I am in the market to buy eighter a CLS 500/550 with amg kit or a 550i with M aero kit. I drove both vehicles last week and Benz wins the 550i in every way by the design interior and exterior. But when it comes to driving the 550i has better handling and is faster but it rides rough. In that case the CLS was very quiest and soft and was not bad in performance. (I heard the CLS 550 will be anounced in July this year with 382hp which will be faster than the 550i).I liked the interior of the CLS better than the 550i because the 5 series seems too regular to me but i did like the i drive system. I came to a conclusion that the 550i is more of a perfomance car and a drivers car. The CLS is an eye catching car with very good performance, comfort and luxury. There is no way a CLS passes by you and you dont notice it. Their both very good cars in different ways. I am stuck and don't know which to get . Which car would u prefer the CLS 500 with amg kit or the bmw 550i with M aero kit? If you dont know what M aero kit is tell me and i will post pics. Thanks for your opinion and advice

 

I'm in the exact same boat as you and I have the same opinions too... I'm torn between them both but the BMW seems to be a better value to me anyway.

 

CLS owns the 5 as far as looks....but in a year or so maybe some of the hype will be gone. So I would go with what I feel is the best overall value.

 

i feel u man... me too

 

cls 500 all the way. if you want to save some cash and still have a nice ride, go with the 5.

 

The CLS is a very very nice car. When my buddy purchased his C350 last month, I sat in a silver 500 on the showroom floor as well as a C55.... and I gotta say, I loved both of then but very much but I felt at home in the CLS. Don't take into account that this car screams for attention or that it has perfect lines, it's all a matter of personal opinion.

I have never owned a CLS or 550i, possibly next year, but would you rather have the best of all three worlds, (performance, comfort and luxury) with the CLS or a very nice sports sedan? IMHO, the choice is obvious.

Either way, you’re decision is the correct decision.

 

CLS has the looks
550i = POWER

 

CLS ALL THE WAY !

If you can wait , wait for the 388hp CLS500.
SLS is more handsome and the interior of the 5-Series is lousy.
The new DOHC will definitely go to SL and CLS first.
( similarly, the 506hp 6.2 litre AMG engine will go to SL63 and CLS63 right after CLK63, R63 and ML63 )

Also, I read from Mercedes Euthuasist , the 350 line engine will be replaced by the 350 petrol Direct Injection CGI by end of 2006. So , in no hurry to buy any 350 engines for any models if one can wait. The CGI engine will have 12% gain in fuel economy!