CLS - Buying tips/guidance
Discussion
Hi guys,
I've noticed on the classifieds that you can pick up an early CLS for reasonable money. What are the collective thoughts on these? They look pretty stunning in my book and tick all the creature comforts/family boxes but do they suffer from the quality dip that most Mercs from this era suffered from? What are the running costs like when using specialists? Parts don't look too expensive but do the garages stiff you over?
Any CLS info would be good
thanks
D1
I've noticed on the classifieds that you can pick up an early CLS for reasonable money. What are the collective thoughts on these? They look pretty stunning in my book and tick all the creature comforts/family boxes but do they suffer from the quality dip that most Mercs from this era suffered from? What are the running costs like when using specialists? Parts don't look too expensive but do the garages stiff you over?
Any CLS info would be good
thanks
D1
Mrs WR had a new CLS three years ago. Depreciation is horrific in the first year or so, worse on the AMG versions. Very nice car though, top quality fittings, I would go for the 320cdi with leather/command...fast but frugal, ours did around 37mpg. Pity they don't do a manual version.
Not a great deal of headroom in the back, but other than that, highly recommended.
Not a great deal of headroom in the back, but other than that, highly recommended.
m44kts said:
Sorry to bring this topic back up, but I'd also like to know this.
I've currently got my L322 Range Rover up for sale and I'm looking to buy a CLS 320CDI so any tips or things to look out for would be great.
I had to ask if it was a diesel. Can be fairly nippy too on an a roadI've currently got my L322 Range Rover up for sale and I'm looking to buy a CLS 320CDI so any tips or things to look out for would be great.
Thanks, So I take it build quality has been improved over the 1998 onwards Mercedes? I've been in a remapped cdi and it had stupid amounts of mid range shove, I test drove one last weekend but it had a range of 1 mile left so didn't dare give it any stick in case I ran it dry.
My budget really is £13k max so initial depreciation isn't really an issue. I've been looking at a couple of '06'plate which have sensible miles, black leather and command is a must.
My budget really is £13k max so initial depreciation isn't really an issue. I've been looking at a couple of '06'plate which have sensible miles, black leather and command is a must.
m44kts said:
Thanks, So I take it build quality has been improved over the 1998 onwards Mercedes? I've been in a remapped cdi and it had stupid amounts of mid range shove, I test drove one last weekend but it had a range of 1 mile left so didn't dare give it any stick in case I ran it dry.
My budget really is £13k max so initial depreciation isn't really an issue. I've been looking at a couple of '06'plate which have sensible miles, black leather and command is a must.
My brother has a 2001 s class. That drives and sounds like a bus compared with the cls. I think there is a new shape out now for the cls , might have an impact on pricesMy budget really is £13k max so initial depreciation isn't really an issue. I've been looking at a couple of '06'plate which have sensible miles, black leather and command is a must.
Only 2 pics I have at the moment, I'll get some more once I have a chance to clean it tomorrow.
Basically, it's a fairly well specc'd 320 CDI with Comand, black heated memory leather and a couple of other bits. I'm really impressed by it, especially the 45mpg it returned on the the motorway, that's a whole 30mpg more than my Range Rover gets round town and 25mpg more than I've ever seen on a motorway run. Managed 300+ miles on 1/3 tank and it still shows 450 miles range.
Basically, it's a fairly well specc'd 320 CDI with Comand, black heated memory leather and a couple of other bits. I'm really impressed by it, especially the 45mpg it returned on the the motorway, that's a whole 30mpg more than my Range Rover gets round town and 25mpg more than I've ever seen on a motorway run. Managed 300+ miles on 1/3 tank and it still shows 450 miles range.
Yeah they seem very good value, I've had nothing but compliments about it so far.
With the weather being good today, I set about cleaning it to my standards.
Quick snow foam, (most of it had ran off by the time I got the camera out)
After that, quick hand wash, wheels and tyres scrubbed.
Engine bay cleaned, just needed a quick wipe over all the plastics.
The paintwork is in really good nick, there's stone chips on the plastic film stuff on the back door and the on both sills, but it's done 109k so it's to be expected, you can't really notice it.
So with the car clean, gave it a quick wax until I can get the machine polish over it
Before I waxed it, I had a bit of debadging to do, I wasn't keen on all the badges so whipped them off, looks a lot smoother and cleaner without them I reckon
Moving to inside, it just needed a quick hoover, all the leather is in reall good condition, didn't even need cleaning, but I'll give it a quick once over with the Gliptone to keep it soft
I'm really happy with it and I'm glad I didn't go for a black or silver one, I really love the colour when the sun's on it, I think it's possibly the best colour combo for a CLS, I saw an A class in a similar colour and it looked s
t so had my doubts about this one.
With the weather being good today, I set about cleaning it to my standards.
Quick snow foam, (most of it had ran off by the time I got the camera out)
After that, quick hand wash, wheels and tyres scrubbed.
Engine bay cleaned, just needed a quick wipe over all the plastics.
The paintwork is in really good nick, there's stone chips on the plastic film stuff on the back door and the on both sills, but it's done 109k so it's to be expected, you can't really notice it.
So with the car clean, gave it a quick wax until I can get the machine polish over it
Before I waxed it, I had a bit of debadging to do, I wasn't keen on all the badges so whipped them off, looks a lot smoother and cleaner without them I reckon
Moving to inside, it just needed a quick hoover, all the leather is in reall good condition, didn't even need cleaning, but I'll give it a quick once over with the Gliptone to keep it soft
I'm really happy with it and I'm glad I didn't go for a black or silver one, I really love the colour when the sun's on it, I think it's possibly the best colour combo for a CLS, I saw an A class in a similar colour and it looked s
t so had my doubts about this one.
Ahh the Mini was/is my first car, had it 10 years this November, couldn't bring myself to sell it so kept it, had quite a bit of work done to it over the last few years...
The interior has changed a bit since this picture, haven't got any updated shots.
Basically, started out as a standard 1 owner 44k mile Mayfair, gradually changed over the years to what it is now, engine is a 1275 with a 266 cam and other little additions, running a Megajolt set up, interior wise, MPI spec interior with a few bespoke touches.
I've kept a record of it all on my fotki in various albums..
http://public.fotki.com/marksheridan/car-stuff-1/m...
The interior has changed a bit since this picture, haven't got any updated shots.
Basically, started out as a standard 1 owner 44k mile Mayfair, gradually changed over the years to what it is now, engine is a 1275 with a 266 cam and other little additions, running a Megajolt set up, interior wise, MPI spec interior with a few bespoke touches.
I've kept a record of it all on my fotki in various albums..
http://public.fotki.com/marksheridan/car-stuff-1/m...
It's overdue a service by 180 miles, but judging on what work has already been carried out on it looking back through the service history, it should be just a normal oil & filter service. Might need glow plugs as only 3 have ever been changed and the glow plug light sometimes takes a while to go out when cold, but it starts straight up no problem.
I've had a couple of cars with high miles in the past, previous to this, I bought a 2005 4 y/o Audi A4 Avant 2.0T S line with 94k, that only ever needed 2 front tyres and a basic service, everything else was spot on, going back further, I bought a 2001 5 y/o Audi A6 1.9 TDI with 144k and apart from an injector harness, it only ever needed regular services. It did start to develop a click from the n/s cv joint on full lock just before I sold it, but things like that are to be expected for that sort of mileage.
Even my current range rover has 96k and has needed very little.
I've had a couple of cars with high miles in the past, previous to this, I bought a 2005 4 y/o Audi A4 Avant 2.0T S line with 94k, that only ever needed 2 front tyres and a basic service, everything else was spot on, going back further, I bought a 2001 5 y/o Audi A6 1.9 TDI with 144k and apart from an injector harness, it only ever needed regular services. It did start to develop a click from the n/s cv joint on full lock just before I sold it, but things like that are to be expected for that sort of mileage.
Even my current range rover has 96k and has needed very little.
I only had the car for about a year, ended up selling it to buy my '48 Chevy pickup, all be it regrettably, but I've always wanted a Chevy so wasn't all bad.
In the time I had it, it needed a starter motor and a drivers side exhaust manifold. Other than that, it was utterly reliable, I'd definitely have another. The 3l V6 diesel is a real peach, bags of torque and a decent spread of power throughout the rev range, coupled to the 7 speed auto 'box, progress was rather brisk given the size of the car. In fact, it was pretty much on par with an E46 330ci performance wise.
If you look for one, make sure it has the comand sat nav, heated seats etc. air suspension isn't really a necessity, I drove both and actually preferred the conventional springs over the air suspension, on certain roads the air suspension didn't seem to react quick enough. On the whole, I was majorly impressed by it.
In the time I had it, it needed a starter motor and a drivers side exhaust manifold. Other than that, it was utterly reliable, I'd definitely have another. The 3l V6 diesel is a real peach, bags of torque and a decent spread of power throughout the rev range, coupled to the 7 speed auto 'box, progress was rather brisk given the size of the car. In fact, it was pretty much on par with an E46 330ci performance wise.
If you look for one, make sure it has the comand sat nav, heated seats etc. air suspension isn't really a necessity, I drove both and actually preferred the conventional springs over the air suspension, on certain roads the air suspension didn't seem to react quick enough. On the whole, I was majorly impressed by it.
I own an AMG version. A little expensive to run if you do a lot of miles but a great car. I didn't test drive the diesel but reports are good. Mine has been faultless (it is now nearly 7 years old) during my ownership (20 months+). There is a brake issue on the oldest cars 05 and maybe some 06) but I can't remember what it is. Great looks, especially so with the AMG body kit (you'll pay a premium for a diesel with the kit but you'll get most of it back when you sell). Still a good looking car, and arguably better than its replacement, exterior wise if not inside. Much preferred to E class of same period unless of course you need the 5th seat. Interior is comfortable but slightly restricted access in the back for tall people. No folding back seat which is a disappointment but boot is a good size.
In all, an excellent used buy and great value now the new version is well established and readily available used.
In all, an excellent used buy and great value now the new version is well established and readily available used.
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