Well I know I'm being picky, but I find the recent Mercedes designs not to be as well resolved as BMW's and Audi's. There are cut lines that just appear from nowhere that do not flow with the design -- the impression is a slightly disjointed and "slashed" design -- one could argue that BMW do the same ..but BMW resolve their designs much more thoroughly ...and with more finesse.

I hate to say this, but Mercedes is not designed to the same standard as Audi. When I say that, I am not necessarily referring to the appearance of the vehicle but more so the thoroughness of the design ..a thorough understanding of an aesthetic. BMW and Audi are far more fully resolved designs ...Mercedes is a little bit untidy -- the CL is an attractive car -- but, like the S, it should have been a magnificent car ....there are many things about its design that do not sit comfortably with me.