Hello Forum,

I currently drive an E550 Coupe (2011) with AMG/sports package and my lease is up in June! I'm going to test drive the new CLA45 AMG and the CLS550 this week. Has anyone driven the cars I've mentioned above? Which would be your choice of the above and why please?

Thank you so much in advance,
Cheers,
Matrix19

Two totally different cars. The cla is a fast little sedan and if you in a market for something like the cla45 it's an awesome new Mercedes/AMG addition. A CLS550 is a big sedan that feels totally different, more comfortable, bigger inside. It's also very fast with the twin turbo V8. Both are great cars but one can't compare the two. You have to know what you want.

The CLA was designed to be a cheap version of the CLS. The CLA45 is small, light, and the entry model for Mercedes.
The CLS is big, heavy, and pretty close to S-class Mercedes Luxury.
The CLS is a BIG car, the CLA is a SMALL car. I have driven the CLS but I have not driven the CLA.
Let us know your thoughts when you test drive them.

Thanks for your comment. I'll test drive and know more of "what I want". Will let you know...

Yes I agree. Will be test driving them soon. Will share my thoughts with you for sure. Thanks!

4.6 > 2.0

True that WTW. I don't think I'll b able to go to a 2.0 from my current V8! Will have to test drive to confirm.

OK so I pulled a trig on the CLS550. Honestly, I never got to test drive the CLA45 as they are flying off the delivery trucks before they land in dealerships I've noticed. BUT, realistically speaking, I most likely would have retained my decision of staying with a V8 than a 4. I'm completely satisfied and waiting for the lease to be up so I could get a higher model AMG (E or CLS since I would like for it to be a 4 door). For now, I'm totally loving the CLS550 as it's a beast on its own.

Thanks for all of your inputs,
Matrix

Let us know how you like the new unit! Exciting!

Cheers,

Matrix,


Hopefully anyone reading this topic after your feedback and my feedback will have less of a hassle trying to decide. I also opted for the CLS 550 biturbo but I test drove both cars.


In my opinion(again, from own experience of driving both) the CLA is small as hell, the rear seats are tight, I am not too tall(5'10" and 205lbs) and I have hard times getting in the CLA rear seats.
The screen in the middle of the dash/center console is simply pathetic, that was a turn off. You sometimes wonder, what were they thinking? it looks plain and simple pathetic.
The car is not as a "bargain" as they say, it is like well over $50000 OTD once you add the taxes, registration and delivery destination($925), then add the options. For similar price you can grab a Boxter, a Corvette, a S4, S5 and other cars that perform equally or better.


As far is the good, well, gas mileage is good, performance is good but right now the CLA 45 is not like the car that is beating all the other competitors, it beats a M235i marginally or a STI marginally. I am not saying is a bad car but for the price that you would pay for one I think you can opt for other competitive cars as well.


I purchased a CLS 550(bi-turbo), it is a couple of years old and is quick as hell. It is much bigger and wider than the CLA and it comes well equipped from factory. I don't want to sound biased because the price difference between a CLA 45 and CLS is like $22000 but in my book the CLS is one step above the CLA in many things. The CLS 550 is also very quick, I just trapped 111mph on a 1/4 strip at 3100ft elevation, I would like to see how many stock CLA 45 AMG compares to that.


It is a hard decision, the two cars don't compare (in my opinion), the CLA looks like a small CLS and it is probably marginally faster in short distances, it handles better and probably cost less to maintain, on the other hand the CLS 550 is a all around car, you can enjoy the luxury and comfort of the ride while also driving a fast as hell car(two cars in one).


It was a hard decision for me also. I ended with the CLS though.

don't forget the 67cc too..