Which Body Style is Nicer? (W215 or W216)

[BAHNCL1]

Honestly i cant say that one look better than the last, and that's one thing that I love about mercedes is that the w215 was great in my opinion and of course during the end of that model platform production they needed change. and the w216 doesn't look bad and will take some getting used to.
however the later model 2003-2006 w215 still look fresh and could sit right next to a w216 and be equally hot.

its the same sitation with the w208 & w209 clk. To this day i still see w208's on the road and will be like that's a nice car if it was taken care of, and the w209 same thing it looks nice but i cant say it looks better than w208 both are evenly nice. just owner needs new car, but if low mileaged abd taken care of, then sweet ride.

[mrrippey]

the w215 was revolutionary when it came out, the w216 is evolutionary, improves on something that was out, nothing groundbreaking with the look. Nice but me keeps the w215, still a looker.

Rippey

[lnguyenh]

I have voted for the W215 (and have been looking to buy a CL55) ... but ... until my friend bought a CL550 with sport package ... It's SICK. Now I am confused! LOL. If cost isn't a factor, I'd go for a W216.

[manymercsmike]

I voted for the W215... however this is quite a tough call as I really do like the new coupe. Just not as much as my W215. Exterior of W216, at least from the front, is growing on me but still feel it is similar to other manufacturers ideas. Exterior of W215 is more unique, sleeker and classier, but it's the opposite way round for the interiors.

If I could have a W215 with the interior of a W216 - now THAT would be cool!!!

When I save up for the W216, I won't be trading in my W215, put it that way. I'll keep 'em both.

[grane]

Originally Posted by walebay

By far the 215 ....it's like the Acura Legand Coupe ....CLASSIC

+1

I replaced my Acura Legend Coupe LS (6 spd traction control) 1995 with an AMG CL55 in 2006.

I had NO intention of replacing the Legend until I drove the 55.

I intend on keeping the AMG another 10 years or more.

Grane
PS
At the time I bought the 55 I was also looking at the BMW M6 (?) coupe - the one with the V10. I feel from a styling perspective the 216 is closer to the BMW, which really doesn't know what it wants to express. Is it a boy-toy racer? Too much gingerbread and the BMW 6/7 series electronics are fundamentally flawed (bad bus design, can't be fixed.) Is it an all-in-one car for someone who can afford one car only? And you can't put 4 adults comfortably in either the BMW or the 216. So the 215 prevails....just put the three side by side.

[grane]

Originally Posted by JOE55

2003 NSX. Still outhandles everything but an SLR and is as reliable as a CIVIC.

And the MB dealer could take a lesson from the Acura dealer as far as customer service goes.

Grane

[grane]

Originally Posted by SSL

n0alpha,

I think your question is skewed in favour of the C215. There is no doubt that the C215 is "nice" and that the car is a pretty car.

However, Benz`s flagship needs more than just good looks and like the W220 S Class the C215 is pretty anonymous on the road. It just hasn`t got the presence of it`s immediate predecessors the C126 or the C140.

I think MB have twigged this and that is why we have seen the return of larger and slightly less elegant designs in both the saloon and coupe categories.

I agree with you. MB thought they needed to make a "statement."

Some of us like making a statement while being anonymous.

That's why I removed all the lettering from my CL55. The dual double exhausts speak for the car....

Otherwise, buy a BMW or that silly new Jag or that Bentley/VW coupe. MB could learn somthing from Bentley about painting a car, alas. I like blood oranges but not on my car.

Grane

PS
You can shoot a Purdey or an Spanish gun. At 10 meters no-one looking on - except those who know and care to know - will know the difference. But you do if you own one...hope I'm (not) being a snob...the best is the enemy of the good. BTW I almost bought a new Aston-Martin but the dealer was a d**k. No Quadrodoors for me.

[cruiseoveride]

I think that the new cl unlike other newer models, looks better than its predecessor.
But then again, the right kit, colour, and rims throw revision right out of the window.
Eg, Personally i think that the W140 is the ugliest S-Class ever, but in the Lorinser kit, its a whole new car.

[my260e]

w215, IMO I think the new CL resembles the new accord. Still does look nice though.

[INDEMNITY]

I bought my 215 since I could not take my eyes off them on the road every time I encountered one. Now I spend far too much time in the garage....staring.