threeMBs

K-A, above contradicts (the way I see it) everything negative you said about CLS (luck of headroom, for 6'4", etc. etc.). It basically comes down to one thing and one thing only - the price. Reminds me of a discussion from a few months back, where I tried to point out that the only reason for people going for E350 instead of E550 (me included now since I got E350 sedan instead of E550 sedan, but I already have E550 coupe; and you going from S500 to E350) - was the price as well. There were a number of reasons given (like mpg - give me a break and other bs) except one - that is price again. My only point was (and still is) that price is the driving force here, nothing else.

golfster

I would say it is two, price and "need." The why pay more for more car than you need aspect of purchase rationalization, or point of sastifactory return. Otherwise the same could be said for E550 vs. E63 or E550 vs. S550 or S550 vs. S600 or S63/65, and so on all the way up the ladder similar rationalization is made.

It is quite common on these boards...

-"I was considering between the E550 and S550 but liked the size of the E550 better." I believe size really could be a factor in that decision, but your suggestion is that it was price driven only.
-"I was debating between the E550 and the E63, but needed AWD." Some could say that the knowledgeble shopper would have known that the E63 is RWD only, and if the need is AWD, the E63 was never really to be considered. So was it really the $30-40K savings?

Consumers spend based upon what they want mixed with how much they are willing to pay. Otherwise, we'd all be driving the top car.

threeMBs

My point was specifically and only related to E350 vs E550, no other compares apply here. Both available with (where it counts) identical options, except airmatic (I have/had 2 cars with it and do not feel car drives any better) and engine.

In addition, there were a lot of posts on "how to get more power out of 350", etc. So, IMHO it comes down only to price, not because "I do not need the power now".

My only point was that "CLS is too small and does not look as good as E", but if CLS is available at the "right" price, then its no longer too small and now looks better than E. Once you say something, it stays with you, and that is the truce.

DNAPoPo

I went with the E550 becuase of the full airmatic suspension and the hope that this body style would not be dated as fast. I try to keep my cars a little longer to justify cost, so yes price is a huge consideration as well.

htn75

I have to agree with ThreeMbs.
If price of CLS is at or comparable to my E550, I would definitely make the switch. Since $$$$ is no more of a concern, I/we have to think things over.
Just got a price sheet from my dealer. 2012 CLS is $2700 less than out going model. Hmmm..... decisions....decisions....

RJC

Interesting no comments on this yet...they do make some good points.

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

Tjdehya

A small case of alzheimer's?

RJC

I was making mention that others haven't commented on this yet and provided the link again to be helpful.

K-A

That is true, of course. But like I said, I'd "really consider" it, as if we pretended that the CLS and E were priced almost exactly the same, the E would still hold some benefits over the CLS, still rendering the CLS "not as worth it" to some people. Also, a lot of what you pay for with the CLS is exclusivity factor, and without that, IMO the benefits and styling of it wouldn't be seen in as premium of a light as they are right now. I know that the leading factor that has me even considering a CLS at a premium price over the E is exclusivity factor, which imagine if I bought one and I saw them everywhere! I'd have been pi$$ed about spending the extra cash, and figured I could have just stayed with my E (of course there are other aspects than just "exclusivity factor" that would keep me satisfied with it VS the E, but like I said, it's a give and take, and "exclusivity" leads).

Fact of the matter is, for me, rear seat headroom is a non-issue, as I rarely have people back there, and front seat headroom is a big issue (which it seems the CLS is very good with). I do like the space and ambiance of a Sedan though (hence why as an un-married guy who's usually solo in the car, I still bought a Sedan), as I don't like cramped or claustrophobic interiors much.

pwidjaja

Agree, 1000%. It has always been the case. Otherwise, well all be discussing in Lambo forum.

hyperion667

yeah; to an E63, lol.......

just waiting until the years end

WEBSRFR

The back seat accommodating only 2 people in such a large car is a deal breaker for me. If I wanted a small sports car with a small back seat, I'd buy one...

ngerstman

I would tend to agree. Not quite as silly a car as the CL which may be the all time champ in impracticality. Big, heavy, terrible back seat, worse than the CLS. Super expensive. I could never undertand what the appeal of that car was/is. Maybe the dumbest car in the lineup. Been making them for a long time now as well. Regards. Ned.

RennsportC63

The new CLS outshines the old outdated c219. The C218 is extremely tempting and unless you need the 5th seat in your w212 then go for it. The supercharged v6 in the a7 just does not come close to the CLS. With some less than 300 hp is not even close to the 403 of the C218. Go for the CLS!!!!!!

Tjdehya

The CLS is a coupe, it's not a sedan. It's just so happens to have 4 doors. If you don't like coupes then this car is not for you. With a coupe you will have less room for rear passengers. It's a different car from the E.
The CL is a coupe, it doesn't have 4 doors. The CL is a 2 door S-class.
Practicality was a VERY small consideration when MB designed these cars.

RennsportC63

This is true. I don't even understand the E coupe. It really looks like a CL for less than half the price. I know the CL is a CL and has all theses luxury amentities and is a touring car. But why the e coupe.. the CLK had the same sort of problem. Im pretty sure the their even almost the same dimensions. What are the differences?

Tjdehya

The differences are the same as the S and E.
Now there is the CL, E, and C coupe, three different priced coupes.
Exactly the same choice sedan buyers have S, E, and C.
And for those in the middle there is the CLS.
The CL will be renamed the S-coupe next year. (or replaced by the S-coupe however you want to look at it)

RennsportC63

yeah but the c coupe is way different and it actually makes sense to produce. Is the E coupe going to get the 5.5 L biturbo in the 550. do the mb turbos have any lag?

park423

Coupes have been around forever in all makes, since when are they/or ever about practicality, is there even such a thing as a practical coupe? Now a sedan or SUV that's impractical, that's something to gripe about.

If I ever win the lotto, everyone of my cars will be extremely impractical.

K-A

"4-Door Coupe" is an oxymoron (Marketing gimmick). The CLS is simply a Sedan with a sloping roofline and sporty dimensions to me.

That said, I don't see myself buying a 2-Door anytime soon, and it has nothing to do with having room for other people, as I like the proportions, interior spaciousness, and look of 4-Doors, so I'd probably get a "4-Door Coupe" over a real Coupe.
.

RennsportC63

The CLS as well as the Volkswagen CC have no B Pillar making them coupes

ngerstman

Good point. Is it generally accepted that a car without a B pillar is a coupe? I know that I always refered to a two door as a coupe and the issue of the B pillar never came to mind. Needless to say, you don't need a B pillar in a two door. It seems to me that the B pillar in a four door would add to structural integrity so I'm not sure why I wouldn't want one in a four door for other than the look. I'll take structural integrity. Regards. Ned.

RennsportC63

good point although I do like CLS and CCs. The W211 E class is very outdated, the W212 im afraid could become outdated, The C219 still looks cool as well as the new C218,

Tjdehya

I have no idea what you are talking about.
The CLS has a B Pillar.
Unless you are referring to something else?

fromthebeginnin

No CLS for me for a lot of the reasons mentioned, especially the fact that it is only a 4 seater. The W212 is the perfect size auto for me (especially since the kids are now gone), like Hype if I was going to switch it would be the E63.