E owners thoughts on the CLS
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From: SF Bay Area, CA
11 W212 E350 Sport, sold 06 W211 E350
Originally Posted by CE750
don't like it... tried to like it hard, but I just don't.
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From: FL410
'05 E320 CDI, '08 BMW X5 4.8i, '11 Duramax 2500HD
Originally Posted by sacguy
I have to agree, it just doesn't quite do it for me in exterior design and it feels very cramped in the rear with less than great visibility. I like the E much better and it is more functional. I hope the new E in 2009 does not mimic too closely the CLS swoopy look and/or move towards the "hatchback" bulbous/slab side car look that is so common right now with the Lexus 300/430 and the Infiniti M and to some degree the BMW 5 series. The E, IMO, is the only model that looks like a classic luxury sedan right now in this class of vehicles.
You know, I shopped the BMW, MB, Audi and Lex/Infiniti option before I settled on MB.. While at the MB store however, non of the other new design cars appealed to me such as the CLS, or SL's etc.. I found them less and less MB (the way I remember MB growing up). If MB goes the way of BMW and the new S class or CLS in the next E class ('09 model?) then I'm likely going to look at Audi as my next car. They're the only ones left now that haven't gone radical, and they tend to keep their designs for a long period with minor tweaking. Plus, I love their new NAV/Comand system.. blows ours away!
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From: Sacramento
'08 AM Vantage V8 - '03 E500
Finally saw a CLS on the street just last Tuesday. Sacramento ain't LA, Orange County or even the Bay Area. Must say that it really caught my attention on sight, even before I realized that it was a CLS. Having said that, I have to doubt that the CLS represents the future styling direction for other M-B sedans. That "honor" would fall to the new S-class. That would be a pity. The field of luxury cars with acceptable styling is regrettably shrinking. The BMW 5- and 7-series are over the top, the wheel arches and general proportions of the next S-Class are inappropriate for a luxury car, and the otherwise-acceptable looks of the entire Audi sedan line are spoiled by the gaping bass-mouth grilles.
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From: Puerto Rico
08' S550,,,C63!
I hate the looks of it to me it looks like a chrysler. It is the worst mercedes benz ever. The interior is okay but the lights in the front is like a boot and the rear glass like the hummer. E class way better looking!!
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From: SF Bay Area, CA
11 W212 E350 Sport, sold 06 W211 E350
DWP - have to agree with the shrinking pool of luxury car designs that appeal to me. The S with those giant wheel arches spoiled the overall design and the Audi grill, I just could not warm up to it, I just kept staring at it and it seemed to engulf and define the whole car, too bad because it is a nice vehicle sans the grill.
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Joined: Feb 2003
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From: San Clemente, CA
2003 E-500
Originally Posted by shoes
I was attracted to German cars because of their engineering and functionality. To me, the CLS is a less functional E Class. Worse than that, the design seems derivative of the Lexus ES. To me this is the first time a German car company seems to have copied Japanese design.
Give me an E!
Give me an E!
I am in TOTAL agreement with you Shoes, Sacguy and others who dislike the CLS. I was parked next to a CLS this week and would never own one. It's a oversized sports car with a phoney rear seat and terrible visibility. I hope that some of the MB brass read some of our comments on this forum and come up with a decent design in 2009 for the new E or else I'll be looking elsewhere along with the rest of you.
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From: FL410
'05 E320 CDI, '08 BMW X5 4.8i, '11 Duramax 2500HD
Originally Posted by esport
I hate the looks of it to me it looks like a chrysler. It is the worst mercedes benz ever. The interior is okay but the lights in the front is like a boot and the rear glass like the hummer. E class way better looking!!
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Joined: Jul 2003
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From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
Originally Posted by Barry45RPM
OK, so if you wanted to "step up" from an E, do you go to a basically equipped S class or go to the CLS?
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Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Los Angeles / Orange County
2005 E500 / 1993 MR2 Turbo
The CLS is definitely different. Pictures don't do it justice. I was considering purchasing a CLS 500 when I bought my E500 9 months ago. I decided for the E500 being that there is more interior room. Its a very nice car though, curvacious, sporty and most definitely Mercedes.
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Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Cincinnati
2007 S550 Alabaster
Several comments for all the E lovers in this forum. You have great reasons for your E admiration. Fine car, well suited for multiple needs, classic, and well appointed.
I am a first time Mercedes owner and was considering the E before the CLS appeared. I now drive the CLS and would not consider the E for myself. Let me dispell some thoughts from ownership experience.
The ride is very similar to the E, but a little more stable due to the slightly wider stance. The seven gear tranny is a dream, if you don't drive it like a maniac like some of my fellow owners who want every car to perform like a Ferrari.
I'm 6'1" and have no trouble negotiating the back seat when I let my 17 year-old drive.
I was never drawn to the Mercedes camp before because I liked a different kind of styling. That Mercedes introduced something most E drivers consider "unMercedes" is what got them a new customer. You might consider that a brand that never re-imagines itself, never asks questions outside what current owners want, is doomed to stagnation. You might want to prowl the new S look and the upcoming Maybach for additional insight into Mercedes mindset about design.
Consider the CLS the E's flashy urban cousin. We love the E, maybe you could learn to love us.
I am a first time Mercedes owner and was considering the E before the CLS appeared. I now drive the CLS and would not consider the E for myself. Let me dispell some thoughts from ownership experience.
The ride is very similar to the E, but a little more stable due to the slightly wider stance. The seven gear tranny is a dream, if you don't drive it like a maniac like some of my fellow owners who want every car to perform like a Ferrari.
I'm 6'1" and have no trouble negotiating the back seat when I let my 17 year-old drive.
I was never drawn to the Mercedes camp before because I liked a different kind of styling. That Mercedes introduced something most E drivers consider "unMercedes" is what got them a new customer. You might consider that a brand that never re-imagines itself, never asks questions outside what current owners want, is doomed to stagnation. You might want to prowl the new S look and the upcoming Maybach for additional insight into Mercedes mindset about design.
Consider the CLS the E's flashy urban cousin. We love the E, maybe you could learn to love us.
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From: THE NAPA VALLEY, CA
Build date 2-04 E500
Thought this one was dead for sure but I'll add my thoughts after 1 1/2 years.......Yes, As stated earlier I was a little disapointed when I first saw the car at the SF auto show, but after seeing them on the road and in motion I must say this car is just stunning.... (especialy in black). So refreshing to see completly new and agressive styling for MB. To bad the interior is still to much like the E's or I might have to pull the trigger myself. I just can't justify the expense for a car that has the same interior as mine. Guess if I'm going to spend the $$$$ I need something 100% different.
B.T.W... I test drove this car about a year ago and really liked it. I just couldn't get past those aweful cup holders in the middle of everywhere.
B.T.W... I test drove this car about a year ago and really liked it. I just couldn't get past those aweful cup holders in the middle of everywhere.
Last edited by HELL ONA HARLEY; Aug 3, 2005 at 12:47 AM.
Out Of Control!!
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From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
Originally Posted by HELL ONA HARLEY
I just couldn't get past those aweful cup holders in the middle of everywhere.
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Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Saratoga Springs NY
2006 e500
Review of the CLS in Cleveland Plain Dealer.
http://www.cleveland.com/autoreviews...l=2&thispage=1
http://www.cleveland.com/autoreviews...l=2&thispage=1
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From: FL410
'05 E320 CDI, '08 BMW X5 4.8i, '11 Duramax 2500HD
Originally Posted by factoid junkie
I was never drawn to the Mercedes camp before because I liked a different kind of styling. That Mercedes introduced something most E drivers consider "unMercedes" is what got them a new customer. Consider the CLS the E's flashy urban cousin. We love the E, maybe you could learn to love us.
I love conservative styling, ala Audi and MB of a few years past. The rounded, wedge cars don't do it for me. But this is obviously more of a subjective view.
Objectively the CLS is an MB and probably carries the best of what that entails, but it's just not my cup of tea.
Hope MB keeps both markets in mind in their future production and don't just clone their cars ala BMW with the 3,5 and 7 being basically the same car but bigger.
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From: FL410
'05 E320 CDI, '08 BMW X5 4.8i, '11 Duramax 2500HD
Originally Posted by Stash
Review of the CLS in Cleveland Plain Dealer.
http://www.cleveland.com/autoreviews...l=2&thispage=1
http://www.cleveland.com/autoreviews...l=2&thispage=1
I love this part of the review!
However, there is a shortage of storage trays and the two cupholders are so stubby they are almost worthless, suggesting that German engineers are fighting some kind of guerrilla war against America's obsession with constant hydration.
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From: THE NAPA VALLEY, CA
Build date 2-04 E500
Originally Posted by konigstiger
Come on Vince empty one of those shoe boxes in your closet and get into the CLS - enjoy it for a while and then rollover into the S when the initial bugs are worked out. When all is said and done you'll be ready to come back to the redesigned E (W212).
. I May wait till my extended warranty runs out on the E and then see how I feel.
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From: THE NAPA VALLEY, CA
Build date 2-04 E500
Originally Posted by CE750
they're two cars for two totally different markets IMHO. The buyer of one would not usually consider the other.
As usual.... I'm the exception.
Actually there are a few here that think like I do.
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From: FL410
'05 E320 CDI, '08 BMW X5 4.8i, '11 Duramax 2500HD
Originally Posted by shoes
I was attracted to German cars because of their engineering and functionality. To me, the CLS is a less functional E Class. Worse than that, the design seems derivative of the Lexus ES. To me this is the first time a German car company seems to have copied Japanese design.
Give me an E!
Give me an E!
So true...
