Buying a cls 320 CDI what to look out for??

[t1pper]

Hi,
I am currenty planning to buy a CLS 320 cdi around a 2008 year, maybe a face lift model if the funds will go that far.

I am very fussy when it comes to service history and would always get an hpi check. Additionally I will only consider something with a low to moderate mileage.

I can pick up most of the obvious used car problems but these cars appear to be packed with a lot of technology and I was needing some feeback if there was any costly items or weak points that I should pay close attention to.

Thanks in advance

 

[st4]

The car is great. The engine is too when it's working but do a search on failed inlet port shut off motor, engine bearings (nearly three grand at the dealer but a rare but not unheard of fault) manifolds can clog up and the valve block for the gearbox can fail

 

[t1pper]

Thanks,

I will swot up on the inlet port shut off motor.

I am wondering about the engine bearing problems is it a random failure or down to poor maintance, can anyone tell me more??

What sort of mileages can these engines cover if maintaned correctly, maybe I was spoiled by my last Merc a 300 D W124 with 240K trouble free miles.

Lastly how do I check for a valve problem with the 7G gearbox ?
Thanks again.
T1pper

 

[st4]

It's a rare fault, out of probably 40 V6CDI members, IIRC three have had it, and two of them were early cars and one was a later 20009. All were established members before that fault happened, and didn't just join to rant about it....

It seems to appear after an oil change, there is no way to tell if the car will or will not get it.

The valvebody fault again just appears, usually after 70k miles. Its not a dead cert, but more likely than the engine bearing which is exceedingly rare with some indie specialists never reporting to have seen it. These engines need flushed and serviced as per usual, and I wouldn't consider a car missing a service....as it were I did and have had heaps of issues but a car with better provanence is likely to be better than mine.

Remember, there are issues with all modern diesel engines. The 220cdi is more reliable, but its not as smooth or as powerful and if you want a CLS diesel, the V6 and 7g is the only one available. V6CDI and 7g will cover the miles, reports of a 285,000 miler on MBOA running nicely. The basic engine and gearbox is tough, but stupid componentry and design lets down a good basic solid package.

 

[t1pper]

Hi,
Thanks ***,

As always I will check the history very carefully.

There seems to be plenty of good used stock out there with low mileages so should be able to get a good one, prefer to buy private as you can judge how the cars been looked after.

Aston Barclay car auctions in Chelmsford allways have a good stock of used Mercs direct from MB leasing, all have full MB history and lots with very modest miles, maybe worth dropping in as I am sure this is where a lot of indie dealers get good quality stock from.