Which car do you prefer?

[GrimReaper]

Well, as some of you may have read in the CLS forum, we are currently planning on purchasing a new car as a gift from my dad and mom to my aunt and uncle (for their anniversary). One thing of note though is that we (my brothers and I) are going to be using it about 20% of the time (I had clocked 1000km of my uncles W220 S350 of which the total mileage is 2500). My dad is hell-bent on Mercedes only, hence posting it in the MB forum. So what car would you prefer:

1) MB S350L W221 fully loaded
2) MB CLS500 fully loaded

The thing is, the CLS500 is costing me as much as my M5!!!!!!
The S350L is costing about $40,000 more for a fully loaded one.

Please state which and why.

 

[Andaluz]

Well, if the Mercedes CLS500 costs the same as the new BMW M5. Than your uncle should get the Bimmer. Porblem is, to get a new M5, your uncle will have to face a 1 year waiting list.

Between the two Mercedes. I would go for the CLS500 just because of the V8Engine.

The S350 is more spacious, but it's got a less powerful engine and as you've just said, it costs 40k more than the CLS.

My vote goes for the CLS fully loaded.

 

[dOmInIX]

Well, if money isn't problem I would prefer the S350 because I find it better looking than CLS. It has presence, it's probably the world's best car, the interior is superb. Now, CLS500 is more powerful but I don't know if it means much to you...

One question: is it usual to give your relatives new S-Class in India?? If it is, I'm moving....lol, jk man!!

 

[Zafiro]

Well, if the Mercedes CLS500 costs the same as the new BMW M5. Than your uncle should get the Bimmer.

its a little bit weird to have two M5's in the family IMO
I say he go with a S350. Dont know but somehow it feels the car suit your uncle the best

BTW how much is a CLS63 in your country?

 

[GrimReaper]

I already have a BMW M5 and it would be completely useless for my uncle as he NEVER speeds. His highest speed to-date would probably be 80 km/h.

Just_Me, I considered that, but we need to order the car now so it can be delivered within 2 months. My uncle doesnt exactly know we're ordering a car for him. I would LOVE a CLS63 and forced my brother not to even consider the 55 which he was hoping to get.

Righ not I'm leaving towards the S350 since I already have a fast car and the S would be useful for me to take on my frequent out-station visits.

P.S. My uncles yearly driving mileage would probably amount to about 2500km as he only uses his 'big car' to take to restaurants etc. His daily driver is a Toyota Corolla!!!!!!!!!

 

[donau]

I already have a BMW M5 and it would be completely useless for my uncle as he NEVER speeds. His highest speed to-date would probably be 80 km/h.

I think you have answered the question above. The S350 would be far more comfortable. There is no car (barring the RRs, MMs etc.) that matches the S-class comfort (IMO of course).

 

[NevadaJack]

I think you have answered the question above. The S350 would be far more comfortable. There is no car (barring the RRs, MMs etc.) that matches the S-class comfort (IMO of course).

Buy the S350...since your uncle doens't speed...let him enjoy the luxury of the S Class. You have the M5 to do your speed thing and when you drive the S, you can appreciate what you are missing in the M5...LOL

Enjoy either one...there is no loser here...

 

[dOmInIX]

Look at this S350 Lorinser pic:
[image no longer available]

I wish I have it in high-res..

 

[Giannis]

i voted for the S350. Since your uncle never speeds (how can you speed with a corolla?) the CLS500 would be useless. So he should enjoy the luxury and style, as well as the prestige, offered by the S-Class!

 

[GTA45E]

Considering your circumstances I`d go with the S350.

 

[Merc1]

I voted for the S350L also, if speed isn't the priority and comfort is then the S350 would be the car over the CLS. The S is not only larger, but it is a lot easier to get in and out of. For comfort its the S350 and it will draw just as many looks as the CLS for now.

M

 

[LaArtist]

S350 folly loaded..means AMG package.. and thats just sick..
so S350 no doubt..its a KILLAH

 

[Snake Vargas]

I'd have to go with the S350L, as well.

It sounds like your uncle won't be using it much, so absolute speed won't be an issue, and especially since you say he's not really in it for the performance. Having a prestigious car like the S350L would be nice for taking to restaurant trips, and even more so since I seem to recall you saying that your uncle/aunt will probably be chauffer driven much of the time.
The S has much more space in the back than the CLS!

Likely the S will be more common than the CLS over its lifetime, but hey, the car should be good for you, not just to make a nice spectacle for the rest of the population.

And if you have your M5 already, then there's no need for you to get your uncle something else fast and sporty, even on the off chance you get to use it.

 

[Matt]

When I first saw the poll I figured you were talking about which we would rather own one day so naturally I picked the V8 CLS. But if this is for your uncle who apparently never speeds I would definitely choose the S class plus like Jack said, you, being a yound man, will enjoy the speed of your car after you drive his that much more. Also your bro sounds like his heart is on a CLS 63 so you'll already have a CLS in the family..

 

[Porsche Guy]

It sounds like your uncle won't be using it much, so absolute speed won't be an issue, and especially since you say he's not really in it for the performance. Having a prestigious car like the S350L would be nice for taking to restaurant trips, and even more so since I seem to recall you saying that your uncle/aunt will probably be chauffer driven much of the time. The S has much more space in the back than the CLS!

Exactly how I feel.

 

[cawimmer430]

I'd go for the S350L, even if its pricier. Your father sounds like he'll keep the car for a long time, and since you'll be driving it too, you may as well indulge in the new S-Class.

The CLS500 is nice, but the V8 engine will be replaced soon by the more powerful 5.5-l version. Besides, the S350L isn't what I would call underpowered. I drove the CLS350 and CLS500 head-to-head and I was shocked at how close the CLS350 came to matching the CLS500 for acceleration and power feel, plus it handled better because of the lighter engine. The S350L will be heavier, but you'll be glad to know the engine is totally up to the job of moving the heavier S-Class around.

Either way, you can't go wrong either car, but I'd probably go for the S350L. If it was the CLS350, I'd take the CLS over the S-Class.

 

[p373r7r4n]

i say go for S350
an aniversary present shouldn't be a gas guzzling V8

 

[GrimReaper]

OK, the decision is final. we have booked the S350L fully loaded which comes upto Rs. 12,900,000 ($291,500), which is actually just $20,000 more than my M5 and not $40k as I said earlier. It comes to a better package overall and we have gone with carneol red, exclusive passion leather in black/black OR sahara beige/black. I has AMG rims 19" with the AMG package. It has every option ever with the rear entertainment, COMAND nav, UMI mobile, rear camera, disctronic +, massaging seats, panaromic roof, keyless go, luxury front & rear restraints, etc. etc. Not a single option has been left unticked. I know its a bit excessive but IMO, I would rather go for an equipped car than a faster car especially in a car which is made for luxury itself.

 

[dOmInIX]

Great desicion GrimReaper...I hope you'll show us the pics when the car comes....

BTW, 291,500 $ ???? That's way too much...

 

[GrimReaper]

I know thats too much but Indias tax structure sucks. We have to pay 105%as import duty + 22% for registration, insurance etc. + 4.5% octroi for getting the car into Mumbai(Bombay)