2017 CLS - quick question re sunroof

[NITO]

As a fellow Obsidian Black owner, you're not wrong about them looking great when clean, I find they look like a million dollars when polished up, and then when dirty, they blend in really well and don't stand out at all, which I quite like.

I must look into ceramic coating, it's tiring to have to clean it so often, especially as I live in the country.

The engine is a gem and the chassis beautifully balanced with great steering, I think these Hammer Wagons will be a future classic, last of a breed, RWD, LSD, large capacity V8 Bi-Turbo engine with all the modern performance Mercs now going 4matic and to smaller capacities.

Edited by NITO on Tuesday 18th September 15:37

[CampDavid]

Paul, the owner at Auto Curators (https://autocurators.com/branches/franchise-1) is a mate and was keen to do the CLS as it's a car that really responds well to it, the paint quality is good and the curves are look amazing when done. There's a bunch of shots of mine on there after the work was done but the real difference has been the need to clean it after, dirt pretty much falls off it so 1000 miles/ 3 week cleans are pretty much all it needs, even if being picky. My car needed a full day to get it decent, could have gone on with a second day as well but it's a family hack that lives outside so didn't go OTT.

https://autocurators.com/branches/franchise-1/

There are a bunch of places out there and a lot of PHers like Paul doing it.

[CampDavid]

Future value will be interesting. At the moment there aren't many around and those that are aren't selling. On the other hand, I feel I could probably buy one and be done with it. We don't like SUVs and we like a family car with a bit of space. I don't see anything available now, or coming up, which holds more appeal. The only thing that would run it close would be an Alpina 5 Touring.

[dimots]

CampDavid said:

Future value will be interesting. At the moment there aren't many around and those that are aren't selling. On the other hand, I feel I could probably buy one and be done with it. We don't like SUVs and we like a family car with a bit of space. I don't see anything available now, or coming up, which holds more appeal. The only thing that would run it close would be an Alpina 5 Touring.

That and the 540i X-drive are probably the best alternative I think. Alpina is very nice but it's a lot of cash. I quite like the Panamera Sportbrake too, but the boot is tiny and the car is even wider and more unwieldy around city streets and indoor carparks.

Currently happy in my CLS, especially now that I have got used to having the power on tap and seem to be picking up fewer speeding tickets ;D

[NITO]

There are a few 63's in the 30's now, I think that's a bit of a bargain for how much car you get. They've done the worst depreciation.

I bought new and struggled to take it anywhere as too petrified cause of the value of the thing and because it was the most I'd ever spent on a car and it didn't sit well with me if I'm honest. Now that it's devalued a ton in the first year and a half, oddly I now feel much more comfortable and happier about using it

and just for fun...

[NITO]

Thanks for the info on autocurators, will give that a serious look.

Cheers
Nito

[CampDavid]

If I were on a new one I’d look at getting some paint protection on the front, mine ha a fair few chips now, it’ll hit 70k miles tomorrow.

Tempting to start hunting out the perfect spec AMG. I’ve just done 220 miles in mine in the dark with torrential rain pretty much the whole way and I still feel pretty fresh. It just does what it does so well

[Pistom]

CampDavid said:

Future value will be interesting. At the moment there aren't many around and those that are aren't selling.

I'm surprised you say they aren't selling as when I was looking, 350s with the must have options were going in days of getting into dealers.

I put a deposit on mine without seeing.

Granted, the high priced ones without extras stick around. In fact I can't even see a 350 with driver aid and airmatic anywhere at any price.

[NITO]

I think perhaps he was referring to the 63 AMG, they do seem to hang around used, they're cracking vfm, there are so few of them around (any CLS shooting brakes for that matter) I don't think the market has really cottoned on to them yet. It's an awful lot of car and I've yet to see another AMG one on the road.

[Pistom]

Sorry my mistake.

[CampDavid]

Glad to hear that 350s are an easy sale!

I think the 63s are hanging around a bit for a bunch of reasons, £540 tax, quite pricey to run, expensive to buy etc. I think most stuff is struggling in this sector, even the RS6, which seems to be on trend at the moment, isn't doing great.

The 350 is probably the smart choice. Over the last couple of days mines done 500 miles through storms and it's been perfect. 42mpg achieved despite high cruising speeds and attacking the home stretch of country road. For 90% of people it has absolutely everything you could ever desire from a car.

I bet it'd be fking epic with another 320 horsepower though...

[dimots]

CampDavid said:

Glad to hear that 350s are an easy sale!

I think the 63s are hanging around a bit for a bunch of reasons, £540 tax, quite pricey to run, expensive to buy etc. I think most stuff is struggling in this sector, even the RS6, which seems to be on trend at the moment, isn't doing great.

The 350 is probably the smart choice. Over the last couple of days mines done 500 miles through storms and it's been perfect. 42mpg achieved despite high cruising speeds and attacking the home stretch of country road. For 90% of people it has absolutely everything you could ever desire from a car.

I bet it'd be fking epic with another 320 horsepower though...

The 350 is a perfect mile muncher and a very nice motor but the AMG is something else. They’re not really comparable to be honest...and I say that having done 10s of thousands of miles in each! AMG is near 600bhp and sounds incredible. I still feel a slight sense of shame when I start it early in the morning though...it’s pretty antisocial.

[Pistom]

dimots said:

The 350 is a perfect mile muncher and a very nice motor but the AMG is something else. They’re not really comparable to be honest...and I say that having done 10s of thousands of miles in each! AMG is near 600bhp and sounds incredible. I still feel a slight sense of shame when I start it early in the morning though...it’s pretty antisocial.

And on the used market the AMG is better value in my opinion. I'm happy with my 350 but should have gone for the 63.

[dimots]

Pistom said:

And on the used market the AMG is better value in my opinion. I'm happy with my 350 but should have gone for the 63.

I paid £49k for mine at the start of 2016. It seemed like a bargain, and I do love a deal. I was happy with my 350 too, and in many ways would be happy to switch back. I liked the range and the subtlety of it but I don’t do loads of miles and I really like the noise so...

[finestjammy]

NITO said:

There are a few 63's in the 30's now, I think that's a bit of a bargain for how much car you get. They've done the worst depreciation.

I bought new and struggled to take it anywhere as too petrified cause of the value of the thing and because it was the most I'd ever spent on a car and it didn't sit well with me if I'm honest. Now that it's devalued a ton in the first year and a half, oddly I now feel much more comfortable and happier about using it

and just for fun...

I went from a Ghibli S to an AMG 63 Shooting Brake. It’s an Edition One version so stuffed with kit and 550bhp So much better in pretty much every area. PS, without going down hill for 7 miles what do you tend to get on a legal cruise? I normally range from 28-33 depending on gradients and traffic. Oh I have the sunroof and like it just for the extra light, let alone anything else

Edited by finestjammy on Tuesday 2nd October 16:58

[NITO]

My last 1100 odd mile trip average is 16.5mpg!!

[donkmeister]

finestjammy said:

NITO said:

There are a few 63's in the 30's now, I think that's a bit of a bargain for how much car you get. They've done the worst depreciation.

I bought new and struggled to take it anywhere as too petrified cause of the value of the thing and because it was the most I'd ever spent on a car and it didn't sit well with me if I'm honest. Now that it's devalued a ton in the first year and a half, oddly I now feel much more comfortable and happier about using it

and just for fun...

I went from a Ghibli S to an AMG 63 Shooting Brake. It’s an Edition One version so stuffed with kit and 550bhp So much better in pretty much every area. PS, without going down hill for 7 miles what do you tend to get on a legal cruise? I normally range from 28-33 depending on gradients and traffic. Oh I have the sunroof and like it just for the extra light, let alone anything else

Edited by finestjammy on Tuesday 2nd October 16:58

Not allowed. First rule of owning a fast car is to do a few journeys in 1st gear then pretend on the internet/down the pub that's your typical MPG... Not sure why but that seems to be the way.

[p1dj83]

Hi guys. Newbie here and glad to have found a thread regarding the CLS.

I'm looking at buying a '15 CLS 220 Shooting Brake for work.

Can anyone give me an idea of real world MPG on the motorway. It's listed as 64.2mpg.
Any other info on the car or any problems would be great!

Thank you!

[Pistom]

My 350 gets low to mid 40s on motorway runs so would expect about 5mpg more in a 220.

I strongly suggest you try both diesels as the 220 to me felt really lacking in power and the 4 cylinder engine just too rough. I appreciate that as a daily work economy plays a part but to me, the savings weren't worth it.

The 350 also gives a 9 speed box from 64 plate onwards.

If you can, try one with the air suspension all round, you don't pay much if any more for it on the used market but again adds to the overall feeling of the car.

These cars are quite popular with dog people so watch out for bad smells. One of the first ones I viewed just stank of Fido.

[p1dj83]

Pistom said:

My 350 gets low to mid 40s on motorway runs so would expect about 5mpg more in a 220.

I strongly suggest you try both diesels as the 220 to me felt really lacking in power and the 4 cylinder engine just too rough. I appreciate that as a daily work economy plays a part but to me, the savings weren't worth it.

The 350 also gives a 9 speed box from 64 plate onwards.

If you can, try one with the air suspension all round, you don't pay much if any more for it on the used market but again adds to the overall feeling of the car.

These cars are quite popular with dog people so watch out for bad smells. One of the first ones I viewed just stank of Fido.

Thats really helpful thanks. I'm getting close to 80mpg in a Vauxhall Insignia Elite which is mental so was hoping to get near to 60mpg in a 220 Bluetec. Also I wonder if theres much difference in mpg when using the paddles?

I will test drive both engines if I can and compare the rides.

As much as I love dogs, I don't think my customers will appreciate the stench. Cheers!