CLS500

[Lostprophet]

Does anyone have any experience in CLS500 ownership. What is the car like to own? What are the running costs like and how is the performance? Annual mileage will be about 8,000. cdi vs petrol debate should not be too much of a consideration but what is the mpg like?

Your views will be appreciated.

[horacethefrog]

Have had one for a year and am very pleased with it, it's such a beautiful looking car. I was surprised at the low servicing cost (main stealer £316) until I looked at what a 'service' involved - little more than an oil and filter change. I haven't needed any rubber yet but it'll be bad news when I do - about £270 each for the rears and £230 for the fronts. Mpg is pretty scary having had an E320 CDi before which would do 40mpg on a long run This beast drinks the stuff, not much better than 24mpg on a long run, 17mpg around town and that's being gentle. It's a phenomenal amount of car for the money though - I paid £22k for a £61k car, 4 years old with 20k on the clock. Mine's only the 5 litre though with 300bhp and I'm tempted by the idea of the later 5.5 litre with 400bhp.

[Lostprophet]

I thought that all the CLS500's are approx 380-ish bhp? I suppose I am interested in the 2007/2008 models.

[horacethefrog]

No, not all - the 2006 cars were 5 litre with 306bhp and theose from 2007 onwards 5.5 litre with 382bhp

[cramorra]

On 8000 miles a year you won't feel the difference between petrol and diesel- unless you do the milage in a few stints - the diesel's efficiency will pay off only long distance and high milage- although the 500 likes to drink. Running costs should be similar, too as well as insurance. The 5.5 litre makes a big difference to the older 5 litre and goes like schtonk - although I am quite happy with the other model - as it is slightly more cultivated- You will get more car for the money with a 500 compared to a diesel and always better kit (air suspension and 4 zone airconditon as standard). As you'll buy used now you will find more choice of diesel CLS (guess 80 % out there are diesels) so finding the right kit and spec in a late 500 might be tricky

Do not discard the CLS55 AMG when looking for a powerful CLS- comes probably in the same price range as the CLS 500 in a post 2008 form - a lot of them are low milage and just beeing sold off by their first owners now, often beautifully specced, they rip pieces out of the tarmac and sound - one of these could well be the winning choice
Edited for Chris...

Edited by cramorra on Tuesday 15th February 22:46

[chris333]

cramorra said:

On 8000 miles a year you want feel the difference between petrol and diesel - although they like to drink. Running costs should be similar, too as well as insurance
5.5 litre is big difference to 5 litre and goes like schtonk - but I am quite happy with the other model - slightly more cultivied- You will get more car with a 500 and always better kit (air suspension and 4 zone airconsition as standard). As you'll buy used nore you will find more choice in diesel (guess 80 % out there are diesels) so finding the right kit and spec in a late 5000 might be tricky
Do not Discard the CLS55 AMG - comes probably in the same Price Range as the CLS 5000 in a newer form - a lot of them are low milage and just beeing sold off by their first owners now, beautifully specced, tear pieces out of the tarmac and sound - could be the winning choice

Have you been breathing in too much of your own anaesthetic?

[cramorra]

chris333 said:

Have you been breathing in too much of your own anaesthetic?

Typing long stuff on a blackberry is not ideal....

[chris333]

cramorra said:

chris333 said:

Have you been breathing in too much of your own anaesthetic?

Typing long stuff on a blackberry is not ideal....

hehe...that explains it I've typed plenty of nonsense on my phone in the past!