Originally Posted by lakai

When I bought my CLS at the time, I was also looking at a M5/M6 and ultimately decided on the CLS because its such a beautiful car while still on par with a M5 in terms of performance.

With regard to acceleration only. The CLS is not in the same league as the M5/M6 with regard to handling and dynamics and once again no manual trans.

With the S550 I did look at the 760iL and there really was no comparison. S550 was the better vehicle hands down.

Have to admit that the pre-face lift seven series was not a great looking car. The current model looks better, but is not as classic as the previous seven. The S class is a classsy looking car as well as the CLS and the SL. I do think the look of the C-class has improved. Especially with the sport model front grill.

I think both companies make excellent cars, although MB has had lower standards between 1990-2003 but the quality is back.

Don't quite agree with MB quality improving. They have somewhat of a laundry list of "used cars to avoid" according to Consumer Reports. Pretty much every model is on the list at some point between 2003 and 2007, C, CLK, E, GL, S, SLK, SL, R, CLS and M class. It goes on to show that 5 out of the 10 luxury cars with the worst predicted reliability were Mercedes Benz and that the GL, SL, SLK, M and R class are listed as having worse than average predicted reliability (consumer reports worst rating).

I think its great that MB is finally trying to refresh their brand into something more sporty, or more appealing for younger buyers.

This can only go so far unless they begin offering manual transmissions.

They are going in the right direction with the styling of the newer MB cars. BMW definitely has great engineering and technology built into their vehicles, but that is not to say that MB is not capable. It just isn't their focus.