Is it worth going CLS 500 over CLS 350?

[Charlie R6VED]

I am currently researching the CLS to buy one imminently as some of you know. I have established that if I can go to a 2007 CLS 500 I can get the 388bhp model, but that is stretching my budget a bit too far.

The 350 has 272bhp and the 500 has 306bhp if I stick to budget and go 2005/2006 so there is not much difference - is it worth holding out for the 2007+ CLS 500? sticking to budget with a 205/2006 CLS 500 or start looking at the CLS350.

I know the gearbox seems to have some issues on earlier cars and I was drawn initially to the styling of the CLS, so perhaps I should just look out for a nice CLS350?

What do you guys reckon? I am looking to spend up to about £12k ideally.

Cheers

Charlie

 

[MERCSPORT]

COMPARISON

2006 CLS350 -
Fuel Consumption (Urban) - 19.8 mpg
Extra Urban - 36.2 mpg
Combined - 28 mpg
0-62 mph - 7 seconds
Top Speed - 155 mph
Cylinders - 6
Valves - 24v
Engine Power - 272 BHP
Engine Torque - 258 lbs/ft

Insurance Group - 18
Tax Band - L
£460: 12 months
£253: 6 months

2006 CLS500 (308) -
Fuel Consumption (Urban) - 17.2 mpg
Extra Urban - 34 mpg
Combined - 25 mpg
0-62 mph - 6.1 seconds
Top Speed - 155 mph
Cylinders - 8
Valves - 24v
Engine Power - 306 BHP
Engine Torque - 339 lbs/ft

Insurance Group - 19
Tax Band - M
12 months: £475.00
6 months: £261.25

MPG (remember that real world figures will be slightly less than the above quoted), there is not much difference strangely between the 3.5 V6 and the 5.0 V8!
Tax is more or less the same, I would have expected the 5.0 V8 to be quicker than 6.1 seconds though that still by no means does that mean its slow!
Both have 7 speed gearboxes..
Not too much difference in Insurance either...

Mcobinad (member here), his CLS 500 is the same as the one you are looking for, his seems to be doing very well so far and he has had it for a while now, the only money he's spending on it is maintenance and VERY EXPENSIVE TOYS

If it was my money, Id look at buying a CLS500.

Good Luck
ZEE

 

[clk208]

At some point (late on I think) in 2007 the CLS350 CGI was launched which has 292 rather than 272bhp and allegedly 10% better fuel efficiency.

Very few of them around though it seems.

Cheaper road tax on a 350 (c.£260 rather than £400+ of the V8).

 

[Mcobinad]

Both have great motors!!!!

Hello Charlie R6VED,

I think ZEE aka (Mercsport) has summarised it for you. Do you like extra power in cars? If yes, then the 500 would be sufficient. Although, with time you might get used to the 306 BHP and think it isn't enough. On a long stretch, the 500 engine with a glorious 339 lb-ft of torque is great. That car is a motorway muncher.

On the other hand, the 350 CDI is a great car with bucket loads of torque. It does 0-6 in 7 seconds which is not far behind the 500. The 320 CDI with an insane remap will beat the 500 engine hands down. Based on these facts, I would be tempted to go the 320 CDI route.

The 500s with 388 bhp are not cheap cars. They are still going for the same sort of money as the AMG models and for me I will never compromise a fully specced AMG CLS over a standard one with 388. I will rather drive the 55/63 AMG, burn the extra fuel and get that unbeatable experience.

The earlier CLS 05/06 are a good bargain for money these days. Just take your time and source a decent CLS. There will definitely be one out there for you. I will advise you don't buy on impulse now. If you can still hang on till late september early october, you may be able to buy a nice 07/08 CLS 320 CDI for decent money.

Diesel cars are pretty much bullet proof these days. I drove a friend's Volvo S80 2.4 diesel. At first, I thought it was a 4.4 litre V8. The grunt of that motor was insane and I could barely hear the diesel sound from inside the cabin. From outside, you can hear it but inside of the car is absolute quiet.

Anyway, either the 320 CDI or 500 CLS, I would buy one in a heart beat. They are stunningly beautiful cars, if not for anything else just for the shape of the W219, real class in its right perspective

 

[MacCLS500]

I am currently researching the CLS to buy one imminently as some of you know. I have established that if I can go to a 2007 CLS 500 I can get the 388bhp model, but that is stretching my budget a bit too far.

The 350 has 272bhp and the 500 has 306bhp if I stick to budget and go 2005/2006 so there is not much difference - is it worth holding out for the 2007+ CLS 500? sticking to budget with a 205/2006 CLS 500 or start looking at the CLS350.

I know the gearbox seems to have some issues on earlier cars and I was drawn initially to the styling of the CLS, so perhaps I should just look out for a nice CLS350?

What do you guys reckon? I am looking to spend up to about £12k ideally.

Cheers

Charlie

Looks like you need to see mine!!!!!! 2005 CLS500 39k miles 1 owner I am, as instructed by SHMBO going to move to a CLK55 AMG of similar age. If your interested send me a PM.

 

[st4]

Watch the V6 petrols. Iffy timing gear issues on the 272 issues. Macs car sounds ideal

 

[SSR S500]

Go for the V8. 350 sounds a fine car but one day you may wonder what the V8 would have been like. Extra bhp/torque and the sound.

 

[Charlie R6VED]

Cheers guys for your responses, much appreciated as always. I think on the basis of my initial thoughts and your comments I will continue looking into 500's

Mac yours does sound ideal, I suspect though that you will have sold by the time I am in a position to buy. I need to sell my car and I haven't advertised it anywhere other than on forums as I need to get the plate off it which i can't do until the end of this month.

I am also in no rush as each month that goes by I have another £1k+ to add to the budget

Thanks again all for your comments.

Charlie