Saw the CLS today. Very nice, but I gotta say, I think the E is more my style. At least, at the moment, after sitting in it, being around it, etc. I don't see it justifying the price difference that much. But, as we all know, you only truly know how good a car looks when you see it on the road, in different elements, enough times, around other cars/architecture, etc.
The interior is very nice (actually nicer than the new $20K more expensive 6-Series, in look AND material touch/workmanship), very soft touch, yet the straight-from-C Class A/C unit is horridly cheap, it makes the W212 A/C unit appear as if it's from a $200K car. Other than that, very nice, very soft, dash is padded, even the plastics are padded. Not gonna be as durable and long lasting as the E's, I assume, but very nice and quality. The cupholders being constantly exposed is gross looking, and regressive from the E-Class.
However, like before, I actually enjoy and prefer the E's interior ambiance. The CLS is a bit claustrophobic, sightlines are small, and there's a lot of "materials" (plastics, etc.) around you, that kind of cave you in. Little things like carpeting inside the lower door consoles are nice (a'la W211).
The A-Pillars are thinner, and I wouldn't be surprised if, with that dramatic bend as well, they aren't as strong as the E's.
The doors surprisingly are heavy, and they do close with a nice M-B "clank" (like the E).
The Command is the exact same as on my car, nice, intuitive, does the job, and I'm no car-tech-freak, but if I traded in my E for one, I'd expect maybe some different Command graphics. The I/C display on the other hand is a huge improvement.
The exterior is nice, very elegant, and the front end is a mixture of absolute gorgeousness, and EU pedestrian regulation overly-blunt clumsiness. It's nice all in all though, but it isn't as pleasing as the W212, especially when analyzing from up close (W212 has a dynamic raked face, whilst the CLS's is very flat). I don't like the upper character line, still, and IMO it isn't a cohesive or great look, also is a bit messy and makes the car look rather ungainly from the rear, but it's individual I guess, and looks better in person than in pics. And the stock wheels are TERRIBLE, way worse than any W212 Sport wheels.
All in all, I like the E more, but I like stately Sedans with dynamic proportions. I think the E looks both more conservative, and more muscular, stately, imposing and dynamic, while the CLS looks more beautiful, svelt, elegant, pretty.
Oh, and here's the good news: Even if I wanted one, it couldn't work. At 6'5, headroom was adequate when I stick my head in the Sunroof opening, but if I even touch the actual roof, I have to kink my neck, no way my head fits in there. I'd assume it would even be a safety concern. In my E, I have the wider Pano opening to have my tall head comfortably in, and even if I put my head under the steel surround portion, I have almost-decent room, which is better than the CLS's non-livable.
So I'm good with the E for now, but I must say I love the new CLS!
P.S: There's no Lease/Incentive support for the CLS yet, but this Dealer said the several they have sold, have all been about $5K down and $12-$1700 a month Leases. WAY not worth that coin to me, but hey, some people gotta have the new kid on the block!
VERDICT: I went in there with an "I might really want this car" state of mind, and left without an "I want it" factor at all, and assured in my E. Yet, I still really liked and was pleased by it. I'll see how I feel when I see it on the road!
Oh, on another note, saw the new SLK as well, interior was nice (save for the awkwardly off-center screen), but the exterior, although nice and elegant, was a little blah. Still the nicest SLK yet, and a solid and easy on the eyes offering.
With the new ML looking like the FIRST NICE LOOKING ML yet, I gotta say, well done M-B!
