So my thoughts of Continental Vs CL/s class after a few days of use, this is my first ever car write up so you may have to bear with me!
Power:
The AMG feels MUCH more aggressive (mine has a pulley, exhaust and remap) than the continental. The continental is fast but definitely doesn't feel as fast as the AMG in a straight line this is partly due to the effortless 4wd system and less aggressive exhaust note but it feels as if the continental looses a bit of power when at the top of the Rev range, I'm sure a remap will sort this out
. I would say that the continental is much more sure footed with 4wd and traction is much better than in the AMG which seems to wheelspin a lot, especially in this cold, wet weather. I would say the continental is faster to 40mph but after that the AMG would eat it for breakfast (could be wrong, this is just what my backside is telling me!).
Looks:
I think the w215 CL is one of the prettiest mercedes ever made but the front end is starting to really date, people think that the continental is a couple of years old when in reality it's a 2004 model! No one knew what the CL actually was, they could just tell that it was an AMG and looked powerful but everyone knows the Bentley! I have found that a lot more people let me out in the Bentley in situations when they probably wouldn't normally stop to let a car out.
Interior:
The interior of the Bentley looks better than the CL with the sportier look and chrome Finishings, I find the seats much comfier and the massage function is also better however that's where the positives finish! The mercedes is refined to another level... Auto moving seats allowing easy access to the rear seats isn't fitted to the Bentley, nor are soft close doors, nor the boot fully opening at the touch of a button. The dash and door card leather in the Bentley feels hard, there is no padding underneath unlike the Mercedes which feels much softer. Also to open the door from the inside you have to pull the handle twice as they auto lock but don't auto unlock, this does actually annoy me a bit!
I haven't bothered using sat nav in either cars as its so dated but the Bentley donesnt have a viseeo equivalent leaving the only Bluetooth options as a parrat or spending silly money on an integrated unit, I really don't like using the parrat unit and find the volume is too low even on the top setting.
Noise:
I am 99% sure that my Bentley has had exhauast work done by a previous owner, I need to get it on a ramp to see exactly what but I'd guess that the resonators have been removed as to me it sounds amazing, slightly louder than stock! Not aggressive and angry like the AMG but purposeful and refined.
Practicality:
Today I did a shop, 8 bags of food filled half the boot! My kids fit well in the back but you would struggle to get an adult in there! The CL had way more room which did surprise me when I first looked at the Bentley as it looks like a massive car.
Economy:
I'm averaging 9.8mpg over 300 miles.... This will go up, I think it says more about my driving than anything! I used to average around 15 in the AMG.
Overall, I'm happy with the move... The bentley is far from perfect but the looks and feel of the car win me over. I went from the CL55 (I loved this car) to the S55 which just didn't feel special to me whereas the continental really does.