Mercedes CLS Shooting Brake

[KarlMac]

Looking for a bit of crowdsourcing on a car buying decision. After months of indecision i’ve finally settled on the mk2 CLS shooting brake, but I’m stuck on spec.

There are three I’m interested in, one is grey with grey interior, it has the right engine (CDI350) but has higher mileage (114k) and is a bit dreary to look at.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/225915894752

The others I’ve seen are in a better colour combo and lower mileage but have the 2l 4 pot engine (CDI250).

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023102031...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024012358...

I’m really not a fan of 4 pot diesels but wondering if this is a compromise I should make to get the preferred spec and lower mileage? Am I being a bit snobby/unreasonable about this engine? Is the 3l that much more refined and is mileage less of a concern on these cars?

If anyone any experience with either of those engines or ideally the CLS I’d really appreciate the input to help with a decision.

[gotoPzero]

I have had the 2L diesel in an E class. 2011 car.
It was alright. Did it propel the car, yes.
Was it a nice engine to use, no.

If I had the choice would I have the V6, hell yes.

HTH.

[ConnectionError]

I had a cls 350 shooting brake

Lovely car,

[SFTWend]

I'd compromise on colour or spec before the engine, which dominates the driving experience. Personally I prefer the grey one anyway.

I don't think that's a high mileage for that engine. Better that than a low miles diesel and clogged dpf etc.

[yellowbentines]

I had a CLS220 shooting brake, engine didn't suit the car IMO and I didnt keep it long - and I'd had that engine in an E Class estate and thought it suited that car fine, it's not bad, it's just adequate.

I'd go CLS350, and think of the cars you've linked I think k the colour combo of that one is nicest and the black on black 4 cylinders are the dreary looking models!

[Regbuser]

Different colour, prem plus spec, low miles > https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202312204...

The V6 is so much better

[AC43]

I haven't had a CLS but have owned and/or driven various E's which are built on the same platform.

I like the V6 diesels but not the 4 pots. The 4 pots ruin the whole experience for me - it's supposed to be a luxury car not a Transit.

I also happen to much prefer the colour combo on the first one - I like grey and I like a light interior.

The mileage? Dunno; I bought a (petrol) S211 and took it from 95k to 154k without too much bother. I know the subsequent two owners - they had a few biggish bills but then it's on 195k now and it's 19 years old. The underlying cars are tough.

I have an S212 now. 14 years old and on 85k. Barely run in.

[Summit_Detailing]

The grey 350 gets my vote. Black does the styling zero favours in my opinion.

I used to chauffeur in 220 e-classes and yes it made the car move but it wasn't a nice thing...agricultural, not well matched to the 7g gearbox and not quite as economical as you'd hope.

Had the 350 in a W221 S-class and some of last year in a 2015 CLS....easily a match for the equivalent 6 pots in the 530d, A6 and XF. Just better in every way compared to the 4-pot.

One thing to note, make sure you take it for an extended test drive as the reason I sold the CLS was because the driving position was giving me lower back pain.
Specifically the pedals are offset to the right and the steering wheel is ever so slightly to the left, leaving you twisted.

Cheers,

Chris

[ABMA]

I would choose the grey one. Looks nicer and has the V6 which suits the car better.

[KarlMac]

Thanks for all the feedback chaps, some really useful experience there and confirms I’m probably right to follow my gut and avoid the 4 pot. Luckily the grey one is the closest to me so I’ll take a drive over at the weekend.

I spotted this one not a million miles away but the dealer looks pretty ropey.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024011154...

[Mabozza]

KarlMac said:

Thanks for all the feedback chaps, some really useful experience there and confirms I’m probably right to follow my gut and avoid the 4 pot. Luckily the grey one is the closest to me so I’ll take a drive over at the weekend.

I spotted this one not a million miles away but the dealer looks pretty ropey.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024011154...

"Uni Carz" - well they cant spell for a start....

[alfabeat]

Regarding mileage, I was in an E class taxi recently with the 3.0 V6 diesel engine and it had an incredible 500k miles on it. The driver, who owned it, said it had been mostly trouble-free so far! So 114k miles is just about run-in on that basis.

[blue_haddock]

Can you not just wait until a decent spec combination becomes available? Better to wait than buy a compromised car that you'll never love.

[nobrakes]

Yep, wait if you can, but the grey one is still a very nice car.

Yes, you can’t see the colour when giving it max out the Peage.

It’s a refreshingly bold design for a mass car manufactured to produce. All credit to Merc for it. The boot lip is a pita for me though.

[KarlMac]

blue_haddock said:

Can you not just wait until a decent spec combination becomes available? Better to wait than buy a compromised car that you'll never love.

I’m currently running round in an e46 shed I desperately want to see the back of. New job starting next week so motorway cruiser would help a bit for that but it’s not critical.

I guess with such a niche car it could be quite a long wait.

[ABMA]

KarlMac said:

I’m currently running round in an e46 shed I desperately want to see the back of. New job starting next week so motorway cruiser would help a bit for that but it’s not critical.

I guess with such a niche car it could be quite a long wait.

I would personally go for this one (if budget allows), as it is the facelift with the new 9G gearbox and updated dash.


https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307149...

[LayZ]

If you have the freedom as a private buyer, definitely go for the V6 diesel. They'll be all gone soon. 4 cylinder is for company buyers who were forced into it!

[Regbuser]

ABMA said:

I would personally go for this one (if budget allows), as it is the facelift with the new 9G gearbox and updated dash.


https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307149...

Plus sun roof, memory seats, but no airmatic

[fflump]

I’m interested in this car and was wondering what mechanically distinguishes them from an E class estate?

[Frankychops]

fflump said:

I’m interested in this car and was wondering what mechanically distinguishes them from an E class estate?

that they are more like an S class in chassis and setup. I think thats the 's' in 'CLS'. Great value.