konigstiger

218.373 ... http://www.emercedesbenz.com/autos/m...quipment-list/

mbenz1

They finally have that rearview camera. Looks like they have taken away the option of the AMG Sports package.

babyjocko

Why is it that mbusa waters down the available options on MB cars sold in the US? The German versions have so much more. For example, why can't I get a Drive-Dynamic seat for the passenger, also? Just charge however much more it costs! WTF?

- No AMG package? Really?
- Only 3 interior color options
- Is Designo offered?
- Driver-side Dynamic seat only
- Is ECO offered?

Is there a legitimate reason for why mbusa does this? It baffles me, especially since US MB car buyers have the money to spend. Build it, and they will come.

Tjdehya

Could someone post the info here. That link isnt working for me.
Thanks

babyjocko

This site appears to present the 2012 CLS more comprehensively:

http://www.benzblogger.com/labels/cl...html/cls-class

AMG package = Sports Package
Launch Edition has the Porcelain/Black interior

Tjdehya

Awesome. It looks like I will be going with P1 pkg, Driver Ast pkg, AMG pkg, parktronic, and AMD seats, and maybe heated steering wheel.
That’s if my daughter will forgive me for buying a car without pano roof.
The option for the rear seats... is it Heated/ventilated seat or just heated?

I am in love with the sport package.

LETO

Heated wheel cannot be ordered in combo with Sport or Sport +1

Launch edition is not offered with Sport

Why is it such a big deal to offer passenger multi-contour seats?

I think the e-brake is still a foot operated one!!!!

Having said that,

My order is in: Black, Black premium leather, Black ash. P1, Sport +1, Driver Assist pkg, Parktronic, Driver multi-contour seats, Rear side bags, Rear Heated seats, spoiler

K-A

Have they released an MSRP on this car for the U.S yet?

Interesting that they don't offer a free White color for the CLS, the only way to go White is if you get the pearl/very off-white, very "you don't want to have to attempt to color-match/repaint this color" gorgeous Diamond White, for a very high cost.

I always wonder why they don't offer a Pano roof for the CLS either. Must be some technical reasoning behind it (structural support due to the CLS roofline shape or something? )

SouthernNC

Some MINOR gripes -- though nothing's going to spoil my happiness upon the arrival of my new ride (specs on my signature line below):

• The Exterior Carbon Package, including carbon fiber rearview mirrors, is not available in the U.S. Too bad; the Performance Package I've ordered includes a carbon fiber rear spoiler; it might look like an afterthought sitting up there by itself. The Performance Package also includes a carbon fiber engine cover, but generally, I don 't tool down the road with my hood up.

• The carbon fiber interior trim seems to be available only with the black leather interior. I find that curious. I was torn between black leather and gray (or "ash" as they call it), but the unavailability of carbon fiber with gray caused me to opt for black leather.

• If you don't go the "Designo" route -- even if you can in the U.S., with a delay and considerable extra cost -- you have the choice of three neutral interior colors: black, gray, beige. Would it kill MB to offer an actual color, as opposed to neutrals? I realize that on a limited-edition model, it isn't cost-efficient to offer a long menu of color options. But how about just one colorful choice? A black/red combination, or burgundy, or navy, perhaps. Nothing too wild -- no pink or lime green, thanks -- but just one color?

As I said, MINOR gripes. Good thing I don't have more to complain about, I suppose.

Tjdehya

Where can I find out if my current wheels will fit the new CLS?
I have already done my home work on the visuals appearance and to me it looks like a perfect match.

Tjdehya

I know this has been available in other cars for a few years now but its about time that Mercedes caught up.

New Parktronic
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADJ175QwiSM

DCubed

Launch edition cars have hit the port with the next batch due into the ports sometime around the 17th for west coast dealers.

K-A

Damn! CLS's are here already?! I'm gonna have to take a trip to a Dealer and check it out. I await with baited breath to not like this car. Too much $$$$ to spend!!!!

K-A

I couldn't believe it, I saw one on the road tonight! It was this dark blue color.

VERY nice and elegant car. The reverse wedge upper character line which bugs me SO much might not look as bad in person, although I still didn't love it (kind of distracting from the design, gotta see it in more elements to see how I really feel about it).

A few notes: It doesn't look as "Coupe" as the original, as the greenhouse looks a bit taller and more elegant. Also, it's not as "shouty" as the original, or as it appears in pics, I almost want to call it "understated" (maybe it was the color), and it doesn't seem be as dynamic or have as much imposing presence/strength language as the E-Class does, however it looks, again, VERY elegant, very smooth and svelte, yet crisp. Very classy. The rear end is gorgeous to me.

All in all, I'm sure I'm gonna be a big fan. Although I don't know if I'll like it more than the E-Class, or if I'll find it to be worth the price premium to me.

Tjdehya

I spent an hour with a CLS550 today.
The new engine feels good, You can actually feel the extra hp/tq.
I am so happy to report that the Turbo lag that seems to plague the BMW V8TT is not present in the Merc. I don't know what BMW did wrong but MB got it right.
I was expecting to get a "disconnected" feel from the steering but I was very surprised at the steering feedback.
My only general gripe would be that the AC controls had a VERY cheap feel to it. It felt very Hyundai-ish. I know that most people set the desired temp and never touch it again but everything in the car felt premium, then you try to change the temp and you suddenly feel as though you're in a cheap KIA.

Overall I was very impressed.

K-A

That's funny about the HVAC. It's the exact same cheap a$$ unit from the C-Class. While the E has a unit that feels 10+ times better and more premium. Just doesn't make sense to me, considering the CLS is an E after all.

So how'd you think it looks in person? How does it compare to the E? Does the interior feel a lot better?

Tjdehya

When I saw the pictures of the new C I actually thought that the C-class was getting the "Classy" HVAC unit from the CLS. Then after fiddling with it I quickly realized that it was the CLS getting the "cheap" HVAC unit form the C. It's really no big deal but... it's just so out of place. I will say that it felt VERY un-Mercedes.

Like I said before I didnt spend anytime behind the wheels of the previous CLS so I didn't want to do a E Vs CLS comparison but for the E-class owners I will.
The first thing I noticed was sound. OMG the engine... With the E550 when you step on the throttle you hear nothing but the exhaust on the CLS has a nice audible rumble when you step on it... Not quite a AMG but it's a very welcome note that is not audible in the E. What I didn't like was the engine noise from the front... I like to hear the exhaust of the engine and not the actual engine. I was not a fan of the engine noise but others might be.
The cabin is not as quiet as the E. Not even close. It wasn't loud but for an E-driver it is noticeable. Ambient, Tire, Engine, Exhaust sounds all made its way into the cabin. For me the only welcome sound was the exhaust.

It is much more luxurious than the E, only an E with the Designo options would match the CLS. EVERY thing was premium touch (if you don't touch the climate controls ) Looking at and touching the soft stitched dash in the CLS made the E's Dash feel "cheap" even though The E's dash is not that bad.

Sitting in the rear didn't feels as cramped as I thought it would. I am 6' and I was more comfortable back there than in my E because of the seats and legroom. The difference in headroom between the E and the CLS were not a factor for a 6'er. Again the seats were the money maker for the rear passengers. IMO a panoramic roof would complete the luxurious feel for the rear passengers. I know it's a sportier car but Mercedes has the Pano roof as options for its coupes so I don't know why they didn't make it available for the CLS.
The Trunk is noticeably smaller (obviously).
The doors did not have that "solid Mercedes built like a tank" feel. Which is to be expected with the new lighter aluminum doors.

The new IC is f-ing beautiful and thats all I am going to say about that.

I think the Nav is the same as the E but the open housing makes it look bigger. I don't know if it is but I prefer it to the E. I think it may be because the E's nav is too far away from the driver while the CLS is a few inches closer and not housed and buried as much as the E.

My dealer kept insisting over and over that this CLS was not a real CLS. I don't know how true it was but he insisted that I should come back and take a production line CLS for a spin next month. Apparently this CLS was just brought to the Vegas for an Event and it has been shipped to various events over the past couple months. He says maybe the HVAC controls won't feel so cheap, less road noise and a few other options may be different.

I only snapped a couple Iphone pics.

K-A

Wow, great pics!

That's unfortunate about the interior noise, I wouldn't be happy if I paid a lot more for a CLS and it wasn't as quiet as the E (taking exhaust noise out of the equation). Also, the W212 brought back the M-B "Tank Thud" of the doors, and it is unfortunate that the CLS's ultra light aluminum doors won't give the same satisfaction, but they have their own perks.

It looks gorgeous in that pic! I hope the hood is open though? It looks terribly fit.

The E and CLS have such a great dynamic together, they compliment each other greatly. A European Member on another Message Board who see's the CLS regularly said that the E appears more stately and muscular, a little meaner, while the CLS is like its beautiful Sister, which I find to be a good statement.

I really hope I don't like the new CLS.... I don't want to have to make any more expensive fiscal automotive decisions.

stealth.pilot

Shame they don't have a light colored leather (like BMW's Oyster) with the Black Ash wood trim.

UDWANIT2

They will fit same offset n everything......jus cosmetic changes....

BenzBee

Are they still going to offer the 4matic option ultimately?

DCubed

Yes, the 4matic will be available in the late summer/early fall.

konigstiger

FYI 2012 CLS arrived today @ Schumacher here in Scottsdale.

K-A

Finally! Can't wait to check one out.

konigstiger

Photos...