Took delivery about a week ago. I know I'm supposed to post pics and I will as soon as we get a sunny day and I get the windows tinted. It's pretty much a standard Indium Gray with Almond interior on 18" AMG wheels.

1) ECO start/stop. Works as you'd expect though I find the restart to be somewhat noticeable - feels like the transmission is trying to move the car while the engine comes up to speed. Sometimes not a smooth transition. While on the topic of transmission, at lower speeds sometimes the transmission can't decide which gear to engage. Somewhat clunky at times. You get the impression if you accelerate quickly the tranny knows exactly what to do; pull away slowly and it's not sure. Maybe needs to break-in some more.

2) HOLD function. This is probably my fault but I can't seem to predictably engage it. I've been successful once or twice but can't figure what I'm doing wrong the rest of the time. Watched all the videos without success. Need to ask at the dealership.

3) Folding mirrors. The do fold but only if you push on them. There is a section in the digital manual which directs you to a button between the side mirror adjustment buttons which will fold the mirrors in/out. Problem is, there is no button, just a space holder. My garage width is such I would like this to be operable. No joy.

4) Distronic PLUS. Works as expected and quite well though not as I would have thought. Stop/go traffic is where it could really shine if it were implemented differently. In traffic the car will slow and come to a stop if the car in front does so but when the car ahead restarts, you have to re-engage the Distronic to get the car moving again. First time I tried this I was sitting waiting for the car to restart after traffic cleared and wound up getting a few horns from behind. My bad...

5) Road noise. Not a big issue but it's more than I would have thought. Not sure whether my expectations for ~$90k car are too high. No, I am sure. My expectations are about right. It came with Conti ContactPros which aren't the quietest tire available. If they are like most tires the noise will increase as they wear. Need to review tire options.

6) Garage opener buttons on the underside of the rear-view mirror. Again I realize I'm picking a bit but they are inactive if the engine is off. Pull into the garage, put it in "Park", shut off the engine and you'll have to set the ignition to at least "accessory" to close the garage door. Guess I'll have to get used to closing the garage with the engine running if only momentarily. Not a huge issue but could have been implemented differently.

7) Colored guidelines on monitor while in reverse. They're there though with Parktronic not sure how useful they are. Don't need the tennis ball against the windshield trick anymore. Position within the garage is predictable and repeatable. Sold on it.

Please don't think I don't love this car. I've avoided all the hyperbole associated with typical reviews because they are all true and can be read elsewhere. You should buy this care immediately. If not sooner. But if I were the head of design at MB...

Have a great day.

Scott

 

Hey Scott, congrats again on finally getting your car released from the Baltimore VPC prison. I have a 2014 CLS550-4 on order for a mid-June delivery, but currently have a 2011 E550 with many of the same options. I think many of your comments are dead on with some of my own observations on individual features. Too bad they didn't add the electronic folding mirrors, but can't say I'm terribly surprised. Glad you commented on the ECO start/stop. I had a GLK as a loaner car for a couple days last month that had it as well. Was surprised the start process on the loaner was really quick/quiet and not very noticeable. Was curious how it would be with the larger engine in the CLS. Thanks for the post - enjoy your new ride!

 

Congrats Scott and thanks for all the color on features. Odd that the garage door control buttons do not work when the car is off.

 

Congrats Scott
It seems mercedes hasn't added the automated wing mirror folding option yet...which never made any sense to me. I have been wondering if the wiring is in the casing, since that would enable us to wire it up ourselves.

The garage door buttons in my car only work when I turned off the car and still have the key inside the cabin. The moment I take the key outside the cabin, the garage door opener does not work.

The hold feature is pretty weird, I have to admit. My old VW CC had a physical button in the console (where the unused button is to be precise) which enabled the hold. I wish MB did that, since it would have been so much easier. I noticed that if you have to push the pretty hard the second time (it feels like you pushed it farther than normal), the hold is activated.

Have a great time pushing that v8 biturbo!

 

I have a 2013 CLS 550 and I'm glad they added the guidelines moving forward. However I'm not impressed with the back up camera as it is at an angle downwards instead of facing a bit higher like most cars. Also I was a bit disappointed that the mirrors do not fold in also. The HOLD feature is ok I use it occasionally but at times u do have to push the brake all the way down. I also have the same experience when driving on Eco mode and the car takes a while to accelerate and when it does it feels like it chasing to get to the next gear. Also the driver side seat I wish I didn't have to Hold the 1, 2 or 3 button in order for the carseat to move forward. Most cars u just push the button and the seat will move to that preset position. Also wish that all the seats would have been perforated instead of just the front seats. Other then those issues the car drives great, very fast, hugs curves amazingly, love that u can change the color of the interior lighting and the airmatic suspension is a cool feature. My wife owns a 2013 Infiniti JX which has 5 cameras (surrounding the car), moving guidelines, at exit the seats back all the way up fpr easy exit, press one of the seat presets once and the whole seat will adjust.

Just a little bit of comparison...