215 or 216? The choice is easy for me. 215. The rear 3/4 view of the 215 is perfection. It is art. I think they went in the wrong direction by modifying it so much with the new car. Looks to me like it has a lot more CLS in the rear, and to my eyes, they lost the magic (perhaps a little more trendy and less timelessness). The front end of the 216 however is QUITE nice. I still prefer the side profile of the 215. Personally, I would have preferred more of a tweak instead of total redesign, but the 215 has had a long run. I understand the need for change.
I have a feeling the guys in the 216 group will differ in their opinions!
The redesign has without comparison put the CL in more of a "I'm keeping up with the times" type of category. However, the 215 is a classic (and as a collectors item in the next couple of years) it speaks volumes in its own right.
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.
The rear 3/4 view of the 215 is perfection. It is art. I think they went in the wrong direction by modifying it so much with the new car. Looks to me like it has a lot more CLS in the rear, and to my eyes, they lost the magic (perhaps a little more trendy and less timelessness). The front end of the 216 however is QUITE nice. I still prefer the side profile of the 215. Personally, I would have preferred more of a tweak instead of total redesign, but the 215 has had a long run. I understand the need for change. 
W215 Of Course 
Linear Mode
