Mercedes CLS350

turbojunkie

I've just spotted the first one I've seen under €10k. That seems like an awful lot of car for the money. Is there something I'm missing here? Are they reliable?

I don't do many miles so the big petrol engine doesn't bother me, although the tax is a bit high. Parkers reckon an average of 28mpg which would be better than a 728i I used to have. Is this optimistic?

I'm going to view one in Galway this weekend and just want to know what to watch out for? If I am paying that much tax I don't want something that's going to be a money pit. Thanks.

L-M

Do the usual history checks etc. and bring a qualified mechanic or bring the Mercedes to a garage.

There is a very reputable garage in Oranmore that deal with high end stuff, might be worthwhile getting them to check the car out for you before you buy. (This can be done after you have viewed the car and happy with it. No point in doing it before you decide whether you like it or not!)

Wouldn't be mad on the colour/wheels combination of it, but still, it's a lot of car for cheap money.

coylemj

That curvy roof comes at a price. Being a rear-wheel drive car there is a drive tunnel and in the rear of the CLS it's so high it effectively makes the car a four seater despite the fact that from the outside it looks like a large saloon. It will have nothing like the headroom of a 7 series.

kildare.17hmr

coylemj wrote: »

That curvy roof comes at a price. Being a rear-wheel drive car there is a drive tunnel and in the rear of the CLS it's so high it effectively makes the car a four seater despite the fact that from the outside it looks like a large saloon. It will have nothing like the headroom of a 7 series.

7 series doesnt come close on looks tho.

How many people ya looking to bring in the car op?

coolisin

Was thinking the same lately, a lot of car for the money.
I know merc were supposed to be building better quality cars around this time.
But is that true I dunno.

Good check over would be an absolute must.

Dr_Teeth

If you're going to pay that much tax you might as well get a 500.

richardsheil

I had one for a few months.

They are a lovely car. Truly the best I have ever had.

I'd be thinking you willl not get more than about 22mpg- I never got near 28.

There is plenty of room in them for four. There are only four seats so that is not too surprising.

I felt the engineering and overall design were fantastic. The smoothness, pace and steadiness on the road were great.

If €1683 tax and 22 mpg doesn't put you off then go for it. Brilliant cars. My kids still miss mine.

pcardin

Mmmm...CLS...my favorite Mercedes model. slowly preparing myself for one.

tossy

coylemj wrote: »

That curvy roof comes at a price. Being a rear-wheel drive car there is a drive tunnel and in the rear of the CLS it's so high it effectively makes the car a four seater

These were marketed as a 2+2 coupe styled saloon,anyone expecting anything different will be disappointed

turbojunkie

Limerick man wrote: »

Do the usual history checks etc. and bring a qualified mechanic or bring the Mercedes to a garage.

There is a very reputable garage in Oranmore that deal with high end stuff, might be worthwhile getting them to check the car out for you before you buy. (This can be done after you have viewed the car and happy with it. No point in doing it before you decide whether you like it or not!)

Wouldn't be mad on the colour/wheels combination of it, but still, it's a lot of car for cheap money.

Thanks, any idea of the name of that garage? I actually like the colour/wheels combination. I've never seen one that colour before. They all seem to be black or silver.

kildare.17hmr wrote: »

7 series doesnt come close on looks tho.

How many people ya looking to bring in the car op?

Rear space isn't too important as long as its not really bad. I don't have kids but do have tall friends that would occasionally use the rear.

Dr_Teeth wrote: »

If you're going to pay that much tax you might as well get a 500.

Damn right! I'd love a V8 but the cheapest one is 6000 more than the one I'm looking at.

190E2.516

One of my favourite cars of all time. A beatiful car by all means. Is it the grey on donedeal in galway your goin looking at? If so throw me a pm!

Bearcat

I'd a CLS for a while......they are a glorified E class in many way but their looks are different. I agree.... A 4 seater only. If you have small kids, it's hard for them to see out rear.

bonzos

Class car..what sort of mpg does the diesel model return?

Delancey

I think in years to come the CLS wil be viewed as a design classic - beautiful car and shocking / amazing how cheap they are used.

Lex Luthor

I've got a small hard on at the moment for a Merc..the new CL Coupe is nice.
Also spent a lot of time in E-class taxi's last week while in Amsterdam and one had 160,000km on it and it felt like new

Anan1

I get claustrophobic just looking at a CLS. It also has that unfortunate 2005 property developer image. Give me an E350 any day - classier, more elegant, and more spacious. Mind, the same money would probably get you an E55 estate.

Patch123

OP there's a buyers guide article on used CLS in the current Mercedes Enthusiast (August 2012) magazine. It's possible they're cheaper here than in the UK at a few years old at the moment. It mentions the 500 is actually slightly cheaper than the 350 petrol year-for-year on the used market there ...

The article's worth checking out and tells you what to look for, but bear in mind the title of the magazine - if you've not read it before they love all things merc so even the biggest potential money-pits might be cast in a somewhat rose-tinted light!

Still the cls is lovely - I'd have one in flash if I could afford to run it and had the money for anything other than a packet of crisps at the moment...

166man

Anan1 wrote: »

I get claustrophobic just looking at a CLS. It also has that unfortunate 2005 property developer image. Give me an E350 any day - classier, more elegant, and more spacious. Mind, the same money would probably get you an E55 estate.

I'd rather a property developer image than a old mans car image. Besides who cares what other people think of the car anyway.

Also where were you planning on finding a nice E55 AMG estate in Ireland?

ofcork

Patch123 wrote: »

OP there's a buyers guide article on used CLS in the current Mercedes Enthusiast (August 2012) magazine. It's possible they're cheaper here than in the UK at a few years old at the moment. It mentions the 500 is actually slightly cheaper than the 350 petrol year-for-year on the used market there ...

The article's worth checking out and tells you what to look for, but bear in mind the title of the magazine - if you've not read it before they love all things merc so even the biggest potential money-pits might be cast in a somewhat rose-tinted light!

Still the cls is lovely - I'd have one in flash if I could afford to run it and had the money for anything other than a packet of crisps at the moment...

I find the writers at mercedes enthusiast are very straight about buying secondhand mercs,they always advise getting a full inspection done and they always say cars built between 1995 and 2005 are poor quality.

unkel

coylemj wrote: »

it effectively makes the car a four seater

Nearly all large executive saloons are effectively only four seaters

Shape of the seats, tunnel for RWD, sometimes even just a lapbelt in the middle.

unkel

This it, OP?



Linky

It says it's miles, so it is a UK import. Looks good value, but do your checks before buying!

ofcork

I dont think they are original cls alloys either,there is one on carzone for a grand more from a dealer too.

CR 7

The way the bumper/headlight/bonnet line up doesn't look right.

ofcork

Looks like the gap between part of the headlight and bonnet is too big.

Marcusm

unkel wrote: »

This it, OP?



Linky

It says it's miles, so it is a UK import. Looks good value, but do your checks before buying!

Doesn't look like the reg o f a UK import though.

darragh o meara

CR 7 wrote: »

The way the bumper/headlight/bonnet line up doesn't look right.

There's a lot of editing going on in them pics. I'd reserve judgement until you see the car. But a word of advice make sure it's been properly looked after as a lot of these cars were sold to people who wanted the flash but couldn't afford to really look after them properly.

12gauge dave

My dad just got one of these and i was skeptical at first but these things are pretty much amazing im 6 2 and yes the back isnt very spacious but i went from dublin to galway in the back and was more than happy! They have bags and bags of torque and are not supercar fast but can stick with just about anything which is an achievment considering the size of it!
Im definately looney for one now my only advice is buy low mileage and service history are a must imo unless your mechanically in the know how!
Insurance shouldnt be too bad if your over 24+ tax is madness 1628.00 for the year:o
Repairs will be scary thats why were gonna use it sparingly and have a cheap runabout for most driving

galwaytt

unkel wrote: »

This it, OP?



Linky

It says it's miles, so it is a UK import. Looks good value, but do your checks before buying!

love the colour........I think it's hideous in the usual silver's/grey so many were sold in...

L-M

I absolutely love them in silver.

ShadowHearth

The CLS is the really really lovely thing.

When you see it on the road it just takes the scene. You always notice it. I wonder will they get even cheaper or they will be bought out by foreigners and shiped elsewhere, before even merc will have a chance to drop in price more.

Stheno

I see a brown one regularly, the colour is horrid