Uber Barge Mk1 CLS 320 vs 350 vs 500 (lpg converted)
Discussion
I really fancy one of these as a complete antidote to the 911 I just sold. The question is, which one?
The Cdi is the no brainer, smooth, economical but they seem to be a couple of thousand more expensive to buy.
The 350 seems to be a pretty pokey engine with reasonable fuel economy and I do prefer petrol engines but I don't know if the character of the engine suits the car. Anybody know what you really get on a combined cycle?
Finally there is an LPG converted 500 available that looks pretty good but I am wary of the complexity of the conversion and what it's long term reliability would be. Anyone had any experience of LPG conversion on big V8s (Mercs?)?
Any opinions and tips about what to look for and what goes wrong with these beasts most welcome.
The Cdi is the no brainer, smooth, economical but they seem to be a couple of thousand more expensive to buy.
The 350 seems to be a pretty pokey engine with reasonable fuel economy and I do prefer petrol engines but I don't know if the character of the engine suits the car. Anybody know what you really get on a combined cycle?
Finally there is an LPG converted 500 available that looks pretty good but I am wary of the complexity of the conversion and what it's long term reliability would be. Anyone had any experience of LPG conversion on big V8s (Mercs?)?
Any opinions and tips about what to look for and what goes wrong with these beasts most welcome.
If running costs are not that critical then if you do not get the V8, whenever you see one or hear one you will feel 2nd class citizen as it were.
wouldn't worry at all about an LPG conversion, you can always switch it off and run it on petrol anyway. You might want to drop a reputable MB V8 specialist like MSL or Eurocharged an email on their opinion of LPG'd V8's.
If anyone would have seen more than a few of them, it could have been them.
wouldn't worry at all about an LPG conversion, you can always switch it off and run it on petrol anyway. You might want to drop a reputable MB V8 specialist like MSL or Eurocharged an email on their opinion of LPG'd V8's.
If anyone would have seen more than a few of them, it could have been them.
M113 engine bullerproof, just niggly leaks like cam covers (weep oil onty exhaust and dribbles over engine, messy to clean up, budget £300 to fix in labour unless you do it yourself - its easy done)
running gear chared with E class of similar age, parts not expensive.
i've an SLK55 (2005) with same engine, if you get the CLS55.
I think the CL500 uses the same motor but different heads/bore/stroke. Not sure.
Think CLS will age well, still looks great today. Black ones look the best IMO. espeically with AMG wheels
running gear chared with E class of similar age, parts not expensive.
i've an SLK55 (2005) with same engine, if you get the CLS55.
I think the CL500 uses the same motor but different heads/bore/stroke. Not sure.
Think CLS will age well, still looks great today. Black ones look the best IMO. espeically with AMG wheels
On a run from London I had 31 mpg, around town 19 mpg. It's my weekend fun car so not really worried about mpg, but just love the drive. I thought about the diesel and 350 petrol, but with the extras that the 500 comes with I knew i had to buy one. It took nearly three months to find the correct colour combo. I also fitted a new more modern grill which in my opinion changes the look at the front. Very pleased so far. I've had two 911's and they provided great fun, this is so different but equally something you enjoy looking after and driving hard.
Edited by mjwscorpio on Wednesday 4th February 20:05
I'm currently looking at the CLS500 as a replacement for my BMW X6 as a way of getting out of the PCP loop and buying something cash.
I'd be spending up to £10k ish as this seems to be enough to get something nice. I have no interst in the diesels or smaller engines as I don't do a lot of miles and like the grunt. I did have a drive of a 2005 car and decided that I don't really care if people in the back are uncomfortable ( I certainly don't fit).
Is the change from 5.0 to 5.5 the only different in the 2007 cars? Obviously an extra 80bhp should be noticable but is it worth the extra cash? Early cars seem to be around the £8k range with the later ones more like £10k.
I'd be spending up to £10k ish as this seems to be enough to get something nice. I have no interst in the diesels or smaller engines as I don't do a lot of miles and like the grunt. I did have a drive of a 2005 car and decided that I don't really care if people in the back are uncomfortable ( I certainly don't fit).
Is the change from 5.0 to 5.5 the only different in the 2007 cars? Obviously an extra 80bhp should be noticable but is it worth the extra cash? Early cars seem to be around the £8k range with the later ones more like £10k.
Not driven the 5.5 because it is the higher tax. My 2005 is great but just had a few issues after only a couple of months ownership.
Parking sensor went after one week.
Small motorcycle battery failed, after one week.
Oil pipes rusted and decided to dump most of the gear box oil.
Steering wheel controls failed to work.
Sat nav failed so just had a new arial fitted.
Surprise, surprise nothing covered on warranty.
I have had a stage two and the exhaust note is just what I wanted. Not obscene just loud enough to make it different.
Parking sensor went after one week.
Small motorcycle battery failed, after one week.
Oil pipes rusted and decided to dump most of the gear box oil.
Steering wheel controls failed to work.
Sat nav failed so just had a new arial fitted.
Surprise, surprise nothing covered on warranty.
I have had a stage two and the exhaust note is just what I wanted. Not obscene just loud enough to make it different.
XM5ER said:
I really fancy one of these as a complete antidote to the 911 I just sold. The question is, which one?
The Cdi is the no brainer, smooth, economical but they seem to be a couple of thousand more expensive to buy.
The 350 seems to be a pretty pokey engine with reasonable fuel economy and I do prefer petrol engines but I don't know if the character of the engine suits the car. Anybody know what you really get on a combined cycle?
Finally there is an LPG converted 500 available that looks pretty good but I am wary of the complexity of the conversion and what it's long term reliability would be. Anyone had any experience of LPG conversion on big V8s (Mercs?)?
Any opinions and tips about what to look for and what goes wrong with these beasts most welcome.
Like anything if the conversions been carried out properly then there won't be a problem, as for which one it depends on how much you want to spend the post 55 plate petrol 350 & 500 are both £500 per year Road Tax also look for a 350 cdi.The Cdi is the no brainer, smooth, economical but they seem to be a couple of thousand more expensive to buy.
The 350 seems to be a pretty pokey engine with reasonable fuel economy and I do prefer petrol engines but I don't know if the character of the engine suits the car. Anybody know what you really get on a combined cycle?
Finally there is an LPG converted 500 available that looks pretty good but I am wary of the complexity of the conversion and what it's long term reliability would be. Anyone had any experience of LPG conversion on big V8s (Mercs?)?
Any opinions and tips about what to look for and what goes wrong with these beasts most welcome.
I've had a few V8 Mercs no real issues as such just make sure yo get lots of receipts with the 500's try & get one with the 7 speed box this does help on the fuel economy(21 town 33 motorway) the 5.5's are harder to find pre 2006 but they are out there, I tried a 350 petrol once it went well enough I just felt I was working it to much, the diesel is great I have an 09 320 CLK as a daily driver on a mix of town & motorway I'll see 560 miles to each tank on a long drive I see 48 mpg on average & just over 730 miles on one tank.
Make sure the radiator has been flushed if it hasn't it's worth doing.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
The 350 is only 3 mpg better on Fuel but just over £200 per year more to tax
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
Or here's an alternative Four Seats(not as much room as a CLS) Big V8 7 speed & very pretty (but I am bias having had four of them & still have two) I've had four adults in mine of a few occasions & no complained about legroom etcplus there's nothing like having all the windows down sunroof open (heated seats on if it's a bit chilly) & listening to the V8.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
Anymore questions feel free to ask.
Still looking at these. The E500 is probably a more practical car but I'm taken with the looks of the CLS. CLK is too small.
What are the more desirable options? I'm only intersted in 500s so they come with air suspension, I know I'll need heated seats.
Is command worth looking for? I had a look at one with it but as i don't like talking to the car wasn't paticularly interested, is there more to command?
I take it servicing is much the same as anything else at this level?
What are the more desirable options? I'm only intersted in 500s so they come with air suspension, I know I'll need heated seats.
Is command worth looking for? I had a look at one with it but as i don't like talking to the car wasn't paticularly interested, is there more to command?
I take it servicing is much the same as anything else at this level?
Edited by Speed addicted on Monday 16th February 09:27
Speed addicted said:
Still looking at these. The E500 is probably a more practical car but I'm taken with the looks of the CLS. CLK is too small.
What are the more desirable options? I'm only intersted in 500s so they come with air suspension, I know I'll need heated seats.
Is command worth looking for? I had a look at one with it but as i don't like talking to the car wasn't paticularly interested, is there more to command?
I take it servicing is much the same as anything else at this level?
FYI,What are the more desirable options? I'm only intersted in 500s so they come with air suspension, I know I'll need heated seats.
Is command worth looking for? I had a look at one with it but as i don't like talking to the car wasn't paticularly interested, is there more to command?
I take it servicing is much the same as anything else at this level?
Edited by Speed addicted on Monday 16th February 09:27
COMAND is the sat nav system
Linguatronic is voice activated commands, two separate options.
texasjohn said:
Speed addicted said:
Still looking at these. The E500 is probably a more practical car but I'm taken with the looks of the CLS. CLK is too small.
What are the more desirable options? I'm only intersted in 500s so they come with air suspension, I know I'll need heated seats.
Is command worth looking for? I had a look at one with it but as i don't like talking to the car wasn't paticularly interested, is there more to command?
I take it servicing is much the same as anything else at this level?
FYI,What are the more desirable options? I'm only intersted in 500s so they come with air suspension, I know I'll need heated seats.
Is command worth looking for? I had a look at one with it but as i don't like talking to the car wasn't paticularly interested, is there more to command?
I take it servicing is much the same as anything else at this level?
Edited by Speed addicted on Monday 16th February 09:27
COMAND is the sat nav system
Linguatronic is voice activated commands, two separate options.
M113 engine runs lovely on LPG. I converted mine (e55, but same engine) and have done 25k miles trouble free. 350bhp v8 with the running costs of a TDi Passat. Marvellous!
If you going down the LPG route, then surely the CLS55 would be a viable option, if you can find one? I get about 18mpg on lpg, but still haven't got round to setting it up correctly. Reckon it will do low to mid twenties when I get around to tuning it. Build/conversion thread on here somewhere if you are interested. It's not complicated to convert, or maintain.
If you going down the LPG route, then surely the CLS55 would be a viable option, if you can find one? I get about 18mpg on lpg, but still haven't got round to setting it up correctly. Reckon it will do low to mid twenties when I get around to tuning it. Build/conversion thread on here somewhere if you are interested. It's not complicated to convert, or maintain.
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