Buying CLS 320/350/500 - advice

kuki · Jan 8, 2013

Hi All

I`m new to this forum.
I read all preovius threads so don`t kill me that i put again but have some more questions and allways some new tips will came up.

Prevously own Peugeot 607 2.2HDI (6years) when bought had 110k on the clock and no problems untils sold at 218k. About 20k a year work and back motorway miles.
Never had any problem only servicing

I would like and expect same from Merc or eaven more.
Im looking to buy CLS and more looking for 320CDI my budget is up to 10k.
But never say no to petrol version.
Done some research my budget can buy easly around 100k 320CDI 05 - 56 plate. Smetimes 07 plate with low spec. More like i prefer older car but more spec.

Some questions:
1) SBC brakes - how long they last ?(heard about 10 year waranty?) my car will be around 7 - 8 year old
2) DPF filters any known issues around milage i look for?
3) Engine issues known how to recognize?
4) Auto box issues known and how to recognize?
5) Any tips and other things to look for?
6) MB service cost an schedule?

I will look for car with one owner and full MB history. But thats only proof car had oil and other things replaced regulary but other repairs could be done sowhere else. Like engine repairs auto box repairs etc

Or look for petrol engine any advice and help please?

Look forward to buy one but don`t want to buy and after year or so receive quote for couple thousands.

deejaybee · Jan 8, 2013

Hi, the CLS is a very nice car. The 320cdi is probably the obvious choice for doing ~20k miles / year. A 350 petrol from the years you are looking at may not be a good choice due to specific concerns over the engine (M272/M273). A 500 petrol could well be the most reliable choice given your planned high mileage, but this would probably end up costing £100-150 more per month in fuel than the diesel, so overall ownership cost may be more.

You should try and get a late 06 model or newer to avoid the SBC brakes issue. If not you would almost certainly have to have this done during your ownership which I think is around £1k? You won't get any luck from MB on this now I don't think.

If buying a car with around 100k miles and putting on another ~100k over 5 years you are reasonably going to have some occasional higher costs - I dont think it is realistic for you to expect to run it for the same costs as your previous peugeot. At ~20k miles per year you would probably need a B service each year plus consumables such as brakes, tyres etc as required. Note that the tyres are quite expensive £150-200 each and you would probably get through at least one pair per year.

I would think a sensible budget for maintenance and repairs for one of these would average out around £1k / year over 5 years or so. You might not always need to spend that much but you should ensure that it within your means to do so.

Another thing worth considering is that a 10 year old CLS with +200k miles is not going to be worth a lot when you have finished with it (around £2-3kat best?), so make sure you allow for this.

st4 · Jan 8, 2013

V6 engine is lovely but can give issues with leaking turbo seals, occasionally an engine bearing and manifolds giving up.

There are leggy ones out there that are sweet and they are good for big miles. But they can give hiccups along the way. Like the transmission and it's valve body potential fault. Youlll know when it happens as it won't shift above 2nd

kuki · Jan 9, 2013

Great

Thank You for quick and very good advice.

Other way to avoid high milage I will be changing cars every year i think will be the best due to milage.
About SBC are all 06 plate cars will be without or is a mix? I think will look more 56 and schould be without SBC.
My old Peugeot eat 2 tyres a year with that milage.

I understand that something can go worng costy its a machine !!!

Any adivce when collecting a car? Tips where to look?
Luk

Rob law · Jan 9, 2013

CLS 320

Lovely car but expensive to keep

Tyres last around 8000 miles and around 1000 to replace
Had all my 4 suspension springs changed as all had snapped
Driving seat forward / aft motor went 915 plus vat for part!

Electric motor went on turbo 600

You will need to find a decent garage. MBS in Cardiff told me i needed a new exhaust system two MOT's later still on same exhaust.

Lovely car not bad on fuel for size of engine

buying is cheap keeping on road expensive!

kuki · Jan 9, 2013

All Cls versions has a run flat tyres?

Dealers try to sell as much as possible always find something and reason to replace.

I think i just were lucky with my peugeot but time to try something more luxury.

Luk

television · Jan 9, 2013

Keeping to wheels all the same size all round significantly reduces the tyre cost, wide rears never last long as they scrub. At this point in time I would go for a post 06-06 car without SBC, you still get most of the advantages with the newer system.

What is you annual mileage

RUXLEY · Jan 9, 2013

television said:
Keeping to wheels all the same size all round significantly reduces the tyre cost, wide rears never last long as they scrub. At this point in time I would go for a post 06-06 car without SBC, you still get most of the advantages with the newer system.

What is you annual mileage

if you shop around you can get a good tyre a lot less, £600-650 a set for 19" amg alloys

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/350667122534?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

kuki · Jan 9, 2013

television said:
Keeping to wheels all the same size all round significantly reduces the tyre cost, wide rears never last long as they scrub. At this point in time I would go for a post 06-06 car without SBC, you still get most of the advantages with the newer system.

What is you annual mileage

20K a year 90% motorway

st4 · Jan 9, 2013

kuki said:
20K a year 90% motorway

You'll average 40mpg plus if you keep to speed limits.

I had an E class (same basic car as CLS) and tyre life was remarkable, until I lowered it and upset the camber. tyres hould last the year easily given the usage pattern.

Valve block on 7g box, and inlet port shut off motor will be your two likely issues. There are others, but not likely ones.

Me. For that intended usage, I'd buy an S320cdi or E320cdi. The CLS is the drivers choice but you'll not give it the chance to shine on motorways, they come alive on A and B roads

television · Jan 10, 2013

RUXLEY said:
if you shop around you can get a good tyre a lot less, £600-650 a set for 19" amg alloys

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/350667122534?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

I bought my last 2 sets from Ebay and a very good price but not always there when you need them, I got Pirrelis and Dunlop Sport

television · Jan 10, 2013

kuki said:
20K a year 90% motorway

My SL never did much more than 14k on the rear and you had to drive with care to get that

kuki · Jan 13, 2013

Hi All

Found this:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif.../page/1/postcode/le33ut/radius/1500?logcode=p

I know car have SBC pump but oh well got all what i want.

Have MB history i spoke to MB specialist in leicester he said pump my be already changed under warranty.

Another thing i found on ebay is a tool for SBC anbody have some experience with that.

Any thoughts?

Luk

television · Jan 13, 2013

Get hold of the VIN number and we can give you the full spec

RUXLEY · Jan 13, 2013

kuki said:
Hi All

Found this:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif.../page/1/postcode/le33ut/radius/1500?logcode=p

I know car have SBC pump but oh well got all what i want.

Have MB history i spoke to MB specialist in leicester he said pump my be already changed under warranty.

Another thing i found on ebay is a tool for SBC anbody have some experience with that.

Any thoughts?

Luk

too old mate , go for a 56 plate when they did a few changes including the higher torque 540nm engine, and got rid of sbc

i just picked up one 76k with a very nice spec for under 10k

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/221175904191?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

kuki · Jan 15, 2013

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif.../page/4/postcode/le33ut/radius/1500?logcode=p

ok I found this car with bit of luck should fit in my budget.
What you thoughts about airmatic? My mate had S class and he never had problem but he said would be better(cheaper) without.
Car don`t have Harman system.
Is there big difference beetwen stadard an HK?

Luk

Cardinal Biggles · Jan 15, 2013

television said:
Keeping to wheels all the same size all round significantly reduces the tyre cost, wide rears never last long as they scrub.
What is you annual mileage

errr....... mine don't.

RUXLEY · Jan 15, 2013

kuki said:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif.../page/4/postcode/le33ut/radius/1500?logcode=p

ok I found this car with bit of luck should fit in my budget.
What you thoughts about airmatic? My mate had S class and he never had problem but he said would be better(cheaper) without.
Car don`t have Harman system.
Is there big difference beetwen stadard an HK?

Luk

that`s sold

kuki · Jan 15, 2013

RUXLEY said:
that`s sold

grr yep keep lookink still thinking about first one. I like colour combination black with cream leather

not many of them in my budget.

Maybe go have a look over the weekend nice round trip for me.

RUXLEY · Jan 16, 2013

kuki said:
grr yep keep lookink still thinking about first one. I like colour combination black with cream leather not many of them in my budget.

Maybe go have a look over the weekend nice round trip for me.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...had/new/radius/1501/page/2/postcode/logcode=p

worth a look

Buying CLS 320/350/500 - advice

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