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W212 M276 DELA 30 ; W211 M113k, W126 M117, W126 OM617, W211 OM642 ; R107 M117 X2, Sierra 1500 LZ0
All else being equal, would you choose a 2016 E400 over a CLS400?
Same chassis, same engine, same transmission, very similar interiors, different packaging. Both have the updated COMAND system, but the CLS uses a much larger screen with a tablet style display whereas the 212 uses the dash hump look with a smaller screen. Both are hovering between the 35-40K price range used with similar miles (despite the CLS starting 10K higher). Anyone choose between the two (not necessarily the same years) and willing to explain what and why?
2007 mercedes e63, 2006 bmw 530 Xi with Mtech kit , 2005 ford expedition
I chose the 15 e400 over the cls 400 ..but honestly it wasn't my choice ..wifey didn't care for the bucket seating in the back ... Car was only 3k more than my e400
1. Aren't frameless door coupe noisier than their counterparts?
2. Isn't insurance high on coupe irrespective of the number of doors compared to regular sedans?
3. When you say packaging is different just the interior colors are right? Leather is comfy in Mercedes compared to ****ty MB-Tex atleast in 2014 that is true.
4. Any distronic plus features in either of them? Lightning package? Parktronic?
5. How old are you if I may ask? Kids? 2-seat vs 3-seating in the rear. For me that was a choosing point between Panamera and my w212.
These are just my criteria
Good luck with purchase.
W212 M276 DELA 30 ; W211 M113k, W126 M117, W126 OM617, W211 OM642 ; R107 M117 X2, Sierra 1500 LZ0
Originally Posted by raja777m
1. Aren't frameless door coupe noisier than their counterparts? Not sure - Are they? I was worried a bit about chassis flex and the way the windows must retract slightly everytime the door is opened and closed
2. Isn't insurance high on coupe irrespective of the number of doors compared to regular sedans? Didn't consider that but I imagine it'd be pretty cheap for me regardless
3. When you say packaging is different just the interior colors are right? Leather is comfy in Mercedes compared to ****ty MB-Tex atleast in 2014 that is true. The interior in the CLS is more elegant, a lot more wood. The Nav screen is larger in the CLS and tablet style
4. Any distronic plus features in either of them? Lightning package? Parktronic? The options packages are largely the same, you can get all the same stuff in a E as a CLS minus the air suspension
5. How old are you if I may ask? Kids? 2-seat vs 3-seating in the rear. For me that was a choosing point between Panamera and my w212. 35, no kids. But I've been driving an "old man's" E320 bluetec for the last 8 years, image isn't a huge concern. I actually prefer the exterior of the E for the most part, but the interior and newer COMAND system on the CLS is appealing.
These are just my criteria
Good luck with purchase.
It all comes down to practicality and your current stable of cars, since obviously you are not looking for power. CLS if you are single, have no kids or just you and Wifey. The rear of the CLS just doesn't work well for everyday activity. However, if Wifey has a practical car or you have another practical daily, then you can't beat the styling and "eye catching" ability of the CLS. Also, you will probably be the only one on your block with a CLS. Don't quote me on it but insurance maybe higher on the CLS since it is a more expensive car. I would check that out if that is something you care about.
Overall I think the CLS works best when you have another car.
I would just drive each and spend some sitting in the cabin to get a feel for them. The CLS had worse visibility and blind spots IMO and I couldn't live with that everyday.
I would go with the E400, the 2014 refresh of the W212 incorporated the new MB design language. I have a 2014 E550 and it's still a head turner....but you need the LED headlight package! Those dual LEDs make the car stand out from the crowd. Also, the front fascia of the W212 refresh is quite similar to the new W213 redesign. I put the AMG diamond grill on my car, and personally, I think the front end looks better than the current E-class. And check out spy shots of the 2019 GLE redesign, the headlights have a similar design to the W212 refresh.
Don't get me wrong, I think the CLS is a beautiful car. But the first generation CLS aged horribly...and I think the current gen will not fair to well either. Actually the headlights on the new CLS redesign have a sharp pointed angle that is reminiscent of the W212 refresh. Only downside to W212 is the interior is essentially unchanged from 2010.
I don't do frameless windows... I've had two cars with frameless windows and both were disasters (both sound and especially leaks).
One expects to have sitting space problems in the rear seat of a two-door coupe. But not in a 4-door, which I hardly consider a "coupe" to begin with. Before I buy any 4-door car, I always sit in the back for 5-minutes to be sure my head isn't jammed into the headliner. In this case: Fail. I've never been impressed with the CLS roofline. Stylish at first, but as others have observed quickly dated.
Finally, I think the tablet style center stack looks like a tacky afterthought. One of the many reasons I decided not to buy a W213.
The CLS was on my list when shopping around until I sat in the rear seat. I'm just under 5'11" and my hair was touching the headliner. My son is nearly my height now and is still growing, so for me that was an easy one to put a line through. As you don't have kids this may not be quite the concern, but are you driving other family/friends around often?
It's definitely a sharp looking vehicle from the outside - you should be happy with either choice.
Don't want to derail the thread, but isn't the E class coupe based on the w204 C class chassis? That alone would sway me to the CLS400, plus the multi beam LED on the CLS is nucking futs!
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