Mercedes Newbie just got a CLS 320 CDI

[DSK]

Hello to all members.

I have been a Mercedes fan since I was knee height and the family always had the likes of the 230E, 400E, 500E, 420SEL, 500SEL, 560SEC, 190E 2.5D and 2.5-16 as I was growing up. Even at that age I just loved the quality. Most still run modern Mercedes models but, personally they don't excite me like the old stuff.

I just got a 2007 CLS 320 CDI from a family member with 64,000 miles and full dealer service history and every invoice to back it all up, being serviced approximately every 5,000 miles all its life (mainly fluids). Its only been used as a 3rd car, for family motorway trips rather than a daily beater sat 2 inches from the car infront on the M1. Its unmarked inside and out with a bit of kerb rash on the alloys which I will have refurbished in due course. I didn't need another car but, this seemed to good to let go and as I could do with more fuel efficient 4 door car, I decided to get this one. I will only be using it occasionally for family trips on the motorway.

I have just discovered oil deposit around the turbo inlet area and reading up on it a little has me nervous. I have ordered a vaico crankcase ventilation valve, seals for the inlet and a full service kit. So I plan to carry out this work, clean up the deposits and monitor. (Any tips or advice on the issue will be welcome).

I am very active on other forums and hope to be able to learn and share amongst fellow owners on this forum as my time here increases.

 

[Blobcat]

Hello and welcome

 

[SmartAmg]

Welcome, looks like a nice motor.

 

[dry run]

Welcome - a very smart looking example!

 

[alexanderfoti]

Welcome! Very nice example!

 

[MalcQV]

Welcome. I love the shape.

 

[John Laidlaw]

Welcome and as others have said that’s lovely !
Sounds like you have it sussed with the turbo inlet seals

 

[Wighty]

Very shiny paintwork buddy , lovely looking car and welcome to the forum .
I have the same engine , the om642 . Yes the oil is from the red turbo inlet seal that leaks the sludgy mess that comes from the engine pcv tube that comes in from the side just before the red turbo seal .
The oil mix will also have dripped all over the inlet port shut off motor which sits below the turbo seal . This can then cause ilps motor problems further down the line .
Consider getting yourself an icarsoft code reader for the inevitable problems (£140 ) . Buying one has saved me that money 3 times over in a year .
Get the gearbox ATF and filter done on the car every 40,000 miles to avoid future problems (make sure this has already been done ?)

 

[carlls]

hi and welcome to the forum love the cls

 

[Srdl]

Hi and welcome to the forum

 

[DSK]

Thank you to all for the very warm welcome.

@Wighty - The car has had the gearbox oil changed at circa 40,000 miles and will be done again now at 64,000 miles in the coming weeks. I am very particular so will be changing the ATF as part of ongoing preventative maintenance regularly. Thanks also for the information on the seal. I have a new seal kit and valve awaiting fitting. Swirl flaps seem to operate fine at the moment but I will post up in the technical forum in the next week or so just to ask if there is anything else I need to do/check whilst I do this work along with a thorough service.

The car seems to drive very well really well, engine is quiet for a diesel and quite smooth as my experience of them has been less pleasant on a E350 CDI and E220. I'm more surprised at how good the ride is despite the very low profile tyres and I like the leather around the centre console and dash top, much better than nasty plastics.

Some of the CLS's stable mates, Volvo C70 T5 (x2), Volvo S70R, Supra TT UK, GSXR1000. Hence why the CLS is very welcomed by the family lol.

Sadly the CLS has been washed by the usual hand wash places all its life, so I will also detail it once the weather improves to bring it upto the standard of its stable mates.

 

[bembo449]

s70r !!! I loved my old T5r back in the day , what a car , as for the cls , even thow you intend to use it sparingly , id still have the engine remapped pal

 

[Wighty]

Excellent write up buddy , and some very good "non Merc" pics . I look forward to hearing all your work in the car .
Some of the simpler members (maybe just me) on the forum love before and after detailing pics as well .
I've had my om642 engined E320cdi for 7 years and 70k miles and still love it !

 

[DSK]

s70r !!! I loved my old T5r back in the day , what a car , as for the cls , even thow you intend to use it sparingly , id still have the engine remapped pal

The S70R is remapped (been on there since 2011) and even today the Volvo's are still rather swifter than what many would believe. The Silver one has 250,000 trouble free miles on it and the grey one is my daily drive doing 900 miles a week and never skips a beat. (I' never get anything with the intention to sell but, rather look after it and keep it forever.).

I just need to get the CLS serviced to my standards, make sure that oil at the intake area is resolved and then will ask around before mapping it as I have also heard the 7G gearboxes and turbo's can be trouble so I don't want to break it. Can the 7G handle a remap and still provide mega mileage reliability? I did have a remap at the back of mind planned for the summer so any suggestions for a reputable map would be welcomed.

 

[DSK]

Excellent write up buddy , and some very good "non Merc" pics . I look forward to hearing all your work in the car .
Some of the simpler members (maybe just me) on the forum love before and after detailing pics as well .
I've had my om642 engined E320cdi for 7 years and 70k miles and still love it !

I will do before/after pictures of the detail, perhaps even a video but, realistically this will be around April when we start to get some decent weather! I do have an Autel OBDII scan tool and will look at the diagnostic tool you mentioned in the coming weeks also.

I like hearing of members who have a car for a long period of time, as it helps build some confidence against the horror stories and hopefully, if looked after the cars should serve the owner's well. Glad to hear you are still enjoying yours!!

 

[A.J.]

Hi DSK, welcome to the forum

 

[John Laidlaw]

I’ve had a C70 T5 in the past, an 850 T5 and a V70R, currently have an XC90 for family work.. as you’ve said underrated cars the Volvo

 

[DSK]

I forgot about this one.... as mentioned back in the day, I grew being carted around as a kid in the likes of the car below.

About 3 years ago, we got a 500SE from a customer who wanted to scrap a fine working car, with a few body work dents and scratches as it was too big for him. My uncle bought it despite it looking neglected on the body. Then at home, in the garage, got cracking. Sanded it back, sorted out the rust and dents, got an AMG body kit imported from the USA, sourced a cream leather interior, repainted it and it resulted in the below (and had a rare awesome time working together).

I would love to buy one and make it look like this one : https://www.benzworld.org/forums/w126-s-se-sec-sel-sd/1303756-560-sel-body-kit-2.html

 

[A.J.]

I would love to buy one and make it look like this one : https://www.benzworld.org/forums/w126-s-se-sec-sel-sd/1303756-560-sel-body-kit-2.html

That is absolutely beautiful, love it !!