Merc CLS W219 (Mk1) - What's the catch?
Discussion
These look like a huge amount of car for the money, so naturally it has me suspicious on what the catch is.
I don't need a new car, and most seem to be diesel which isn't suitable for my usage or commute, but I still want one. Preferably the 6 cyl, such as:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306258...
Is there even a catch?
I think they look great and it's the type of car I'm looking for (along with Audi A7, Jag XF and so on), though most in this sector seem to be soot chuggers, or large petrols which I imagine will cost a lot to run - so if anyone has any alternative suggestions I'd be all ears
I don't need a new car, and most seem to be diesel which isn't suitable for my usage or commute, but I still want one. Preferably the 6 cyl, such as:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306258...
Is there even a catch?
I think they look great and it's the type of car I'm looking for (along with Audi A7, Jag XF and so on), though most in this sector seem to be soot chuggers, or large petrols which I imagine will cost a lot to run - so if anyone has any alternative suggestions I'd be all ears
For the V6 petrols, you need to check that the M272 engine number is outside of the range for the balancer shaft problems ('07-on are likely to be ok). I recall that the CGI (direct injection) version of the M272 was used in the CLS, so I suspect at some stage you'll be dealing with coked-up inlet valves.
The CLS350cdi is the pick of the diesels & they're pretty much bulletproof:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303205...
Out of the petrols the CLS 500 is the pick.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303205...
Out of the petrols the CLS 500 is the pick.
georgeyboy12345 said:
CLS500 is the pick of the bunch. Most reliable too
Right when I said the big petrols scare me, you have me looking at the big petrols. You are a bad person 
ZX10R NIN said:
The CLS350cdi is the pick of the diesels & they're pretty much bulletproof:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303205...
Out of the petrols the CLS 500 is the pick.
It's telling how useful and helpful you are on these forums Mr Kawasaki that you sometimes get your links mixed up, because you're helping multiple people at once https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303205...
Out of the petrols the CLS 500 is the pick.
I have some reading to do....
They look amazing. Generally as stated the 3l diesel is a bulletproof engine, also featured in the Sprinter.
However, my E class has cost an utter fortune. Not bork as such but things like pipes reaching the end of their lives.
Just done a service which was £900 including a few other bits…mainly due to intercooler pipes. Normal rubber pipes with some metal fittings, which came to over £300 for the part!
Merc parts have gone a bit…much
However, my E class has cost an utter fortune. Not bork as such but things like pipes reaching the end of their lives.
Just done a service which was £900 including a few other bits…mainly due to intercooler pipes. Normal rubber pipes with some metal fittings, which came to over £300 for the part!
Merc parts have gone a bit…much
Sycamore said:
georgeyboy12345 said:
CLS500 is the pick of the bunch. Most reliable too
Right when I said the big petrols scare me, you have me looking at the big petrols. You are a bad person ZX10R NIN said:
The CLS350cdi is the pick of the diesels & they're pretty much bulletproof:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303205...
Out of the petrols the CLS 500 is the pick.
It's telling how useful and helpful you are on these forums Mr Kawasaki that you sometimes get your links mixed up, because you're helping multiple people at once https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303205...
Out of the petrols the CLS 500 is the pick.
I have some reading to do....
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307250...
At around 6k I'd actually recommend going for the W212 E350:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304216...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308020...
Sycamore said:
These look like a huge amount of car for the money, so naturally it has me suspicious on what the catch is.
I think they look great and it's the type of car I'm looking for (along with Audi A7, Jag XF and so on), though most in this sector seem to be soot chuggers, or large petrols which I imagine will cost a lot to run - so if anyone has any alternative suggestions I'd be all ears
Big-engined saloons can be very hard to sell right now. I sold my 2007 Audi A6 4.2 V8 with a full Audi service history and 73,500 miles -finally - for £5,900 this evening. This kind of stuff is so much better value than anything half economical these days. I’d personally rather get a cheaper big-engined petrol and use the initial saving to put towards fuel.I think they look great and it's the type of car I'm looking for (along with Audi A7, Jag XF and so on), though most in this sector seem to be soot chuggers, or large petrols which I imagine will cost a lot to run - so if anyone has any alternative suggestions I'd be all ears
The CLS is cheap, but can’t say I would have the most confidence reliability-wise, judging on E-Class reliability from that era. I’ve had good service with 2006 and 2007 A6s, though, with nothing particularly unexpected needing doing bar a washer pump. Had a £900 bill for new front suspension arms, but that was flagged on the previous MOT and so was easy to predict before I bought the car.
The 3 litre diesels only major issue is the oil cooler seals leaking. Simple job but time consuming. They go on forever if they are looked after.
Gearboxes should be serviced every 50k on all models.
Avoid the air suspension, its just another complex thing to break, but replacement shocks are around £250 a piece now.
Parts are quite cheap as they are shared across the E class range so plenty of other brands making suspension and brake replacement parts.
They are starting to get on a bit in age so have a good look underneath for rust especially around subframes.
Gearboxes should be serviced every 50k on all models.
Avoid the air suspension, its just another complex thing to break, but replacement shocks are around £250 a piece now.
Parts are quite cheap as they are shared across the E class range so plenty of other brands making suspension and brake replacement parts.
They are starting to get on a bit in age so have a good look underneath for rust especially around subframes.
I ran a 2009 W219 320CDI for just over 2years/37k miles.
Comfy place to be and did it's job. Local garage didn't charge an absolute fortune to service it. Great looking thing.
However, I've moved over to A 2010 Jaguar XFS 3.0D V6, so only a 1 year difference in age. Compared tk this the CLS in hindsight felt very aged and agricultural. The biggest thing I've noticed from the CLS was how sluggish the 7 speed auto box was compared to the Jaguar. The handling was also quite boat like.
Having said that it served a purpose. Even though I kept ontop of servicing I had to bin it off due to the auxiliary belt snapping, getting wrapped around everything and causing a catastrophic oil leak, could've bene repaired but would've cost more than the value of the car. Very disappointed.
Comfy place to be and did it's job. Local garage didn't charge an absolute fortune to service it. Great looking thing.
However, I've moved over to A 2010 Jaguar XFS 3.0D V6, so only a 1 year difference in age. Compared tk this the CLS in hindsight felt very aged and agricultural. The biggest thing I've noticed from the CLS was how sluggish the 7 speed auto box was compared to the Jaguar. The handling was also quite boat like.
Having said that it served a purpose. Even though I kept ontop of servicing I had to bin it off due to the auxiliary belt snapping, getting wrapped around everything and causing a catastrophic oil leak, could've bene repaired but would've cost more than the value of the car. Very disappointed.
I bought a 2005 CLS500 back in 2015/6 and apart from a new battery, parking sensor and a couple of other little things it ran really well. Running it wasn't painful for me as I don't do a lot of miles. The day I sold it the rear window decided it didn't want to work from the back but would work from the front.
A couple of years later I bought another CLS but of the 55 flavour. It's not been a cheap journey for me having replaced the SBC pump, gearbox conductor plate (inc fresh oil), gear shift changer, front brakes, both batteries, water pump and belts, some normal routine servicing and some other stuff. I've had it for just over 5 1/2 years and it really does put a smile on my face. It's a marmite car IMO as some will love the looks and others not.
One thing I have noticed is that parts from Merc have either doubled in price and some have almost halved. Lovely 4 seater cars IMO. Some Specialists are more expensive for getting work done than the main dealers.
Edited to add that I much prefer the 5g gearbox v's the 7g box.
A couple of years later I bought another CLS but of the 55 flavour. It's not been a cheap journey for me having replaced the SBC pump, gearbox conductor plate (inc fresh oil), gear shift changer, front brakes, both batteries, water pump and belts, some normal routine servicing and some other stuff. I've had it for just over 5 1/2 years and it really does put a smile on my face. It's a marmite car IMO as some will love the looks and others not.
One thing I have noticed is that parts from Merc have either doubled in price and some have almost halved. Lovely 4 seater cars IMO. Some Specialists are more expensive for getting work done than the main dealers.
Edited to add that I much prefer the 5g gearbox v's the 7g box.
Edited by Nath911t on Saturday 19th August 08:28
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