Discussion
For the last month or so, I've been contemplating purchasing a CLS. I've done a little research in the usual places, but before I start contacting dealers/classifieds I wanted to canvas the fount of all wisdom that is PH.
I want something for motorway munching, probably 1000 miles/month. It'll be used for little else, I have other vehicles for day-to-day, round town and weekend driving.
So, given that it must be petrol, and preferably the V8, what's the preferred choice of owners on here? Does the AMG offer that much more than the un-supercharged version? Or is the V6 OK? Fuel consumption isn't an issue (my other cars average 12-15mpg so I'm used to visiting filling stations). Are they mileage sensitive? I've seen a few around 50,000 miles, and some up to 120,000. Anything to avoid, to check, and any issues, weak points or re-calls? I'm aware of the SBC problem, but imagine most would have been dealt with by now. What are the essential options?
Or should I look for something else entirely? I had a BMW 645 for a while last year, and it left me cold; sold it within a couple of months.
Looking at spending up to £15k, unless I'd be looking at a world of trouble at that end of the market.
Any advice?
I want something for motorway munching, probably 1000 miles/month. It'll be used for little else, I have other vehicles for day-to-day, round town and weekend driving.
So, given that it must be petrol, and preferably the V8, what's the preferred choice of owners on here? Does the AMG offer that much more than the un-supercharged version? Or is the V6 OK? Fuel consumption isn't an issue (my other cars average 12-15mpg so I'm used to visiting filling stations). Are they mileage sensitive? I've seen a few around 50,000 miles, and some up to 120,000. Anything to avoid, to check, and any issues, weak points or re-calls? I'm aware of the SBC problem, but imagine most would have been dealt with by now. What are the essential options?
Or should I look for something else entirely? I had a BMW 645 for a while last year, and it left me cold; sold it within a couple of months.
Looking at spending up to £15k, unless I'd be looking at a world of trouble at that end of the market.
Any advice?
It's worth noting that the 5.5 litre 500 is a significant step up from the 5.0 if you're considering a 500. They are a good compromise. I bought an ML500 5.5 and even that has a sub 6 second 0-62 time. Don't get me wrong, it's not an AMG, but you do get a newer and lower mileage example for your money. Sensible head says diesel, but on your mileage I would make the man maths stack up and go for the V8.
I'm also in the market for a CLS, I won't be doing that many miles but they will tend to be long distance runs. So far I am totally convinced the CLS 55 or the 63 are my cars of choice as I want one with cooled dynamic seats and the four zone heating.
So far every car I have seen needs new front discs. I have also had to up my budget I started off at £15K and I'm now looking at double that as I want a fairly low mileage with proper service history. There are many owners of these cars who regularly post on here and if you find my last thread in this forum you will probably find some usefull info.
So far every car I have seen needs new front discs. I have also had to up my budget I started off at £15K and I'm now looking at double that as I want a fairly low mileage with proper service history. There are many owners of these cars who regularly post on here and if you find my last thread in this forum you will probably find some usefull info.
I own a CLS63 and I love it - big smile every time I sit in it. I was after a 55 but I had trouble finding a low mileage one to the spec I wanted. A 500 with a 5.5 plus AMG body kit would be a good alternative (a little cheaper to run). The 5.0 500 is a big step down from the 55. A good car but not special.
With AMG wheels, £1000 for tyres all round. Brakes are expensive but there are patent ones that are much cheaper. I understand that the engines are strong and I've seen 55s with >120k. 55s are likely to have SBC, a £3k bill if it goes.
Just so long as you don't do starship miles and can live with 20-22 mpg, I'd strongly recommend an AMG version. A 60-70k 55 model should just about be possible for £15k. Try one. It's a great car for modest money (20% new price) and it'll be a future classic.
With AMG wheels, £1000 for tyres all round. Brakes are expensive but there are patent ones that are much cheaper. I understand that the engines are strong and I've seen 55s with >120k. 55s are likely to have SBC, a £3k bill if it goes.
Just so long as you don't do starship miles and can live with 20-22 mpg, I'd strongly recommend an AMG version. A 60-70k 55 model should just about be possible for £15k. Try one. It's a great car for modest money (20% new price) and it'll be a future classic.
Thanks all. CLS55 it is then. The hunt is on. This guy's got issues...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2005-MERCEDES-CLS-55-AMG...
Mileage was 97k, but reset to 4k because 'it looks nicer'. And badged as a 63. Run away!
Is the 63 a big step up from the 55? I'm a sucker for a supercharger, and the smaller engine seems to make more torque. As for 20-22 mpg; that'll be an improvement over what I'm used to. Looks like I'll have to up my budget a little though.
If anyone's looking to sell, PM me; I'm ready to buy.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2005-MERCEDES-CLS-55-AMG...
Mileage was 97k, but reset to 4k because 'it looks nicer'. And badged as a 63. Run away!
Is the 63 a big step up from the 55? I'm a sucker for a supercharger, and the smaller engine seems to make more torque. As for 20-22 mpg; that'll be an improvement over what I'm used to. Looks like I'll have to up my budget a little though.
If anyone's looking to sell, PM me; I'm ready to buy.
AdeTuono said:
Thanks all. CLS55 it is then. The hunt is on. This guy's got issues...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2005-MERCEDES-CLS-55-AMG...
Mileage was 97k, but reset to 4k because 'it looks nicer'. And badged as a 63. Run away!
Is the 63 a big step up from the 55? I'm a sucker for a supercharger, and the smaller engine seems to make more torque. As for 20-22 mpg; that'll be an improvement over what I'm used to. Looks like I'll have to up my budget a little though.
If anyone's looking to sell, PM me; I'm ready to buy.
I have yet to find either a 55 or 63 that I can honestly say I'd be happy to hand over my hard earned cash on, I have looked at and tried several that are advertised both here and on Autotrader and some require a fair bit of money spent on them to bring them up to what I consider a decent standard. I'd be happy to pm you my thoughts on a few that are advertised which may save you a wasted journey to see them. I'm still of the opinion they are truly amazing cars for the money, bearing in mind the potential costs of keeping them in good running order.http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2005-MERCEDES-CLS-55-AMG...
Mileage was 97k, but reset to 4k because 'it looks nicer'. And badged as a 63. Run away!
Is the 63 a big step up from the 55? I'm a sucker for a supercharger, and the smaller engine seems to make more torque. As for 20-22 mpg; that'll be an improvement over what I'm used to. Looks like I'll have to up my budget a little though.
If anyone's looking to sell, PM me; I'm ready to buy.
BIRMA said:
I have yet to find either a 55 or 63 that I can honestly say I'd be happy to hand over my hard earned cash on, I have looked at and tried several that are advertised both here and on Autotrader and some require a fair bit of money spent on them to bring them up to what I consider a decent standard. I'd be happy to pm you my thoughts on a few that are advertised which may save you a wasted journey to see them. I'm still of the opinion they are truly amazing cars for the money, bearing in mind the potential costs of keeping them in good running order.
David, thanks for your kind offer. PM sent...Agreed with post a little above. Little to choose between CLS 55 and 63 other than age (which has its disadvantage, an extra £200 for tax).
I spent a long time looking for mine. Hang on for the best as I did. Most above 60k will need some brake work (not so expensive for 55). FMSH is also a must, check that the plugs and gearbox fluid have been done. I've been lucky so far (nearly 9 months) with no faults. Either get yourself a warranty or, as I did, start saving for when something eventually does go wrong.
Great cars for Mondeo money but all £80k+ when new cars are going to be expensive to run. But if you're on this site, running a car will not be simply about getting from A to B.
Not a 55, but a low mileage 500 (32k) for 10,725
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...
No command, but looks clean
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...
No command, but looks clean
Anyone have any comments/knowledge regarding this one?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2005-Mercedes-Benz-CLS55...
Hoping to take a day out next week, and this one is on the list.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2005-Mercedes-Benz-CLS55...
Hoping to take a day out next week, and this one is on the list.
Condition aside I think silver really does suit these cars, I looked at a white CLS 63 yesterday which was in superb condition and by far the best condition of any I've seen to date and if it had been silver I'd have snapped it up.
Not sure how representative it is but I always put the registration of the car into 'we buy any car' to get an idea of what they value it at. It's probably the case that this particular car buying site is miles out on the value, because most of the cars I've put into it come up with a value of about £12-13K. Does anyone know how accurate their estimates are compared with the Glass's guide?
As a rule of thumb I normally reckon the value of the car to be between what the owner is asking and what figure we buy any car reckon.
Not sure how representative it is but I always put the registration of the car into 'we buy any car' to get an idea of what they value it at. It's probably the case that this particular car buying site is miles out on the value, because most of the cars I've put into it come up with a value of about £12-13K. Does anyone know how accurate their estimates are compared with the Glass's guide?
As a rule of thumb I normally reckon the value of the car to be between what the owner is asking and what figure we buy any car reckon.
Edited by BIRMA on Thursday 7th February 08:55
slippery said:
It's worth noting that the 5.5 litre 500 is a significant step up from the 5.0 if you're considering a 500. They are a good compromise. I bought an ML500 5.5 and even that has a sub 6 second 0-62 time. Don't get me wrong, it's not an AMG, but you do get a newer and lower mileage example for your money. Sensible head says diesel, but on your mileage I would make the man maths stack up and go for the V8.
there seem not to be too many out there...cramorra said:
there seem not to be too many out there...
There aren't. Most people seemed to go for the diesels or the balls out AMG versions. I think there were only 20 odd ML500 5.5s registered in the UK in 2008. I think the CLS 500 5.5 is a bit more common, but still fairly scarce. Well, I took one from (name removed to avoid being kneecapped; not the one in the earlier link) out today, and was distinctly underwhelmed. I expected better, TBH. There were a few niggling issues (general vagueness of steering/brakes not as powerful as I'd expect/snatchy transmission/glovebox wouldn't latch{I know; petty, but you'd expect everything to be 100% on a premium brand, even if it is 7 years old}) and then the fact that it lost all drive whilst on the motorway. Coasted to the inside lane, revving engine had no affect at all, then drive reappeared with a bang. No message on the display or MIL, but it threw up a P0760 code on the reader, which would seem to indicate a TCM/solenoid/wiring issue. The promise of a good warranty didn't really ease my mind...
Also, having read up a little, I thought it'd be blisteringly quick; it merely felt reasonably rapid. Needless to say etc etc....
Maybe just a bad one, and I need to try another.
Also, having read up a little, I thought it'd be blisteringly quick; it merely felt reasonably rapid. Needless to say etc etc....
Maybe just a bad one, and I need to try another.
AdeTuono said:
I want something for motorway munching, probably 1000 miles/month. It'll be used for little else, I have other vehicles for day-to-day, round town and weekend driving.
Late to the party, I know, but surely the AMG is the CLS that least fits your bill? I would have thought the 500, whether the 306 or 388bhp version, is the one you need. These are my reasons. It is more refined. It has longer range. It has a more comfortable ride. It has a more soothing interior. It is more discreet. It is adequately powerful for your needs. It is cheaper to fuel and maintain. Assuming you are comfortable with the size of your penis, I can't quite see what the AMG offers over the 500 for your requirements.The diesel will be cheaper to run but let's face it, good though they are, they're s
t compared to a 6- or 8-cylinder petrol.Gassing Station | Mercedes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff