[M Hybrid V8]

I recently sold my M2CS and the AMG CLE 53 wasn't even on my radar until a few days ago while driving around Stuttgart I ended up behind someone driving one. IMO, it's a very good looking car on the road. It has a widebody stance and looks very aggressive. It's also reasonably priced. I'm considering pulling the trigger on one (I would wait until the '25 model year), but I'm curious about opinions here since I think this is a good place to get the most critical thoughts about the car.

[gblansten]

Agree with you on the CLE 53's aesthetics. I haven't been enthused about some of MB's design choices lately. But they nailed it with this car. It looks fantastic.

[chassis]

MB aesthetics are good. New car delivered quality and reliability not good. Poor quality and reliability taint the brand.

[Car-Addicted]

Hope they get the Mercedes AMG Estate version right. I'm likely to get off the BMW train as we headed in different directions these days.
The 2020 M4CS stays

[heavyD^2]

Originally Posted by chassis

MB aesthetics are good. New car delivered quality and reliability not good. Poor quality and reliability taint the brand.

Pretty much. Amongst the worst customer satisfaction in the industry. You need to ensure you have a good relationship with your local dealer service center.

https://www.consumerreports.org/cars...s-a1291429338/

[Car-Addicted]

Really sad, I remember when Mercedes Benz was synonymous with quality and reliability. Now they are know for snappy marketing campaigns. It's getting to the point that I'm afraid to buy a car as leasing allows you to walk away when things go bad.

[gblansten]

Originally Posted by Car-Addicted

Really sad, I remember when Mercedes Benz was synonymous with quality and reliability. Now they are know for snappy marketing campaigns. It's getting to the point that I'm afraid to buy a car as leasing allows you to walk away when things go bad.

Historically MB leases have been absolutely godawful.

[dgoldenz]

iPads everywhere as far as the eye can see

[AmuroRay]

Looks better than any BMW currently produced, but the interior shows the same lack of effort.

[gblansten]

Originally Posted by AmuroRay

Looks better than any BMW currently produced, but the interior shows the same lack of effort.

MB interiors presently look luxurious but fussy and a bit over-styled.

[AmuroRay]

Originally Posted by gblansten

MB interiors presently look luxurious but fussy and a bit over-styled.

The interior here is two screens and a few AC vents. I don't see the luxury,

I don't consider the Iwatch Luxury compared to a President or Submariner either. One is a disposable toy and the other is a timepiece.

[RM7]

Originally Posted by AmuroRay

The interior here is two screens and a few AC vents. I don't see the luxury,

I don't consider the Iwatch Luxury compared to a President or Submariner either. One is a disposable toy and the other is a timepiece.

So you need flippy-switches and fake rheostats?

[Germanauto]

Just looks like a generic MB coupe, like a refreshed last gen C-class.

It's fine but forgettable

[AmuroRay]

Originally Posted by RM7

So you need flippy-switches and fake rheostats?

You make it sounds like tactile controls are silly, and they aren’t. If you go back to old Pre screen cars, luxury was materials AND design. There isn’t anything luxurious about an IPAD being poorly interstates into the dash.

You just have trash taste, aIm not going to apologize for it.

[Car-Addicted]

Originally Posted by AmuroRay

Looks better than any BMW currently produced, but the interior shows the same lack of effort.

I'm not sure "Looks better than a BMW" is the ad slogan I would go with.

[AmuroRay]

Originally Posted by Car-Addicted

I'm not sure "Looks better than a BMW" is the ad slogan I would go with.

Lol, I know it's not saying a lot but it's still something.

[RM7]

Originally Posted by AmuroRay

You make it sounds like tactile controls are silly, and they aren’t. If you go back to old Pre screen cars, luxury was materials AND design. There isn’t anything luxurious about an IPAD being poorly interstates into the dash.

You just have trash taste, aIm not going to apologize for it.

It. Depends.

[M Hybrid V8]

Originally Posted by AmuroRay

You make it sounds like tactile controls are silly, and they aren’t. If you go back to old Pre screen cars, luxury was materials AND design. There isn’t anything luxurious about an IPAD being poorly interstates into the dash.

You just have trash taste, aIm not going to apologize for it.

The "ipad" in the Mercedes is at least following the lines and width of the center console area. BMW put for zero effort in integrating the idrive8 screens which are just plopped on the dash.

[AmuroRay]

Originally Posted by Hulk Smash

The "ipad" in the Mercedes is at least following the lines and width of the center console area. BMW put for zero effort in integrating the idrive8 screens which are just plopped on the dash.

Looks like an afterthought because it is.

[gblansten]

So, Hulk Smash, you going to get one? While it's no M235i interior, it's a good looking car and will likely be fun as hell to drive.

[M Hybrid V8]

Originally Posted by gblansten

So, Hulk Smash, you going to get one? While it's no M235i interior, it's a good looking car and will likely be fun as hell to drive.

The problem I'm facing at the moment is trying to get a US spec car while here in Germany. BMW makes that easy due to their military sales program that even allows tax free purchases until the car is registered in the states. Mercedes doesn't offer anything like that so I'd have to make a normal purchase at a US dealer then ship it to Germany myself. If I do decide to pull the trigger on the CLE53, I want to wait a couple months and order a 2025 model.

[gblansten]

Originally Posted by Hulk Smash

The problem I'm facing at the moment is trying to get a US spec car while here in Germany. BMW makes that easy due to their military sales program that even allows tax free purchases until the car is registered in the states. Mercedes doesn't offer anything like that so I'd have to make a normal purchase at a US dealer then ship it to Germany myself. If I do decide to pull the trigger on the CLE53, I want to wait a couple months and order a 2025 model.

That would be a pain in the ass.