Mercedes CLS Buying Advice

[jcelee]

I'm very keen on looking at the Merecedes CLS (used, preferably sub-£20k) having ruled out the Jaguar XF on the grounds it simply wasn't comfy or luxurious enough.

I only do around 7k miles per year largely commuting with a mix of urban, B and A roads so I'm thinking the V8 warble & simplicity of a petrol engine may well outweigh the fuel economy with added complexity/issues of the diesel. Trouble is, the diesels are so much more common and therefore probably in practice cheaper.

1. Just how reliable or otherwise is the CDI 320 engine?
2. Just how reliable or otherwise is the 500 V8 engine (early version)?
3. What should I look out for / how troublesome is the 7G box?
4. Is the air suspension troublesome / expensive to maintain on the V8?
5. What sort of ballpark budget do you set aside for annual maintenance?

Many thanks!

Jon

[r129sl]

The m113 V8 in my SL (which is the same motor as in early CLS500s) has done 188,000 miles without any major problem. In fact, the only engine-related repairs I have had to carry out over that mileage are (1) replacement air mass sensor and (2) replacement crankshaft position sensor.

Although not as finely and purely engineered a motor as the m119 which preceded it, the m113 is generally considered bulletproof, if anything more reliable than the m119 (which can suffer blocked oil feed tubes to the camshafts and valve gear).

I get 23mpg. My car weighs about 1,800kg, so is comparable with a CLS. I drive rapidly if not aggressively. Oil consumption has risen to about 1.5litres per 10,000miles, which is not the end of the world and only to be expected with my mileage. If I followed the service indicator, it would require servicing every 16,000miles (I have the oil and filter changed about every 8,000).

I should imagine that a CLS500 is much better value than a CLS320 CDI because the market is stupidly obsessed with diesel and vastly over-values the benefits. On your mileage, I doubt a diesel would save more than £400 a year in fuel costs, yet the purchase price will be significantly higher and the engine is less reliable (though still a solid motor).

As a driving experience, the petrol V8 will always beat the CDI. Sure the CDI has monster torque, but it is delivered over that very short power band and simply is not very refined.

[teen_cerbera]

jcelee said:

1. Just how reliable or otherwise is the CDI 320 engine?
2. Just how reliable or otherwise is the 500 V8 engine (early version)?
3. What should I look out for / how troublesome is the 7G box?
4. Is the air suspension troublesome / expensive to maintain on the V8?
5. What sort of ballpark budget do you set aside for annual maintenance?

1. Two years of ownership, not had any engine problems as of yet, had a window mechanism fail, thats it!

2. Couldnt tell you.

3. I leave mine in auto and im yet to have any problems, or feel anything remotley strange with the gear box, its the best auto iv driven, gear changes are almost seemless. Very impressive! Fuel wise, £80 to fill her up and shes good for 500 miles per tank full. So 30mpg roughly, with an enthusiastic driver lol...

4. My 320 AMG has the air suspension, again, no problems, I find the ability to raise the car using the air suspension very useful in certain situations.


5. Basic service is about £300 p/a, mine went in not so long back, with a new tyre and an oil change, the service cost £800 and another tyre will be needed shortly. My advice would be to consider the extra cost of tyres if looking at a car with the AMG kit.

[jcelee]

Thanks very much guys, really appreciated.
I think a newer 320CDI will be the more sensible proposition with a little warranty remaining for peace of mind, certainly come resale time... I love the standard looks and am looking for the best possible ride so will probably buy a car on 17s rather than bling bling 20" AMGs!

Now to firm up a reasonable offer on my Golf GTI, the Mercs certainly seem to be depreciating much faster so no desperate hurry - but an itch to scratch!