Mercedes-Benz CLS320d
Discussion
Hi, guys.
I currently drive a 2009 Mégane Coupe (the 1.6 - nothing too special), and I'm coming to that time where I'm a little bored and want something to replace it with. I've always been a fan of executive cars - my favourite being the Audi A8/S8 - but these are slightly out of budget for me: My budget it strictly £5,000, and I need a diesel for my almost-60-mile round-trip to work. I know that, if I ask ten people how to spend £5,000 on a car, I'd get ten different cars suggested to me - but I've kind-of made my mind up on getting a 2007-ish CLS320d.
Mercedes-Benz is unchartered territory for me: I've never really looked that much into them, other than the S-Class - but they're way out of budget! I know that the CLS sits somewhere between the E- and S-Classes - but can anyone provide me with any advice on what to look for when buying them? Also - what are the running costs like? I've read that they average 37 mpg, which is on par with what my Mégane gets, so that's fine by me. I'm a bit of a fan of torque-y acceleration, too (the old 'gluing your head to the seat' scenario) - so how do they fair-up in the performance sector?
In general, I'm just after a bit of advice when it comes to buying one - so if anyone could help, that would be much appreciated!
Thanks much!
I currently drive a 2009 Mégane Coupe (the 1.6 - nothing too special), and I'm coming to that time where I'm a little bored and want something to replace it with. I've always been a fan of executive cars - my favourite being the Audi A8/S8 - but these are slightly out of budget for me: My budget it strictly £5,000, and I need a diesel for my almost-60-mile round-trip to work. I know that, if I ask ten people how to spend £5,000 on a car, I'd get ten different cars suggested to me - but I've kind-of made my mind up on getting a 2007-ish CLS320d.
Mercedes-Benz is unchartered territory for me: I've never really looked that much into them, other than the S-Class - but they're way out of budget! I know that the CLS sits somewhere between the E- and S-Classes - but can anyone provide me with any advice on what to look for when buying them? Also - what are the running costs like? I've read that they average 37 mpg, which is on par with what my Mégane gets, so that's fine by me. I'm a bit of a fan of torque-y acceleration, too (the old 'gluing your head to the seat' scenario) - so how do they fair-up in the performance sector?
In general, I'm just after a bit of advice when it comes to buying one - so if anyone could help, that would be much appreciated!
Thanks much!
just been looking at hese trawling all over uk for the week, late 350 grand edition was leagues ahead of the early 320 ones when tested, looked far better with the LEDs to, 270hp, 80k mile example with the mat paint looked really good, even cooled seats on some, £8k.
Late 5.5s were even better...
Prefered to the CL by a long way, ended up with XF though, similar money, same quality in terms of ride and interior and go but looked less dated to me.
Theres a very good 5.5 in ruislip nr london, 2007 low genuine miles 40 or 67k cant remember, cooled seats, dark blue on black, guy was prepared to take 6k!
Late 5.5s were even better...
Prefered to the CL by a long way, ended up with XF though, similar money, same quality in terms of ride and interior and go but looked less dated to me.
Theres a very good 5.5 in ruislip nr london, 2007 low genuine miles 40 or 67k cant remember, cooled seats, dark blue on black, guy was prepared to take 6k!
Edited by Pvapour on Friday 11th August 13:51
I've got a 55 reg CLS500, so not directly comparable, but a great car for long commute (mine is 90 miles return)
Very comfortable on air suspension, plenty of acceleration. Heated and cooled seats are very comfortable and haven't had any issues with mine. The ICE is very out of date, can't stream any bluetooth device/connect USB, so radio and cd changer it is. Its a nice place to be for 2 hours a day.
When I bought mine just over a year ago I did look at diesels, but prices are much higher than equivalent mileage petrol models. I did the man maths and even with only doing 28mpg it works out cheaper over 2 years to buy the 500 than the diesel equivalent.
Very comfortable on air suspension, plenty of acceleration. Heated and cooled seats are very comfortable and haven't had any issues with mine. The ICE is very out of date, can't stream any bluetooth device/connect USB, so radio and cd changer it is. Its a nice place to be for 2 hours a day.
When I bought mine just over a year ago I did look at diesels, but prices are much higher than equivalent mileage petrol models. I did the man maths and even with only doing 28mpg it works out cheaper over 2 years to buy the 500 than the diesel equivalent.
Pvapour said:
just been looking at hese trawling all over uk for the week, late 350 grand edition was leagues ahead of the early 320 ones when tested, looked far better with the LEDs to, 270hp, 80k mile example with the mat paint looked really good, even cooled seats on some, £8k.
Late 5.5s were even better...
Prefered to the CL by a long way, ended up with XF though, similar money, same quality in terms of ride and interior and go but looked less dated to me.
Theres a very good 5.5 in ruislip nr london, 2007 low genuine miles 40 or 67k cant remember, cooled seats, dark blue on black, guy was prepared to take 6k!
Thanks very much for the information! I was considering the XF - but they're just ever-so-slightly over budget for me. Maybe they'll come down in price, though - they're definitely on my list of cars to own at some point! I'll have a look into the Grand Edition - heard lots of good things about them, and it might be worth that little stretch more to get a lot more car.Late 5.5s were even better...
Prefered to the CL by a long way, ended up with XF though, similar money, same quality in terms of ride and interior and go but looked less dated to me.
Theres a very good 5.5 in ruislip nr london, 2007 low genuine miles 40 or 67k cant remember, cooled seats, dark blue on black, guy was prepared to take 6k!
Edited by Pvapour on Friday 11th August 13:51
Thanks, again!
MarcelM6 said:
I've got a 55 reg CLS500, so not directly comparable, but a great car for long commute (mine is 90 miles return)
Very comfortable on air suspension, plenty of acceleration. Heated and cooled seats are very comfortable and haven't had any issues with mine. The ICE is very out of date, can't stream any bluetooth device/connect USB, so radio and cd changer it is. Its a nice place to be for 2 hours a day.
When I bought mine just over a year ago I did look at diesels, but prices are much higher than equivalent mileage petrol models. I did the man maths and even with only doing 28mpg it works out cheaper over 2 years to buy the 500 than the diesel equivalent.
Thanks for the advice, buddy. I've not explored the petrol models - but if they can match or out-do the performance of the diesel, then that's fine by me. I suppose I'm kind-of silly in a way in looking for both performance and economy - as I can't yet afford a Tesla Very comfortable on air suspension, plenty of acceleration. Heated and cooled seats are very comfortable and haven't had any issues with mine. The ICE is very out of date, can't stream any bluetooth device/connect USB, so radio and cd changer it is. Its a nice place to be for 2 hours a day.
When I bought mine just over a year ago I did look at diesels, but prices are much higher than equivalent mileage petrol models. I did the man maths and even with only doing 28mpg it works out cheaper over 2 years to buy the 500 than the diesel equivalent.

Thanks, again - much appreciated!
I had a 2007 56 CLS 500 for a few days earlier this year before engine bork occured and can echo the comments above. Ride is good on air suspension, however the infotainment and interior feels a little dated now.
I picked up a 2007 3.0tdi A8 (Sport Quattro) at the weekend and it feels in a different league to the CLS. I'd be looking at 2005 on diesel A8s if I were you as they're likely to be in budget, not aware of the mpg on the smaller petrol engines but they could be worth a look. There are a few known niggles around the injectors and underbonnet drains but provided they're looked after they seem to last well. I'd avoid keyless go as my car has had 2 replacement doorhandles at £280 a time and the drivers side appears to be giving up the ghost on me too.
The 'Sport' in sport quattro is a bit of a misnomer, but you get a decent enough shove in the back if you need to overtake anyone until a bit beyond 70+ when pushing what is effectively a small country house through the air slows things down somewhat...
I picked up a 2007 3.0tdi A8 (Sport Quattro) at the weekend and it feels in a different league to the CLS. I'd be looking at 2005 on diesel A8s if I were you as they're likely to be in budget, not aware of the mpg on the smaller petrol engines but they could be worth a look. There are a few known niggles around the injectors and underbonnet drains but provided they're looked after they seem to last well. I'd avoid keyless go as my car has had 2 replacement doorhandles at £280 a time and the drivers side appears to be giving up the ghost on me too.
The 'Sport' in sport quattro is a bit of a misnomer, but you get a decent enough shove in the back if you need to overtake anyone until a bit beyond 70+ when pushing what is effectively a small country house through the air slows things down somewhat...
I have a 2008 320d, bought it for £5500 three months ago with 100k on the clock so it sounds like what you are looking for.
37mpg is achievable but you have to drive like Miss Daisy to get it.
Mine has standard suspension and it is dreadful to the point I'm wondering if something is amiss.
It's pretty quick both off the mark and in gear.
To my mind it looks good, better in many ways than the later (2011) model.
I also find the engine a bit rough.
It has the standard hi fi which is pretty good and COMAND which I think was standard.
I've not really bonded with the car as my current drive isn't compatible and the ride issue s unsettling.
37mpg is achievable but you have to drive like Miss Daisy to get it.
Mine has standard suspension and it is dreadful to the point I'm wondering if something is amiss.
It's pretty quick both off the mark and in gear.
To my mind it looks good, better in many ways than the later (2011) model.
I also find the engine a bit rough.
It has the standard hi fi which is pretty good and COMAND which I think was standard.
I've not really bonded with the car as my current drive isn't compatible and the ride issue s unsettling.
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