CLS Buyer's Guide

[JoshSpooner94]

Hi all,

I'm a first-time Mercedes buyer, looking at a CLS 320/350. I'm obviously keen to avoid as many of the old Merc costs as possible, so was hoping to ask for a bit of information on which models PHers find most reliable, which you suspect might hold its value better, etc. For instance, do the diesel 320 CDIs eat their turbos or give more problems than a comparable petrol model?

I can't really stretch to a 500 or above due to running costs/tax/insurance, etc. I'm 21 so insurance is a killer on anything above the 350.

Anything to look out for when buying? To avoid?

Many thanks for any help in advance!

All the best,

Josh

[donkamio]

Hi

my Dad has got a 2010 CLS350 grand edition (with the D6 chip). He got it with 20k on the clock and its approaching 65k in his 3 years of ownership. Mechanically nothing has gone wrong it just eats up the miles and its very comfortable whilst being pretty quick. Only issues seem to be the AMG alloys being susceptible to cracking, tyre warning indicators flashing on occasion and an issue with the driver side window but otherwise just general tyres/brakes etc. Interior wise again good quality with no issues apart from flaking of the metallic trim on the cup holders.

I suspect with the 350 being the facelift + run out model, any niggles were sorted.

[KungFuPanda]

I'm looking at a 57 plate CLS 500 myself. Not sure what to look for but they look decent value anyway.

[S8QUATTRO]

Hi, had mine for about two years...320 cdi v6 diesel engine, 7g gearbox is really good and I don't think there are many issues with them. There are some common faults, turbo actuators fail/get tired but can be remanufactured for less than £100. There is also an electric motor that fails on the v6 3.0 ltr engine, there is a very cheap mod that can be done here too, front suspension gets tired as they are fairly heavy motors, lots of arms, links, joints...about £500 for a refresh....check the air suspension as this will be expensive to replace...eats rear tyres and they are about £250 each for rear and £200 each on the front, mine has 19 inch amg rims that are wider at the rear, these wheels can also crack so check for repairs...interiors are really well made and wear very well...they remap well too and can return 40mpg on a run too. Remap to about 270bhp, feel quick for the size too..hope this helps a bit. Amg spec models hold value better, bumpers, wheels, oh and the standard headlamps are pretty poor..mine is going next month and being replaced with a 635d or something similar hopefully.

[James P]

About the closest I could find to an in-depth review was the CAR long term test, even then it's not quite the current version and the spec does seem to have changed a few times in a few years.

I'm waiting for delivery of a 350d Shooting Brake with Premium pack - ticked all the boxes I need and I'm still waiting for my closest BMW dealer to come back with a test drive I asked for in August. Looking forward to taking delivery, my first actual new car and probably the most grown up car I'll have had.

Can anyone say what their actual mpg has been on these?