BGTHEMOGUL

Hey everybody,

I'm brand new here to the site and this is my first post. I'm in the market of to purchase my first ever Mercedes Benz and I'm having an extremely difficult time between the CLS550 and the S550. I know alot of you have experience with both models and have been in my exact shoes before. You know what it is like doing endless research, bouncing back and forth on which one you like more, and it practically being impossible to decide.

So I decided to come get some more "professional" opinions from you all.

I'm looking at 2007 simply because its in my price point. I've noticed they are relatively close in price, with the S550's being a couple grand more on average.

I'm definitely looking for the AMG appearance package on either vehicle.

Did one of these vehicles have more drastic changes between 2007 and the new 2010 models? I obviously prefer the one that is closest to the newest model out feature wise, appearance wise, etc.

Looking to grab one for around the $45k mark. What are your thoughts between the CLS550 and the S550???

Thank you in advance as I really need to hear from some of you who have done this same research I'm doing and why you went the route you did.

CL55_Serge

S550 is a newer body, CLS is so 2004 :-) Seriously, go for the big body - having driven both, the S is much more elegant. Going with the S will keep your car looking new for longer than going w/ the CLS.

BGTHEMOGUL

Thanks for the opinion. Your car looks great by the way. Similar look to what I'll be going for with either vehicle.

I'm so torn between the two. I was set on a CLS550 for sure the past week and have been looking everywhere for the right buy. Then today I started thinking about the S550 and now I'm driving myself crazy trying to choose...hence why I ended up here.

CarboyS

I believe the S550 is the better choice because IT IS THE TRUE BENCHMARK of Luxury. If you wait a bit (summer hopefully), I think the S600's will be around your price range...

BGTHEMOGUL

Thank you for the reply. See I think that is the whole issue. I'm on the fence between the sport luxury feel and the complete luxury. I feel like I can't go wrong with either option but I'm just stuck. I'm starting to lean towards the S550 now though.

What are the major differences between the 2007 and the current 2010 model?

emilner

The difference between 07 and 10 are mostly cosmetic, new head/tail lights, new rear bumper and a few different package details. Some tech upgrades (Telematics including nav) can easily be upgraded by software. All in all there is not a whole lot different between an '07 and a '10.

Where you are going to see a major difference is between the CLS and an S. They are two totally different cars. I went from an '07 E550 to an '07 (eventually) S550. The E550/CLS550 and the S550 are made by two different car companies. I'm not kidding. The E and the CLS are the same cars save body styling (I find the CLS is a very feminine car, but that is just me). Mechanically they are identical. The CLS is going to be a faster car because of the weight difference. Beyond that, the S will blow its doors off in every other conceivable category.

The S is the definition of a luxury cruiser. It has been said it is a symbol of your arrival. I believe it makes your arrival a letdown; the last thing you ever want to do is stop driving this car, it is that good. I posted a review recently of the car which compares the 211 to the 221:

https://mbworld.org/forums/new-s-cla...yesterday.html

That post sums up my view. The CLS is a fantastic car. It competes against the best that BMW, Audi and the rest have to offer, but no one competes against an S class for it is the definition of class.....

s600ed

I have both a S600 and CLS63 both '07. Two totally different cars. W221 has much newer tech. and the interior room/quality is second to none. You haven't driven/owned a MB until you experience the S-class, pure and simple.

BGTHEMOGUL

Thanks for the replies. I don't know what 221 or 211 means though. I'm 26 years old and originally thought the CLS 550 would be better for me as its a "younger" car and sexy with the coupe lines. Plus, it still is plenty of luxury and makes a statement. Being that I'm in the entertainment industry alot of the "young professionals" drive the S Class also and that is what made me start looking at them. I feel like the S Class is typically more suited for a 35+ crowd however they are still sexy and complete luxury. That is why I'm so torn between the two options.

alqamzi

the CLS550 will be updated to a new version in 10 months so don't waste your money on a CLS.S550 will be you best choice for now.The new S550 version will come out in 2013 so u will have fun for 3yrs...IMHO

BGTHEMOGUL

I was told a new version of both vehicles comes out in 10 months. I don't mind minor changes as long as the model numbers don't change and anything drastic.

alqamzi

The WHOLE BODY of the CLS will be changed the interior everything.The Sclass won't be changed until 2013 believe me...

BGTHEMOGUL

If this is true then I will 110% go with the S Class. How can I confirm this? Not that I don't believe you but I would like confirmation before investing $50k into something.

skrontz

Please never ever call your personal car "an investment;" think of it as a rapidly depreciating asset. Drive both cars and choose the car that you like best, then buy it. While I would definitely choose S550 over CLS550 any day, the individual preferences vary. When you're buying a "dream car" for your personal enjoyment given a certain fixed budget, the financial planning side should be the last concern.

BGTHEMOGUL

Skrontz,

Investment was just the word I used, not that I feel buying a vehicle is an investment by any means. I agree with what you said however if the CLS is going to be completely renovated and changed in 8-10 months and the S Class will not than I will obviously purchase an S Class hands down.

I don't want to spend money on a "dream car" that is considered "outdated" 8 months after purchasing it because there is a new body style or completely renovated and changed model out.

skrontz

Indeed, the chances are quite high that the CLS will receive a significant update before the S. However, S is also refreshed every year (MY2010, for instance, being significantly better than MY2007 in many little and not so little ways). If you're buying the car for your own enjoyment, this should not really matter. Unless you're planning on getting a new car every 1-2 years, you should forget chasing the latest and greatest and appreciate the best car your money can buy today.

creeldm

I have had both cars and would choose the S550 no questions......but I am 53 and not 26. The S certainly is more luxurious, "feels" better and is much more of a pleasure to drive. The CLS has poorer visibility because of smaller side windows and the back seat is smaller which is not a problem as long as your passengers are less than 6' tall. The CLS also holds only 2 back seat passengers which occasionally can be a problem. My wife absolutely loved the CLS....until she drove the S. Good luck!

BGTHEMOGUL

Again I agree with this statement however a MAJOR body change or interior change is different than the minor changes made every year. I'm not worried about the minor changes like the CLS class from 2007-2010 or even the S Class from 2007-2010 but a complete renovation would be bothersome to me to have an "outdated" vehicle 8 months after purchase.

BGTHEMOGUL

Thank you for your first hand experience and knowledge. I'm leaning towards the S Class more and more. I just need confirmation on the changes being made to both models for the 2011 releases. I'll do more research on those as that is the primary deciding factor now.

skrontz

Then it's a no-brainer: get an S550. In my opinion, even any future changes would not be that major, judging from the success of this body style. I'm actually afraid that it may only go down from here, especially considering the alleged spy photos of the re-designed body; I already got screwed with the re-designed 7-series.

BGTHEMOGUL

Skrontz,

There is a re-designed body for the S550 in 2011 also or are you referring to the CLS?

Alqamzi,

Can you link me to confirmation of your statements above? I'd like to check that out.

skrontz

I'm sure there will be some minor tweaks for S in 2011 (maybe not externally, since they already did it in 2010), but I don't believe a complete re-design is coming for another couple of years. Otherwise, we'd see a lot more community chatter and spy photos.

The CLS is already 6+ years old, so a re-fresh is imminent. There're tons of spy photos as well:

http://wot.motortrend.com/6622496/fu...now/index.html

Notice the re-design is not that drastic anyway; only a trained eye would probably notice.

BGTHEMOGUL

Understood. I see what you are saying. The CLS has been the same body and interior for the most part since 2004 with minor changes so they are due for a complete renovation. The S has been since 2007 the new body style so they may not completely renovate for a few more years.

emilner

The low down: The CLS is getting its makeover in less than a year. The S is set for a 2013 makeover. There will be no major exterior changes until then. They just freshened up the exterior on the 2010 S to carry the car for the next 3 years, then it will be totally new (and from some renderings radically different). The next changes due on the S is a new engine lineup late this year. There will be a new TT V8 to replace the current motor. Mercedes is revamping the whole lineup to include TT V6's as well. More than likely the new CLS due shortly will include the new 5L TT V8 good for a little over 400hp. It might also come with the new TT V6, something not previously offered in the US (A V6). The S will get the engine at the same time or sooner as well as all other V8 MB's.

I would go for a 2007 S550, the value of a 2007 CLS is going to tank in the next year or two. For it to be even close in price to the S is insane since the S costs usually $30k more new...

BGTHEMOGUL

I went by a Mercedes dealership today and compared a 2008 (which I believe is identical to the 2007) to the new 2010 S Class and only saw minor differences. Headlights, foglights, tail lights, and mirrors really. And even those were not "drastic" differences.

I agree the 2007 CLS value will most likely tank as soon as this new model releases and that was my main concern. Now the hard part is trying to find the right S Class that I can buy for the right price with the options I want.

BGTHEMOGUL

The CLS and S Class prices aren't as close as I thought they were. The 2007 CLS I was finding with AMG package and P2 for around 40-42k. The S Class with same options is like $55k. Big difference in price.