RE: Mercedes-AMG CLS 53: Driven

[phil121081]

"like a sports car half a tonne lighter"

at 1980kg (other search engines are available), that's a pretty lardy 'sports' car then.

[IanJ9375]

Ray Donovan should get one of these lol

[E65Ross]

big_rob_sydney said:

Lets be honest; this isn't going to be the last word in sports cars, is it? I don't see this as being in any way a speedster, so to me, it's a bit like a fat bloke going to the gym pretending to be fit, and wearing spandex. Nobody really wants to see that...

If, on the other hand, you can accept that it's maybe more of a comfortable place first, with a bit of pace second, then I think we're onto a different discussion. How will this fare against direct rivals (including within MB)?

Personally, I would have gone for something a little more opulent, and with less power / more economy, because the power aspect, as I mentioned, is not its party piece. As it is, spandex anyone...?

You mean to say it's a different discussion when you actually judge a car based on what it's actually designed for?

[pSyCoSiS]

I quite like this - I think it's probably the best looking of all the CLS variants, although I did really like the original.

Previous generation just looked too lardy and not proportioned correctly, and IMO the shooting brake looked better than the saloon.

Impressive stats, as expected.

[big_rob_sydney]

E65Ross said:

big_rob_sydney said:

Lets be honest; this isn't going to be the last word in sports cars, is it? I don't see this as being in any way a speedster, so to me, it's a bit like a fat bloke going to the gym pretending to be fit, and wearing spandex. Nobody really wants to see that...

If, on the other hand, you can accept that it's maybe more of a comfortable place first, with a bit of pace second, then I think we're onto a different discussion. How will this fare against direct rivals (including within MB)?

Personally, I would have gone for something a little more opulent, and with less power / more economy, because the power aspect, as I mentioned, is not its party piece. As it is, spandex anyone...?

You mean to say it's a different discussion when you actually judge a car based on what it's actually designed for?

I guess that's the question; what is this designed for? What are its intended competitors, and what do the public perceive them to be? Are they the same? Within the buying public, there will also be differences of opinion, and some quite polarised.

This is kind of obvious, when you look at a place like PH, where you get some people who are moderate, and some who are literally, knobs.

[E65Ross]

big_rob_sydney said:

E65Ross said:

big_rob_sydney said:

Lets be honest; this isn't going to be the last word in sports cars, is it? I don't see this as being in any way a speedster, so to me, it's a bit like a fat bloke going to the gym pretending to be fit, and wearing spandex. Nobody really wants to see that...

If, on the other hand, you can accept that it's maybe more of a comfortable place first, with a bit of pace second, then I think we're onto a different discussion. How will this fare against direct rivals (including within MB)?

Personally, I would have gone for something a little more opulent, and with less power / more economy, because the power aspect, as I mentioned, is not its party piece. As it is, spandex anyone...?

You mean to say it's a different discussion when you actually judge a car based on what it's actually designed for?

I guess that's the question; what is this designed for? What are its intended competitors, and what do the public perceive them to be? Are they the same? Within the buying public, there will also be differences of opinion, and some quite polarised.

This is kind of obvious, when you look at a place like PH, where you get some people who are moderate, and some who are literally, knobs.

I don't think anyone in their right mind will consider it in the same ilk as, say, a Lotus Elise, for example. It's a relatively luxrurious 4 door car which has a fair bit of poke and is set up to handle the twisty stuff reasonably well. That's it. It's not a road racer, it's a 4 door saloon car 1st and foremost. Its rivals....probably the S5 Audi, BMW 440i GT (perhaps?)....

[loose cannon]

E65 Ross In doesn’t like anybody else’s opinion on a car shocker

[Vocht]

Very nice but you can have the AMG GT 43 4MATIC+ 4-door Coupé for 'just' £10k more. Yes £10k is a lot, but in the world of car finance where most of these cars will be bought it's not that much difference in payments at this level. The GT is a much much nicer and the car that the CLS really is trying to be. I'd happily take a step back in performance from 53 to 43 to get into a GT Coupe of this CLS which just looks a bit awkward imo.

[E65Ross]

loose cannon said:

E65 Ross In doesn’t like anybody else’s opinion on a car shocker

It's not opinions I don't like....it's when those opinions are stated as fact that I don't like

eg someone saying "this car is pointless" is different from saying "I think it's ugly" or "I think it's pointless"

See?

[NITO]

The front looks really good, the interior looks great and nice to see the light coloured option, not keen on the rear and is it me or is 22hp pathetic for the electric motor and 31.7mpg isn't anything to write home about considering!

I have a mk2 CLS63s shooting brake and I've seen 37.5mpg on a particular stint*!

(*resetting trip straight out of clacketts and travelling 7 miles at M25 speeds. Couldn't believe it, actually took a photo of it as I think I unlocked some sort of achievement lol!)

[big_rob_sydney]

E65Ross said:

big_rob_sydney said:

E65Ross said:

big_rob_sydney said:

Lets be honest; this isn't going to be the last word in sports cars, is it? I don't see this as being in any way a speedster, so to me, it's a bit like a fat bloke going to the gym pretending to be fit, and wearing spandex. Nobody really wants to see that...

If, on the other hand, you can accept that it's maybe more of a comfortable place first, with a bit of pace second, then I think we're onto a different discussion. How will this fare against direct rivals (including within MB)?

Personally, I would have gone for something a little more opulent, and with less power / more economy, because the power aspect, as I mentioned, is not its party piece. As it is, spandex anyone...?

You mean to say it's a different discussion when you actually judge a car based on what it's actually designed for?

I guess that's the question; what is this designed for? What are its intended competitors, and what do the public perceive them to be? Are they the same? Within the buying public, there will also be differences of opinion, and some quite polarised.

This is kind of obvious, when you look at a place like PH, where you get some people who are moderate, and some who are literally, knobs.

I don't think anyone in their right mind will consider it in the same ilk as, say, a Lotus Elise, for example. It's a relatively luxrurious 4 door car which has a fair bit of poke and is set up to handle the twisty stuff reasonably well. That's it. It's not a road racer, it's a 4 door saloon car 1st and foremost. Its rivals....probably the S5 Audi, BMW 440i GT (perhaps?)....

Personally, I think you're being overly generous. Given its weight, I'm not so sure I'd say it handles the twisty stuff reasonably well. I would expect it to struggle the tighter it gets. It's no race car, that's for sure, yet the fact they saw fit to drop an engine like this into it seems like an afterthought, or rather, a face saver.

Anyway, I don't like it, and I don't think the manufacturer will shed too many tears regarding my opinion. So, "move along, nothing to see here."

[RumbleOfThunder]

Affalterbach. Because knowledge of the motor trade, guys.

[DJM7691]

big_rob_sydney said:

E65Ross said:

big_rob_sydney said:

E65Ross said:

big_rob_sydney said:

Lets be honest; this isn't going to be the last word in sports cars, is it? I don't see this as being in any way a speedster, so to me, it's a bit like a fat bloke going to the gym pretending to be fit, and wearing spandex. Nobody really wants to see that...

If, on the other hand, you can accept that it's maybe more of a comfortable place first, with a bit of pace second, then I think we're onto a different discussion. How will this fare against direct rivals (including within MB)?

Personally, I would have gone for something a little more opulent, and with less power / more economy, because the power aspect, as I mentioned, is not its party piece. As it is, spandex anyone...?

You mean to say it's a different discussion when you actually judge a car based on what it's actually designed for?

I guess that's the question; what is this designed for? What are its intended competitors, and what do the public perceive them to be? Are they the same? Within the buying public, there will also be differences of opinion, and some quite polarised.

This is kind of obvious, when you look at a place like PH, where you get some people who are moderate, and some who are literally, knobs.

I don't think anyone in their right mind will consider it in the same ilk as, say, a Lotus Elise, for example. It's a relatively luxrurious 4 door car which has a fair bit of poke and is set up to handle the twisty stuff reasonably well. That's it. It's not a road racer, it's a 4 door saloon car 1st and foremost. Its rivals....probably the S5 Audi, BMW 440i GT (perhaps?)....

Personally, I think you're being overly generous. Given its weight, I'm not so sure I'd say it handles the twisty stuff reasonably well. I would expect it to struggle the tighter it gets. It's no race car, that's for sure, yet the fact they saw fit to drop an engine like this into it seems like an afterthought, or rather, a face saver.

Anyway, I don't like it, and I don't think the manufacturer will shed too many tears regarding my opinion. So, "move along, nothing to see here."

Personally, I can completely understand this car, I certainly wouldn't mind one. In terms of luxuriousness, it clearly sits above the C-class and probably the E-class as well, yet it's a nice shape and to my eyes carries it size and wiehgt very well. It is also suitably well powered to give a lot of shove and will appeal to those who like to press-on but with a lot of NVH protection, a mini bentley continental if you will.

I think this will go up against the Panamera, quattroporte, Lexus LS500 etc, 650i Grancoupe, S7 etc and I think this would be my pick. Its a car that is 85% capable of everything and that makes quite an appealing package.

If it depreciates like an S Class then we will be in for a treat in 3 years time!

[J4CKO]

I had the earlier MK1 388 bhp one and I can see what you are getting at Rob, am sure this handles better being 4wd and more modern, it went round corners fine for the size of it but you wouldnt call it fun to do that really, too big and heavy.

the car itself is pretty big and awkward to park given its size and shape, might be me being nervous and crap at parking of course, but even if not, a lot of parking spaces are denied as it just wont fit, especially if you dont want to get your doors re-arranged.

Where these excel is long, fast motorway trips, you can just amble around with the engine barely ticking over, tickle the throttle and it gains speed effortlessly, hoof it and it drops a cog or two and the prow rises and it lunges for the horizon, satisfying but a bit pointless as its natural habitat is between 30 and 70 mph above the UK motorway limit. the AMG versions do the same, only more so.

So, you end up with a rather lovely, but flawed vehicle for typical UK driving, its like flying Concorde over populated areas, you want to let it do its thing but you just know you are going to get some unwelcome attention, drive it in a more legal manner and you wonder what the point is, you brought a nuke to a knife party, same with loads of big powerful cars like that. I know there are lots of smaller ones with big power but they tend to be a bit more fun at corners n stuff.

For someone who doesnt feel the need to use the power all the time, but likes to have it, who does a lot of largely sensible motorway driving and doesnt have to negotiate many multi story car parks then it may make sense, for me, I love it but having had one, and enjoyed it, its more car than I need personally.

[CampDavid]

The CLS is a pretty hard car to sell on as it's a bit confused, especially in the shooting brake version I have.

It's basically a really nice looking coupe that's an estate, except the boot isn't actually a great shape and it doesn't really handle like a sports car as it's more built for comfort. It's a quick car in 3.0l diesel form or a silly quick car in full AMG spec but it doesn't encourage you to drive quickly.

It seems like a whole heap of compromises when viewed conventionally but, it's by far and away the best car I've owned.

It does the family stuff as well as a Volvo V70. The boot won't take a wardrobe but it will take 3 suitcases, a pram and all the st a family can chuck at it.

It cruises like an S class and has those nice details like the leather everywhere and bits of well designed chrome that make you feel like you're in something that's a bit nicer than the norm. 5 hour trips are far less of a chore than in most things.

I'm not going to trackday it but it'll hustle if you want it to, masses of grip, will oversteer on the exit of roundabouts if you're a prick but pretty much no feedback. Doesn't really encourage you to drive quickly but will if asked.

It's no 911 but it's hard to beat for the daily grind

[NITO]

I disagree, the handling on the CLS AMG's is superb point and squirt, yes it's wide, but the amount of outright grip it has means you can really lean on it and the amount you can throw it around needs to be experienced to appreciate it. Combined with ludicrous brakes and fast downshifting box on the Mk2 S's at least really makes this a very capable car with amazing luxury. It is a proper jekyll and hyde car.

I've had Skylines, Imprezas and Supras prior and just like the R34, it belies it's size and can hunker down and perform. Remembering this is road use, not track, and mine is rwd and a fantastic beast of a machine. The traction control system is also a revelation meaning you can switch between levels of slip, unlike the aforementioned cars, things get lairy very quickly if you turn it off fully by merit of all that torque, but even fully engaged it allows a level of slip and in sport mode as much slip as you'd really want on the road before you start engaging with scenery.

[Chestrockwell]

Just read that Mercedes are releasing a AMG GT43 now, surely they’ve lost the plot? The 53 was bad enough contradicting this car, now they’ve made a more expensive, slower car based on the same car that’s quicker and cheaper?

[CampDavid]

Chestrockwell said:

Just read that Mercedes are releasing a AMG GT43 now, surely they’ve lost the plot? The 53 was bad enough contradicting this car, now they’ve made a more expensive, slower car based on the same car that’s quicker and cheaper?

Or possibly genius. CLS buyers are rarely first time Merc owners, GT buyers will be. Says Benz.

Of course, the Peugeot 1007 was aimed at 21 year olds (it sold to the elderly as they liked the electric doors) and the Jaguar X Type was aimed at 27 year old young thrusters, both male and female, so the manufactures do get it wrong on occasion

[dvs_dave]

I guess Sam Sheehan is a true millennial as he doesn’t seem to acknowledge that the world existed before the year 2000.

AMG’s “old school” earliest offerings were all I-6 based. So there is true provenance here with a switch back to an I-6 offering.

Poorly researched piece.

[Chestrockwell]

dvs_dave said:

I guess Sam Sheehan is a true millennial as he doesn’t seem to acknowledge that the world existed before the year 2000.

AMG’s “old school” earliest offerings were all I-6 based. So there is true provenance here with a switch back to an I-6 offering.

Poorly researched piece.

True, to my knowledge, the C36/E36 came before the C43/E55.

Also I’m not sure on the timeline but I’m positive a W124 E36 exists, not sure if it existed before the hammer though.

It is annoying though, people moaning about M140is going 4 cylinder when the highly regarded E30 M3 had a 4 cylinder as well!