Gentlemen,

As promised, I would like to share with you some of the different between these 2 fine automobiles. Feel free to let me know if I can answer further questions.

Interior - I feel really different between these 2 cars. I feel that I am driving a 2 doors coupe not a 4 doors sedan. Maybe the door is longer, the window is shorter (see my pictures below) and the way they position the front seats, it just fool me that I'm driving a 2 doors coupe not 4 doors sedan. The biggest disadvantage is that this is a strictly 4 seaters automobile not like E that we can fit 5 adults easy. Some people complaining about the poor visibility in CLS. To me, it took me few days get use to it and I feel pretty good and no problem now. Regarding the rear interior, I ask my daughter and she feels that CLS has little bit longer leg room and feel better for her. But she doesn't like to sit in the rear since I upgrade the euro DVD-in-motion command and if she sits in the rear she needs to move her whole body to the center to watch DVD now, I think the front seats are blocking her and in the E, she usually sits in the middle and no problem watching it directly. There is no coin tray in CLS but you gain 1 deep cup holder between 2 rear seats and 2 same cup holders as E class when you fold down the middle bench between 2 rear seats (see my pictures below). Total of 3 cup holders just for 2 rear passengers :-) I have rear sun shade package in E that means I have 2 factory roll up and down shades in both rear windows but there is no such thing for my CLS I guess it is too short for the CLS rear passenger windows. Center arm rest in CLS is different that E. CLS is little deeper and able to open from the front passenger side or driver from the driver side (like magic they both cover facing you) (see my pictures below). The cargo is surprisingly as big as E. I bought the rubber cargo mat and it fits pretty well in the CLS now. It is shorter inch or two but I can live with it. Last but not least, I gain 2 buttons shift in my steering wheel. I'm still getting use to it now but I feel that it is so easy to shift especially when I want to drive little faster in the corner, both hands in the steering wheel and able to down shift to the better gear.

Exterior - Obviously it looks very different. I am not going to bother explain here but few things that I like to point out. First, I really feel the AMG looks so good especially the front air dam, it looks very aggressive (see my pictures below). Second, the exterior is bigger than E since there are few places that I need to stress to wash/dry the CLS but E I can reach every where no problem. I'm 5'9".

Light - They are all the same except one additional mode in CLS that I can turn on fog light AND the low beam (surround light ONLY) a.k.a. angel light kind of affect in CLS (see my pictures below). Below is sample what angel light in BMWs
http://www.eastcoastbmw.net/angeleyes.html

Performance - Both are 7 speed E500 engine and I do not feel any power different here. But I do feel that E class is quiet not sure here since I have 17" appearance wheel before and now I have 18" 245 and 285 in CLS. Maybe I feel and hear the road noise more in CLS, not sure though. Also, it is deffinitely wider and lower then E. Therefore I feel little better handling in the corner so far.

So far I miss my silver dash with white gauge and birdeye wood in my E. According to dealer they are not available in CLS even in CLS55 for now.

Both are silver exterior. I like to keep my car cleans therefore I washed my E weekly. One thing that bother me in E was in the rear bumper near the rear wheel, I also have a lot black dirt there, not sure is from the tire or dirt from the road. But in CLS after a week driving, I do not have such thing there. Hope it remains the same for me.

I want to make it clear that I am not here to downgrade or talk bad about E class since I don't have my E anymore. I love both cars and I don't care what other people say regarding MB quality, I am a one big MB fans here.

 

Thanks for the review HLKC

I like the lines of the CLS. However, a 4 seater is a big no no for my family Enjoy

 

Good reveiw. Thanks. In the UK the CLS is about 33% more than a similar spec E. Is the difference worth it in your opinion.? And whats the reaction to the looks from the public? I get the impression the CLS attracts alot of attention?

Marc

 

Very informative review. Do you have any pictures from either of the cars? I love pictures!

 

I echo the question of do you think it is worth the extra money? It sounds like the cars are so similar from your review with the exception of exterior appearance and seating capacity...

Thanks!

 

Well, the whole and entire point of the CLS is the different exterior and interior. When you get to the price point of an E-class or a CLS-class, let's face it, we're paying a lot for the sizzle, not just the steak. It's hard to justify the price of either car in terms of mechanical content alone. I don't see any way to attach a dollar value to the pleasure a CLS owner takes in the style of his/her car, but I'm sure that to the owner, it's worth it.

 

Hello all,

Here are my answers in order. If I miss any, feel free to let me know.

1) In the UK the CLS is about 33% more than a similar spec E. Is the difference worth it in your opinion? And whats the reaction to the looks from the public? I get the impression the CLS attracts alot of attention?

Marc, from my personal point of view, it is more than 33% similar to E. All the interior components are exactly the same, also engine, brake... are the same. I live/work in the heart of the Silicon Valley, we have many nice cars here, too many to mention..., but CLS is still new and rare compare to the 2 years old W211. Therefore, there are no one bother to look/ask/mention about my E500. But my CLS definitely draw lot more attention (for now). To be honest with you all, please don't flame me, as I mentioned that I love both cars, the reason why I want to trade a 5 months old 2K miles E500 is first it is the exterior look. I see many pictures in the web before but when I see it in person especially with AMG kit/wheels with it; I can't resist myself not to have one. Second, it is an excellent deal for me. I lost about $2K for my E and $2.5K below invoice for my CLS I feel it is a great transaction as of today. Third, since I got my E last November, MB has been aggressive selling many MB in my area. Since then, we have so many W211 E every where. In one stop light, I noticed 3 W211 and 2 previous E class models :-( I'm not tried to be unique or VIP but I don't think I deserve to have so many the same when I spent $60K automobile today. My conclusion is if you like all your goodies on W211, your wife okay you to have 4 seater automobile, 2 doors coupe feel but 4 doors sedan, extra $15K and don't want to have so many W211 same as yours everywhere, I'll highly recommend CLS to you today. That's why I choose CLS. Please don't get me wrong, I'm still recommend E to my church friends yesterday. They have 4 people in his family and I only have 3.


Very informative review. Do you have any pictures from either of the cars? I love pictures!

ricky.agrawal - No problem, here are more pictures.


I echo the question of do you think it is worth the extra money? It sounds like the cars are so similar from your review with the exception of exterior appearance and seating capacity...

luxury1, please refer to my above answer to Marc.


Well, the whole and entire point of the CLS is the different exterior and interior. When you get to the price point of an E-class or a CLS-class, let's face it, we're paying a lot for the sizzle, not just the steak. It's hard to justify the price of either car in terms of mechanical content alone. I don't see any way to attach a dollar value to the pleasure a CLS owner takes in the style of his/her car, but I'm sure that to the owner, it's worth it.

DWP - Agree and you're right to the point. Thank you!

 

When you have a minute can you show me a pic of the "angel eye effect"?

 

Sure, not a problem. I'm at work now, I'll take some pictures during lunch time and post it to you. Btw, I won't use this feature driving at night, but I probably will use it during day time when rain or early part of the evening but sure not to use it when completely dark, I don't feel is bright enough for other cars.

When my friend and I drove 2 cars to dinner saturday night, my friend look at my car from his rear view mirror when I use this feature and he gave me a command as "one mean looking" light.

Cheers!

 

I think that MB did a great job in styling the CLS. Enjoy your new vehicle in good health!

 

Thank you for the reply hlkc. The car does look wondereful and you are very lucky. I had the first W211 in the area in 2002 and now I see 3 local cars a day regular -and so I know what you mean.

The CLS is designed/priced to be more exclusive and that has to be fair.

Thanks again

Below are pictures of my e which I had yet to post.

Marc

 

I just took these pictures during lunch and since it is pretty bright in my garage therefore it is not showing what really look at night time. Anyway, here are the pictures and I'll take some tonight and post again.

Cheers!

 

Very nice. I love the look of the CLS at night. So sexy!

 

Marc,

Lucky you just 3. When I take a ride anywhere here, there is no less than 5 W211 I can bump in. Sometime I cannot believe that MB sales down so much according to WSJ. Maybe majority of MB are selling in California, not sure.

If I may suggest, I noticed that you got an exhaust tips in your E. Take a look these pictures, I think it will make your E looks a lot better in rear and definitely bring out the exhaust more, not to mention seperate from the rest of many mommys' E around the corner :-) I plan to get that if I still have my E.

It made by Renntech in FL, US. Btw, I have no connection with them. Take care!

Cheers,
hlkc

 

When you see a CLS on the road while driving your own car you can really appreciate the incredible lines of the car. A CLS next to a E makes the E look very dated and almost frumpy (sorry no offense). But the E on its own still looks nice. The lease on my CLK500 is up early next year; I've never owned a 4 door car before, but the CLS may just change that.

 

RJC,

I take it as a compliment :p Thank you. CLS definitely change the way I look at sedan ever. I wish that they take out the middle tunnel and able to make another seat there, then it will be one of the best car in my dictionary.

Thanks,
hlkc

 

It's a compliment for sure. I was next to a CLS 55 on the way home today...spectacular looking thing!

 

atssystems.com,

Here you go. I don't know how to take a good picture at night and this is as good as I can get it for now. I don't feel this is justify what I want to share with you. If you see it in person, the light is coming from the surround beam and no light from the inside with the fog light turn on together, it just looks very mean at night.

Cheers!