Hey Guys~ I have to make a very important decision in about a week and I really need your help. I currently have an 09 cls63 with all the available options including the 030, cf trim, and distronic. I even ordered it in designo platinum black. Unfortunately it had some issues. After driving it for 100 miles, my cel came on which my dealer fixed without a problem. However, after pampering it and not even driving it through winter, my trany broke down all of a sudden at around 1000 miles. It just would not shift to 3rd gear for some reason. I took it to the dealer and they said that they have never had an issue like this before. So, they started doing some tests and found that it was not just a simple electrical problem. After doing a "K1" replacement to the trany, it still did not work. After few days, they told me that the whole trany would have to be replaced. Boy~ I was pissed... I talked to the service manager for a while expressing my rage and concern, he and the rep came up with couple options.
1. Keep my fixed cls and they will give me a reaonable compensation price.
(few grand)
2. Give a credit cash amount of exactly what I payed for my car including taxes to use on any mercedes models currently available in states.

Unfortunately, there is not single cls out there equipped like mine. There is a plain black with no cf trim and a white one. So I did some research and found that there are still few new 08 clk63 bs out there which has been reduced greatl from its sticker price because the dealers just have to move them out. Basically, I have three options here. I can either keep my car and get the money, get a white cls which I prefer over just a plain black one, or get the clk63 bs. A funny thing is that I will actually be saving money if I get the clk63 bs which was priced around 138k. Btw, I saw the Clarkson review of the bs and it completely sold me. I love the bs but the only thing that I am concerened is the fact that there are no longer convenient features currently in my car not to mention the back seats. It also does not blip the throttle in downshifts. I know the whole deal on it being better in hadling over my cls but is it really that worth it to compromise for all those nice goodies in my cls? Btw, my cls is all fixed after about a month and is running fine. I guess I could just keep my car but I feel like I am missing out on an opportunity to get a brand new car although my car only has 1500 miles. My cls also has a small scratch on one wheel and a stone chip underneath the fron bumper which bothers me alot especially when the car is new. Under these circumstances, it is tempting to just swap over for a new one. So, what are your thoughts? Thanks alot guys~

 

Depends on the roads you drive and your tolerance for a less than luxury ride quality. If your roads are curvy and you want knifes edge handling, there's no debate, get the BS.

If you want a relatively straight road luxo cruiser which can also be fast and handle reasonably, go with the CLS.

 

I think you should stick with your CLS.

It sounds as though you'd really miss the luxury features that the CLK63 Black Series does not have.

JDB

 

Not sure if you've test driven the CLK BS but if you haven't then that should be your answer.

I'd personally get the CLK BS over the CLS 63 just because of it raw presence, stance and over all performance and handling.

As what DFW said the CLS 63 is a luxo cruiser and the BS is just a total street/track hunter.

 

I've owned both. There is NO comparison. The BS is a driver's car and will put a huge smile on your face every time you drive it. The CLS - by comparison - might as well be a Cadillac Eldorado. It's not that the CLS is a poor handling car. It's not. It's just a poor handling car in comparison to a BS. Other than the power in a straight line the CLS feels like it has no handling whatsoever. It's soft, has excessive body roll, etc. Of course you won't understand this until you drive a BS. Also, there is the matter of the back seats, whether you intend to make it a daily commuter, etc. The BS is too hard and unforgiving IMO to be a daily driver.

 

I found the 030 packaged CLS to handle rather well....but that does not mean it will keep up with the bs on a track. Maybe other owners could chime in but I though the bs made a good dd, two seats aside...?

-Rob

 

Although the CLS and the CLK 63 BS are two of the best products AMG has put out in recent years, they are very different cars. I'm afriad choosing either one will leave you with regrets. The new 63 E class with 030 I am guessing would be a better handling car than the CLS, has a better transmission than the CLK and of the three is the most practical.

But if practicality is not your paramount concern than don't hestiate - take advantage of the soft market for the BS!

 

I think that's just a matter of locale.
Here in the Dallas area it's a great dd.
The southern climes seem to have roads that don't take the winter beating and therefore don't beat your car either.

 

Thanks for your inputs guys
I am still thinking... I love everything about the bs but the only thing is that the clk body just looks obsolete to me. I guess this should not really matter once I start to get behind the wheel Oh btw how is the ground clearance of the bs? Here in Pittsburgh, the roads are horrible with lots of potholes. I feel most of the bumps even in my cls. Also, my driveway is prety steep. So I have to pull in slowly in my cls and with my aston it is quite annoying because I always have to enter/exit in certain angle. The bs looked pretty low compared to my cls and aston. Its killing me becuase I love both cars

 

that might be your biggest issue....ground clearance

 

Does the BS really look like a CLK to you?

Regardless of your answer, based on the other things you've mentioned, I feel confident in saying that imo you'll be happier with the CLS. Best of luck with either one.

 

The CLK63 BS is definitely not steep driveway friendly and if the CLS beats you up on pot hole filled roads the CLK will be absolutely brutal. Based on the cars you list in your profile under your screen name the CLS rounds out a diverse fleet. Sports car, SUV and the CLS for the performance sedan. Itching for a BS but want a performance sedan? Good luck, can't go wrong either way.

 

I've had both cars, the CLS will scrape the front valance on steep drive ways and speed bumps. The BS will be even lower.

You don't strike me as someone who wants a raw performace car. Your choices of an Aston Vantage and formerly a CLS tells me you won't be happy with a BS. A friend of mine with an Aston complained that the BS rode too firm and could I adjust the shocks for a softer ride like his AM. Get the CLK.
Jimmy

 

Unless you have a split personality, CLS you mean

 

Get the BS... Sometimes i wished i coulda had waited just a couple of months for a BS instead of my C63. It is, in my IMHO, the sexiest AMG.

 

Yes, I meant CLS