CLS 220 Vs 350

[Cogcog]

My beloved 2005 E320 Avantgarde saloon is nearing 200,000 miles and has been a trusty work horse for the 10 years and 165,000 miles I have had it. It has been incredible, but the rear interior and rear door entrances have suffered a little from dogs, garden waste, building materials etc.and I could really do with an estate for the dogs, holidays, junk etc. It scrubs up wel with a valet for a few weeks.

I think I am about to inherit a 2013 E220 saloon when my father in law hangs up his driving gloves in the new year.

I am minded to chop in the newer E220 get a CLS Shootingbrake, 220 or 350.

I have a love of bigger engines but recognise the extra fuel consumption and tax impolications of the 350. I do potter around town a bit but also end up on quite regular 500-600 mile round trips.

I am likely to be in this car for another 10 years.

Any thoughts on 220 Vs 350 in this long term, as I can see this being my last car before retirement drags me down?

The heart says 350, the head says 220.

I need some logic applied.

[AlBodigaz]

I had a CLS350 SB for a year and 14,000 miles which I ran alongside my trusty E320cdi Estate (which I still have).

I did test the 220 but the CLS really suits the 6 cylinder 350 - its just nicer and more refined.

Av mpg over 14,000 miles was 35.7 - early 40’s on a run - upper 20’s on my 10 mile school run. Servicing is probably about the same cost on the 350 as the 220.

Stupidly small doors and awkward door mirrors but a cool looking car.

[AREA]

The W218 CLS is a nice wafty car and the V6 diesel suits it better. From a somewhat distant memory of a CLS 250 MB lent me, there is torque but it comes in quite a narrow band, plus you know (sound and feel) it’s a four cylinder and therefore somewhat agricultural compared to the six cylinder. Apart from the exhaust sound when you boot it, most of the time I’m hard pressed to notice our CLS 350 is a diesel compared to the wife’s SL350 petrol in terms of smoothness and noise.

Other considerations come into play as well if you are going to be keeping this as a long term car: the standard 250 came with some ‘de-tuned’ options compared to the rest of the CLS range. For instance, 59 litre tank rather than 80 litres, Becker sat nav v. COMAND online.

Depending on the year, W218 was an ‘order the specification you want’ car before PCP driven packages took over and there were some excellent options to be had (I let my thirteen year old daughter chose most of the options so on top of my ‘must haves’ we ended up with ambient lighting, heated rear seats, dynamic seating and Night View Assist = all excellent choices.) Realistically, if you can then go for LED intelligent lights over bi-xenons but at the same time try and avoid the 19” wheels; it rides better on 18”.

A well spec’d CLS 350 is a pretty pleasant place to cover the miles or while away the minutes in traffic jams. The W218 is the last of the decently built Mercedes with ‘feel the quality‘ fittings and consistent shutlines. Find the right car and I doubt you’ll be disappointed.

[Cogcog]

AREA said:

The W218 CLS is a nice wafty car and the V6 diesel suits it better. From a somewhat distant memory of a CLS 250 MB lent me, there is torque but it comes in quite a narrow band, plus you know (sound and feel) it’s a four cylinder and therefore somewhat agricultural compared to the six cylinder. Apart from the exhaust sound when you boot it, most of the time I’m hard pressed to notice our CLS 350 is a diesel compared to the wife’s SL350 petrol in terms of smoothness and noise.

Other considerations come into play as well if you are going to be keeping this as a long term car: the standard 250 came with some ‘de-tuned’ options compared to the rest of the CLS range. For instance, 59 litre tank rather than 80 litres, Becker sat nav v. COMAND online.

Depending on the year, W218 was an ‘order the specification you want’ car before PCP driven packages took over and there were some excellent options to be had (I let my thirteen year old daughter chose most of the options so on top of my ‘must haves’ we ended up with ambient lighting, heated rear seats, dynamic seating and Night View Assist = all excellent choices.) Realistically, if you can then go for LED intelligent lights over bi-xenons but at the same time try and avoid the 19” wheels; it rides better on 18”.

A well spec’d CLS 350 is a pretty pleasant place to cover the miles or while away the minutes in traffic jams. The W218 is the last of the decently built Mercedes with ‘feel the quality‘ fittings and consistent shutlines. Find the right car and I doubt you’ll be disappointed.

That is great, thanks.

[Cogcog]

AlBodigaz said:

I had a CLS350 SB for a year and 14,000 miles which I ran alongside my trusty E320cdi Estate (which I still have).

I did test the 220 but the CLS really suits the 6 cylinder 350 - its just nicer and more refined.

Av mpg over 14,000 miles was 35.7 - early 40’s on a run - upper 20’s on my 10 mile school run. Servicing is probably about the same cost on the 350 as the 220.

Stupidly small doors and awkward door mirrors but a cool looking car.

Many thanks for that.