do you think a cls 350 blueefficiency is too fast and too big for a new driver

[Paul/]

Bade, I've just realised that it was you who had the thread with Qs about SLK and now one about possibility of non-standard builds (e.g manual when only auto available). If you have the time to do it, I suggest a change of approach-

Speak to MB Brooklands and arrange to visit them and try a range of their cars, and get yourself booked on one of the driving experiences down there (at MB World, on their track and skidpan). If you emphasise that money is not an issue (as per your previous thread), they should be pleased to give you plenty of time to try out stock. You might consider buying a nearly new car just to get the experience with it straight away- and if necessary exchange it under the Approved Used scheme (if under 30 days or 1000 mls) or just p/ex it for a new one when you've had enough experience to know exactly what you want to order.

 

[st4]

Why not get an A200 cdi Amg sport?

Compared to a CLS theres no comparison.

 

[thebook]

A slight digression, but in the mid 1990's I was at Lamborghini in Reading talking to the Salesman when we got interrupted by a middle eastern gentlemen. The salesman asked me to bear with him for 20 minutes or so.

When finished he explained that the guy had just purchased a Diablo SE30 for his son's 18th birthday present and was in to finalise paperwork.

A couple of months later I was back in and asked how that sale went. He told me the car was written off by the 18 year old, in Park Lane, London within 48 hours of being delivered.

You need to know your limits before exploring those of the car...

 

[grober]

Bade, I've just realised that it was you who had the thread with Qs about SLK and now one about possibility of non-standard builds (e.g manual when only auto available). If you have the time to do it, I suggest a change of approach-

Speak to MB Brooklands and arrange to visit them and try a range of their cars, and get yourself booked on one of the driving experiences down there (at MB World, on their track and skidpan). If you emphasise that money is not an issue (as per your previous thread), they should be pleased to give you plenty of time to try out stock. You might consider buying a nearly new car just to get the experience with it straight away- and if necessary exchange it under the Approved Used scheme (if under 30 days or 1000 mls) or just p/ex it for a new one when you've had enough experience to know exactly what you want to order.

MB driving experience without having a full UK driving licence- good luck with that!

Mercedes-Benz UK - Mercedes-Benz World - MB World Terms and Conditions

 

[Paul/]

MB driving experience without having a full UK driving licence- good luck with that!

Mercedes-Benz UK - Mercedes-Benz World - MB World Terms and Conditions

Well, the only criterion for the U16 experiences seems to be minimum height 1.5m

 

[finisterre]

It is an insane idea.

They are stupidly fast.
100mph feels like you are parked.
There is no fun in that

 

[bade]

thanks for all the replies. I was thinking about doing skid pan training, advanced scheme training, off road get away driving lessons, track training and maybe some drifting training as well.

 

[swannymere]

drifting training as well.

Why?

 

[Oli]

I dont think being 26 is the issue here at all, being a new driver is and I would say it might detract from your enjoyment of the car, the CLS is a BIG car the power isnt so much an issue.
For people saying you will automatically drive like an idiot because of your age, ignore that, I had a TVR Griffith at 23, saying that though I had been driving since 17 plus had experience of fast bikes too, I didnt crash it, or get any points etc, did I drive it fast?, sure but at the right time and place for doing so.
I would get something a bit smaller like a C Class.

 

[bade]

Why?

so i can learn to control the car better. I also plan on competing in motorsport not at the highest level of course just for my own personal satisfaction.

I would also like to experience downhill rally car driving.

 

[artyman]

Apart from the power considerations, the CLS is a big car, something more modest like a C class will be a lot easier to find a parking space for.

 

[Oli]

After reading your last couple of posts are you preparing for your driving test or a bank job?.

 

[clk208]

Realising that you are probably going quicker than it feels like in reality is probably one of the most important things to grasp in a big Merc - the refinement and smoothness insulate you so much from the outside world.

Followed by specifically in the CLS pretty poor visibility due to chunky pillars and swooping lines means I am always extra careful when pulling out of junctions etc. There was one occasion where a whole fiesta was invisible due to the passenger window pillar but fortunately became visible on second glance before moving off. Parking also a little more challenging because of this as others have said.

This aside a big MB can be quite satisfying to drive in a smooth and sensible way.

 

[st4]

Apart from the power considerations, the CLS is a big car, something more modest like a C class will be a lot easier to find a parking space for.

So stylish though.

I think the OP is right to be apprehensive about the cars power and size. It shows a humility and understanding of their limitations which is the difference between driving and staying on the road, or crashing and killing themselves and others.

I think if the op considers the size, mass, power abd driven wheels of this car they'll be ok.

 

[bade]

After reading your last couple of posts are you preparing for your driving test or a bank job?.

driving test but a sizable amount of my income is passive.

 

[grober]

My advice to Bade was essentially generic. Without knowing anything about his character or his driving ability/experience the few facts he has given us would indicate the best course of action both for him and the other drivers who will meet him on the road would be start off on a slightly smaller lower powered car till he gains a bit of experience. I reckon you learn more in the first couple of years of holding a licence than you will the rest of your driving career. Its a pretty steep learning curve when suddenly there's no "backup/ second opinion" sitting beside you to question any driving decision. Will he make mistakes?--- you would be disingenuous if you were to say no. I certainly did. Buy a car that makes fewer demands on your judgement first I would say. Go on lots of courses --- improve your skill ---get a couple of years motoring under your belt and then upgrade in line with your abilities would still be my advice.

 

[Bellow]

Perhaps we should ask the OP how he is getting on with his driving tuition thus far.
If taking to driving like a duck to water - no problem, he'll adapt to anything.
If finding it difficult then wrapping himself in the insulating cocoon that a large MB is may not be the best choice.
Having said that, driving a van for a day (hire one) gets you used to a large vehicle pretty quickly! Power you get used to pretty quickly too. Judgement of speed with respect to hazard is then the faculty that needs developing.

I get the feeling the OP is going to go his own way on this anyway.

 

[Oli]

driving test but a sizable amount of my income is passive.

I meant more as in the wanting to learn getaway driving and skid pan lessons.

Personally if you really want a CLS, then go for it, there are many far less sensible choices but like I said in my earlier post they are a big car and I'm not sure it would be as much of an enjoyable experience as a new driver.
Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[moff]

I would say that it's ok as a first car, but consider:

1. It's size - quite difficult to park etc (but you will soon get used to that)
2. Rear wheel drive is a challenge in adverse conditions (go on a car handling course ASAP)
3. Dings... expensive to repair on the CLS and you are likely to make 1 or 2 mistakes

Overall it's got less to do with age (at 26) and more to do with maturity. Drive like a nob and it will get messy.

The key thing is not to be overly confident and acknowledge that you don't have the experience. Seek it out through advanced driving courses and drive defensively.

It's a big car and will feel safe especially with the electronic aids, but too many people drive ignorantly thinking the car will do everything for them - it won't.

My learning curve was 5 years in two Honda S2000's which taught me loads and I know I am going to have to re-learn when I get my C63 next week as I've been driving my C350 which is rather tame in comparison!

Good luck though!

 

[bade]

thanks for all the nice replies