Thinking of buying a 2017 CLS 350d

[ThinkPad]

Previously owned a 2008 320CDI and a 2016 220d.
Anyone have recent experience of owning a 350d? I do have an ML 2014, which I think is the same engine and gearbox. The CLS seems much more expensive to insure for some reason and also still falls into the expensive tax for one more year.
I still cannot get over the price of cars at the moment, but I guess need to adjust to that.
Did look at the newer model, with the newer 2.9l engine, but not sure it is worth the extra 8-10k purchase price at this point.
Any owner views greatly appreciated. The one I am looking at is on Cazoo, premium plus model with 38k miles. Weird purchase process, means must buy blind and then return for full refund if not happy! That is what has been putting me off in the last couple of weeks, but I guess it is low risk.

I do fear in a couple of years when wanting to sell, the market will drastically change for these big engined cars, but cannot bring myself to go for the 220d which we have before, I do feel the V6 suits this heavy-ish car better.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

One important factor to consider is that when manufacturers are able to ramp up production again secondhand car sales prices will fall off a cliff. I’ve been looking at E43 and E53 estates and prices are ridiculous for 3-5 year old cars probably inflated by 20-30% but you can’t fight a cartel of pricing

 

[s5tuart]

Previously owned a 2008 320CDI and a 2016 220d.
Anyone have recent experience of owning a 350d? I do have an ML 2014, which I think is the same engine and gearbox. The CLS seems much more expensive to insure for some reason and also still falls into the expensive tax for one more year.
I still cannot get over the price of cars at the moment, but I guess need to adjust to that.
Did look at the newer model, with the newer 2.9l engine, but not sure it is worth the extra 8-10k purchase price at this point.
Any owner views greatly appreciated. The one I am looking at is on Cazoo, premium plus model with 38k miles. Weird purchase process, means must buy blind and then return for full refund if not happy! That is what has been putting me off in the last couple of weeks, but I guess it is low risk.

I do fear in a couple of years when wanting to sell, the market will drastically change for these big engined cars, but cannot bring myself to go for the 220d which we have before, I do feel the V6 suits this heavy-ish car better.

Mine was the 350d with the 9 speed gearbox.
Pulled like a train but never particularly frugal on fuel.
Premium plus is very good. If the one on Cazoo is black with a tan leather interior it might be mine!

 

[dry run]

I have exactly that car (C218 350d Premium Plus). I can say, that for me it is the best car I have ever owned (and I've had a few). I love the look, the performance, the split folding raer seats means you can carry a good sized pay,oad when you need to (recently transported a fully packaged 55" flat screen TV in the boot). Cabin is a lovely place to be and visibility is good. Premium plus gives you enough toys to play with if you are that way inclined.

Only downside I can think of (apart from stop/start which gets turned off by me on start up), is that the radio defaults to "local traffic updates" which seem to cut in at exactly the wrong time (pop master being a classic example)

Apart from that, all good!

Good luck.

 

[ThinkPad]

Thanks all, dry run yours looks stunning - thanks for the pic.
I think I may go for it. Seems a solid package. Has the toys. Also has airmatic, which is fairly rare on these I think. I just hope it all works, but I think there is only one way to find out.
Malcolm, fully take your point and that does make me nervous, but I do need a car right now so will have to take the hit come resale, what can I do!

 

[Wighty]

Mine was the 350d with the 9 speed gearbox.
Pulled like a train but never particularly frugal on fuel.
Premium plus is very good. If the one on Cazoo is black with a tan leather interior it might be mine!

I thought that you were a long time Ford man buddy ?

 

[Benz17]

I have exactly that car (C218 350d Premium Plus). I can say, that for me it is the best car I have ever owned (and I've had a few). I love the look, the performance, the split folding raer seats means you can carry a good sized pay,oad when you need to (recently transported a fully packaged 55" flat screen TV in the boot). Cabin is a lovely place to be and visibility is good. Premium plus gives you enough toys to play with if you are that way inclined.

Only downside I can think of (apart from stop/start which gets turned off by me on start up), is that the radio defaults to "local traffic updates" which seem to cut in at exactly the wrong time (pop master being a classic example)

Apart from that, all good!

Good luck.

Nice, same cavansite blue and alloys as my W213 350d

 

[s5tuart]

I thought that you were a long time Ford man buddy ?

After the shooting brake my Focus estate isn't really exciting me much!
I'm waiting for a nice petrol E class estate to appear in the classifieds here.

 

[ThinkPad]

Well it is paid for now. Collection 19th.
Will be sure to post some pictures and update the thread.
Getting around 25-26mog average over the last 27k miles since buying the ML. If I can get 32-33mpg in the CLS I will be happy.

 

[ThinkPad]

Well here it is. Buying blind was a cause of anxiety but thankfully the car is very clean and great service from Cazoo!

 

[ThinkPad]

Couple of things that came up today:
- When first driving away, I shifted down a couple of gears and put my foot down. There was a LOT of smoke from the exhaust and it was smelly. After a couple of minutes that subsided and hasn't returned, even if I kick down like I did then. Assume just a one off as perhaps it hasn't been driven a while? I do have 7 days for a full refund so trying to look out for anything obvious that may be an issue.
- Start stop button is missing! Slightly annoying, I guess some people remove it for security so you need to insert key. May just have to pick one up from local dealer, being told £42!
- Electric boot. It opens with the key. With the ML I am able to hold the boot button and it closes from the key. Not with this it seems, I have to press the button on the boot itself for the electric closure. Is that normal for this model or a fault?

 

[Blobcat]

Couple of things that came up today:
- When first driving away, I shifted down a couple of gears and put my foot down. There was a LOT of smoke from the exhaust and it was smelly. After a couple of minutes that subsided and hasn't returned, even if I kick down like I did then. Assume just a one off as perhaps it hasn't been driven a while? I do have 7 days for a full refund so trying to look out for anything obvious that may be an issue.
- Start stop button is missing! Slightly annoying, I guess some people remove it for security so you need to insert key. May just have to pick one up from local dealer, being told £42!
- Electric boot. It opens with the key. With the ML I am able to hold the boot button and it closes from the key. Not with this it seems, I have to press the button on the boot itself for the electric closure. Is that normal for this model or a fault?

The smelly exhaust could well be the DPF doing a burn

 

[s5tuart]

Couple of things that came up today:
- When first driving away, I shifted down a couple of gears and put my foot down. There was a LOT of smoke from the exhaust and it was smelly. After a couple of minutes that subsided and hasn't returned, even if I kick down like I did then. Assume just a one off as perhaps it hasn't been driven a while? I do have 7 days for a full refund so trying to look out for anything obvious that may be an issue.
- Start stop button is missing! Slightly annoying, I guess some people remove it for security so you need to insert key. May just have to pick one up from local dealer, being told £42!
- Electric boot. It opens with the key. With the ML I am able to hold the boot button and it closes from the key. Not with this it seems, I have to press the button on the boot itself for the electric closure. Is that normal for this model or a fault?

Re the boot closing on mine it would open with the key but not close
Had to close with either the boot button or the one on the drivers door

 

[ThinkPad]

Thanks both. I did think about DPF. It happened once and not again so hopefully that’s it. Must have been sat around a while hasn’t done hardly any miles since August.

Noted on the boot. I’m sure will get used to that.

Lovely on the drive home. Will try to get some miles on it soon and report back.

 

[ThinkPad]

And now another issue !!!

Went for a drive in the evening to test out the intelligent lights. Before I went I did open the bonnet to have a look at the engine.
Now the bonnet warning flashes. Opened and closed the bonnet a few times, but everytime I put some speed on, say accelerate to 50mph, it pops up again. Just now the alarm sounded...I can only assume something to do with the bonnet issue as it did not happen before.
Went out and gave it a mighty slam and also played with the handle when the bonnet was open (read on a previous thread)...let's hope that sorts it, but tomorrow we shall see...the most annoying part is the alarm sounding, don't want that to happen whilst at work tomorrow or during the night waking the neighbours!

 

[Wighty]

And now another issue !!!

Went for a drive in the evening to test out the intelligent lights. Before I went I did open the bonnet to have a look at the engine.
Now the bonnet warning flashes. Opened and closed the bonnet a few times, but everytime I put some speed on, say accelerate to 50mph, it pops up again. Just now the alarm sounded...I can only assume something to do with the bonnet issue as it did not happen before.
Went out and gave it a mighty slam and also played with the handle when the bonnet was open (read on a previous thread)...let's hope that sorts it, but tomorrow we shall see...the most annoying part is the alarm sounding, don't want that to happen whilst at work tomorrow or during the night waking the neighbours!

Starting to sound like an email to Carwow?

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

Might be worth having a good look around the front re signs of damage repair do the shut lines look ok?

 

[ThinkPad]

Car wow?? It was cazoo, but close enough!

I did exmamine the shut lines Malcolm, seem fine. And has a couple of stone chips on the bonnet which gives me some re-assurance on that front...but you are right, it was the first thing I checked after the bonnet warning!

Pretty sure I have had this bonnet warning on a car before, just can't remember which one and how it was resolved. Having searched the forum it appears common.

Not going to give up yet, but I have 7 days to reject the car for a full refund so I need to really put it throught its paces in that time.

It is a one owner car, with full MB history with a large B service done August this year. It appears a good 'un - but these niggles need to sort themselves out!

I do also have 90 day warranty but don't want to bank on using that as I am sure they will wriggle out of covering something like a bonnet warning!

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

Good there is no sign of damage re the bonnet warning light probably a good idea to find the bonnet shut microswitch and lubricate it.
My S212 had a similar issue when I bought it

 

[Jason63]

Bonnet switches and latches can be fickle. If the bonnet isn't closing properly it's really easy to adjust. First I'd lubricate the latch though.

If it plays up still then you'll probably need a new latch assembly which usually includes the switch.

Regarding your earlier faults the smoke is probably a DPF cleaning cycle but keep a close eye on it. It could also be condensation in the exhaust, lots of water build up due to not really being driven.