Used CLS 'must have' options?

[BUG4LIFE]

Just wondering, if I was to start looking for a used [2011+] CLS, what options should I be looking out for on the spec-sheet?

Not sure if the answer is the same between the saloon [or is it called a coupe] and Shooting Brake but it's a SB I want

Cheers in advance.

[softtop]

electric seats

[foliedouce]

softtop said:

electric seats

Isn’t that standard? I thought memory seats were optional

OP, as far as I can tell, they are very well equipped anyway. I’d look for the Premium Plus package (sorry not sure what year that became available so may not meet you 2011 brief)

PP comes with memory seats, Harmon Kardon speakers, glass tilt / slide roof, keyless start, split rear seats.

If you can stretch to it, go for the 2014 model onwards. It’s the 9g gearbox, facelift inc diamond grill and iPad style screen for infotainment

Just bought one myself and very impressed, it’s reasonably quick (I have the 350 cdi bluetec), very comfy and well equipped.

Let us know how you get on

[dimots]

I would definitely go for the facelift if you can, though the older one is a bargain at the moment. I've had both - a 2012 350d and a 2015 AMG 63-S. Both shooting brakes.

I prefer the bigger screen and revised front end of the newer one. I use the memory seats often. I do have some kind of keyless start button thing but I forget where I put it...I just use the key. There is loads of standard kit so I don't think it's worth worrying too much about spec.

They're great cars...go for it!

[BUG4LIFE]

Unfortunately my budget (£17k) will ‘only’ get me a pre-facelift as I’d want a 350 (petrol or diesel). I prefer the updated look of the later car and the fact it’s a Euro-6 but the older model is still obviously a looker

Ok cool. No standout must-haves. Didn’t know if the standard sat-nav/ICE was a bit crap or if there was different suspension options etc.

Next thing to work out, can I fit one in my single garage?!

[foliedouce]

For £17k buying carefully, you can get into a facelift model.

2 have come up in the last month for less, challenge is they sell very quickly

Look hard!

Either way, it’s a great car and you will enjoy it.

[KPdiEwcar]

We ordered a new CLS in 2013 after evaluating all options in the price list.
We still have the price list annotated with our thoughts and comments.
Here's a summary.


Avoid
- AMG Sport spec - ride was too harsh and crashy compared to the 'standard' spec's comfort suspension, wheels don't look as good and single bar front grille looks weak
- Black interior - too much black. We had black in previous CLS and it was too dark. We went for the first porcelain interior the dealer had seen. Would have been good if you could order porcelain upper dashboard trim as well as the black is a very effective heat sink and radiator in hot weather
- Keyless Go - pointless
- Sunroof - robs headroom

Don't bother (but each to their own)
- AirMATIC - didn't feel that great a benefit over the comfort suspension
- B&O/HK system - didn't see the need
- Driving assistance/ lane-tracking packages - we have pre-safe brake on one of other Mercs and it's crap
- Luxury pacakge - could only have with a sunroof, which we didn't want
- Remote boot closing - pointless and slow
- SplitView - didn't see the need
- TV tuner - seemed pointess, but we do have a RaspberryPi connected to the multimedia interface


Must have (our view six years on)
- Comfort ventilated front seats
- Dynamic multi contour seats plus memory
- LED intelligent light system
- Night View assist
- Rear blind
- Reversing camera
- Split rear seats


Like but not essential
- Ambient lighting
- Heated rear seats - only ordered to keep the other half's kids quiet
- Luxury climate control - probably not that different to standard



Anything we regret six years on?
- Only that we went for the 350 diesel v. petrol. But this was forced by Mercedes' package approach with petrol only being available in AMG Sport spec, which we did not want. Not that the V6 diesel isn't good enough, just it's Euro V and who knows what restrictions will get applied.

KP

[Pistonheader101]

Amg line spec

[NITO]

5.5L BiTurbo V8

[ninjag]

I'm currently in a 2017 plate CLS 220d AMG as a courtesy car and hate it. Very crashy and terrible on bumps, numb steering, no reversing camera, no dipping side mirror, easy to hit my head getting in, no keyless entry or start, seats are only part electric, noisy engine although quite decent performed once you get past the insane lag (it actually refused to accelerate at all when joining a busy dual carriageway), stupid foot handbrake etc. Visually it's nice with lots of soft touch leather but go beyond this and you'll find a lot of cheapness. Sound system is average but seats are quite nice if you can get past the jittery ride.

But the worst thing is the rattling and creaks. It's only got about 10k miles on it and it's worse than a Honda with rattles and buzzing :

Stuck on Sat nav screen is cheap flimsy plastic and rattles
Front dash rattles on various places
Rattles around a-pillar and front windscreen
Rear quarter panel area rattles
Rear parking sensor housing half fell out and rattles, ok once clipped back in for now
Something behind the binnacle rattles
Front passenger seat belt housing creaks when plugged in. It feels thin and cheap

Some of this could be down to the firm suspension though but still not premium in my opinion.

Has nice led headlights which do a little dance when you turn them on. Lot of road noise from crazy low profile tyres.

Can't wait to get my car back.

[dimots]

^ gotta be something wrong with that one. I've had two and neither has had a squeak or a rattle. Unless things have gone downhill in the past couple of years.

Also...both of my CLS have had air suspension, memory seats, 360 camera etc... TBH I wasn't aware you could get them without all that kit.

[ninjag]

Being a courtesy car and firm suspension probably haven't helped things but in other areas I just feel very underwhelmed by it considering the price.

[dimots]

I can't imagine a 220 is the best experience either. The interior is also getting on a bit now and the controversial stuck on iPad, although better than the previous small screen, is a compromise obviously.

I have found both of mine to be very solidly built though, indeed they seem better than the newer model which I was really underwhelmed by so I'm surprised by the squeaks and rattles...maybe it's been taken apart at some point?

But of course you simply must try a 63 AMG-S and let me know how it compares ;-D

[Targarama]

I have recently sold my 2011 CLS 350 Petrol. I bought it as a comfortable cruiser, so avoided the AMG line option and it rode beautifully on standard 18s. The car is for sale right now at Northover Cars in Kent.

I had the following options, which were all I needed: Reverse camera, sunroof, electric/heated/memory seats (wife drives car too). Sat Nav, park assist, sensors, dipping mirror when reversing, dimming rear view mirror etc. are all standard. The facelift has more gadgets as options. I personally hate the AMG look on the facelift model. this is supposed to be a classy saloon.

Personally I think a 4 cylinder diesel is the antichrist in a car like this. My 350 petrol averaged 35mpg on 60,000 miles I owned it and I regularly got over 40 on a run. Secondhand petrols have much less to go wrong too

If you need 5 seats get the shooting brake.

Edited by Targarama on Wednesday 12th June 12:53

[Targarama]

ninjag said:

I'm currently in a 2017 plate CLS 220d AMG as a courtesy car and hate it. Very crashy and terrible on bumps, numb steering, no reversing camera, no dipping side mirror, easy to hit my head getting in, no keyless entry or start, seats are only part electric, noisy engine although quite decent performed once you get past the insane lag (it actually refused to accelerate at all when joining a busy dual carriageway), stupid foot handbrake etc. Visually it's nice with lots of soft touch leather but go beyond this and you'll find a lot of cheapness. Sound system is average but seats are quite nice if you can get past the jittery ride.

But the worst thing is the rattling and creaks. It's only got about 10k miles on it and it's worse than a Honda with rattles and buzzing :

Stuck on Sat nav screen is cheap flimsy plastic and rattles
Front dash rattles on various places
Rattles around a-pillar and front windscreen
Rear quarter panel area rattles
Rear parking sensor housing half fell out and rattles, ok once clipped back in for now
Something behind the binnacle rattles
Front passenger seat belt housing creaks when plugged in. It feels thin and cheap

Some of this could be down to the firm suspension though but still not premium in my opinion.

Has nice led headlights which do a little dance when you turn them on. Lot of road noise from crazy low profile tyres.

Can't wait to get my car back.

Sounds like a chav spec ex lease car. Mine didn't rattle/creak and had no issues in 4 years ownership from 16k to 80k miles. Comfy too. Avoid the AMG chav look.

[NITO]

Targarama said:

My 350 petrol averaged 35mpg on 60,000 miles I owned it and I regularly got over 40 on a run. Secondhand petrols have much less to go wrong too

Edited by Targarama on Wednesday 12th June 12:53

Just for fun, this average out of a 63s





Cough, averaged over 7 miles anyway

[ninjag]

Targarama said:

Sounds like a chav spec ex lease car. Mine didn't rattle/creak and had no issues in 4 years ownership from 16k to 80k miles. Comfy too. Avoid the AMG chav look.

It's a courtesy car so will have been with them from new I suspect. Handed it back an hour ago thank goodness.

[NITO]

ninjag said:

It's a courtesy car so will have been with them from new I suspect. Handed it back an hour ago thank goodness.

I have zero rattles with mine also. Sounds like a stter!

[ninjag]

NITO said:

I have zero rattles with mine also. Sounds like a stter!

Probably. GLE350 I had wasn't much better, huge turbo lag, jittery suspension etc. Very quiet though.

Come to think of it the S-class I drove a few times also had huge turbo lag and we've also spent £22k on it over the last four years.

Colleague had a GLA which they got rid half way through the contract as well. Didn't feel very special inside when I got a lift a few times, they changed for an A6, although the rear of the seats are falling off.

My own BMW which I had from new had the sump replaced after two and a half years because it leaked oil among other issues such as rear light clusters filing with water etc.

I can't help but wonder if modern German engineering is perhaps more of an expensive perception. On saying that I think a lot of modern stuff is being built to a budget, maybe they are just getting too complicated?

[dimots]

Are you mistaking throttle feel for turbo lag perhaps?