TammamB

I haven't posted here in like a year, but after I saw the CLS in Germany in July I've been all over every article and thread :p

Went to test drive it today, it was quieter and smoother than our S500 but it was so tight. So anyhow, I finally made the decision to DOOO IT!! So I just left the dealer and here's what I got:

CLS 500 Bordeaux Red / Black
Glossy Laurel (took me like 4 hours to decide)
AMG Sport Package (a must)
Premium Package
Trim Package (wood on steering and knob)
Light package
Phone + Voice
Parktronic
EC Trunk Closer
Keyless Go

What do You guys think...I'm still up in the air about the Napa leather.
Dealer said 3-4 months, no markups, etc.

Things I loved:
-Style, 4 doors w/o the top window frame
-Stitching around the console
-2 seats in the back (wow is all i have to say this car is perfect for that double date)
-Spacious trunk
-The sales guy was like 6'1" and his head wasn't touching the roof. (if you're 6'5" don't sit in the back seat)
-Seats were definitely snug (not recaro's but no where near the S class sofa-for-a-drivers-seat)
-Airmatic is more refined than E (and definitely better than S) This claim could be due to psychological factors

Couple of things that irked me:
-No wood on doors, even my c class has wood on the door
-Cup holder, although beautiful, still prefer they were hidden
-Can't get bird's eye (we'll see about that )
-No side-blinds for rear seats
-Didn't sound as muscular as I had heard in Germany (test drove non-amg package, dunno if that makes a difference)
-Not a fan of brake-by-wire (yet)

Just my thoughts, tell me what u think.

Enjoy,
TB

adam76

according to benz, u cant get wood on wheel and shifter with amg package, when i put my order in last year, they said not possible, and also according to the new brocure, its not either. r u sure the combo is possible? i know other people were concerned about this too...

thx!

john87699

If it's possible to get the wood shifter/steering wheel with the AMG package heads are gonna roll at my dealership - they said it couldn't be done. Talk about my biggest pet peeve. Thanks for the info - let me knwo what you find out.

adam76

same!

TammamB

Interesting, I will call my guy tomorrow and check on that. I can see why because of the shift buttons and what not, but no one noted a conflict when I asked for the both packages.

I will be disappointed if this is the case, but better to know now than find out later.

Edit:

I just checked the brochure and you guys are right, im annoyed.

KB5

I'm 6'5" and the back seat headroom for me is a problem. However the front seat has extraordinary legroom and headroom. I could not believe how much legroom there is. I don't even need the seat all the way back. Fortunately my clients tend not to be anywhere near as tall as I. They'll ride in the back.

I have a Black/Black due next month.

Lov2xlr8

directly from the options list in the brocure.
the left side is the 500 and the right is the 55. you cant even get it on the 55.

TammamB

HAHA...Thnx for the blow up shot...Yeah I read it last night....But the paper i have with my signature and the dealers sig, has both packages listed, i have yet to call it in.

I love the extent to which you clarified the number 13, this is great, u made my day

TammamB

Hmm...apparently the AMG package disqualifies the trim package, but also disables the cornering headlamps function in the lighting package. Should I get rid of the AMG package? Im also having second thoughts about the Bordeaux...Hell should i just get a 2k4 S???

Oh and the mirrors dont fold (electronically anyway, i didn't have the guts to try manually)

adam76

that sux about the mirrors, the euro versions seem to have it according to the user manual. i ordered the lighting package with the AMG package, where did you hear you loose the cornering headlights? im picking up tomorow, so ill know for sure...

the red seems like it may get old.

wait till 2006 for the new S if youre having second thoughts!

PHYBENZ

The cupholders are what they are because this way they are big enough to hold American sized cups and stuff. They are not like that on the CLS distributed anywhere else in the world, but Mercedes wants to do better in JD Power and a huge complaint against them always have been their cupholders.

Lov2xlr8

you can get a full brocure at:https://mbworld.org/forums/cls-coupe-c219/95239-full-brochures-dealer.html, thanx to adam76 for scaning the whole brocure for us.

adam76

Oh, the fogs, not as bad, i thought it was the main head lights. thx.

i scanned the brochure too ; )

Lov2xlr8

id be pissed too if they took the cornering headlights.
i think the reason why they took off the cornering foglights is b/c the fogs on the AMG front apron are different.

ACL

Hi to all,

TammamB,

I'm getting my CLS500 in early May. Have a few days to select exterior and interior colors. How does the bordeaux red look? How about it with beige leather? Alos, will it drive sportier than a 2003 E320? Grin.

Regards,

Andres

TammamB

I saw the bordeaux in Germany last Summer with black leather, it was spectacular, I agree it may get old, so that's when I'll sell it haha... Thnx for clarification on the cornering fogs, I was pissed for 30 seconds.

I haven't driven an e320 extensively, besides a loaner during service, it did not have the airmatic suspension, It was no where nearly as versatile, not to mention the extra power u get.

I decided to sleep on it, if it comes and i hate it then oh well, drop it and buy a year old S55 or something.