E55 vs E63 (or CLS?)

[Gbrowncls55]

The primary difference is if you prefer to drive on torque or revs. I chose a 55 because I love driving on low down torque particularly on a motorway where i put it into manual leave it in 5th (would prefer 7th!) and it just wafts forward with a real shove at any speed without irritating kick / drop down of gears all the time. Dont get me wrong I like revs too and have a 911 when on odd occasion I want to drive at 7200 as though my pants are on fire ....but for everyday driving the torque route is so much more relaxing.
I chose a CLS for the looks, rarity lower ratio steering, usually very high equipment, the significantly better exhaust note over the 211 and the fact that I dont need 5 seats.
Obviously they are both great cars but for me the torque wins and in a few months I will skip over the n/a 6.2 and go straight to the even more torquey (if thats a word) 5.5 Bi Turbo

 

[Deleted member 37751]

View attachment 88597

Colour coding of the lower rear bumper makes a massive difference - it looks brilliant.

 

[robparker]

Pair of ****-teases!

 

[simon1966]

Colour coding of the lower rear bumper makes a massive difference - it looks brilliant.

Cheers - My plan was to the untrained eye it just looks normal, but I didn't like all the chrome bits. So did a subtle de-chrome had the side trims and rear trims all painted body colour.

 

[C43AMG]

Like this?

+ the best looking Wheels AMG ever produced

The Torque on my CL Bi-Turbo even before Acid waved his magic wand compared to my CL 55 Kompressor was the deciding factor against the 6.2 and after Acid it's now rediculous

 

[clk320x]

How is the W219 interior higher quality than the W211?

The W219 has a different design, but I’ve never once sat in my W211 and thought that I’ve accidentally got into a cow shed

 

[whitenemesis]

No one was suggesting the W211 had a poor interior, just that the W219 was just that bit better (better is of course subjective) and as KH says, the CLS was (still is?) one down from the S class.

 

[merc85]

View media item 8350

 

[simon1966]

No one was suggesting the W211 had a poor interior, just that the W219 was just that bit better (better is of course subjective) and as KH says, the CLS was (still is?) one down from the S class.

Maybe you're right I always understood that the E and CLS were effectively same standard. The CLS, just nicer styling to interior to go with the faux coupe styling. I have to say I have never noticed any difference in quality of materials and fit/finish between the two. There is a clear step up in quality to the CL and S class which use better quality leather and trim compared to the E and CLS.

 

[350cls]

It's funny how we all prefer different. I find the 6.2 sitting in the motorway to be perfect. Like I have posted previously. The 55 sits at 2,000 rpm at 60 mph. The 6.2 sits at 2,100/200 rpm at 75 80 mph. Now that wins for me all day. Skip the 6.2 if you must. I don't think it's given a fair chance. It glides along so effortlessly. And for me 63 boxes on a 55 sounds no where near as good as a stock 6.2 exhaust. I've had that exact set up on my 55.

 

[whitenemesis]

Maybe you're right I always understood that the E and CLS were effectively same standard. The CLS, just nicer styling to interior to go with the faux coupe styling. I have to say I have never noticed any difference in quality of materials and fit/finish between the two. There is a clear step up in quality to the CL and S class which use better quality leather and trim compared to the E and CLS.

An acquaintance had the E63 and we compared leathers and that in he CLS was noticeably smoother and softer.
I had the interior of my S203 retrimmed in nappa leather and it was very similar to the nappa in the CLS55, slightly softer if anything, perhaps due to being naked (uncoated) nappa. That said the leather in my Lexus is even softer, really like nappa glove leather.

 

[Teego]

No one was suggesting the W211 had a poor interior, just that the W219 was just that bit better (better is of course subjective) and as KH says, the CLS was (still is?) one down from the S class.

I never considered a W211 when buying my CLS55 so can't comment on interior comparisons. I'm happy with most aspects of the cabin; Designo Nappa leather, Burr Walnut, 4 "bucket" seats, etc. Ergonomics not so good but forgiveable; front parktronic lights useless in daylight, clock in instrument cluster wasting space, tacho too small and out of eyesight, speedo hard to read against retro white background. And then the power, torque and handling. Great for everything from an autobahn vmax run to swinging through Derbyshire twisties.
It's not one down from the S Class or one up from anything. It's a different proposition altogether.

 

[AMGeed]

Like this?

The biggest mistake you ever made was selling this wagon Lee

 

[Deleted member 37751]

The biggest mistake you ever made was selling this wagon Lee

I know pal, ever time I see it I’m reminded...

 

[Will]

An acquaintance had the E63 and we compared leathers and that in he CLS was noticeably smoother and softer.
I had the interior of my S203 retrimmed in nappa leather and it was very similar to the nappa in the CLS55, slightly softer if anything, perhaps due to being naked (uncoated) nappa. That said the leather in my Lexus is even softer, really like nappa glove leather.

Not sure what generation of E63 your friend had but on the 212 at least you could specify Nappa leather as an option (came with the luxury package). Much softer as you say but Nappa is not as hard wearing long term.

Funny enough my previous (212) ‘63 had all the bells and whistles seats wise, they looked lovely (admittedly with very low mileage!) but I didn’t find the seats comfortable on long journeys. The 211 ‘55 seats are amongst the most comfortable around IMHO, even on my older cars with much higher mileage/use.

Lexus use good quality leather but I find the interiors a little uninspiring. Never been keen on the look/feel of the buttons and switches, LCD screens and stuff (eg climate control panels). And their carpet always seems a bit cheap/thin compared to their German counterparts. Durable and reliable though

 

[whitenemesis]

Much softer as you say but Nappa is not as hard wearing long term.

Strangely nappa is used in high wear areas and is noted for it's toughness. MB use it on gear shifters etc..
"Properties of Nappa Leather
The leather is very soft and pliable. It is not hard like other leathers and does not crease.
The leather is tough and durable in spite of being soft. It is not easily spoiled.
The leather has an intact top-grain. Hence, it is more "breathable" and does not retain moisture.
The leather often develops a patina over the years that adds to its aesthetics."
Soft Yet Tough: All About Nappa Leather That You Need to Know

And their carpet always seems a bit cheap/thin compared to their German counterparts.

Yup, I'd agree 100% Lexus over-mats are feather light, very thin and showed significant wear even in just 3yrs..

 

[Will]

What I mean about the Nappa leather is the finish is so soft and fine that it is easily scratched even with the edge of nail etc. The leather underneath seems strong enough. It’s the coating obviously that shows wear before the leather underneath. My seats were fine but the car itself had only 11k on it when I bought it.

Have seen reasonable amounts of wear on Nappa seats on stuff like R230 SLs and the like with quite low mileages. By comparison the tougher more textured finishes on regular leather Mercedes seats seems to go on forever and they always scrub up well.

 

[ChrisCLS55]

I had a CLS55 and have a 14 plate E63 which I replaced it with, both chalk and cheese as cars, but each epic though. The CLS55 had the wow factor in terms of looks, was more comfortable to drive and quieter too. A really great car. Huge boot and decent in the back even for adults in terms of room and comfort. The E63 is more modern and is just more of an animal when in Sport + and when driven hard, it looses its sheep’s clothing to become a roaring whatever you can imagine kind of wild unearthly beast. It almost has a split personality. I do miss the CLS I have to say and that engine...

 

[Gbrowncls55]

It's funny how we all prefer different. I find the 6.2 sitting in the motorway to be perfect. Like I have posted previously. The 55 sits at 2,000 rpm at 60 mph. The 6.2 sits at 2,100/200 rpm at 75 80 mph. Now that wins for me all day. Skip the 6.2 if you must. I don't think it's given a fair chance. It glides along so effortlessly. And for me 63 boxes on a 55 sounds no where near as good as a stock 6.2 exhaust. I've had that exact set up on my 55.

My cls sits at 2000 rpm at 70. Perhaps the 211 is different

 

[ChrisCLS55]

Just to add, the CLS’ cab/tech is obviously dated compared to the E63, but it felt better put together, better quality. The E63 has random rattles and squeaks. The CLS had none. Wind and tire noise is more noticeable in the E63 too, perhaps due to bigger wheels, tire type and the panoramic roof, but it was almost silent in the CLS. The seats were comfier in the CLS too and the ride better. Not as hard or twitchy. Driving normal at cruising speed the CLS wins hands down, although the E63 is cable.

Hammering it though and driving it hard as an AMG, the CLS felt like a bigger car with too much power for the car and didn’t feel as sporty. The E63 feels lighter when thrashing it, more responsive, more fun and more hot hatch like. Again it has split personalities. The engines are vastly different. I miss the supercharger of the 55 and that kind of feel when planting it of having afterburners thrusting away furiously the harder and quicker I pushed the pedal down. The E63 has that, but it isn’t as instant or on tap if you like, but it’s there and when it does kick in fully fired up nothing short of stopping to a standstill and switching the engine off will put the fire out once you get going.

At higher revs and speeds it just keeps coming. On the autobahn last year the needle hit 160 (limited to 155 apparently) and it just felt like it was going to go and go and eventually take off. Even at its limit in terms of mph the forward motion pulling force felt like the car was wanting to carry on until the needle broke or it exited earths atmosphere.

The CLS never quite had that at that speed. On twister roads the E63 feels more fun and more sporty, but not as reassuring as the CLS which allowed you to take over the handling and be more in control of, the E63 if you let it just takes and before you know it your just buckled up for the ride. It can be quite scary and took me a while to have more fun with it. I can only imagine what the latest E63 is like, I suspect it’s beyond mental at certain revs/speeds and on certain roads, even with the 4matic. Of the two the E63 is more of a drama where the CLS was more theatre. Both are absolute machines though and it’s been my pleasure to have been fortunate to have owned both.

If the CLS had 5 seats and the more modern look and feel cab wise of the E63, I’d probably pick the CLS as looks wise, it’s a beauty and the engine gives you the best of both worlds. Highly capable of much more from even minor tuning. It’s just a shame I never quite liked the W218 looks wise and the new CLS for me is generically bland in the same way a lot of the newer Mercs are. No 63 either...

I’m sure whatever the Op goes for, it will be an epic machine, epic to drive and there must never be any regrets.