CLS 320 CDI 4DR TIP AUTO, Any owners or opinions on these?

CLS 320 CDI 4DR TIP AUTO, Any owners or opinions on these?

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996 sps

Original Poster:

6,165 posts

215 months

Friday 30th November 2012
quotequote all
Looking at these in a fair bit of detail of late, I really like the look of them and was debating possibly purchasing one.

Has anyone drove one or know a lot about them? There is only 2 reviews on Autotrader, i'm looking at an 06-08 plate, anything i'd need to look out for?

Thanks in advance.

just0007

74 posts

184 months

Saturday 1st December 2012
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I have had my 320 cls for about three years now, great car. So good infact I haven't sold it and will keep it for another few years.It has now done 60,000 miles no squeaks or rattles. Still looks great in my opinion, must have otions for me were the Brabus D6 chip, amg kit as this also gives you the airmatic suspension which is lovely. It does have 19in wheels but the ride is lovely. Negatives are tyre wear I get through a set of rears in about 8000 miles and they are £300 each. If you have any specific questions let me know.

Paddymcc

929 posts

190 months

Sunday 2nd December 2012
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My own car sounds pretty similar to Just007s.

Sat Nav is a must have for resale and a nicer dash/screen

They look miles better with the AMG bumpers and wheels but they do command a premium.

Around town your looking at 25mpg and on a proper run you will get 40mpg.

SimNugget

580 posts

169 months

Monday 3rd December 2012
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I had a 2007 car and lived it.

I second the Brabus kit. Also look for cars with xenon lights as they were not standard fit.

Might be worth hunting down a 'Grand Edition' version as that came with a very high spec and the Brabus kit as standard. I think that was a 2009 model though (badged 350).

Great car if you like the looks as they can divide opinion.

S

Pferdestarke

7,179 posts

186 months

Monday 3rd December 2012
quotequote all
I love these and would be looking if I were in the market for a different car.

Agree on all points above. Must haves are must-haves for a reason!

[k]arl

949 posts

245 months

Monday 3rd December 2012
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My car also sounds similar to several mentioned above - it's a MY07 CLS320 with Comand, AMG 19s & Airmatic. Whilst I don't have the Brabus tuning box, I have been giving serious thought to having one fitted (if they will install it on a 70k mile engine).

Overall, I have been very happy with my CLS. Maintenance-wise, I switched from Michelins to Bridgestones, and have found them to be grippier and more durable. Servicing hasn't been too painful at the dealership, although as always an eye has to be kept on them (£600+ quote for new exhaust avoided by 5 minutes spent with a MIG welder).

In terms of problems, I've had a few bits and pieces but these have mainly been attributable to normal wear and tear. That said, two have been described to me as 'known issues' or weaknesses - water getting into the 'shark fin' GPS antenna causing it to lose connection with the Comand unit, and also the front suspension joints wearing, causing an alarming squeaking/creaking noise. Aside from that, my dealer has had two goes at fixing a weeping driveshaft oil seal, but that's the only other issue of note.

HTH!

[k]


PS - not to hijack the thread, but can anyone attest to what difference the Brabus tuning box makes in terms of noticeable improvement in performance and changes to fuel consumption?

so called

9,074 posts

208 months

Saturday 29th December 2012
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Hi all, first time in the Mercedes zone even though I've bought my Wife an ML and an SLK in the recent past.
I'm very happy to say I bought a CLS 320 CDI today and cant wait to collect her next Friday.
All IMPO but one of the best looking cars on the road.
As usual for me, I bought with the heart not the brain and only now decided to look at PH opinions and experiences.
Cant say I'm upset with what I have read here but your sparking my interest on the Brabus side of things (I can wait a while before I start asking questions).
For info its a 2008 with 39k miles and I paid 16k. I was considering a Jag XJR but the Merc styling is 21st century. (Oh yes and twice the mpg).

Cheers,
Tony.

Edited by so called on Saturday 29th December 21:04

996 sps

Original Poster:

6,165 posts

215 months

Sunday 30th December 2012
quotequote all
so called said:
Hi all, first time in the Mercedes zone even though I've bought my Wife an ML and an SLK in the recent past.
I'm very happy to say I bought a CLS 320 CDI today and cant wait to collect her next Friday.
All IMPO but one of the best looking cars on the road.
As usual for me, I bought with the heart not the brain and only now decided to look at PH opinions and experiences.
Cant say I'm upset with what I have read here but your sparking my interest on the Brabus side of things (I can wait a while before I start asking questions).
For info its a 2008 with 39k miles and I paid 16k. I was considering a Jag XJR but the Merc styling is 21st century. (Oh yes and twice the mpg).

Cheers,
Tony.

Edited by so called on Saturday 29th December 21:04
Congratulations.

Well i'm still looking, literally went to Statstone Jag today in Milton Keynes to look at one but they were shut so will ring them tomorrow, out of interest how much does it cost to fill the tank, tyres and servicing costs?

I think they are a great looking car.

so called

9,074 posts

208 months

Sunday 30th December 2012
quotequote all
996 sps said:
Congratulations.

Well i'm still looking, literally went to Statstone Jag today in Milton Keynes to look at one but they were shut so will ring them tomorrow, out of interest how much does it cost to fill the tank, tyres and servicing costs?

I think they are a great looking car.
Its an 80lt tank so I better start saving wink
I always found the SLK and ML servicing in Stoke on Trent to be very reasonable so will be giving them a call.
Mine will be heading to Germany in February so I'll be looking at minimum 'all season' tyres in the next few weeks.

MATTYBOY

154 posts

218 months

Sunday 30th December 2012
quotequote all
I've been running a 2010 350 cdi grand edition since new and covered 35k in that time. Its returned 33mpg with a mixture of both city and motorway driving and has been pretty much faultless.

If your budget allows the grand edition has all the toys you could want as well as the AMG styling, and the 350 has a usefull power advantage over the 320.

The only problem I have had is a cracked alloy wheel, which is apparantly quite common with the AMG type wheel, the main dealr servicing costs have been very reasonable, and tyres lasted 15k but arn't cheap.

Enjoy your search - they are a very nice car, and imo look great

kevinpsw

130 posts

197 months

Tuesday 1st January 2013
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I found the CLS styling quite striking if a little odd when I first saw it. After a while, I grew to love its looks and planned an upgrade from the CLK I owned. Prices have become very reasonable, especially since the new model arrived. I went for a 40k miles 2007 AMG at <25% of its list price earlier this year because I only do 6000 miles p.a. and petrol cost is therefore not a major factor. If I did many more miles, I'd have gone for the 320 diesel, ideally with the Brabus D6 upgrade.

AMG body kits on diesels are rare and you will pay ~£2000 extra but they are worth it, especially as much of the premium will remain when you come to sell it. The 19" AMG wheels look great but they do seem to make the ride a little hard on poor road surfaces (or maybe that's the AMG suspension on mine). There are some 18" AMG options to look for. I have seen one car with the AMG kit with standard wheels and it didn't look right.

I'd look for Keyless Go, Airmatic (not standard on 320) and the Harman Kardon. They are hard to find but the Designo interior can look great. Having had xenons for years now, I wouldn't do without them. If you can accept the extra fuel cost, a fully loaded 500 would be a great car for modest money; you could get a low mileage 05 CLS500 (306 bhp) with the AMG kit for <£12k. £3-4k more should get you the 388 bhp. However, after 55 Reg the road tax on the 500 would be £475 p.a.

Maintenance is what you would expect for a quality car and tyres (especially the 19") are expensive. I expect to get 10k miles on the rears and 15k on the fronts. Some of these cars have done high mileage now and I don't know of any common and expensive faults. You can therefore probably feel safe if the service history is as it should be.

AR

861 posts

223 months

Thursday 3rd January 2013
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My inlaws have a CLS 320 08 plate. The car has been great for them over the last 5 years and they are not car people do it gets used and goes for a service when the dash tells them. It did have a leaky power steering pump and the front suspension joints issue but all in all a reliable car. I must stress that IMHO the rear seats are almost useless if you have tall front seat occupants. I have travelled in the back of the car and found it a bit cramp. Getting in can also be a pain in the neck as the car is quite low.

MATTYBOY

154 posts

218 months

Wednesday 24th April 2013
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Club membership sorted. See you on the 5th

st4

1,359 posts

132 months

Thursday 25th April 2013
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Great cars, nice to drive but the 7g box isn't all that good and the valve body can fail, a £1500 fix.

Other costly things are leaking turbo seals causing swirl flap motor failure, failed front engine bearings, manifolds clogging with EGR deposits

DUKETWO

7 posts

125 months

Monday 14th October 2013
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Any updates on this thread from Socalled or 996sps

so called

9,074 posts

208 months

Monday 14th October 2013
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Hi Duketwo,
I can only say that I'm loving this car.
I wanted a contrast against my TVR and boy I got it right buying the CLS.
Its exactly what I wanted in a big, mile eating cruiser that at the same time looks fantastic.

On the costs side I had a link rod bush (I think) changed at Service but the Main Dealer service costs in Stoke on Trent were in the 350 quid range so good.
On my first drive to Germany, a control cable for the air suspension wore through against the bodywork but an easy repair.
Only other negative is that someone has brushed against my near side rear bumper leaving some light scratch marks:

Since January I've made two return trips to Germany and currently on my third with a fourth planned in December.
With the TVR I tended to make the 750 mile drive with a half way break in Gent.
With the CLS its an 'easy' days drive (13 hours) and it does it on one full tank clap
The Tuscan needs a fill up before the channel, another near Dortmund and another at destination.

The 320 CDI has got tons of Autobahn performance sat calmly waiting for me to use it but still delivers over 40mpg.
The air suspension lets you adjust the ride for the road surface and is getting used quite a bit.
I'm contenplating making my annual drive to Spain in the CLS next year instaed of my beloved Tuscan.

God knows how good the big ones perform.


PD9

1,994 posts

184 months

Monday 14th October 2013
quotequote all
Nice update socalled,

Do you have any pictures? It would be nice to see the car and the options it has on it. I think the alloys play a massive part in the 'stance' of this car and yet there are so many good looking varieties.

I will be looking into CLS ownership next year when the better half gives me the green light after sorting out our new home. Your story further emphasises that I'd be making the correct decision in purchasing a CLS when the value drops even lower. I gather the Grand Edition is the one to look for now, however, as they are the last of the crop; they seem to attract a higher premium.

so called

9,074 posts

208 months

Tuesday 15th October 2013
quotequote all
With the alloys, there stands my small dilemma.
They are 17" and a style that I'm not keen on.
I've started the mental process of which I would like but, for the moment, I'm going to fit winter (see photo) or good all seasons on these 17's.

That said, when I approached her in the car park yesterday evening I thought they looked good.

As far as options, I got a print out of the car spec and options from the MB dealer in Stoke on Trent but thats back home so I can update at the weekend.

Not the photo you wanted (Belgium Feb 2013) but I'll take one this evening.



Edited by so called on Tuesday 15th October 08:46

PD9

1,994 posts

184 months

Tuesday 15th October 2013
quotequote all
Excellent.

No need to update on the spec list wink

DUKETWO

7 posts

125 months

Friday 18th October 2013
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Dear Socalled
Thank you for this update. I noted a 64,000 mile like yours for sale like yours at Westons of stafford. I think your alloys look fine and I gather that going bigger than 18 spoils the ride. I would like to trade my 14000 mile Mitsibushi Asx2 bought new. In 2010, but wife oppose getting an old car, so any info could help our decisions