Of all the critiques I have read on the E, headroom has never been mentioned. With the seat properly adjusted, I think one could wear a 10 gallon hat in a CL and most certainly the S. Will miss seeing you around here KA, but, life is just too short to drive unsatisfying cars. Once the magic is gone, it is time to move on. I don't think you can go wrong with either of your choices.

 

As much as I like K-A and reading his posts , I will be missing him if he goes ahead and trades his beauty for something else
However, I will be happy for him because he will be driving the car he likes and feel more comfortable

Well, I still think he should be visiting and posting his comments and thoughts at the W212 Forums no matter what

 

Just to be clear, the E-Class isn't really an issue with frontal headroom. It's literally right at the limit, but it's not something that's enough of an issue to where I'm trying to get out of the car due to it or anything. It's just become kind of an annoyance, considering how tight it is, and considering less functional/more swoopy designs give me even more headroom. Sitting in a 6 Series and 911 which I did the other day, and noticing more headroom up front, was.... enlightening.

However, the issues with the CL/CLS are very real for me. I literally couldn't drive one comfortably if someone gave me them. No lie, me sitting in one, even with seatback all the way back to the rear seats, is a safety hazard. My build "style" and their build "style" just don't agree. 36.9" up front is pathetic for either of those cars, if I'm not mistaken you get more in a Gallardo, or pretty much anything out there (look it up, you'll rarely find anything on the roads with less headroom up front).

Thanks to all who would miss me, I am flattered, but I don't think I'll be going anywhere any time soon. Though when my eyes wander crazy things tend to happen.

 

To elaborate on the last part.

.... Usually 2 years is my limit with a design, in terms of my eyes starting to wander. Problem is, this time, I still really feel like there aren't many if any designs that are better than the W212! Try as I might, I can't convince myself otherwise.

At this point, there are only two alternatives that can fit me and that I find can give the E a run in terms of superior styling, and those are the 6 Series line, and the new 991 911 (most beautiful and timeless car in the world, IMO). Of course, those have much more "exclusivity" going for them, but that comes at a cost. As for the 5-Series, not much more headroom than the E (if any), and seeing it next to the 6 GC (which looks more like the next generation 5 Series, which kind of dates the F10 in a way already) made it looks almost irrelevant, blah blah blannnnd.

So, really, the E just really drives a hard bargain, no matter what.

 

sheesh I feel cramped in any Porshe I've ever been in.....
especially the small ones...and they're all small

 

The Boxster was too small for me. The 911 is "tight" in terms of actual mass, but for tall drivers the front headroom is amazing.

 

I'm 6'4" and had alot of problems with headroom and test drove many cars. I traded in a 2005 745Li and I find the W212 headroom to be at least as good, maybe a little better than, the big BMW. FWIW...

 

Problem is that your too ****. Anytime i drive my buddys cars, i naturally feel weird/alkward because im in a different seat and vehicle cockpit.

My advice is, put the seat all the way down and adjust the seatback. If you drive like a grandma (no offense) with the seatback all the way up...then adjust your driving style, because then you wont fit into anything. Thats why seatbacks and telescoping steering wheels were invented.

If Shaq can fit into his Ferrari, you can fit into any of these cars.

 

Have u tried a Cadillac???

 

K-A, 911 may be good with headroom, but honestly I drive the E more way quieter and more comfortable.

 

All things considered, I'm not being too ****. The E is pretty much the closest I can cut it, in terms of headroom, with being comfortable and safe. I have messed with the seat a lot as well.... steering wheel all the way out, I even pushed the seat forward to get my knees closer to the dash, so I can roll my backrest back more, freeing up the maximum amount of headroom I can. It's comfortable, but my head is literally a centimeter away from slightly rubbing the roof. There's no air space between my head and the roof. The CL/CLS are a whole different beast, like I said, that extra inch they lack from the E makes it so they're unlivable big time.

I mean, there IS a way for us tall people to fit into these cars, which is sticking our heads into the moonroof openings, or just kinking our necks, but it's real uncomfortable and super unsafe. I think Shaq gets his cars custom tailored for his height though.

MCF: I haven't tried a Caddy, not any that interest me really. I'm sure the Escalade has a plethora of headroom for me, but it's not really my bag. The CTS Coupe I did sit in, and MAN is the headroom cramped, about the same "unlivable" situation for me as the CLS/CL is (actually, the CTS Coupe has .3" MORE headroom than the CL/CLS, showing just how cramped the two M-B's are for us tall torso's), and via looking it up, seems there are lots of complaints about that.

W210: Yeah, that's my only drawback toward the 991. It is very refined for what it is, but coming from an E, you know that it's a true race-inspired car. It's loud, connected to the ground, not serene, and feels like a little toy. Not sure how good a daily driver it would make. Headroom aside, the interior can make one used to a big car feel slightly claustrophobic and vulnerable as well.

 

You might want to check out the new 2013 Cadillac XTS sedan. 39.0" front headoom and lots of cool creature features.

 

I'm glad I don't have this problem... another great thing about being short. I'm only 5'8".