I think the CLA is a good example of why you don't buy the first model year of a new car. It's probably best to wait for the first revision. I hope Mercedes will update the car and get it right.

This reminds me of the W201. Having owned an 87 with tons of miles and two 93s with around 200K each and looked at early models, I would say I would most likely not recommend the early W201s and guide people towards the later ones if possible.
Why?
Early W201s just feel cheaper. The seats are not uncomfortable but not great. I'm not sure if there is a difference between the early models and an 87, but when I looked at one, the metal felt thinner on the doors, they flexed very easily (not that I was using metal flex as something to look for, I just happened to notice it).

The later W201s after the facelift in 1990 have much better seats and a more polished look all around.

I'm sure the same could be said about the W124 and other models. Obviously the W126 changed a lot of the course of its life as did the W123. They all for the most part got better later on in their production runs.

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Current: 1975 450SEL, 83 300D, 88 Yugo GVX, 90 300D OM603 swap, 91 F150 4.6 4v swap, 93 190E Sportline LE 3.0L M104 swap, 93 190E Sportline LE Megasquirt, 03 Sprinter, 06 E500 4Matic wagon.