+1, been thinking the same thing

 

+2, Yup. About $5000 cheaper. That isn't anything to sneeze at. They have to save it somewhere.

Over the weekend I messed around with a 2012 CLS for a solid 30 minutes and after getting back in my 2009 E550, I really didn't feel like I was going down a major step in luxury, feel or ambiance. Glad too because I really don't need to be spending 70k on a new car right now!

 

I'm interested in your source for 2012 prices. Will the E350's be lower as well?

 

He was referring to W212 versus the W211. Not 2012 model year.

 

Boy did I miss that one. I guess I'm not awake yet.

 

LOL!! It happens to the best of us.

 

MB saved way more than thousands per vehicle by basing the W212 off of the C class platform. Also, the W212 uses a much simpler and less expensive 3 link, strut based front suspension now. These two changes alone would more than account for the lower price point MB can offer the E at now.

 

This was actually mentioned in a media release by Daimler (see the Daimler Media website) when the W212 came out. They said they're now learning the value of parts bin sharing that other mfgs have long been profiting from.

Ford knew this too when they owned Aston Martin and Volvo

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/31/d...o-logo-on-key/

 

Does this mean the ball joints will last longer than 60,000 like the ones on my E class.?

 

This thread is depressing me...

 

to ImInPa...maybe I misunderstand you, but the W212 is NOT based on the C class platform. The coupe/convertible IS, but not the sedans. The sedans are E all the way.

 

Actually, the E-classes (sedan included) *are* sort of based on the C-class platform. At least, according to Motor Trend it is (last paragraph):

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...ive/index.html

 

So my W212 E550 shares the same 3 link platform as a base C class ? Is this true ?

 

The wheelbase on the E is 113 inches, the c & the e coupe are 108, and so on for other dimensions. The motor trend article is misleading (probably referring to the coupe being "marqued" as an E)- and contradicted by so many other sources. I reiterate - the coupe is built on a C platform. The sedan is not. That is not to say that the e doesn't share many parts and engineering with other classes. The cls - costing much more - is built on an e platform for example. This is NOT to knock the C's. I drove one before I traded a cls on the E, and I was impressed! I would bet that there are at least a dozen guys that are looking into this right now, so we will hear more soon.

 

Well, it's a mixed story.

The E-Coupe literally IS ON TOP OF a C-Class, and is basically a 2 door/Coupe C-Class with some E aspects and design traits to glam it up.

The W212 was a "test" for M-B, who have been watching competitors make tons of $$$$ by whoring chassis' out for their entire car line (BMW), while M-B spends billions in carefully manufacturing all new chassis for all new cars. I like the way M-B used to do it, as I'm an enthusiast and a purist who romanticizes cars, so I don't care for the bean counter way (also, thank hideous cars like the 5 GT and X6 to chassis-sharing, as BMW would have never taken a chance on them, were they to have to spend all the R&D money in developing them from the ground up), but it's the way it's gotta be nowadays.

The "test" was that M-B honchos wanted to have proof that chassis sharing would work for them, in order to green light it for future use fully (and save billions and billions), which it has, and which they will.

The E (and the CLS, if you want to go further) both started with the C Chassis, and were further developed and modified to support and work with, and benefit/befit the E-Class. It's not an identical chassis at all, but it is very much shared, and modified. Also, the suspensions, and many other underpinnings are partially shared, and this also goes for the $80K CLS-Class, upcoming S-Class, etc. M-B will be part whoring a ton more, like BMW, who practically sell 1-3 cars, with a different size and shell on top of it.

Fortunately, the C-Class chassis is not engineered to a price point (however, its comfort and luxury aspect in ride are, but the core underneath it is not), and is a brilliant chassis, which feels confident and nearly indestructible, and can walk the line between sport and luxury.

 

Motor Trend website is getting desperate to create more content and hire all the people who know how to use keyboard. But that's about all they know. It would be nice if they also knew cars. As a result: they started to come up with all this nonsense information.

C-Class sedan and E-Class sedan are completely 2 different animals. Obviously, someone can say that both of them have steering wheel and 4 wheels - so somehow it's a same thing!

Coupe is different. If you remember E Coupe appeared to be a substitution of CLK-Class, which had C-Class chassis. But now MB is coming out with C-Class coupe, which has the same chassis as E-Class coupe! What happened to German logical thinking? This will be really confusing... not only for Motor Trend...

 

That is incorrect. The Sedan is a stretched and widened version of the C class. The coupe shares the C's hardpoints. It is a fanstastic platform.

K-A, it is my understanding that the CLS still resides on the W211 platform as did the original CLS.

 

Really? I'm about 100% sure it's on the new E platform. The wheelbase and shorter overhangs alone make it appear that way, not to mention the press on the car that say it's a "twin of the new E-Class".

If it is a W211 platform, what a disaster. That platform wasn't the strongest, and I'd never pay more for a car that's built on the previous version of its cheaper-twins new platform.

 

OMG you guys are lost in here. The CLS and the E-Class sedan share their own platform. Period. The C-Class and the E-Class coupe share a chassis also, just like with the old CLK models. The 2012 CLS is based on the W212 chassis, not the W211. How backwards would that be to base a brand new CLS on an already replaced chassis.

The E Coupe/Convertible have some E-Class hardware, but a quick look at its measurements and the lack of Airmatic and other features shows it to be a C-Class variant. The last true E Coupe was the C124 300CE/E320 Coupe that ran from 1988-1995, it was priced higher than the sedan, not lower. A true Mercedes coupe variant of an existing sedan is ALWAYS priced higher, not lower.

The E-Class is not a "lengthened and widened" version the C-Class. It is a shame that someone can post such misinformation and it gets taken seriously and starts a discussion.

All cars from any particular brand share parts, but it doesn't mean that they actually share a whole chassis. All Mercedes "platforms" are similar just as BMWs are, the engineering is the same, just more so elaborate as you go up in price/specification.

Its hilarious, misinformation and then panic over nothing.

What is with this site anyway, no new forums for the new CLS or SLK???? Is anyone running the site or what?




M

 

really enjoyed this post........it seems we do have many many know it alls around here.......and since not many people do the research for them seleves, every word is taken as law...........
I also think some people like to read their type....
and say the word "platform" over and over again.....to sound like one with brains......

he who talks the most.......usually knows the least....

knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens

 

Yes. And he who wakes up earliest in the morning, sleeps with the lizard at nightfall!! Regards. Ned.

 

From Daimler
The CLS-Class boasts a three-link front axle. This is mounted on an extremely stiff, weight-optimised integral subframe. Compared with the 212 series, the cross struts and torque struts have a steeper angle which improves handling.
The three-link front axle on the CLS-Class offers the following benefits:

■improved anti-roll control
■Improved transfer of lateral forces to the road
■minimal weight
■very good crash characteristics

The multi-link independent rear suspension with its lightweight design is mounted on a lighter weight rear axle subframe made out of high-strength steel. A significant increase in the rigidity at the force transmission points provides additional support for the front subframe mounts.
The multi-link independent rear suspension excels by virtue of:

■unsurpassed wheel location qualities
■Superb ride comfort and driving dynamics
■improved acoustic and vibration characteristics

 

Does anyone know the specs / prices for the 2012 W212 for Canada?

TIA

 

Prices won't be released until late August (MY12 production starts in September). Specs are very similar to MY11, altho with new engines of course.

There's also a great 2011 E-Class "125th Anniversary Edition" that's hitting dealers now - basically you get the new full-color instrument cluster, designo wood trim and genuine leather for free on all 350s.

 

Thanks YYZ-E55. Interesting.

The special edition sounds like a plan to keep buyers interested until the late arriving 2012s are here.