I too, was a fan of the W211. Until I got a glimpse at the rear end (too Camry'ish by being overly curved). The front is a big improvement over the W210 as it is more daring and sporty. The backseat seems to have a little bit less legroom than the W210.
I am 20 years of age and like nearly every Mercedes model ever made(some more than others). Despite the age, they are all truly timeless. I can't think of another manufacturer that can really compare with the all-around qualities of Benz.
The CLS REALLY breaks from tradition. It is ugly as sin, all right.