First Merc - CLS or C Class or E Class

[WantaMerc]

Hi guys

Looking to get my first Mercedes and thought I would get some views from the experts on here.

I have always loved the CLS and went to see one at the Mercedes showroom today. I knew it only had 4 seats and that it was a big car.

From speaking with the salesmen and having a sit down in it I got the impression that its not very practical for everyday commuting / short 5min drive here and there. Plus having 1 baby already the 4 seats seems like a major downer.

So we discussed alternatives:

C Class - I found this a tad small. I am around 6ft 2 and found my knee hitting the steering wheel very easily. Even with the seats right back.

E Class - The in between from C to CLS I guess. But I'm not a huge fan of the way it looks. But surely it will be better to get this over the C Class. But then again I want to have smile on my face whenever I see the car. Which right now only the CLS gives me...

Any thoughts from you guys would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[Red C220]

CLS Shooting Brake?

Does that have a 4/5 seat option?

 

[Howard]

I use my cls500 for everyday commuting.

Have you got another baby on the way ?

 

[james.raban]

Go with your heart...CLS. The E is due for replacement soon and it sounds like C is too small for you.

 

[WantaMerc]

CLS Shooting Brake?

Does that have a 4/5 seat option?

Yes this has 5 seats IIRC however the Mrs does not approve of its size. So its a veto from that side.

I use my cls500 for everyday commuting.

Have you got another baby on the way ?

Not yet however my family and the Mrs' family are nearby who often hit rides with us... hence an extra seat would be handy!

Go with your heart...CLS. The E is due for replacement soon and it sounds like C is too small for you.

Yeah the E is due for a replacement however I wouldn't be able to afford new prices

 

[JDL60]

C estate could be the answer.....

 

[ckember]

Having had a c, and e, b and a cls at the moment, the cls is the best of the bunch, however , the rear room for getting a car seat in can be a pain due to the roof line,when we put one in the back. I'm 6'2 and the c class seat do go back enough but leaves little room behind the driver seat. I loved my E class, and as an estate its a great car. However the cels shooting brake with 5 seats would be my current choice if I was going to get another. The 3l v6 diesel is a great engine and the 250 is capable

 

[developer]

E Estate - a very complete car.

It does need the right wheels and body kit to have even a chance a being a looker though.

Some of the base models make me want an F11 Beemer .

 

[dan-mb]

E Estate - a very complete car.

It does need the right wheels and body kit to have even a chance a being a looker though.

Some of the base models make me want an F11 Beemer .

Wash your mouth out John! Although your E63 is mighty fine (especially when you decided to clean your rather nice alloy's rubber at trax )

 

[Deane x]

S class may be

 

[V12]

S class may be

He already said that MRS. doesn't approve the size of the little CLS. If he can get an S past her then he's magic...

 

[Gareth Kent]

Are the CLS and E class not essentially the same floor pan, wheel base and drive train ? How much bigger is the CLS then the E? The CLS is my perfect daily commuter (only just better over the Volvo S80 it replaced). It is a pain with child seats though due to the roofline.

 

[Deane x]

He already said that MRS. doesn't approve the size of the little CLS. If he can get an S past her then he's magic...

So he did my bad

 

[TAIPAN320]

IF your preference is for a CLS then you clearly value and appreciate the sleek, elegant, coupe esque styling. the others you've mentioned are all good cars, but in time you will wish you have chosen a CLS. I have 2 children aged 11 and 2, we manage absolutely fine on all journeys. my CLS is the only car in our household. its true that if you want the beauty then you do have to compromise, but only a little, where rear access, and the 5th seat ( in my opinion this is not an issue, as that 5th seat is invariable rubbish in most cars anyway ). From personal experience I know only too well that when ive tried to chose a car with my head ruling the choice, the novelty wears off superfast, and you are left with only that feeling of what you could have had....especially when you see them out on the roads

 

[james.raban]

IF your preference is for a CLS then you clearly value and appreciate the sleek, elegant, coupe esque styling. the others you've mentioned are all good cars, but in time you will wish you have chosen a CLS. I have 2 children aged 11 and 2, we manage absolutely fine on all journeys. my CLS is the only car in our household. its true that if you want the beauty then you do have to compromise, but only a little, where rear access, and the 5th seat ( in my opinion this is not an issue, as that 5th seat is invariable rubbish in most cars anyway ). From personal experience I know only too well that when ive tried to chose a car with my head ruling the choice, the novelty wears off superfast, and you are left with only that feeling of what you could have had....especially when you see them out on the roads

Words of wisdom...

 

[b1g1an]

The main seats are much better in the back of the CLS too, properly shaped base and back rather than mildly undulating bench with little support.

 

[WantaMerc]

IF your preference is for a CLS then you clearly value and appreciate the sleek, elegant, coupe esque styling. the others you've mentioned are all good cars, but in time you will wish you have chosen a CLS. I have 2 children aged 11 and 2, we manage absolutely fine on all journeys. my CLS is the only car in our household. its true that if you want the beauty then you do have to compromise, but only a little, where rear access, and the 5th seat ( in my opinion this is not an issue, as that 5th seat is invariable rubbish in most cars anyway ). From personal experience I know only too well that when ive tried to chose a car with my head ruling the choice, the novelty wears off superfast, and you are left with only that feeling of what you could have had....especially when you see them out on the roads

This is making me want to get the CLS again after I had convinced myself that a C or E may be the right thing to do.

You said rear access is an issue with the CLS. Can you elaborate a bit on this?

Thanks.

 

[TAIPAN320]

This is making me want to get the CLS again after I had convinced myself that a C or E may be the right thing to do.

You said rear access is an issue with the CLS. Can you elaborate a bit on this?

Thanks.

if you have a child/infant seat in the back, then you just have to be careful when putting little one in there, that's it. The roofline sweeps away and its not quite the same as a standard saloon. Best thing would be to go and see one in a garage, and try it with seat in place etc. we did all of this before buying ours, because believe it or not I was thinking of a Chrysler 300c, and had wrongly assumed a cls would be no good for us.....but as soon as we tried the cls, we were pleasantly surprised with the rear space, large boot, and as you said, nicely contoured rear seats.
my 2 year old has a dvd thingy mounted to the rear head rest of the front passenger seat, and still we can get him in and out without issue.

The added satisfaction of getting the car that we both really wanted makes it all the better too. the sight of the lovely sleek shape on the drive never fails to put a smile on my face life is too short for too much compromise

 

[parvez78]

IF your preference is for a CLS then you clearly value and appreciate the sleek, elegant, coupe esque styling. the others you've mentioned are all good cars, but in time you will wish you have chosen a CLS. I have 2 children aged 11 and 2, we manage absolutely fine on all journeys. my CLS is the only car in our household. its true that if you want the beauty then you do have to compromise, but only a little, where rear access, and the 5th seat ( in my opinion this is not an issue, as that 5th seat is invariable rubbish in most cars anyway ). From personal experience I know only too well that when ive tried to chose a car with my head ruling the choice, the novelty wears off superfast, and you are left with only that feeling of what you could have had....especially when you see them out on the roads

Agree with everything he said!
Picked up our cls around 4 weeks ago and we have a 19 month old daughter. Not had any issues with car seat in the back.
Big positives are that it is so smooth to drive and comes into its own on longer journey's.


Plus the sleek looks

 

[maha]

Get an sclass

I had the same problem and have got an s class lovely car.