CLS standard vs optional features

[Targarama]

I'm toying with getting a 2008-2010 CLS 350 petrol as my next motorway cruiser (to replace an E39 530i, which will take some beating). Is there a list of standard vs optional features for the Mercedes CLS?

- Is Isofix standard in the rear?
- If a car has sat nav does that mean it has the Command system?
- Are auto dimming mirrors standard?

Anything particular to watch out for with the 350 petrol engine? I'm fine with 30 ish mpg on a long haul btw. A 320CDi is an outside choice but I'm allergic to the dirty pump. A V8 would be nice but not sure about long run economy?

Thanks!

[ZX10R NIN]

with Fuel at £1.11 per Litre = £5.04 per gallon if you do 10k per year

The 350 will cost you £1247.52
The 500 will cost you £1513.51

So there's an extra £266 as well as £215 VED per year but the V8 is much better suited to the car if I was going for the V6 I would have to seriously consider the one from the dark side more torque 70bhp less but way better fuel & that's before you re-map it, after which they become really close.

350 Petrol 297bhp 270ft/lb after a Remap 327bhp 294ft/lb
320 Diesel 221bhp 373ft/lb after a Remap 281bhp 465ft/lb
500 Petrol 387bhp 390ft/lb after a Remap 419bhp 421ft/lb
350 Diesel 261bhp 457ft/lb after a Remap 312bhp 527ft/lb

[Targarama]

ZX10R NIN said:

with Fuel at £1.11 per Litre = £5.04 per gallon if you do 10k per year

The 350 will cost you £1247.52
The 500 will cost you £1513.51

So there's an extra £266 as well as £215 VED per year but the V8 is much better suited to the car if I was going for the V6 I would have to seriously consider the one from the dark side more torque 70bhp less but way better fuel & that's before you re-map it, after which they become really close.

350 Petrol 297bhp 270ft/lb after a Remap 327bhp 294ft/lb
320 Diesel 221bhp 373ft/lb after a Remap 281bhp 465ft/lb
500 Petrol 387bhp 390ft/lb after a Remap 419bhp 421ft/lb
350 Diesel 261bhp 457ft/lb after a Remap 312bhp 527ft/lb

Thanks. I won't be remapping anything, I have a TVR for fast fun. I'm sure all the above can hold their own in a traffic light GP or overtaking manoeuvre.

£300 to drive a V8, man maths makes it sound OK to me.

[ZX10R NIN]

Targarama said:

Thanks. I won't be remapping anything, I have a TVR for fast fun. I'm sure all the above can hold their own in a traffic light GP or overtaking manoeuvre.

£300 to drive a V8, man maths makes it sound OK to me.

No problem if it has Nav then yes it has command Isofix was standard by then & Auto dipping mirrors are standard to

[muckymotor]

Mine's an '08 and doesn't have dipping mirrors. I think they came as a pack with HID lights which mine also doesn't have. The first owner must not have driven it at night as virtually every other option is fitted

[cramorra]

That's where the V8 make a difference, too 500 and CLS63 have Command, Auto dip mirrirs and xenons as standard as well as 4 zone climatronic and air suspension, all have isofix
I would go for a CLS 500 FL if you can get one 380 HP, nice V8, lots of kit - perfect
I ff you can have a choice go for
18 inch wheels (not bigger)
Massage and corner seats
harmann kardon
heated back seats
electric back rollo

I find the electric boot when it works nice but does not always
Airmatic compressors can go, too
stoking cars and well built in gerenal

[yellowbentines]

ZX10R NIN said:

No problem if it has Nav then yes it has command

Not necessarily, it could have the Becker Map Pilot which is also Sat Nav, but doesn't come with the HDD, Linguatronic, DVD player etc that COMAND does.

[V12 AMG]

Don't listen to the official figures, the cdi won't get anywhere near those figures in real world driving and the difference between the 350 and the 500 is marginal in the real world when it comes to fuel.

80-90% of cars are diesel, so you are seriously limiting your choice.

Any of the engines are more than adequate when it comes to real world performance.

As pointed out, not all cars have Comand. Quick and easy way for a newbie to tell is by looking for the cd slot. On the Comand it's above the screen. On the poverty spec version the slot is below the screen.

Everyone has different preferences but for me I wouldn't consider a car without airmatic suspension (switch is behind the gear selector) and memory seats (round cluster of 4 buttons in front of inner door handles).
Airmatic really transforms the drive of the car, especially if you're soaking up lots of miles. Memory seats is a must have if the other half will drive the car as well.

[Targarama]

Thanks chaps.

Ran some numbers and read some road tests (Evo magazine has some good ones). I'm waiting for a good 2008 onwards 350 petrol to come up for sale. I see a few. My BMW is running fine so I'm prepared to wait for the right car, I know they are rare.

I don't need the V8 (additional insurance/servicing/fuel/road tax cost) since I have a TVR for fun driving.

I won't be buying a diesel. Every time I start it/drive/refuel a bit of me will die inside.

[toohuge]

Whilst airmatic is very good. I'd personally avoid when buying outside of warranty and at this age.

The cost of repairing / replacing the components out weighs the benefits imo.

[toohuge]

Whilst airmatic is very good. I'd personally avoid when buying outside of warranty and at this age.

The cost of repairing / replacing the components out weighs the benefits imo.

[V12 AMG]

Do you have personal experience with repairing airmatic systems?
They're not the beast that the internet makes them out to be...not at all.

[toohuge]

V12 AMG said:

Do you have personal experience with repairing airmatic systems?
They're not the beast that the internet makes them out to be...not at all.

Yes.... I have worked on a few. Whilst not a nightmare, it is another thing to go wrong and something that can be very expensive to rectify. It is up to the personal owner, but in my opinion, I prefer not to have the potential problem.

[Griffithy]

Airmatic maybe another part to go wrong ...
... but once you are used to the airmatic nothing else will do.

I would absolutely recommend it, as its an important part for that
Mercedes experience.