CLS320 Ugly?

[bibamus]

I`ve seen quite a few of these about recently, mostly in black and from a distance. I must admit, I didnt really think they were MB cars to start with, then i saw a dark red ( maroon in fact) one parked at the side of the road.
Lovely tan coloured interior, looking at the front and it still looks good, but from the side, well, nearly, but the rear? :???: .......well, i have to be honest here, I think it looks plain ugly, more like an eastern European "luxury" car than a merc. Even the new Astra looks better with similar styling.
I`ve tried to like it and think it looks neat, but I cant. I am not alone either, the friend I was with ( a big "big car" fan) thought the same.
Are MB losing the plot, or is it me, just not keeping up with new trends? I like the new Bentleys, the new Jags and BMW`s look stunning, the VW Phaeton is great to look at but the new CLS. er...no!

Allan

 

[100%Bitch]

I must admit that when they first came out I wanted one as I thought they looked good. Now as time has progressed and I've seen so many about I think they're not as nice as I orginally thought. I'm really glad I didn't buy one.

 

[television]

Hello Allen, you are not alone in your thoughts, its the same the other side of the pond. Most people say over there that they hope it will grow on you. I think that Hawk20 first commented on the odd shape of this car.

Interesting that you commented on the leather. I was with my friend when he ordered his new S class, we had a hard time choosing a colour from the present day limited range.

Malcolm

 

[jberks]

you either love them or hate them. Personally they're not my cup of tea. The back looks like the Pink Panther's car from the 70's. I sat in one in the dealer and found it quite clostraphobic. Still each to their own but I'll stick to me E.
New S is nice though.

 

[robparker]

personally i love the cls, unless in silver which looks bad. but black car, with black piano wood...mmm!

 

[Bobthebuilder58]

:sad: Every time I see one of these things it makes me shudder It has got to be the ugliest car ever produced apart from the original ssyong musso!!!!

It looks like a giant woodlouse!!! it's horrible!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bob.

 

[television]

:sad: Every time I see one of these things it makes me shudder It has got to be the ugliest car ever produced apart from the original ssyong musso!!!!

It looks like a giant woodlouse!!! it's horrible!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bob.

You are only saying that as you have bought the good looking version.

Malcolm

 

[Parrot of Doom]

I think they're epic

Maybe I'll get one in 10 years, when I can afford to

 

[hawk20]

I`ve seen quite a few of these about recently, mostly in black and from a distance. I must admit, I didnt really think they were MB cars to start with, then i saw a dark red ( maroon in fact) one parked at the side of the road.
Lovely tan coloured interior, looking at the front and it still looks good, but from the side, well, nearly, but the rear? :???: .......well, i have to be honest here, I think it looks plain ugly, more like an eastern European "luxury" car than a merc. Even the new Astra looks better with similar styling.
I`ve tried to like it and think it looks neat, but I cant. I am not alone either, the friend I was with ( a big "big car" fan) thought the same.
Are MB losing the plot, or is it me, just not keeping up with new trends? I like the new Bentleys, the new Jags and BMW`s look stunning, the VW Phaeton is great to look at but the new CLS. er...no!

Allan

Wow you must admit you are in a minority to think the BMW's stunning. Almost every magazine has described them as 'controversial' or 'challenging' or other euphemisms for pig-ugly. And Mr Bangle has had his pencil taken away and been moved out of harms way. Good job too. First he did the hideous Fiat Multipla, then he ruined the once-graceful beemers. I'm so glad he's gone.

But on the CLS, I agree with you. Banana shaped from the side, it lacks the grace of a Bruno Sacco design. The proportions look wrong too. The roof looks as though an elephant squashed it down and inside as a result there is very limited headroom. I much prefer the old CL which I find amongst the most beautiful ever (the new CL I like much less). The C and the E, the CLK and the SL too, I love, but like you, the CLS I find impossible to drool over.

 

[hawk20]

I think this photo demonstrates the odd proportions quite well and you can sense and see it is going to be claustrophobic inside.

 

[izzi613]

Hawk20

Agree with you it's claustrophobic in the rear, though I tend to like the styling and would consider one as my next car (with a young family).

I must say the recently discontinued CL was not one of my favourites and seemed, like all big coupe's, entirely pointless!!

See the pics below. In the risk of seriously upsetting Hawk20, In my opinion the CLS looks far better that the latest S Class, oh and it has by far the nicest interior of any contemporary Mercedes.:Oops:

 

[television]

Hawk20

Agree with you it's claustrophobic in the rear, though I tend to like the styling and would consider one as my next car (with a young family).

I must say the recently discontinued CL was not one of my favourites and seemed, like all big coupe's, entirely pointless!!

See the pics below. In the risk of seriously upsetting Hawk20, In my opinion the CLS looks far better that the latest S Class, oh and it has by far the nicest interior of any contemporary Mercedes.:Oops:

In grey it looks ok from the side,not sure about the rear end photo though.

Malcolm

 

[izzi613]

Thanks for the partial endorsement television.

From the rear esp the CLS55 pictured looks like the coach built bentley's of old with the sloping, tapered rear. Eitherway it's hunkered down and aggressive stance is quite appealing

 

[Bobthebuilder58]

Hawk20

seemed, like all big coupe's, entirely pointless!!

That is the point!........they are just a very expensive thing of beauty

Apart from the latest one:???:

Bob.

 

[izzi613]

Don't worry Bob,

I like the one you just bought....

 

[television]

Thanks for the partial endorsement television.

From the rear esp the CLS55 pictured looks like the coach built bentley's of old with the sloping, tapered rear. Eitherway it's hunkered down and aggressive stance is quite appealing

There were two bentleys built on similar lines, the fastback HJ mulliner of 1955 was the first, the second was the flying Spur in the mid 60's. On both of those cars the top of the rear wings carried on to the bumper,with the roof tapering down between them. The MB does not have rear wings as such and maybe it that is the thing that is harder to get used to. We shall see over a time period.

Malcolm

 

[izzi613]

Television... feast yours eyes:

 

[Speedmaster]

Beautiful machines there

 

[television]

Television... feast yours eyes:

Those cars are the flying spur, the fastback original going back to 1955 is here

http://www.continental.org.uk/index.htm

Though they look nice, I can assure you that they are pigs for rust and corrosion Mulliner/parkward found a way of welding steel to alloy, dont forget that I was an active lecturer in the Club.

Malcolm

 

[izzi613]

Thanks for the correction.

By the way Malcolm you still haven't told me what a Lambda sensor is or how to modify the power steering to lessen the noise on full lock...remember? something about plastic caps on the pins...