CLS Vs S Class

LegacyUser

Hey guys

Heres a Q that has me a little puzzled. Id like to know why someone would pay € 100K + for a Merc CLS which is a four door saloon when you can buy an S 320 CDi for much the same money. My Father in law had the CLS ordered from Newgate in Navan last September and when it was ready for collection he went and had a look and decided he didnt like it and waited to pick up the new S 320. Thing is both cars are the same price roughly and both are 4 door saloons....so why buy a CLS when you can buy an S class??

Whats the point of the CLS...what role does it fill?? I love mercs myself and I own a CLK but Im really puzzled by this one!!

Anan1

kaiser1 wrote:

Hey guys

Heres a Q that has me a little puzzled. Id like to know why someone would pay € 100K + for a Merc CLS which is a four door saloon when you can buy an S 320 CDi for much the same money. My Father in law had the CLS ordered from Newgate in Navan last September and when it was ready for collection he went and had a look and decided he didnt like it and waited to pick up the new S 320. Thing is both cars are the same price roughly and both are 4 door saloons....so why buy a CLS when you can buy an S class??

Whats the point of the CLS...what role does it fill?? I love mercs myself and I own a CLK but Im really puzzled by this one!!

Some people think it looks nicer. I'm not one of them, but I'm probably in the minority.

colm_mcm

There's €20,000 in the difference between a CLS 320CDI and the S Class with the same engine.

€85,000 vs €105,000

The CLS is more sporty, whereas the S CLass is a barge. CLS uses many E class bits too.

LegacyUser

The thing about Mercs is that there was always a very clearly defined role foe each car.....I.E E- Class = executive car,S-Class = Luxury car,SL = Big Daddy Roadster, CL = Big Daddy Coupe.....but With the CLS I just think its in a kinda Limbo.Have to it does look good but once you have a drive of an S it gets very very difficult to imagine antthing better.Absolute stonker!!

And another thing is that the list price for the S 320 might be €105k but by the time my F.I.L picked up his car he handed over just over €115K...and as far as he knows he didnt get any extras.

LegacyUser

But the CLS starts with a 3.5L petrol doesnt it??

colm_mcm

Nope, the 320CDI is 2 grand less. and should hold its value far better too

unkel

kaiser1 wrote:

And another thing is that the list price for the S 320 might be €105k but by the time my F.I.L picked up his car he handed over just over €115K

He must have ticked the option of a single cupholder

As regards to the CLS, the diesel was not available in Ireland initially. The choice was between the 350 and 500. Brother-in-law got the 350 although he would have gone for the diesel if he had the choice. Nice car by all means, although for that kinda money one might as well add tuppence and go S-class

colm_mcm

I've seen a good few 320CDI's around.

unkel

colm_mcm wrote:

I've seen a good few 320CDI's around.

Aye they're available now, but not back last summer

semi

The CLS is just Daimler-Chrysler's way of saying: 'this is what the Jag XJ should have looked like'. Just like the Chrysler 300c is them thinking 'What would a quarter-price Bentley look like (with a Hyundai interior)'

LegacyUser

Good one semi...ha ha!!

pburns

I hated the CLS when I saw the first picture, didn't get the whole '4-door coupe' thing at all. Then I saw one in the flesh...

Way more desirable than an S-Class for anyone under 45, I reckon... It's been a huge success for Merc & apparantly Audi are preparing a competitor.

colm_mcm

Agreed, It looks like a slug, but it's gorgeous. The best looking Merc of the moment.

Johnny Storm

I like the appearance of the CLS too, but it's a bit too American looking and I think it will date quite quickly
(just sour grapes on my part, obviously :rolleyes: )

bazz26

As already said the CLS is a sports saloon and aimed at keen drivers whereas the S Class is a large executive barge which is more aimed at people who are driven around in it.

I really don't see the same type of person who is looking at the CLS being interested in the S Class and vise versa. Generally the CLS is aimed at younger buyers than the typical S Class buyer.

Similarly I don't think someone looking at the SL would be interested in the CL.