[JDMSteven]

Trading in my old faithful 2011 535i xDrive that I got in December '17 with 19k mi in finally such a sad moment for me. This was my dream car, after owning 2 E46s and an E60 530i, and I got it at 19 years old. It now has 45,500 miles and has been nothing but perfect; no CEL's no drivetrain malfunctions, nothing! Been running JB4 since 30k mi, went catless at 42k, and it has been thoroughly enjoyable, but after 2.5 years, I am ready for a change.

I've talked about it in the past, and wanting to change it up soon. I have always wanted a 650i M Sport Gran Coupe, but I just know the overwhelmingly bad rep of the N63 and even the TU models. Thus... I am switching to the dark side.

My older cousin, who was a former BMW Master Tech and all around smart car guy, had a 2012 Mercedes Benz CLS 550, and I totally fell in love with it. He had over 100k mi of absolutely trouble free joy until he decided to trade it in on a CLS 63 AMG, his "winter beater" while the GT-R sits in the garage in NY. I absolutely love the styling and looks of the car, and was a big fan of the driving experience and tuning potential.

So uh... goodbye BMW

And say hello to my new baby, 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLS 550 AMG Sportline
Here's the details, for those who care

1 Owner, 38k mi CPO
- Designo Diamond White Metallic
- Porcelain & Black Interior, Black Ash Wood
-4.7L V8TT (M278), 402hp, 443lb-ft
-Premium Pkg II- (Basically Comfort Access and same goodies as BMW PP2)
-Wheel Pkg- AMG Wheels, AMG Steering Wheel, Paddle Shifters, Sportline
-Lane Tracking & Park Assist Pkg- LKA & BSA, 360° Cams, Active Park Assist
(self parking)
- Rear Decklid Spoiler, Active Multicontour Driver Seat (massage, heated & cooled)

I am very sad to be leaving BMW but I am excited for the future! Maybe I'll be back when I can afford an M6 GC under warranty lol

[OnlyGerman]

The M278 motor is SOLID. Wish BMW could make a great reliable V8 like that. Tuning options are available but kind of pricey. I am also considering a 12 CLS with same motor just for fun.

Definitely a big difference. Hard to go back to MB after being in a BMW.

Good luck!

[JDMSteven]

Originally Posted by OnlyGerman

The M278 motor is SOLID. Wish BMW could make a great reliable V8 like that. Tuning options are available but kind of pricey. I am also considering a 12 CLS with same motor just for fun.

Definitely a big difference. Hard to go back to MB after being in a BMW.

Good luck!

Thanks! I'm sure I'll be back to BMW

[Trainwreck914]

Dayuuummmm...the f10 is barely broken in

[JDMSteven]

Originally Posted by Trainwreck914

Dayuuummmm...the f10 is barely broken in

Yup got her young lol I barely drive her

[lsturbointeg]

ugh...i usually see old people driving MercedeS even if it is an AMG. I'll be honest, your BMW looks nicer

[Nickco43]

That looks like a nice unit. The only thing I hate about MB is that its so hard to find technical information to work on it yourself. Its always a pain in the ass to work on my dads w221 S class.

[JDMSteven]

Originally Posted by lsturbointeg

ugh...i usually see old people driving MercedeS even if it is an AMG. I'll be honest, your BMW looks nicer

Yeah you are deff not wrong at all, especially in my area in Central FL, mostly older folks in Benz cars. It just came down to the fact that I wanted a 4 door coupe, V8 Twin turbo, and the Mercedes seems to be the most solid at that platform. They did invent it after all

I'll be modifying it slightly with lowering links, different wheels (most likely from E/S/CLS/GT AMG) few trim pieces here and there etc to make it look a little sportier but I know it just won't look as aggressive or sporty as my BMW.

[JDMSteven]

Originally Posted by Nickco43

That looks like a nice unit. The only thing I hate about MB is that its so hard to find technical information to work on it yourself. Its always a pain in the ass to work on my dads w221 S class.

I'm not much of a DIY guy tbh, esp not on these kind of cars, so it works out for me that it's CPO, and beyond that, I work at a Jaguar Land Rover dealership. Employee cost on labor is insanely cheap, even cheaper than pretty much every independent shop I've used before. Parts are cost +10% and beyond that, we also own our local Mercedes dealer, so it's a win-win situation for me all around

[Nickco43]

Originally Posted by JDMSteven

I'm not much of a DIY guy tbh, esp not on these kind of cars, so it works out for me that it's CPO, and beyond that, I work at a Jaguar Land Rover dealership. Employee cost on labor is insanely cheap, even cheaper than pretty much every independent shop I've used before. Parts are cost +10% and beyond that, we also own our local Mercedes dealer, so it's a win-win situation for me all around

In that case its a no brainier.

[Bbb34]

That Benz looks stunning , sorry to say, I don't agree that F10 looks better.
As much as I love F10, it's starting to show it's age, especially comparing to newer design vehicle like that.

"Variety is the spice of life" or so they say, nothing wrong with mixing it up a bit every now and then.

Good luck with the new car.

[philipm785]

Enjoy your new ride!

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by Bbb34

..
As much as I love F10, it's starting to show it's age, especially comparing to newer design vehicle like that....

Not to start anything as different strokes and all that, but I have disliked very much MB's "new" droopy-butt look ever since it came out on the CLA in 2013. It looks like it's dragging its butt to me. I also greatly disliked the Bangle-butt. That looked, to me, like the deck lid was an afterthought and the headlights looked girlish.

[Bbb34]

Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc

Not to start anything as different strokes and all that, but I have disliked very much MB's "new" droopy-butt look ever since it came out on the CLA in 2013. It looks like it's dragging its butt to me. I also greatly disliked the Bangle-butt. That looked, to me, like the deck lid was an afterthought and the headlights looked girlish.

Yeah, different strokes, you are right - I get it.

Some of the Benz vehicles over the years, I liked, some I didn't, but I think this one looks great and while not crazy sporty looking (don't think it was meant to be) to me it just looks "more modern" than F10 lines, which I suppose is to be expected. Most German vehicles have always had this "less is more" approach, at least in my mind, clean, smooth design lines. They age very well because they aren't trying crazy hard (I'm looking at you Japanese and Korean manufacturers, with "let's just add one more curve to this thing" approach. )

Both are great in my opinion, but (again for my eyes at least) F10 is starting to show it's age a bit.

[spielnicht]

Congrats on the new car! It's beautiful. I own both a BMW and an MB - each with their respective pros and cons. Can't go wrong either way as long as the pros meet your needs.

Happy motoring.

[JDMSteven]

No good pics yet but this thing is such a wolf in sheep's clothing, incredibly smooth, quiet and civilized until you squeeze the go pedal. It's a refined rage and I love it!

[Bmoney2K4]

Nice Mercedes, I always have though there is nothing quite like the CLS on the road today. If you don't mind, how much did you pay for this car?

[JDMSteven]

Originally Posted by Bmoney2K4

Nice Mercedes, I always have though there is nothing quite like the CLS on the road today. If you don't mind, how much did you pay for this car?

2015 CPO 37k mi paid 35k OTD

[JDMSteven]

Originally Posted by Bmoney2K4

Nice Mercedes, I always have though there is nothing quite like the CLS on the road today. If you don't mind, how much did you pay for this car?

Here's the window sticker