Buying and CLS (218 gen.) 350 diesel vs 500 V8
Discussion
I’m looking to buy two cars: one for long-distance driving, and another for shorter trips for my wife and me. CLS 500 vs 350 diesel
Can someone explain how reliable the Mercedes CLS (C218 generation, 2012–2017) is?
And how does the CLS 500 compare to the CLS 350 diesel in terms of reliability, fuel consumption and ownership?
Can someone explain how reliable the Mercedes CLS (C218 generation, 2012–2017) is?
And how does the CLS 500 compare to the CLS 350 diesel in terms of reliability, fuel consumption and ownership?
Not owned a 500 but have had 350 CDI in CLS and S-class - trouble free during my ownership but the research I did before suggests all the usual modern diesel weak points apply.
I would highly recommend a longer than normal test drive in the CLS to make sure you are both happy with the driving position as it's the reason I sold mine - pedals offset to the right, steering wheel offset to the left ever so slightly so you sit 'twisted' - technical term!
The above resulted in lower back pain which took a couple of visits to a chiropractor to rectify once I'd worked out it was the car causing it & bought a different car.
Chris
I would highly recommend a longer than normal test drive in the CLS to make sure you are both happy with the driving position as it's the reason I sold mine - pedals offset to the right, steering wheel offset to the left ever so slightly so you sit 'twisted' - technical term!
The above resulted in lower back pain which took a couple of visits to a chiropractor to rectify once I'd worked out it was the car causing it & bought a different car.
Chris
I've got a 350 CDI Shooting Brake AMG Sport (2014). My first big modern Merc (I had an E320 CDI about 15 yrs ago). I can't comment on the 500 but I ended up with the 350 as at the time it was the same money as a 250. I've had mine for nearly 5 yrs and 60k miles. Unless you really want say an 6.3 AMG, I think the 350 CDI engine is more than enough performance wise if you either use the paddles to drop down through the gears or press "sport".
The car doesn't have full air suspension, but rides well, even though it is on AMG 19" wheels. Economy wise it does 500-600 miles to a full tank (38+ mpg) and I'd struggle with what I'd replace it with currently, especially given what is worth now it has 120k miles on it. With 260 bhp and the twin turbos
Reliability-wise, it hadls been pretty reliable...it's had an oil leak in the "v" of the engine early on (apparently most do at some point); a broken wire that meant the rear air suspension dropped slowly; a broken front spring and lastly, I replaced both batteries. I've just had an wheel speed sensor go (part cost £29) but it is 12 yrs old. I started off doing 20k miles a year, but my mileage has dropped back as I work from home currently but I still get it serviced annually. It is a relatively complex car for it's age but it was c.£60k in 2014. People comment on how good it looks (mine was stage 1 detailed 2 yrs ago and ceramic coated)
Tech-wise, you'd want an updated Nav CD or an Android uprated radio system, but otherwise I'd say buy a car with good service history from a Merc specialist. The wide 19" wheels can be prone to flat spots/cracking as the roads are cr4p these days (one of mine had a flat spot) with low profile tyres and the 285 width rear tyres, whilst offering great grip, are slightly excessive for the power IMO.
The car doesn't have full air suspension, but rides well, even though it is on AMG 19" wheels. Economy wise it does 500-600 miles to a full tank (38+ mpg) and I'd struggle with what I'd replace it with currently, especially given what is worth now it has 120k miles on it. With 260 bhp and the twin turbos
Reliability-wise, it hadls been pretty reliable...it's had an oil leak in the "v" of the engine early on (apparently most do at some point); a broken wire that meant the rear air suspension dropped slowly; a broken front spring and lastly, I replaced both batteries. I've just had an wheel speed sensor go (part cost £29) but it is 12 yrs old. I started off doing 20k miles a year, but my mileage has dropped back as I work from home currently but I still get it serviced annually. It is a relatively complex car for it's age but it was c.£60k in 2014. People comment on how good it looks (mine was stage 1 detailed 2 yrs ago and ceramic coated)
Tech-wise, you'd want an updated Nav CD or an Android uprated radio system, but otherwise I'd say buy a car with good service history from a Merc specialist. The wide 19" wheels can be prone to flat spots/cracking as the roads are cr4p these days (one of mine had a flat spot) with low profile tyres and the 285 width rear tyres, whilst offering great grip, are slightly excessive for the power IMO.
I've had a late '14 X218 350d shooting brake with full Airmatic for 4 yrs/40k miles. Now on 108k. Great car, hard to imagine what I'd replace it with.
Touch wood (!), its been good as gold mechanically, so far needed nothing other than routine servicing. Has done over 36mpg average, will do over 40 on a long run.
19 inch 'turbine' wheels don't like potholes.
The optional blind-spot sensors have been a menace and keep failing due to their location and water ingress.
The windscreen seal sprung a leak... this seems to be an issue with them and the W212 E class.
Rear subframe corrosion can affect them, you may get lucky and get M-B to contribute or pay for the repair.
I've not seen many/any W218 CLS500s, I think they were only available briefly. If you want a petrol one, consider a CLS400 as these come with a great standard spec.
If you want a V8... CLS63 AMG.
If you want the estate, the only petrol shooting-brake that's ever been available in the UK is the AMG.
A 2015my car will have carplay, but the 350d will have adblue which can be problematic, albeit Euro6/ULEZ compliant.
They still look quite modern to my eyes as Mercedes used that styling 'look' until recently. They are very durable, interiors beautifully made and trimmed, and they clean up very well. The paint seems to resist chips better than most.
Touch wood (!), its been good as gold mechanically, so far needed nothing other than routine servicing. Has done over 36mpg average, will do over 40 on a long run.
19 inch 'turbine' wheels don't like potholes.
The optional blind-spot sensors have been a menace and keep failing due to their location and water ingress.
The windscreen seal sprung a leak... this seems to be an issue with them and the W212 E class.
Rear subframe corrosion can affect them, you may get lucky and get M-B to contribute or pay for the repair.
I've not seen many/any W218 CLS500s, I think they were only available briefly. If you want a petrol one, consider a CLS400 as these come with a great standard spec.
If you want a V8... CLS63 AMG.
If you want the estate, the only petrol shooting-brake that's ever been available in the UK is the AMG.
A 2015my car will have carplay, but the 350d will have adblue which can be problematic, albeit Euro6/ULEZ compliant.
They still look quite modern to my eyes as Mercedes used that styling 'look' until recently. They are very durable, interiors beautifully made and trimmed, and they clean up very well. The paint seems to resist chips better than most.
Edited by Robertb on Wednesday 22 April 11:38
Edited by Robertb on Wednesday 22 April 11:40
Are there any 218 as a 500? I'm not sure I've seen one. There is a single red cls500 estate kicking about but it's an anomaly. It's on mbclub if you search.
Otherwise it's cls63 or nothing but it's not a bad choice.
For daily running the 350d would be as good or better 90% of the time but the other 10% make it worth it.
Otherwise it's cls63 or nothing but it's not a bad choice.
For daily running the 350d would be as good or better 90% of the time but the other 10% make it worth it.
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