my lease is ending in january and I plan on getting the CLS 350, but no one seems to know when it is exactly coming out nor the price. SOme people are saying that the CLS 500 will come out first and the 350 a couple months later. Is this all speculation ?? I need some answers please!!

thanks

 

From car and driver it seems the CLS 500 will come out before the CLS 350.
I wonder why Mercedes doesn't have this car on their website. It should at least be in the future models section. No?

 

That would certainly make sense!

 

Which is exactly why they don't have any info yet. Since when has MBUSA done anything that seems logically good for business.

 

According to the mags & sites, it'll only be the 500 to start with the 55AMG coming soon thereafter. The 350 may come later on.
Personally, I'm starting to agree with the line of thinking that the 3.5L engine won't be here in any other car but the SLK for a while. The new V6 only makes 34 hp less than the 5.0L V8 (though it is considerably down on torque; 81 lb-ft). I'm not sure Mercedes would be comfortable with that narrow a performance gap. Notice how the the SLK350 is faster than the SL500 (5.5 vs. 6.1 sec 0-60 for automatics). I doubt the difference in performance between a CLS350 and a CLS500 would be any more than a half second, if that. From my informal and quick survey, MBUSA seems to like about a second or so between each of its versions of a model's 0-60 time, give or take a few tenths.
I'm guessing we'll see here in the US the 3.5L engine rolling out through the rest of MB's products– E, C, CLS, and CLK– when the 4-valve replacement for the 5.0 comes out, which should be along with either the next S-Class, the R, or the M.

About www.mbusa.com not having anything about the CLS up on the site: what makes it even stranger is that they have info about the R and a site holder for the B up– both of which are coming out after the CLS.

 

Guys, You are so right about the fact the MBUSA has nothing to offer about future models and up to date information. I mean, whats up with the pathetic R Class info, its not even on sale anywhere in the world!!! The CLS comes out first.
Heres the reply of my complaint from MBUSA:
Dear Mr. Desai,

Thank you for your internet inquiry. We appreciate your interest in the
CLS500 and requesting that information be made available on our website.

Vehicle information is generally posted on our website when the information
is available for release. The CLS-Class is tentatively scheduled to be
released in the second quarter of 2005 calendar year. While further
definitive information regarding this model is currently unavailable, we
would encourage you to continue to periodically check our website
(www.mbusa.com), as it is the best source for news on all our models.
Please be sure to check the "Future Models" information which can be found
under the "Models" heading.

If we can be of any further assistance, please feel free to e-mail us again
or call us at 1-800-FOR-MERCedes (1-800-367-6372).

Sincerely,

Heidi Martin
Consumer Promotions
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

 

MBUSA just blows and it is not real car company - it is just a marketing company.

People that work there are not car people. Have you seen their parking lot, filled with company cars - too cheap to buy own cars.


All they care is how many cars they can sell in one year and put billboards all over the country.

They don't care what people want.

 

Compared to BMW NA, MBUSA is gentle, caring, nurturing, considerate, patient, protective, kind, and downright loving.

 

Uh ooo.... Think I feel that warm fuzzy feeling coming on....

 

I wouldn't be so sure. When we bought the X5 we got tons of videos on DVD's, all these posters and keychains and tremendous amounts of follow up material. Even a few months later I can still call BMWUSA and request calenders and such.

Oh and it's fun to drive!

The SL? We've got nothing but a bunch of receipts saying "Yes, problem X is finally fixed"

 

Keychains and calenders?

I'm talking about how responsive and responsible either one is when dealing with customer issues.

I have a 540i 6-speed, which has had a number of the following known issues:

1. Its door seals will creak and groan, unless you replace the door seals (temp fix).
2. Its Air Conditioning will have a nasty aroma, unless you occasionally disinfect the A/C system.
3. Its front brakes will squeak and squeal, unless you properly lube the brake pad attachment points.
4. Has an electrical system “as stable as MS Windows”, and numerous electrical glitches.
5. The steering wheel will Shimmy at certain speeds (most commonly affects 528/530s) unless you get just the right torque on the lug bolts and PSI in the tires, Maybe.
6. Pixels burn out the on the LCD display, which will render the odometer illegible.
7. Electric auxiliary “pusher” fan will make your car sound like a jet ready for take-off, but only if it works.
8. Rear Window Regulator will fail when it is most inconvenient for you.
9. Radiator Neck will break (at driver side top hose)
10. Catalytic Converters will sound like they full of marbles when they fail, and are good for only 60k Miles.
11. The Camshaft Position Sensor (CPS) is so unreliable that you should carry a spare in your trunk.
12. The Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor will fair prematurely.
13. The Final Stage Resistor will have no problem varying the airflow in your car, but the problem is that it does it even when its not supposed to, until to totally quits that is, then you will have no airflow.
14. Cupholders are flimsy and break easily.
15. Interior door handles break off easily.

BMWNA has been surprisingly unwilling (and sometimes downright belligerent) in addressing these issues.
By comparison, MBUSA (and my local dealer) have been extraordinarily helpful and courteous. I was even invited to a Mercedes track day, which was wonderful.

In my experience, the two are as different as night and day.

 

your mercedes benz sales person can now give you the info you need about options and colors available on the cls, release date is set for january, and will be introduced as an 06, if they cannot or do not have the info send me a pm and i will gladly answer any questions

 

Doesn't this fact alone make you wonder why the dealers know whats going on before MBUSA does? Who's running the ship?