Considering 650i coupe

Originally Posted by southern6er22

I think the size and power is much greater in the 650i than the E550. The power, acceleration, and handling I found to be much more impressive than the E550. I didn't drive a CLS. I like the look of the CLS sans the rear lights, but I still prefer the 650i.

A couple cars ago we considered the CLS55 AMG, but the previous body styling did not agree with us in the end. Went with an Audi S6 and never regretted it. The new CLS, however, looks MUCH better IMO. If it had a better technology package we probably would've went with it. Felt a bit more sporty than the 6, not the "typical" MB I would've expected.

Actually power is close to equal-

Benz E550 - 402hp/443lb
BMW 650i - 400hp/450lb

Originally Posted by mrjoed2

Actually power is close to equal-

Benz E550 - 402hp/443lb
BMW 650i - 400hp/450lb

Wow. I didn't realize it was that close. It didn't feel like it. I didn't drive a 6er the same day as the E550, but I drove an M3, and the M3 blew it away IMO. Goes to show there's more to a car than power figures.

Your absolutely right. 650i styling is night & day nicer along with that 10.2" LCD vs the 7" in the Benz. Idrive is also better than E550 command system. But there's that nagging price difference of about $20K !!

Originally Posted by mrjoed2

Your absolutely right. 650i styling is night & day nicer along with that 10.2" LCD vs the 7" in the Benz. Idrive is also better than E550 command system. But there's that nagging price difference of about $20K !!

No interest in the CLS?

Well, I really want a coupe. CLS may be "coupe like" but it's still a 4 door.

Ahhh I see. I was going by dimensions. But I obviously can't disagree!

Originally Posted by xDrive McGee

Some of the decisions BMW locks you into with regard to option packages are a bit annoying.

That's putting it mildly.

Originally Posted by mrjoed2

Your absolutely right. 650i styling is night & day nicer along with that 10.2" LCD vs the 7" in the Benz. Idrive is also better than E550 command system. But there's that nagging price difference of about $20K !!

The Command system is really, really bad... and I don't even mean just aesthetically. For me, it's a deal breaker.

The E is a dog, IMAO. 20 grand buys a lot

Originally Posted by thom.one.two

The E is a dog, IMAO. 20 grand buys a lot

Sometimes I feel as though my thoughts are channelled thru the quoted poster--in a cleaner more concise form.

I will say IMO the Benz has 2 superior features.
Rear seat access - pull handle on front seat and it motors fully forward automatically, push seat back and it returns to previous memorized position - no button holding required.
And seat controls are better on door than on side of seat. But other than that I give the nod to the 650 on most everything else.

Originally Posted by mrjoed2

I will say IMO the Benz has 2 superior features.
Rear seat access - pull handle on front seat and it motors fully forward automatically, push seat back and it returns to previous memorized position - no button holding required.
And seat controls are better on door than on side of seat. But other than that I give the nod to the 650 on most everything else.

I agree with that completely.

Originally Posted by thom.one.two

The E is a dog, IMAO. 20 grand buys a lot

+100. I built an E550 coupe for about $65k. This is the first car I looked at when I decided to get a new one... then all hell broke loose. It somehow ended up escalating to a $103k 650xi coupe (nearly $40k more). I'm very happy I spent the money given everything you get in the 6er.

The 6er is a 7er/S Class equivalent with coupe styling whereas the E Class is a dressed up C class with a big engine. Both are very nice cars, just cars on completely different levels. This is kinda why I wish BMW had added more options as standard and bumped the base of the 650i to closer to $100k so it's price would be more competitive with the CL, a more appropriate competitor.

Originally Posted by southern6er22

The 6er is a 7er/S Class equivalent with coupe styling whereas the E Class is a dressed up C class with a big engine. Both are very nice cars, just cars on completely different levels. This is kinda why I wish BMW had added more options as standard and bumped the base of the 650i to closer to $100k so it's price would be more competitive with the CL, a more appropriate competitor.

Have you driven the CL? It's a boat...

Originally Posted by XZLR8

Have you driven the CL? It's a boat...

Nope. Sorry, I meant in terms of placement in the BMW/Mercedes line ups, not comparing how the 650i drives compared to the CL.

So the 650i is perfect as it has better performance than the E550 and the CL while still achieving the same level of luxury/tech as the CL

Originally Posted by southern6er22

Nope. Sorry, I meant in terms of placement in the BMW/Mercedes line ups, not comparing how the 650i drives compared to the CL.

So the 650i is perfect as it has better performance than the E550 and the CL while still achieving the same level of luxury/tech as the CL

There ya go. Ha.

The CL does have gorgeous interior fit and finish, as well as a more useable back seat. I'll give it that. I really wanted to like it when I drove one several years ago, but it just felt cumbersome and e-n-o-r-m-o-u-s.

Still, as someone suggested earlier, the most reasonable comparison in the Benz lineup would be with the CLS, in my opinion, which will be even more true with the arrival of the Gran Coupe.

I love the fact that the rear quarter windows and sunroof open on the CL giving it a lot of open air. I love it, but too expensive. Think I rather have an M6 though,,, but a CL65, damn!!! Still needs HUD though.

I think I'd take the M6 over the CL65. Yes, The CL65 is a beast on paper, but I kinda remember Top Gear testing it a few years ago, and it's track time sucked (relatively speaking given the figures it puts out) because it couldn't get the power down and it was just too much of a tank to handle any kind of real cornering. The CL does have a better backseat, but I'd rather have a second car for passenger carrying and get the best performance car possible. The CL is also a much more mature car... Even if I could convince myself on the price, I don't think I'd get one because (a) it is such a tank, (b) I'm not a businessman > 50, or (c) a rapper, although I'm often mistaken for one

Originally Posted by southern6er22

I think I'd take the M6 over the CL65. Yes, The CL65 is a beast on paper, but I kinda remember Top Gear testing it a few years ago, and it's track time sucked (relatively speaking given the figures it puts out) because it couldn't get the power down and it was just too much of a tank to handle any kind of real cornering. The CL does have a better backseat, but I'd rather have a second car for passenger carrying and get the best performance car possible. The CL is also a much more mature car... Even if I could convince myself on the price, I don't think I'd get one because (a) it is such a tank, (b) I'm not a businessman > 50, or (c) a rapper, although I'm often mistaken for one

Now that you mention it, you do look a little like Jay-Z

That guy gets Beyonce and a Veyron. I wish...

Since it has AWD the CL was a contender for a couple weeks. In the end though, I like the 6 interior much better, though the exterior of both cars is striking. Couldn't get a test drive in one so I have little idea how it actually drives, but the size did/does worry me a bit (as did the 6 initially). I think the real deal killer, though, is that a wooden steering wheel is mandatory in the CL I think. That just tips the scale too far IMO.

These "new" engines in the MBs are fantastic and make the non-AMG versions viable to me for the first time in years. If they up their game in the technology area I could see myself going back at some point. Until then...