CLS purchase - do I need Comand?

[Fimbo]

Hi Folks, I'm looking at purchasing a used CLS 320d. A quick delve into the market seems to reveal that I need to be paying £31k+ for one with "Comand", whereas I'd get away with paying £27k for one without. Is the system really worth the extra £4k the market seems to demand? Alternatively, does anyone know if it can be retro-fitted and if so, any idea of cost?

Thanks.

[matc]

Its only a £2k option so not worth the £4k premium unless you really need sat-nav. The unit can be retro-fitted for about £3k iirc. If I was you I wouldn't let the lack of COMAND out me off, they are an awesome car.

[Fimbo]

Mat, thanks for your reponse. It seems to me that I can buy a CLS without Comand for £4k less than one with and yet retrofit it for £3k, saving £1k. I shouldn't make sense but it does, so I will now look a little wider. In your experience, are there any other 'must have' features on these cars. Personally, I think the black piano wood interior is absolutely exquisite but me thinks cars with that option are likely to be a tad too expensive. Any thoughts?

Cheers
Neil

[matc]

I think they definitely need:

Leather
Parktronic
Heated Seats
Phone Pre-Wire
18" Alloys (personal prefence)
Nice Wood (not Silk Matt Laurel!!) or Piano Black (£1500 Option)

Thats pretty much it, they are well specced anyway but the above bits just make the car a bit more desirable. You will often find as well that they have a 6cd Changer, this can be retro-fitted for about £450 so not a major drama without it. They are an awesome car so have fun looking/buying.

[Wacky Racer]

For anyone interested in a mint 3,000 mile, (yes 3000 mile) CLS, totally as new PM me, but be quick, it will be gone by the end of next week...

Totally unmarked and as new, just too big for my wife. (She has bought a Mini Cooper "S"....)

Will consider any sensible very near offer.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/417030.htm

[Fimbo]

wacky racer - v nice car, but that's a fabulous view out of your front door!

[Wacky Racer]

Fimbo said:

wacky racer - v nice car, but that's a fabulous view out of your front door!

Thanks Fimbo.

Any questions re a CLS, please ask......

[Deva Link]

Wacky Racer said:

just too big for my wife.

I asked someone else who was buying one of these for his wife, how was she going to park it at Sainsbury's?, and he seemed baffled by the question.

[Wacky Racer]

Deva Link said:

Wacky Racer said:

just too big for my wife.

I asked someone else who was buying one of these for his wife, how was she going to park it at Sainsbury's?, and he seemed baffled by the question.

The CLS is an extremely long car, it just fits in our (fairly large) double garage lengthways..with inches to spare, thankfully the parktronic proved it's worth....

[Deva Link]

Wacky Racer said:

Deva Link said:

Wacky Racer said:

just too big for my wife.

I asked someone else who was buying one of these for his wife, how was she going to park it at Sainsbury's?, and he seemed baffled by the question.

The CLS is an extremely long car, it just fits in our (fairly large) double garage lengthways..with inches to spare, thankfully the parktronic proved it's worth....

I'm a *very* firm believer in each to their own, and I really don't intend this to be sexist, but I genuinely wonder why anyone would think a CLS was a good car for a young mother with 2 small kids (as the other person I asked had) to use around town.

Even if it could be fitted into spaces, the sides would get *wrecked* in supermarket and multi-storey carparks.

Edited by Deva Link on Monday 24th March 22:40

[Gazzab]

Deva link - but lifes too short to worry about car park dents. If you want one buy one. My 'mans' cars get wrecked at the station car park. Oh well.

[sjc]

matc said:

I think they definitely need:

Leather
Parktronic
Heated Seats
Phone Pre-Wire
18" Alloys (personal prefence)
Nice Wood (not Silk Matt Laurel!!) or Piano Black (£1500 Option)

Thats pretty much it, they are well specced anyway but the above bits just make the car a bit more desirable. You will often find as well that they have a 6cd Changer, this can be retro-fitted for about £450 so not a major drama without it. They are an awesome car so have fun looking/buying.

What he said.
We sold my wifes perfect CLS 320cdi with the above spec and a few other bits privately 6 weeks ago, 2005/55, 33,000 miles for £29,750.There appears to be a not dissimilar car in the classifieds for around £28K, might be worth a look. As for size, my wife had a look at the R-class and length wise the ClS was virtually the same, and a Discovery is shorter!Lovely lovely cars,,sure you won't be dissapointed.

Edited by sjc on Saturday 5th April 09:05

[Fimbo]

Thanks Andy. When you sold your CLS, did anyone raise the issue of it being a strict 4 seater? I only ask because although I don't see it as an issue for me (frankly, 4 adults,or in our case, two adults and two children, is about as many as you can COMFORTABLY fit into any standard car) some people have expressed the view to me that as second-hand values even out with other cars, cars like the BMW 5 series are likely to be in greater demand? It's not dissuaded me from taking the plunge, it's just got me thinking.

[shadowninja]

Crap. Is it too late? You can get aftermarket COMAND units for under £1k fitted. www.comand.co.uk