[Bimmerfun82]

After having owned a G80cx, I’m intrigued by this new AMG CLE53

It seems like a return to form for AMG even without the V8. Wizardry with the TCT transmission, AWD/RWD continuous optimizations in real time, 443 hp mild hybrid I-6 with overboost on torque to match the hp figure (lb-ft), and RWS which I’ve argued the G80 needs. Also the stance and look is aggressive.

Obviously the comp x has it bested in power and acceleration and likely weight etc. But Merc’s strong suit is in its transmission and straight line speed, and perhaps a 63 version will follow in a few years.

https://media.mbusa.com/releases/rel...-amg-cle-coupe

[yeetyeet]

I don’t know, I feel like their quality has just gone downhill in last couple years running. Its not the same Mercedes it once was. I mean the cars can be appealing for sure, I just couldn’t see myself jumping towards one anytime soon. This is also coming from myself, before owning a BMW. First time riding or driving a BMW was in 2022, since then have been addicted. Owned 2 Mercs (SUV & Sedan) and they really didn’t give me the woo factor.

[Bimmerfun82]

Originally Posted by yeetyeet

I don’t know, I feel like their quality has just gone downhill in last couple years running.

Agree. When the last E550 coupe was launched, I ordered it sight unseen - that was fall of 2010 IIRC. The car was brilliant - extremely fast with a very luxurious ride quality and interior. At the time if you tried out the E92 M3 or 550i the Merc by comparison felt distinctly more luxurious.

Recently - about 6 months ago - I went over to our local Merc dealer and nothing appealed to me. The interiors seem poorly designed and lacking that level of luxury I was used to.

I'm hoping that a new CLE AMG will be a return to form, although I probably will stick with my G80 for a few more years.

[yeetyeet]

Originally Posted by Bimmerfun82

Agree. When the last E550 coupe was launched, I ordered it sight unseen - that was fall of 2010 IIRC. The car was brilliant - extremely fast with a very luxurious ride quality and interior. At the time if you tried out the E92 M3 or 550i the Merc by comparison felt distinctly more luxurious.

Recently - about 6 months ago - I went over to our local Merc dealer and nothing appealed to me. The interiors seem poorly designed and lacking that level of luxury I was used to.

I'm hoping that a new CLE AMG will be a return to form, although I probably will stick with my G80 for a few more years.

100%. I’ll never completely cut out Merc but they really need to revisit the quality of the interior, and exactly that, it would be nice to see them bounce back.

[PipeM3]

Originally Posted by yeetyeet

I don’t know, I feel like their quality has just gone downhill in last couple years running. Its not the same Mercedes it once was. I mean the cars can be appealing for sure, I just couldn’t see myself jumping towards one anytime soon. This is also coming from myself, before owning a BMW. First time riding or driving a BMW was in 2022, since then have been addicted. Owned 2 Mercs (SUV & Sedan) and they really didn’t give me the woo factor.

Agreed 💯

[DFW_M]

Originally Posted by Bimmerfun82

Agree. When the last E550 coupe was launched, I ordered it sight unseen - that was fall of 2010 IIRC. The car was brilliant - extremely fast with a very luxurious ride quality and interior. At the time if you tried out the E92 M3 or 550i the Merc by comparison felt distinctly more luxurious.

Recently - about 6 months ago - I went over to our local Merc dealer and nothing appealed to me. The interiors seem poorly designed and lacking that level of luxury I was used to.

I'm hoping that a new CLE AMG will be a return to form, although I probably will stick with my G80 for a few more years.

e92 vs E550...and E550 won on luxury
surprise...

[Bimmerfun82]

Originally Posted by DFW_M

e92 vs E550...and E550 won on luxury
surprise...

Well, juxtaposition that with current G80 with c63. G80 is more luxurious.

[DFW_M]

Originally Posted by Bimmerfun82

Well, juxtaposition that with current G80 with c63. G80 is more luxurious.

That comparison makes sense.
Although, anyone looking for the luxury in a G80 (unless a 6MT freak like myself) is wasting their money on the G80...

But comparing the E-class vs e92 makes zero sense.

[Bimmerfun82]

Originally Posted by DFW_M

That comparison makes sense.
Although, anyone looking for the luxury in a G80 (unless a 6MT freak like myself) is wasting their money on the G80...

But comparing the E-class vs e92 makes zero sense.

It did in the context of me deciding between the two vehicles at the time. And I’m also a freak with a manual G80. Full leather and buckets makes for a really nice environment.

[christianb5s4]

It looks fantastic, that's for sure. I agree on the quality and reliability side, my coworker has a GLE53 and it's had some mechanical issues and the interior LOOKS nice but doesn't feel quality.

Conversely, especially with full leather, the G80 feels noticeably higher quality overall.

[Bimmerfun82]

Originally Posted by christianb5s4

It looks fantastic, that's for sure. I agree on the quality and reliability side, my coworker has a GLE53 and it's had some mechanical issues and the interior LOOKS nice but doesn't feel quality.

Conversely, especially with full leather, the G80 feels noticeably higher quality overall.

I’m hoping with all that alcantara and Nappa leather in the CLE that it feels nicer and more well put together. It’s funny that Merc said their new strategy is to go upmarket and while their existing lineup is priced that way, it doesn’t ring true … for most of their ICE vehicles at least… but if they want to go upmarket this new platform is a great way to begin

[FC4]

All these AMG-ish Benzes are just snazzy NPC cars. This is coming from someone who's had many AMGs over the last 22 years. Sad how much they've diluted the brand.

[Bimmerfun82]

Originally Posted by FC4

All these AMG-ish Benzes are just snazzy NPC cars. This is coming from someone who's had many AMGs over the last 22 years. Sad how much they've diluted the brand.

For the most part, I agree. If you look at F1 and the rich history of AMG, it sort of begs the question of where they lost their way. But it wasn’t always a great car lover’s dream. Remember the E55 AMG W210 that had horrible handling and a subpar transmission but was an absolute rocket ship? The E63 W212 changed that - handling was good and the transmission excellent. But the black series variants were contenders and the GT cars.

[Jobe10]

I must say I am also waiting for the CLE 53 AMG.
I always had M cars. Still love my 23 G80 comp.
But I work at Mercedes (yes I know...) and can get insane discounts on AMG's. Even with those discounts I never wanted one. But if this CLE drives anything like my M3, I might switch.

[Bimmerfun82]

Originally Posted by Jobe10

I must say I am also waiting for the CLE 53 AMG.
I always had M cars. Still love my 23 G80 comp.
But I work at Mercedes (yes I know...) and can get insane discounts on AMG's. Even with those discounts I never wanted one. But if this CLE drives anything like my M3, I might switch.

RWS and Automatically adjusting engine mounts and torque over boost should make for a scintillating experience. I like driving a manual, but if I get tired of it I may switch. I’m also wondering if they’re going full blown 4 cyl E with the 63 or if they’ll reverse course and do a V8 in this car.

[Jobe10]

Originally Posted by Bimmerfun82

RWS and Automatically adjusting engine mounts and torque over boost should make for a scintillating experience. I like driving a manual, but if I get tired of it I may switch. I’m also wondering if they’re going full blown 4 cyl E with the 63 or if they’ll reverse course and do a V8 in this car.

I'm afraid they will keep going in the 4cil route with the 63
I hope I'm wrong though.

[Bimmerfun82]

The UK configurator is live and includes some interesting facts about the CLE53 AMG:
Weight 2,000 kg or 4,410 lbs.
Wheelbase 2,875 mm or 113.2 in.
Length 4,853 mm or 191.1 in.
Width 2,042 mm or 80.4 in.
Boot/Trunk capacity 410L or 14.5 cub ft
Fuel capacity 65L or 17.2 gallons

Loaded price for night edition £88k plus delivery, so probably fair to ballpark $90-95k in the US.

[Raudiace4]

For AMG no V8 = no care.

If it has an AMG badge on it, it needs to at least have a V8.

[McLaren720s]

I was looking at it was it was announced and absolutely love the looks. I don’t think it will be a competitor to the M3/4 in terms of performance, but I think it will be similarly priced, which is a downside. Also, Mercedes interior quality has been going downhill the past few years and 4400lbs of weight is just unacceptable in a non-electric 2 door car.

[Bimmerfun82]

Originally Posted by McLaren720s

I was looking at it was it was announced and absolutely love the looks. I don’t think it will be a competitor to the M3/4 in terms of performance, but I think it will be similarly priced, which is a downside. Also, Mercedes interior quality has been going downhill the past few years and 4400lbs of weight is just unacceptable in a non-electric 2 door car.

I was surprised at the curb weight as well. Assuming it’s correct, that’s 400 lbs heavier than an RS5 which is my experience of driving a heavy coupe. Makes it a non-starter for me. And if they launch the e perf 63 it will weigh over 5000 lbs. This is not an agile car even with RWS.

[Raudiace4]

Only if the CLE63 happens and only if they really put the M177 4.0TTV8 in it. The M177 is a fantastic engine and the CLE coupe looks great. But as for someone who owns a 1000hp W213 E63s, if I’m buying another AMG it has to have a V8.

[Buddym850icoupe]

The cle looks terrible imo. It has cla headlights and tail lights. They basically took the last generation c class coupe and maintained the profile and overall stance, made it bigger than a prior gen e class coupe, added cla headlights and taillights and called it a day. Laxy design. The interior looks like every other benz on the road. Expect it to rattle and buzz like a 1980s corolla. And the weight is absurd. This is 500kbs heavier than m4. Reliability and software on current benzes is the pits. And customer service from MBUSA is quite abominable. I've experienced it first hand and had to lemon the car.