Fletcher Jones Imports, but i was told that it was only in town for the past weekend for a Governor's Ball, so I am not sure if it will still be there. Also check your PM.

 

Agreed! The A7's tail lights shape look quite similar to those on the current gen Civic

 

Thanks for the info T.

BTW, how was *front* headroom on the CLS? I'm 6'4, and the A7 was a non-starter for me, as my head was rubbing against the roof. In fact, anything less than what my W212 provides is pretty much out of the question for me, as even my W211 almost too uncomfortable (had to stick my head in the moonroof indent area to feel just right).

From what I've found via research, the CLS has pretty good front headroom, but not sure if what I'm finding is right.

 

While the premium in price for the CLS is a bit extreme you're getting much more than just difference in looks. For starters the interior is completely wrapped in leather in the CLS opposed to a composite in the E. There are also quite a few more standard options in the CLS which come as optional on the E.

 

I am only 6' and I more issues with legroom than headroom when it comes to cars, that's why I don't like driving small sedans.
I was not bothered by headroom in the front or the rear but I think taller individuals may not be so comfortable in the rear sets.

I found a couple video reviews that apply to this thread.

CLS http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYPPjNV0gz0
A7 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wW43D...otation_768530

 

Great links, thanks.

My additional comments, if anyone cares to read them.

A7:
That car was a European version. US cars have cheap and ugly looking plastic piece between rear individual seat, not a "third" bench type of seat like in the video. Also, that car was not a US Prestige verison - US Prestige looks better/sportier and has much more standard equipment. Overall though, it confirms my opinion that the exterior of the car is simply gorgeous - from the rear 3/4 it looks more Porsche 911 than Porsche's own Panamera. While A7, considering its less than opulent interior and luck of (MB type) V8 power, is certanly very pricey, its handling, aided by the all might quattro, is outstanding for such a big car.

CLS:
Inerior is, as expected, an upscale E class version with much nicer, IMO, dash incorporation of the navigation screen. I like this design a lot more than in E. Exterior, however is even busier than E sedan's. IMO, E sedan front wins, while CLS rear wins hands down, and maybe a tie from the side. IMO, E sedan is not as much a competition to CLS as E550 coupe is. Since I mentioned A7 price, one also has to say that CLS is even pricier. Power is outstanding, while handling (and its my assumption only based on my E sedan/coupe experience) is not up to par to the available power.

 

Ummmmmmmmmmm

 

Sorry, I see nothing in common. If anything, A7's rear (especially in pictures) looks like rear of BMW 850i coupe from early 1990s. Live, A7 looks stunning, IMO.

 

no? it's the first thing that came to my mind when i saw it.

BMW 850.. I've always loved that car

 

I find the shape of the current E's tail lights look quite similar to the last generation Hyundai Sonata's. It is the LEDs that make them special, but the tail lights are pretty boring on the E.

 

Ive always thought the shape of the current E's tail lights look kinda quite similar to a Camry's or visa versa, not such a good thing lol...but it's not stopping me from getting the E cab.

 

So here is my two kopeks.

Let me start by saying why a thought of switching my E550 crossed my mind.

1. Breaks - they are inadequate.
2. Seats - I have adaptive seats. While they are comfortable they are not comfortable enough.
3. New V8 bi-turbo. I have to say folks - I teared up a bit when I heard this new V8. To think that this new engine is more economical while delivering a lot more power was just unbelievable.
4. Absence of creature comfort options. For example: back passenger window shades, alcantara options, better stereo options. Note: in the US one cannot order these unless you go designo, but even then your options are limited.

Now, let me tell you which cars I test drove and considered.

1. A7 - generally a weird car. If you look at it carefully it is a hodge podge of many VW components . They had to quickly come up with a response to CLS and that they did. I did not like the way it drove: numb steering, not enough power, etc. You really ask yourself - why are they asking 64K for it!? I did not like the interior. Overall feeling of driving/being in that car was negative. I don't even want to go into specifics here. Audi affecianados might disagree.

2. Porsche Panamera S - hmmm. I liked it. I liked the exterior. And I know that a lot of folks don't, but I think the car looks wonderful in the profile. I liked the interior and seats. One thing I did not was plastic over climate control temperature indicators. I want to point it out because it is so prominent that you end up looking at it all the time. And it does not look that great. On a more relevant side, what I was not impressed with was actually why most would even go to test drive a Porsche - driving. Believe it or not folks, but my E550 drives better. All that hype about Panameras being wolfs in GT sedans' skin is not true. Steering is numb and cornering feel about the same as E550. That said, please understand that few of us will drive our cars in the same manner they do it on Inside Line tests. I know that Panamera can do better Gs. It breaks better and accelerates faster. But the price you pay for it would equate to E63 AMG, and that would make Panamera S argument moot. Side note: while I complained about lack of options with MB USA, with Porsche USA you have another extreme. They will fleece you to the bone with those never ending options. Leather upholstered air vents anyone?!

3. CLS - I saw the new CLS63 AMG. Did not drive it, but heard it start. I liked the exterior. A lot. I did not like the interior. If you compare it to E it feels cramped and contrived. God helps the one drinking coffee in that car! Back seat is not comfortable. It is true there is more headroom than in the previous model, but not enough. Why I would worry about it is simple. If you are getting 4 doors you might as well demand proper back seats. I hate to break it to you, but that is not the case here. Another thing that bothered me with CLS was gaps in its metal. I am not sure if MB is letting new standards for this particular class, but those gaps looked pretty wide to me. And with car's such angular design they really jumped at you. Reminded me of some American cars' construction from the 80s.

4. CL550 - I know. I know. Different class. Different price. Nevertheless, I have to say - if I had the money I would jump into this one in no time. Imagine: Silver/Black with 20" AMG wheels and a new V8 bi-turbo. Holy mackerel! This car can move. No limit to its torque whatsoever. If you transmit the sound of its engine to a speaker and let a girl squat over it the orgasm will arrive in no time. And those seats! They feel like first class seats on Singapore Airlines. And the sound system! You want to say that it feels like a cruiser, but then it does not - it is really pleasantly confusing

 

I wish people would stop the SILLY "that car looks like this car" comments.
Yes they both have red taillights (go figure?!?)
They are all cars and until we start making vehicles that George Jetson would drive then they will always be similarities between EVERY CAR MADE!
DUH!

 

I would drive George Jetson's car in a New York minute. I had hope for a Jetson-like option package for 2012. Just another damn sign of cost cutting.

 

Wow, that is weird. So it isn't in line with the E-Class that it is based on? Having owned some older M-B's (not much older, talking 00's and on), the W212 has extremely tight and precise panel gaps, far and away better than anything M-B has put out before, so that would be upsetting for CLS buyer to not get the same refinement there. That and TJ saying that it isn't as quiet and serene, or as good at filtering out ambient noise inside as the W212, or that the doors don't sound as "tank-like" (aluminum frameless doors, which makes sense), is kind of a letdown in those depts.

About the CLS being cramped inside, that has always been a troubling thing for me, and it is what had me preferring the W211's interior ambiance and driving feel over the original CLS.

Oh, and about the Panamera, they don't even give you FLOOR MATS for free! Lol.

 

Goes way beyond that. When one designer blatantly robs from another with no signs of originality gives us reason to comment and justifiably so, especially in this case where a high end car like the w212w207 tail lights so obviously resembles the econo Toyota Camry...not good.

 

If you see an E next to a Camry, the differences become more prevalent. The E's has stronger proportions, is a lot more serious and angular/crisp, and the taillights are more shallow than the bubbly Camry's. However, yes, the general and immediate resemblance is certainly there. It is true though, you can pick about any modern Premium car and point to a lesser cars rear that resembles it. The differences are always in the details and how they even subconsciously can affect the overall presence.

 

Too close for comfort in this case and I believe Toyota had this design first...

On another note I really like the new 2012 CLS's tail lights from what I've briefly seen in pics, quite nice.

 

Yes, I do agree with the gaps. I thought that it looked off, especially in the front end. Still a sexy looking car though.

 

I wonder if the CLS guys had as much chatter in that forum when the new E came out as there is here for the new CLS?

 

The E got a far larger and more intense reaction than the CLS, which is to be expected as it's a more important, popular and common car. One good thing about having a car that is more "common", is that there's a larger owner group and support group for it. If you look at the CLS Boards, they're quite slow moving.

 

No doubt KA, I was thinking on a relative basis.

It would be interesting to see how many more CLS's would be sold here if there was a 350 version offered, especially now that's it's 300+hp.

 

Yeah, I agree^^. A CLS 350 could start at low $60's which is touching on loaded E350.

I don't know if M-B would do that, but if they did, I would REALLY consider a CLS, as right now, I just don't "need" a 4.6L TT V8, and although it would be cool, I don't feel that it constitutes such price increase to me personally.

I asked in the "Advisors" Website, whether they'll bring it here, and they said they have no idea. If they did though, there goes the "exclusivity factor" of the CLS.

I'm still baffled by the comments of poor-er gap lines/fit and finish outside. The front end definitely has some misalignment/gaps due to the EU pedestrian regulations (and poor implementation in a R&D sense it seems), but I'd be surprised to find that spread to the rest of the car.

 

I know what you mean; geez that front grille is almost Dodge like...

 

Interesting perspective on this and E's I just found from the CLS guys:

https://mbworld.org/forums/cls-coupe...oming-usa.html