CLS Buying Advice
Discussion
I'm new to the Mercedes forum having just sold my Porsche. I'm now looking for a CLS 320CDI and was hoping for some information on things to look out for. Any common problems or potentially big bills I need to be aware of. Also, are there any extras that are a must have for re-sale value. Thanks in advance for any guidance.
Comand is desirable on any CLS.
usual colours are popular - silver black grey and so on... avoid tansanite and gold.
On the 320's watch out if it is a little used car the flap motor on the variable inlet manifold can seize up dut to lack of use which is a cheap part but a lot of labour to take it all to bits..
later (post aug 06) cars are electrically facelifted in line with the revised E and are a bit better (not the the CLS ever really hit the issue that the early 211 E class had. Merc reverted to human fitment of the wiring loom instead of robots and the faults per 1000 cars fell dramatically.
Oh and the official MB ipod kit for the audio 20 didnt work in the CLS - but i cant remember why - just know you had to use alternatives unless you had comand.
HTH
usual colours are popular - silver black grey and so on... avoid tansanite and gold.
On the 320's watch out if it is a little used car the flap motor on the variable inlet manifold can seize up dut to lack of use which is a cheap part but a lot of labour to take it all to bits..
later (post aug 06) cars are electrically facelifted in line with the revised E and are a bit better (not the the CLS ever really hit the issue that the early 211 E class had. Merc reverted to human fitment of the wiring loom instead of robots and the faults per 1000 cars fell dramatically.
Oh and the official MB ipod kit for the audio 20 didnt work in the CLS - but i cant remember why - just know you had to use alternatives unless you had comand.
HTH
Definitely needs COMAND, although surprising how many cars don't have it.
I'd go for Obsidian black with AMG alloys or the 5 solidish spoked MB alloys. I don't like the other 5 spokers that split into 2 when they join the rim, but that might just be me!
Xenons, heated seats and sunroof would be nice to!
I'd go for Obsidian black with AMG alloys or the 5 solidish spoked MB alloys. I don't like the other 5 spokers that split into 2 when they join the rim, but that might just be me!
Xenons, heated seats and sunroof would be nice to!
Big expensive bills & the 646 320 cdi engine go hand in hand unfortunately. When they do go wrong, they get bloody expensive.
The worse thing is, there is no pre warning of symptoms or anyway to check this (when buying anyway).
Common enough now are the inlet port shut-off motors and manifolds.
The oil from the inlet to the turbo leaks onto the motor, causing the motor to fail. Or the manifolds seize causing the motor to fail, linkage to break. The motor is a cheapish fix... the manifolds are about £400 a piece I think, plus 4+ hours labour. They are becoming very common.
Turbo. Think the turbo is like £1600-1800 .. plus few hours for fitting.
Exhaust manifolds are double skinned and can crack causing bits of shrapnel to damage the turbo. another expensive fix.
You also have the 7G box to worry about if it's an earlier model.
Not to be overly critical of the car, as the engine + gearbox when working are absolutely fantastic. They just have a few known, expensive faults on higher mileage cars.
My advice would be to get the car checked to see what works been done first ( it may of had a few of the above repairs before)... if not get one with warranty, unless your made of money. MB may offer you some good will (contribution to repair cost) if it's not to far gone out of warranty.
If it's coming up to 40k mark before you buy it, be prepared for a big major service bill as well. 7g box oil + filter is done at 38k, air filters done around a similar mileage.
HTH.
The worse thing is, there is no pre warning of symptoms or anyway to check this (when buying anyway).
Common enough now are the inlet port shut-off motors and manifolds.
The oil from the inlet to the turbo leaks onto the motor, causing the motor to fail. Or the manifolds seize causing the motor to fail, linkage to break. The motor is a cheapish fix... the manifolds are about £400 a piece I think, plus 4+ hours labour. They are becoming very common.
Turbo. Think the turbo is like £1600-1800 .. plus few hours for fitting.
Exhaust manifolds are double skinned and can crack causing bits of shrapnel to damage the turbo. another expensive fix.
You also have the 7G box to worry about if it's an earlier model.
Not to be overly critical of the car, as the engine + gearbox when working are absolutely fantastic. They just have a few known, expensive faults on higher mileage cars.
My advice would be to get the car checked to see what works been done first ( it may of had a few of the above repairs before)... if not get one with warranty, unless your made of money. MB may offer you some good will (contribution to repair cost) if it's not to far gone out of warranty.
If it's coming up to 40k mark before you buy it, be prepared for a big major service bill as well. 7g box oil + filter is done at 38k, air filters done around a similar mileage.
HTH.
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