making comments, my CLE looks much better than the BMW coupes. (And I like BMW’s - the Wifey had a 1993 740i that was great but a maintenance nightmare $$$).
So my CLE works perfect for me. Has the right luxury/sport balance for my needs. One leg of my trip had me driving for 13.5-hours with no fatigue. Got 30.7mpg. I added a 12-inch subwoofer to the Burmester audio system and it is just awesome. Cranked the whole time.
Lastly, I had the whole car wrapped in PPF with ceramic coating and put black PPF on the painted section on the roof. To me it looks much better integrated with the sun roof and rear window.
I am one very happy CLE AMG 53 owner.
I bought The Wifey an Audi A7 in 2020. Covid hit so it took a while to take delivery but well worth the wait. Perfect luxury/sport balance for her needs. Absolutely love this car.
So in 2024 I got to thinking about getting the S5 Coupe for me. Easy to switch cars having identical driver control systems. However, I did not like the “iPad stuck to the dashboard” design of the S5 display. The salesman said to wait for the 2025 model as it would have the distributed displays like her A7. So I waited - but no update in 2025 and Coupe was discontinued.
Off to hunt for a luxury/sport coupe in the 2024 market. Lexus - ugly. BMW - ugly. MB CLE AMG Coupe - yep.
But too late in 2024 to order a 2024 (I don’t like lot cars) and too early to order 2025. Waited and then ordered the 2025 in the Sun Yellow paint which was not offered in 2024. Win for me as I really like yellow.
Went to Laguna Seca in August and parked amongst some BMW coupes. To me, and others making comments, my CLE looks much better than the BMW coupes. (And I like BMW’s - the Wifey had a 1993 740i that was great but a maintenance nightmare $$$).
So my CLE works perfect for me. Has the right luxury/sport balance for my needs. One leg of my trip had me driving for 13.5-hours with no fatigue. Got 30.7mpg. I added a 12-inch subwoofer to the Burmester audio system and it is just awesome. Cranked the whole time.
Lastly, I had the whole car wrapped in PPF with ceramic coating and put black PPF on the painted section on the roof. To me it looks much better integrated with the sun roof and rear window.
I am one very happy CLE AMG 53 owner.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 681
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From: SWFL
2023 BMW M340i, 2025 MB CLE53 AMG
I always liked the looks of the Audi Coupe/Convertible. After my disastrous 2016 A6, I would never purchase one again.
3 Water pumps in 7 years and 30k miles as well as an Electronic Parking Brake (which was never used) replaced.
Done!
Traded it in for a 2023 BMW M340i (Fun Car) but way different than my wife's 25 CLE%53 AMG Cabriolet.
It feels so light compared to her car. It's been great for 3 almost 3 years now.
3 Water pumps in 7 years and 30k miles as well as an Electronic Parking Brake (which was never used) replaced.
Done!
Traded it in for a 2023 BMW M340i (Fun Car) but way different than my wife's 25 CLE%53 AMG Cabriolet.
It feels so light compared to her car. It's been great for 3 almost 3 years now.
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 34
Likes: 7
G42
Test drove the C8 Today and eliminated it from the cross shopping list. Poor visibility, entry exit access inconvenience, lack of trunk space, it just did not live up to what I had hyped it up to be. It's been a while since I've driven a rear wheel drive car, I just did not feel confident with pushing it as I did when I test drove the CLE. I am sure confidence would come with more seat time but in the end I felt I was sacrificing too much for the slightly better performance gain over what I am in now, M240ix, for daily driving.
My CLE allocation lives on. I do find the E53 AMG an interesting car and the BMW 550E, 550E boring looking, E53 AMG more than I want to spend.
My CLE allocation lives on. I do find the E53 AMG an interesting car and the BMW 550E, 550E boring looking, E53 AMG more than I want to spend.
Last edited by Gidrow; Sep 28, 2025 at 12:13 AM.
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2025
Posts: 65
Likes: 13
From: Florida
2025 CLE 53
My cousin picked up a E53 the same week as I got my CLE. We don't live in the same city so I haven't driven it. He likes it but complains about the brakes all the time. Not that they wont stop but that they "feel weird". He says the pedal feel changes so it's tough to get used to.
Other than that he likes the car. His wife and my wife dislike both our cars as they state "since getting that car your driving has become more aggressive"...... I wonder why?
Other than that he likes the car. His wife and my wife dislike both our cars as they state "since getting that car your driving has become more aggressive"...... I wonder why?
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