Buying a cls

[Neel]

Hi all

I'm looking at buying a cls, I have got two links below just wanted your opinions. I live in london and will do approx 8000 miles a year.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2006-MERC...5086519?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item2a25ef9c37

I can get it for 9,300

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MERCEDES-...4155123?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item2a2679fc73

I can get it for 10,750

11k is the most I can afford

Thoughts please

Thanks in advance for your help

Neel

 

[wheelie]

Neel,

Given the mileage you'll do personally I'd go with the CLS350 (petrol) but keep the cash aside for the road tax (>£460pa I believe) and a service, and ditch the run flats straight away. I've had 2 BMW's with run flat tyres and they are truly shocking and ruin the ride of such a lovely car. The MPG won't be as good (obviously) but with only 8k pa I think the costs would be negligeable. (just my opinion)

It states Full Service History(3 Merc Stamps) which means it should be due another service shortly if the service indicator was reset at 15k each time to next service. This may give you a little more bargaining posture so contact an indie and get a quote on a 60k service first (probably a B service but ring the seller and ask whats due).

I could be wrong on this but I suspect the 55 plate may suffer from the SBC braking issues that the early E class 210/211 models had? I'm sure one of my fellow forum members will rectify the statement if incorrect.

Both nice cars but my money would be on the CLS350 car and even better if you can drop it down to say 9k

Pete

 

[martinopy]

I personally wouldn't be fussed on either as they both have grey leather and for me that cheapens the interior. The miles you do makes petrol a very good option and good deals can be had at the minute.

 

[hawk20]

Personally I'd stick with the diesel. Nicer to drive, bags of performance, easier to sell, and why waste money on fuel. Personal taste of course so best advice is drive both and see which suits you.

In addition, I would look at an E class which is less money but basically the same car.

 

[whitenemesis]

Personally I'd stick with the diesel. Nicer to drive, bags of performance, easier to sell, and why waste money on fuel. Personal taste of course so best advice is drive both and see which suits you.

In addition, I would look at an E class which is less money but basically the same car.

If only doing 8k miles a year I'd steer away from diesel. The short journeys will not do it any favours. I could detect a deterioration in my 270CDI when I stopped doing 20+k miles a year to doing <10k.

As for the E class. Yes, they are very close mechanically BUT miles apart in looks. The E looks like any other E taxi. The CLS is a real "stand out" Mercedes.

But then I would say that!

 

[clk208]

The diesel example the OP has linked has 51k on the clock and no service history mentioned. For a 7 year old diesel this would set alarm bells ringing with me - likely to have been clocked perhaps?

The petrol example with 62k miles listed has a whopping 3 services in the book. Seems way too cheap compared with other similar examples for sale. Could be worth a look at that price but probably worth having an inspection by a good specialist - may well be cheap for a reason?

 

[Still Learning]

Important to check the engine serial number for the 350 petrol models (M272 engine) of this period.

Take a look here: http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?p=844838#post844838

 

[st4]

The CLS is bags nicer inside than a 211. More s class than E class. They're also got a stiffer body shell.

A back road drive in a CLS350 revealed it would leave my E320sport for dead.

8k miles a year isn't high but they might be a few long runs a year and driven a fair distance on weekends. Diesels fine for that

 

[peterwhayward]

I think you are right to go for a lighter interior, the roof on a CLS is quite low and with a dark interior it made me feel a little enclosed.As has been said a diesel is really for the higher milage user........but hey what better excuse to go on nice long drives in what is a beautiful car, both to look at and drive.

 

[hawk20]

The CLS is bags nicer inside than a 211. More s class than E class. They're also got a stiffer body shell.

A back road drive in a CLS350 revealed it would leave my E320sport for dead.

8k miles a year isn't high but they might be a few long runs a year and driven a fair distance on weekends. Diesels fine for that

I agree with you that the diesel will be fine. My brother, and one of my daughters, have diesel MBs and do only about 5k miles each with no problems. Over 90% of E's are now diesel so go with the flow say I.

I don't, however, agree about the CLS. Anyone who needs more roadholding than the E class provides shouldn't be allowed on our roads IMO.

And inside the E offers more headroom and similar leather seats, walnut if you want it, etc. Same engines and gearboxes. I happen to prefer the E to the CLS so for me the price difference is very hard to justify. All personal taste of course. We are all different: that's why they make lots of models.

 

[st4]

It's not just the road holding, the car just feels nicer to drive. More direct. I think they are stunning as they offer S class levels of trim and C class agility.