CLS 55 AMG Owners opinions sought.
Discussion
I am in the process of looking to buy one of these cars, I like the fact it has the cooling, massage and dynamic seats and a giant supercharger plus adjustable air-matic suspension. Has anyone any long term running experience of these cars, are they reliable or troubled with electrical gremlins. I need the car for fairly long distance runs as I'm about to be my daughters university taxi service. Comments from owners would be much appreciated.
post copied from my thread on mbclub.co.uk (costs below are for 22k miles after I bought it):
Was chatting to a mate about rough maintenance costs for my CLS55 since I bought it 2.5 years ago (Mar 10) with 9.5k miles on the clock.
1. new parktronic sensor on front by MB dealer, May 10: £170 (paid by warranty compay -- 6 months from supplying non MB dealer)
1A. Gearbox oil and filter changed, Aug 10: £130
2. interim oil and oil fiter change, Dec 10: £100
3. D service at main dealer, June 11: £170 (I provided oil)
4. 2 new rear tyres, Aug 11: £500
5. interim oil and oil filter change, Jan 12: £100
6. 4 new tyres (old ones had seen 2 track days, and 2 heavy hoons around Scotland), Sept 12: £1000
7. E service at main dealer, Sept 12: £450 (I provided oil)
8. discs and pads changed all round, Sept 12: £350 (parts from ECP and MB dealer [rear discs]). Original discs and pads lasted about 31k miles, 2 track days and 2 heavy hoons around Scotland.
Impressive.
Not that bad, is it?
Was chatting to a mate about rough maintenance costs for my CLS55 since I bought it 2.5 years ago (Mar 10) with 9.5k miles on the clock.
1. new parktronic sensor on front by MB dealer, May 10: £170 (paid by warranty compay -- 6 months from supplying non MB dealer)
1A. Gearbox oil and filter changed, Aug 10: £130
2. interim oil and oil fiter change, Dec 10: £100
3. D service at main dealer, June 11: £170 (I provided oil)
4. 2 new rear tyres, Aug 11: £500
5. interim oil and oil filter change, Jan 12: £100
6. 4 new tyres (old ones had seen 2 track days, and 2 heavy hoons around Scotland), Sept 12: £1000
7. E service at main dealer, Sept 12: £450 (I provided oil)
8. discs and pads changed all round, Sept 12: £350 (parts from ECP and MB dealer [rear discs]). Original discs and pads lasted about 31k miles, 2 track days and 2 heavy hoons around Scotland.
Impressive.
Not that bad, is it?
Thanks, it's only certain parts that cost a lot to get sorted from what I've been able to establish. The one I am interested in has had an advisory from the main dealer about the front discs being badly corroded and the rears slightly corroded. If you were to take it to the main agent to have them all replaced it would cost £2730.00 I have decided to get the car inspected by an independant to establish if there is a problem or if the main dealer is being a bit overzelous. I know the brakes on these cars do have to do a lot so I'm guessing front discs will need replacing in the near future. Fortunately near me is a good independant who I will use to keep the car tip top.
Replaced the front and rear disks and pads on my E55k (Same Brakes) a few months ago. Original Mercedes parts from Dealer:
Front Disks pair £130
Front Pads (8 in a set) £165
Rear Disks pair £115
Rear pads £70
Fitted by my local Indie for £130 including new pins and sensors
Total cost £610 and a massive improvement in stopping power. The disks tend to suffer from rippling as they wear. The Brembo 8 pot calipers on the front together with the SBC braking pump put the disks under huge pressure.
Front Disks pair £130
Front Pads (8 in a set) £165
Rear Disks pair £115
Rear pads £70
Fitted by my local Indie for £130 including new pins and sensors
Total cost £610 and a massive improvement in stopping power. The disks tend to suffer from rippling as they wear. The Brembo 8 pot calipers on the front together with the SBC braking pump put the disks under huge pressure.
vilus said:
Replaced the front and rear disks and pads on my E55k (Same Brakes) a few months ago. Original Mercedes parts from Dealer:
Front Disks pair £130
Front Pads (8 in a set) £165
Rear Disks pair £115
Rear pads £70
Fitted by my local Indie for £130 including new pins and sensors
Total cost £610 and a massive improvement in stopping power. The disks tend to suffer from rippling as they wear. The Brembo 8 pot calipers on the front together with the SBC braking pump put the disks under huge pressure.
Thats interesting as I've been quoted a much higher price from an independant for the entire job using genuine Mercedes parts.Front Disks pair £130
Front Pads (8 in a set) £165
Rear Disks pair £115
Rear pads £70
Fitted by my local Indie for £130 including new pins and sensors
Total cost £610 and a massive improvement in stopping power. The disks tend to suffer from rippling as they wear. The Brembo 8 pot calipers on the front together with the SBC braking pump put the disks under huge pressure.
Thanks again for the replies, The quote I got for the brakes was via the chassis number (2006 car) I expected the big quote from the main agent but perhaps a bit more investigation regarding independants is required. I love the fact that one of the other posters (SFO) actually uses the car for the odd trackday sounds tempting but I bet that eats the brakes.
I'm going to look at a couple of more local cars once the weather clears up a bit as the first one I was interested in is in Scotland. I have also been informed of the air suspension sometimes failing giving the car an uneven stance when stood overnight, something else to look out for I guess. I'm prepared to do a lot more research as the cars seem to be a real bargain to buy at this stage, it's just like all cars of this type it's not the buying it's the running and looking after them properly that costs, but at a purchase price of only 20% of the initial cost of the car it's a price I'm prepared to pay.
I'm going to look at a couple of more local cars once the weather clears up a bit as the first one I was interested in is in Scotland. I have also been informed of the air suspension sometimes failing giving the car an uneven stance when stood overnight, something else to look out for I guess. I'm prepared to do a lot more research as the cars seem to be a real bargain to buy at this stage, it's just like all cars of this type it's not the buying it's the running and looking after them properly that costs, but at a purchase price of only 20% of the initial cost of the car it's a price I'm prepared to pay.
Edited by BIRMA on Tuesday 22 January 07:42
BIRMA said:
I love the fact that one of the other posters (SFO) actually uses the car for the odd trackday sounds tempting but I bet that eats the brakes.
proof 
your quote on the discs is definitely wrong if it's a CLS55 .. a 2006 car can also be a CLS63 (which has more expensive brake parts).
my parts cost included a 30% discount from ECP web prices. The parts from ECP were made by Pagid (they also supply MB), and looked identical to MB parts (compared to rear discs [which were cheaper from MB dealer]). In total, the cost for discs and pads all round was £269. Absolute bargain. And they feel just like the originals.
on track, the brakes "die" (red warning lights!) quite quickly if you brake really hard into corners .. if you back off a bit, they last much longer.
Edited by SFO on Tuesday 22 January 12:43
SFO said:
proof
your quote on the discs is definitely wrong if it's a CLS55 .. a 2006 car can also be a CLS63 (which has more expensive brake parts).
my parts cost included a 30% discount from ECP web prices. The parts from ECP were made by Pagid (they also supply MB), and looked identical to MB parts (compared to rear discs [which were cheaper from MB dealer]). In total, the cost for discs and pads all round was £269. Absolute bargain. And they feel just like the originals.
on track, the brakes "die" (red warning lights!) quite quickly if you brake really hard into corners .. if you back off a bit, they last much longer.
I'm impressed and like to do the odd trackday myself.
The more sensible quote I got from an independant was for genuine MB parts but is still way higher than the figures you have quoted.
I can't see how my local main dealer could have got it so wrong because the VIN number I gave him could not have been mistaken as I did state it was a CLS 55 as well.
your quote on the discs is definitely wrong if it's a CLS55 .. a 2006 car can also be a CLS63 (which has more expensive brake parts).
my parts cost included a 30% discount from ECP web prices. The parts from ECP were made by Pagid (they also supply MB), and looked identical to MB parts (compared to rear discs [which were cheaper from MB dealer]). In total, the cost for discs and pads all round was £269. Absolute bargain. And they feel just like the originals.
on track, the brakes "die" (red warning lights!) quite quickly if you brake really hard into corners .. if you back off a bit, they last much longer.
I'm impressed and like to do the odd trackday myself.
The more sensible quote I got from an independant was for genuine MB parts but is still way higher than the figures you have quoted.
I can't see how my local main dealer could have got it so wrong because the VIN number I gave him could not have been mistaken as I did state it was a CLS 55 as well.
Edited by SFO on Tuesday 22 January 12:43
some thoughts I had on my CLS55 (posted previously on another forum):
Sept 10:
Last weekend I drove to Suffolk from London.
On the way home on Sunday evening in the rain, the CLS55 really came to life.
Is that a gap? Seconds later, I’ve sailed past 10 cars. Other cars appear as if they have suddenly stopped. And that is without kickdown. We only went from 5th to 4th. Hardly got beyond 4000rpm.
Is that a bend? Do I need to slow down? Not really, Sport 1 will ensure that it stays the course. Of course it does.
Rain? Yes, it makes the interior more snug. The car feels utterly secure.
Noise? At night, you hear the engine more clearly as there’s less distraction about. But what grunt. Stunning sounds, that only V8s produce – addictive and highly pleasant mechanical roar, deepening and increasing in volume and pitch, a real treat. Who cares if I’ve just burnt yet another litre of Momentum 99? It was most worth the expense. The soundtrack is never ever intrusive. After a quick burst, it is all quiet just like a limousine for a spot of cruising.
And all of this in utter comfort.
The rain even cleans the car – it’s cleaner than when I left London as so much rain has washed a lot of dirt away.
Nowadays, I don’t look at the Mercedes Approved Use Car Locator anymore. I covet no other Mercedes (at least ones that I afford anyway!).
Amen.
Jan 13:
2 and a bit years later, and the love affair continues ..
again coming back to London from Suffolk tonight.
roads are dry, there is salt about, and it's below 0
again the CLS just charges, and snarls a bit and hey, we have made the other cars look like they are standing still
folks are much better at keeping left on 2 lane bits of the A11 and M11, and I sail past them with the gentlest of roars.
on up hill sections, the V8 flattens the gradient which slows other cars.
the acceleration from 60mph onwards with a firmish prod on the accelerator is truly awesome .. you wonder whether the dial is supposed to move quite that quickly
and all the while the car feels rock solid, stable, hunkered, unperturbed and completely magnificent.
I love love my CLS55. It really is the most incredible car .. you can't even buy a new Golf with what my CLS55 would fetch if I sold it.
Sept 10:
Last weekend I drove to Suffolk from London.
On the way home on Sunday evening in the rain, the CLS55 really came to life.
Is that a gap? Seconds later, I’ve sailed past 10 cars. Other cars appear as if they have suddenly stopped. And that is without kickdown. We only went from 5th to 4th. Hardly got beyond 4000rpm.
Is that a bend? Do I need to slow down? Not really, Sport 1 will ensure that it stays the course. Of course it does.
Rain? Yes, it makes the interior more snug. The car feels utterly secure.
Noise? At night, you hear the engine more clearly as there’s less distraction about. But what grunt. Stunning sounds, that only V8s produce – addictive and highly pleasant mechanical roar, deepening and increasing in volume and pitch, a real treat. Who cares if I’ve just burnt yet another litre of Momentum 99? It was most worth the expense. The soundtrack is never ever intrusive. After a quick burst, it is all quiet just like a limousine for a spot of cruising.
And all of this in utter comfort.
The rain even cleans the car – it’s cleaner than when I left London as so much rain has washed a lot of dirt away.
Nowadays, I don’t look at the Mercedes Approved Use Car Locator anymore. I covet no other Mercedes (at least ones that I afford anyway!).
Amen.
Jan 13:
2 and a bit years later, and the love affair continues ..
again coming back to London from Suffolk tonight.
roads are dry, there is salt about, and it's below 0
again the CLS just charges, and snarls a bit and hey, we have made the other cars look like they are standing still
folks are much better at keeping left on 2 lane bits of the A11 and M11, and I sail past them with the gentlest of roars.
on up hill sections, the V8 flattens the gradient which slows other cars.
the acceleration from 60mph onwards with a firmish prod on the accelerator is truly awesome .. you wonder whether the dial is supposed to move quite that quickly
and all the while the car feels rock solid, stable, hunkered, unperturbed and completely magnificent.
I love love my CLS55. It really is the most incredible car .. you can't even buy a new Golf with what my CLS55 would fetch if I sold it.
Good write up and helpful.
I think the Jeckle and Hyde characteristics of the car will suit me down to the ground, limo mode for the long distance taxi journey with vented seats and my own cool zone so the wife and daughter won't moan about me having the car cold. Looney mode for a bit of a blast all I have to do is track down a good low mileage one for less than £20K
I think the Jeckle and Hyde characteristics of the car will suit me down to the ground, limo mode for the long distance taxi journey with vented seats and my own cool zone so the wife and daughter won't moan about me having the car cold. Looney mode for a bit of a blast all I have to do is track down a good low mileage one for less than £20K
BIRMA said:
my own cool zone so the wife and daughter won't moan about me having the car cold. Looney mode for a bit of a blast all I have to do is track down a good low mileage one for less than £20K
the CLS55 has 4 zone climate control .. the most on new model MBs is 3 zone you should be able to find a good CLS 55 comfortably under £20k.
BIRMA said:
The more sensible quote I got from an independant was for genuine MB parts but is still way higher than the figures you have quoted.
I can't see how my local main dealer could have got it so wrong because the VIN number I gave him could not have been mistaken as I did state it was a CLS 55 as well.
your local dealer is doing something wrong, perhaps deliberately.I can't see how my local main dealer could have got it so wrong because the VIN number I gave him could not have been mistaken as I did state it was a CLS 55 as well.
the independent's price should reflect the prices posted above by vilus
SFO said:
post copied from my thread on mbclub.co.uk (costs below are for 22k miles after I bought it):
Was chatting to a mate about rough maintenance costs for my CLS55 since I bought it 2.5 years ago (Mar 10) with 9.5k miles on the clock.
1. new parktronic sensor on front by MB dealer, May 10: £170 (paid by warranty compay -- 6 months from supplying non MB dealer)
1A. Gearbox oil and filter changed, Aug 10: £130
2. interim oil and oil fiter change, Dec 10: £100
3. D service at main dealer, June 11: £170 (I provided oil)
4. 2 new rear tyres, Aug 11: £500
5. interim oil and oil filter change, Jan 12: £100
6. 4 new tyres (old ones had seen 2 track days, and 2 heavy hoons around Scotland), Sept 12: £1000
7. E service at main dealer, Sept 12: £450 (I provided oil)
8. discs and pads changed all round, Sept 12: £350 (parts from ECP and MB dealer [rear discs]). Original discs and pads lasted about 31k miles, 2 track days and 2 heavy hoons around Scotland.
Impressive.
Not that bad, is it?
Do you have any preference in tyre choice?Was chatting to a mate about rough maintenance costs for my CLS55 since I bought it 2.5 years ago (Mar 10) with 9.5k miles on the clock.
1. new parktronic sensor on front by MB dealer, May 10: £170 (paid by warranty compay -- 6 months from supplying non MB dealer)
1A. Gearbox oil and filter changed, Aug 10: £130
2. interim oil and oil fiter change, Dec 10: £100
3. D service at main dealer, June 11: £170 (I provided oil)
4. 2 new rear tyres, Aug 11: £500
5. interim oil and oil filter change, Jan 12: £100
6. 4 new tyres (old ones had seen 2 track days, and 2 heavy hoons around Scotland), Sept 12: £1000
7. E service at main dealer, Sept 12: £450 (I provided oil)
8. discs and pads changed all round, Sept 12: £350 (parts from ECP and MB dealer [rear discs]). Original discs and pads lasted about 31k miles, 2 track days and 2 heavy hoons around Scotland.
Impressive.
Not that bad, is it?
BIRMA said:
Do you have any preference in tyre choice?
I have only ever used Conti Sport Contact 3 MO in 18" wheels. I have wanted to use Conti SC 5P or Michelin Pilot Super Sport, but not available in my sizes.Conti's lasted really quite well .. the first of rears did 13k miles and 1 track day. MO is important as it's a higher load index.
Mine is a CLS63. I bought this instead of a 55 as it wasn't much more expensive, was low mileage, had a by the book FMSH and it was the spec I wanted. I've now had it 8 months. I have done just under 4000 miles.
No faults at all. Computer says 22.6 mpg which, although I don't do much stop start driving, is still better than I expected. 25+ on very long run. Urban can be as low as 12.
It is a joy to drive, is comfortable and looks brilliant. Performance is awesome although a bit over the top for UK roads (I used to live in Germany where it would be more fun). Good sized boot. Access to rear is a little tight for tall adults - not a problem for me sitting in the front! Tyres seem to be lasting quite well and I shall probably get almost 15k miles from the rear. Like the stereo and ipod system but wish it had DAB.
I don't regret the purchase in any way but the 55 has advantages. Most 55s will be the pre-06 road tax (£270 I think, instead of the £470 I pay). The 55 front brakes are also much cheaper than on the 63 - I fear the latter are going to be about £1500. Mercedes says the 55 does an extra mile or two per gallon. The only 55 drawback will be the SBC issue that can be very expensive to fix if you are unlucky enough to have that fault develop (pretty certain that 63s don't have SBC).
Apart from 7 speed gearbox on the 63 (5 speed on the 55), I can't believe there will be a significant difference on the driving experience. They are both as fast as you could ever want and handle as AMGs do.
Bottom line. These (55 or 63) are one heck of a car for the purchase price (20-25% of cost new). Unless you do very high mileage or have crippling insurance cost (I only pay £650 p.a.) the mpg (30p per mile) is not a major factor compared to the overall cost of running such a car (£1 per mile). My bet is that it'll be a future classic so depreciation will slow down. Go treat yourself.
No faults at all. Computer says 22.6 mpg which, although I don't do much stop start driving, is still better than I expected. 25+ on very long run. Urban can be as low as 12.
It is a joy to drive, is comfortable and looks brilliant. Performance is awesome although a bit over the top for UK roads (I used to live in Germany where it would be more fun). Good sized boot. Access to rear is a little tight for tall adults - not a problem for me sitting in the front! Tyres seem to be lasting quite well and I shall probably get almost 15k miles from the rear. Like the stereo and ipod system but wish it had DAB.
I don't regret the purchase in any way but the 55 has advantages. Most 55s will be the pre-06 road tax (£270 I think, instead of the £470 I pay). The 55 front brakes are also much cheaper than on the 63 - I fear the latter are going to be about £1500. Mercedes says the 55 does an extra mile or two per gallon. The only 55 drawback will be the SBC issue that can be very expensive to fix if you are unlucky enough to have that fault develop (pretty certain that 63s don't have SBC).
Apart from 7 speed gearbox on the 63 (5 speed on the 55), I can't believe there will be a significant difference on the driving experience. They are both as fast as you could ever want and handle as AMGs do.
Bottom line. These (55 or 63) are one heck of a car for the purchase price (20-25% of cost new). Unless you do very high mileage or have crippling insurance cost (I only pay £650 p.a.) the mpg (30p per mile) is not a major factor compared to the overall cost of running such a car (£1 per mile). My bet is that it'll be a future classic so depreciation will slow down. Go treat yourself.
kevinpsw said:
Mine is a CLS63. I bought this instead of a 55 as it wasn't much more expensive, was low mileage, had a by the book FMSH and it was the spec I wanted. I've now had it 8 months. I have done just under 4000 miles.
No faults at all. Computer says 22.6 mpg which, although I don't do much stop start driving, is still better than I expected. 25+ on very long run. Urban can be as low as 12.
It is a joy to drive, is comfortable and looks brilliant. Performance is awesome although a bit over the top for UK roads (I used to live in Germany where it would be more fun). Good sized boot. Access to rear is a little tight for tall adults - not a problem for me sitting in the front! Tyres seem to be lasting quite well and I shall probably get almost 15k miles from the rear. Like the stereo and ipod system but wish it had DAB.
I don't regret the purchase in any way but the 55 has advantages. Most 55s will be the pre-06 road tax (£270 I think, instead of the £470 I pay). The 55 front brakes are also much cheaper than on the 63 - I fear the latter are going to be about £1500. Mercedes says the 55 does an extra mile or two per gallon. The only 55 drawback will be the SBC issue that can be very expensive to fix if you are unlucky enough to have that fault develop (pretty certain that 63s don't have SBC).
Apart from 7 speed gearbox on the 63 (5 speed on the 55), I can't believe there will be a significant difference on the driving experience. They are both as fast as you could ever want and handle as AMGs do.
Bottom line. These (55 or 63) are one heck of a car for the purchase price (20-25% of cost new). Unless you do very high mileage or have crippling insurance cost (I only pay £650 p.a.) the mpg (30p per mile) is not a major factor compared to the overall cost of running such a car (£1 per mile). My bet is that it'll be a future classic so depreciation will slow down. Go treat yourself.
Hadn't looked at the 63 I must admit although all of the cars I have looked into are in the higher tax bracket. I don't like paying it as I feel the government squanders it rather than improving our roads but hey there's nothing that can be done about it. As you say buying a car for 20-25% of its original value is a no brainer provided you are prepared to swallow potentially high running costs. I have to say all of the cars I've looked at are bordering on being how shall I put it 'not kept in tip top condition' with the discs being the most common area of neglect. I shall have a look at the 63 as my budget is about £20K and I have seen a couple advertised. No faults at all. Computer says 22.6 mpg which, although I don't do much stop start driving, is still better than I expected. 25+ on very long run. Urban can be as low as 12.
It is a joy to drive, is comfortable and looks brilliant. Performance is awesome although a bit over the top for UK roads (I used to live in Germany where it would be more fun). Good sized boot. Access to rear is a little tight for tall adults - not a problem for me sitting in the front! Tyres seem to be lasting quite well and I shall probably get almost 15k miles from the rear. Like the stereo and ipod system but wish it had DAB.
I don't regret the purchase in any way but the 55 has advantages. Most 55s will be the pre-06 road tax (£270 I think, instead of the £470 I pay). The 55 front brakes are also much cheaper than on the 63 - I fear the latter are going to be about £1500. Mercedes says the 55 does an extra mile or two per gallon. The only 55 drawback will be the SBC issue that can be very expensive to fix if you are unlucky enough to have that fault develop (pretty certain that 63s don't have SBC).
Apart from 7 speed gearbox on the 63 (5 speed on the 55), I can't believe there will be a significant difference on the driving experience. They are both as fast as you could ever want and handle as AMGs do.
Bottom line. These (55 or 63) are one heck of a car for the purchase price (20-25% of cost new). Unless you do very high mileage or have crippling insurance cost (I only pay £650 p.a.) the mpg (30p per mile) is not a major factor compared to the overall cost of running such a car (£1 per mile). My bet is that it'll be a future classic so depreciation will slow down. Go treat yourself.
Edited by BIRMA on Wednesday 23 January 16:49
kevinpsw said:
The only 55 drawback will be the SBC issue that can be very expensive to fix if you are unlucky enough to have that fault develop (pretty certain that 63s don't have SBC).
If you have full MBSH, MB will probably make some sort of contribution to the cost of replacing the SBC pump .. approx £1500 at an MB dealer. Pump times out after a certain number of uses, it can then be extended for a bit by resetting some counter, and after that, new one required.63s do not have the SBC brake by wire system.
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