Jeffy

Just wondering how many CLS owners came from W212 and what have you noticed about the handling differences? I am currently in a '14 E350 Cabriolet and LOVE the handling of the smaller chassis compared to the '14 E350 4Matic sedan I had prior. I have a '14 CLS 4Matic coming and am wondering if I am going to be disappointed again with the bigger E-sedan chassis (and heavier CLS) that was not very precise and had way too much body roll for my tastes (in the W212 sport version) or does the CLS AirMatic in sport mode really do a much better job? Thanks for any insight as to what to expect.

OBP

Dunno about W212s but I can tell you that there is a real difference in body roll depending on your Airmatic setting ( comfort has slight/moderate roll while sport has nearly no body roll ). I have been surprised at how planted my CLS feels even on winding roads and in comfort suspension setting. But then again, my other car is a softly sprung Lexus convertible so that is not hard to beat to be honest.

bigigg

I had a 12' E350 4matic.. the CLS is slightly more "planted" in sport mode.

C63newdude

You also have to consider the width, the height and the tires, the CLS is a very well planted car, it is low, wide and has fat tires and it comes with a better suspension than the E350. Min has sport and comfort mode, the car rides on airmatic suspension and can be raised or lowered.

Jeffy

Well after putting 2k miles on my CLS550 I concur that it is definitely more planted and stable than an E350 Sport Sedan. The CLS handles better than a car that size should, I really enjoy driving it. And WOW is ride comfort excellent with the Airmatic system.

FinemanM

I just exchanged a 2012 E350 4matic for a 2014 CLS550 4matic. Its night and day. The E class is too soft in my opinion. The CLS has a much more sophisticated suspension system with Airmatic. can't compare the two cars. The E-Class is like an old Cadillac compared to the CLS.

FEGELEIN

I had a '10 E550 4matic, before my '12 CLS and I agree w/ above. My business partner has a '14 E350 4matic and it's even more of a spread in feel, due to the lightness of the car. The CLS feels much more surefooted, than the 350. It's sort of apples and oranges though, totally different platforms and price range. If you can go CLS do it!

J.M.G.

I have a '12 E550 4matic and an '14 CLS550 SB. Both cars are based on the same platform and basically have the same suspension lineup (AIRMATIC / 18" wheels). The W212 offers a lot more ride quality. It is softer. The X218 on the other hand is more agile - it has a nicer turn in, a more direct steering. Everything feels tighter.


However: At the end of the day, I strongly suspect, that either car is faster around a track for example. Even though they might feel different: They still share the same concept. An Audi S7 or Porsche Panamera 4S is a lot quicker (and feels even quicker) than the CLS 550 around the track.

petee1997

I agree with JMG that both cars are built on the same platform. That being said, how much difference can there be?

Personally I think the main difference is that you bump your head entering the CLS and you don't in the E550.

FEGELEIN

As far as I know, an E is not built on an S chassis. That's also why it's not a CLE!

J.M.G.

The CLS W218 / X218 is technically a W212 / S212.