Hidden gem Merc's?

[shabbauk]

Hi all,

I've owned BMW's and Audi's but never a Mercedes as yet, I've been trying to find a replacement for my current Audi S4 (B8) which I'd describe as a really gem in the Audi range, the 3.0 supercharged engine is really nice, they make around 350bhp as standard and are easily tuned, yet it still does high 20's in terms of MPG, not in the £500+ tax band and is very reliable with a 2010-2015 generation interior, all for £10-15k.

I've had a scan through some of the Mercedes models and I saw that they make a CLS500 (the 2nd gen) which has a nice v8 with 400 bhp, probably tunable - yet they seem VERY rare, only 1 for sale on at and it's not far of Bmw F10 M5 money at £20k.

Are there any models which fit into the below:

- 2012 onwards/not too dated interior/exterior (Imo the 2ng gen CLS looks ace)
- Mid size engine, i.e NOT a 4 pot (I hate the sound of them personally) so 3.0-4.5, i.e something which is going to be able to deliver 20+ mpg with normal mixed driving. I'm put off by big 5+ litre engines.
- 350+ Bhp plus tunable, ideally would like 400+
- family friendly, i.e 4 door, suitable for toddlers.
- sub £20k


I'd love a C63 4.0 as I love the inside/outside looks, the engine seems a great sweet-spot of size vs power vs not crazy mpg, the size of the car is just right too, but they are still £27k+ as they aren't that old yet.

The C43 looks nice, and I really like its AWD, but again is £24k+ as still quite new, plus you'd
probably wish you got a c63 for that bit more power and drama of that engine.

CLA45 - love the looks inside and out, nice size, but again it's a 4pot and I'd miss the power delivery of my current engine, even if the power is the same a supercharger is so smooth and the extra cylinders always count.

I really cannot find much in this sub £20k bracket which is an improvement on the S4, seems a hard car to replace. I love it but naturally it feels a bit dated now, and it's never really been a looker, but the engine is great, the B&O stereo is fantastic and it's been bombproof.

 

[JBell]

CLS400, 3.5 bi turbo V6 petrol

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202007181392593?postcode=tq12lr&aggregatedTrim=CLS400 V6&make=MERCEDES-BENZ&advertising-location=at_cars&model=CLS&sort=relevance&radius=1500&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=Used&page=1

@GAD Tuning LTD tune these VERY well

 

[V6Matty]

I’d put my money here
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202005279588823

 

[JBell]

I’d put my money here
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202005279588823

NICE !!!!!!

 

[V6Matty]

NICE !!!!!!

It’s been added to my favourites for a couple of weeks while I work on the wife

 

[Craiglxviii]

Don’t be put off by the bigger engines. Mid- 30s mpg are entirely possible.

 

[flowrider]

Hi all,

I've owned BMW's and Audi's but never a Mercedes as yet, I've been trying to find a replacement for my current Audi S4 (B8) which I'd describe as a really gem in the Audi range, the 3.0 supercharged engine is really nice, they make around 350bhp as standard and are easily tuned, yet it still does high 20's in terms of MPG, not in the £500+ tax band and is very reliable with a 2010-2015 generation interior, all for £10-15k.

I've had a scan through some of the Mercedes models and I saw that they make a CLS500 (the 2nd gen) which has a nice v8 with 400 bhp, probably tunable - yet they seem VERY rare, only 1 for sale on at and it's not far of Bmw F10 M5 money at £20k.

Are there any models which fit into the below:

- 2012 onwards/not too dated interior/exterior (Imo the 2ng gen CLS looks ace)
- Mid size engine, i.e NOT a 4 pot (I hate the sound of them personally) so 3.0-4.5, i.e something which is going to be able to deliver 20+ mpg with normal mixed driving. I'm put off by big 5+ litre engines.
- 350+ Bhp plus tunable, ideally would like 400+
- family friendly, i.e 4 door, suitable for toddlers.
- sub £20k


I'd love a C63 4.0 as I love the inside/outside looks, the engine seems a great sweet-spot of size vs power vs not crazy mpg, the size of the car is just right too, but they are still £27k+ as they aren't that old yet.

The C43 looks nice, and I really like its AWD, but again is £24k+ as still quite new, plus you'd
probably wish you got a c63 for that bit more power and drama of that engine.

CLA45 - love the looks inside and out, nice size, but again it's a 4pot and I'd miss the power delivery of my current engine, even if the power is the same a supercharger is so smooth and the extra cylinders always count.

I really cannot find much in this sub £20k bracket which is an improvement on the S4, seems a hard car to replace. I love it but naturally it feels a bit dated now, and it's never really been a looker, but the engine is great, the B&O stereo is fantastic and it's been bombproof.

You're not wrong with finding a Mercedes to rival your S4 for under £20k, I have an S5 and have been looking to change too. The C43 will cost more money for nothing extra, the CLS400 mentioned is a nice car but performance is lacking compared to your S4 and the 63 AMG's with the later 4.0l engine are way over £20k still.

 

[shabbauk]

Thanks for the replies gents.

The CLS400 seems on par with the S4 in terms of output/weight both stock and tuned, but in a nicer looking package, comparable to the S7 I guess too although that is a bit heavier but more tuneable too, just worse looking (inside and out).
Puts it also up against the mk2 S5, which is nice and AWD, but I cannot help thinking it looks a mondeo?!

The E55 is nice but interior doesn't feel much more modern than the S4 I have, where-as a facelift CLS is probably the next generation along? For that money I'd probably be temped at the m5/m6GC, but then I do have some worries on that engine/gearbox.

David sounds like you have the same issue then I was tempted to just buy a mint low mileage S5 and stage 2 it to 480.

I do like the CLS though, just looks really sleek and modern, not sat in one but I imagine it's a nice place to be. The CLS500 might fit the bill but I guess they can't have sold many so they are super rare, but they must be tunable to close on 500bhp fairly easily.

 

[shabbauk]

ahh maybe they didn't do a facelift CLS500.........

 

[John Laidlaw]

the 5.5 Bi Turbo is a peach though, don't discount it! The 2012 which V6Matty is a cracker
CLS63 is quite rare also but if you can find another 4-5k in your budget they can be found...

 

[Craiglxviii]

The 2006 W221 5.5 litre S500 on 70k miles, up for £6.6k on AT doesn’t interest then?

 

[Srdl]

The 43AMG is a great engine with 367bhp as standard and more available with the right map. I find it hard to use all the power from my GLC so never wish for a 63 (but I’ve never driven one!). As you say though, the cheapest C Class is still over your budget.

 

[shabbauk]

CLS63 nice but I'd go for the C63 for that price range as I'd prefer the smaller car I think, I just happen to end up with larger cars as I want a 3.0+ engine (and need 4 doors).

A 2006 car is way too old, too dated inside/tech and I'd only buy something that old if it was a second car/something I was buying as a investment. This needs to be a family car with decent looks and power for low mileage use, needs to be comfy and some tech so that it is nice when I cannot go fast (kids in car) but fun when I can (kids out).

I drove a SL about 5 years ago, was new - cannot recall if it was a 55/65/63 as not overly familiar with the numbers but it was the AMG one with a large turbo engine, it was a cracking engine. Might be the same engine as in that E55 above now I think about it....

 

[Craiglxviii]

388bhp and doesn’t look too dated to me...

 

[shabbauk]

Bit of a barge though and the power gets eaten up a bit with the weight.

Lovely cars to ride in though.

 

[flowrider]

CLS63 nice but I'd go for the C63 for that price range as I'd prefer the smaller car I think, I just happen to end up with larger cars as I want a 3.0+ engine (and need 4 doors).

A 2006 car is way too old, too dated inside/tech and I'd only buy something that old if it was a second car/something I was buying as a investment. This needs to be a family car with decent looks and power for low mileage use, needs to be comfy and some tech so that it is nice when I cannot go fast (kids in car) but fun when I can (kids out).

I drove a SL about 5 years ago, was new - cannot recall if it was a 55/65/63 as not overly familiar with the numbers but it was the AMG one with a large turbo engine, it was a cracking engine. Might be the same engine as in that E55 above now I think about it....

Trouble is these days most of the tech in newer cars is a waste of money IMO and only makes cars less reliable and expensive to repair.

 

[V6Matty]

CLS63 nice but I'd go for the C63 for that price range as I'd prefer the smaller car I think, I just happen to end up with larger cars as I want a 3.0+ engine (and need 4 doors).

A 2006 car is way too old, too dated inside/tech and I'd only buy something that old if it was a second car/something I was buying as a investment. This needs to be a family car with decent looks and power for low mileage use, needs to be comfy and some tech so that it is nice when I cannot go fast (kids in car) but fun when I can (kids out).

I drove a SL about 5 years ago, was new - cannot recall if it was a 55/65/63 as not overly familiar with the numbers but it was the AMG one with a large turbo engine, it was a cracking engine. Might be the same engine as in that E55 above now I think about it....

The car above is a E63, the E55 ended production in around 2006 and was 5.0l supercharged, 2007 saw a NA 6.2 engine (and called an E63) and then changed to a bi turbo 5.5l lump in around 2010 and highly tunable with just a stage one map giving 650+ bhp with a conservative map

 

[Craiglxviii]

Bit of a barge though and the power gets eaten up a bit with the weight.

Lovely cars to ride in though.

One of the biggest cars on the road is always going to be a barge..!