CLS 55 Next year!

[V8 CLS]

Ok guys, so hopefully next year I want to purchase a CLS 55 AMG.

I've been looking at many cars, it has to be a V8 and i've narrowed it down to the following:

CLS 55 AMG
CLK 55 AMG
E92 M3
Maserati 4200 Cambiocorsa

Budget is £15-16k

I'm leaning towards the CLS 55 AMG, would 15-16k be sufficient for a decent model?

Also, do you guys recommend warranty? If so, which one? Or just have a little side fund for any problems.

Also, drove the CLS 63 AMG (5.5 BiT) this weekend and absolutely loved it! For those who have driven both, are they extremely similar in terms of power delivery?

What is the gearbox like?

Sorry for the ton of questions

Thanks!

 

[AMGeed]

The CLS55 is a good choice. If you drive a CLS, the other 3 will not compare so well as the supercharged engine. Drive the others first, then the CLS, or you could be underwhelmed. £15k is certainly enough to buy a good example.

As for warranty, its a personal choice. I prefer to keep cash in reserve for any unexpected bills like airmatic suspension or SBC pump which can both be a shock to the wallet.
If you do choose to go down the warranty route, Warranty Direct are the company most recommended. Don't take the first price they quote. They will go lower.

The gearbox in the CLS, like the other 55k engines is 5 speed ( the 7 speed can't handle the torque) and is not particularly quick to change up or down either in manual/auto or on the steering wheel buttons. But at the same time, its not bad, just not quick.

 

[Amo]

I do love a nice CLK 63 but I will choose CLS55 anyday. you should be able to get a very tidy example for £15K or less. I wouldnt waste time or effort on Warranty. These cars have solid engines, as long as you done background checks you will be safe with a low mileage car.

As Roger above said, keep a fund on side for any unexpected expenses. I bought mine for £11500 last year @ 105K and since spent £2K on tidying it up etc but it is still worth every penny and such a joy to own and drive

 

[BIRMA]

Just to give you my experience of the lovely looking Maserati, to look at and be inside is a nice experience as is starting that lovely engine.
The big and I mean very, very big disappointment is the paddle change, it is an uncomfortable lurching experience that only the 2010 Aston Martin softop I tried equalled not surprising as it is the same company who made it.
I've never done this before but I took it back after 10 minutes and asked if there was something wrong with it. And in both cases the dealer said the same thing no that's how it operates. So I'll be interested what your impressions are if you can get a manual despite the heavy clutch it is supposed to be better. Plus I was also concerned about the active suspension being Italian I just had this nagging doubt it is bound to go wrong and be very expensive.

 

[AMGeed]

Just to give you my experience of the lovely looking Maserati, to look at and be inside is a nice experience as is starting that lovely engine.
The big and I mean very, very big disappointment is the paddle change, it is an uncomfortable lurching experience that only the 2010 Aston Martin softop I tried equalled not surprising as it is the same company who made it.
I've never done this before but I took it back after 10 minutes and asked if there was something wrong with it. And in both cases the dealer said the same thing no that's how it operates. So I'll be interested what your impressions are if you can get a manual despite the heavy clutch it is supposed to be better. Plus I was also concerned about the active suspension being Italian I just had this nagging doubt it is bound to go wrong and be very expensive.

My brother in law has a 4.2 Quattroporte and the build quality is appalling. Parts of the dash are literally falling off. Sounds great though

 

[V8 CLS]

Thanks for the reply guys,

I heard the same about the Maserati. Warranty Direct coming down on prices is also something I heard about when on the M3 forums for a brief while.

I don't see the CLS 55 on the Warranty Direct website :S, gotta call them? I've had bad luck with cars which is the only reason I'm considering one .

So i'm assuming high mileage models (80-90k) are usually ok as long as they have FSH and low owners?

 

[Amo]

80K is not high mileage for a 2005 car!! There are still some low 60K around and going for around 14-15K. I was offered a 45K car last year when i bought mine for £17.5K with Performance upgrades (bigger brakes etc)

for 80/90K car you should expect to pay around 13K ish and providing it has history, you should be ok, I have only heard good things about 55K engines so you should be safe with the engine and drive train.

 

[Andrew W]

I might sell my cls55 next year (maybe) .
Obsidian black with black leather ,everything
sorted now all the pumps done ect , fsh & 75k miles .

 

[V8 CLS]

I might sell my cls55 next year (maybe) .
Obsidian black with black leather ,everything
sorted now all the pumps done ect , fsh & 75k miles .

Nice, what sort of price would you have in mind?

Also what kinda cost am I looking at for the pumps / suspension?

 

[Gurpsingh1]

Hello mate.

I would honestly say stay away from anything with the abc suspension.
It will go wrong & it isn't cheap to fix.

 

[Amo]

I dont think any of the listed cars from OP has ABC

ABC struts which are found in CL/SL's are very expensive.

 

[AMGeed]

Hello mate.

I would honestly say stay away from anything with the abc suspension.
It will go wrong & it isn't cheap to fix.

As Amo's above post, the horror that is ABC is confined to CL/SL and some S class. CLS has airmatic which is a different problem altogether should there be a fault.

SBC brake pump and airmatic faults can usually be fixed for under £1k, or a lot less dependant on exactly what it is.

 

[V8 CLS]

£1k isn't too bad, is that worst case scenario or the bare minimum though?

Also, is this a recurring problem or just a one off issue?

So I heard ABC is a nightmare, CLS or CLK doesn't have those right?

 

[whitenemesis]

CLS has AIRmatic (ABC is hydraulic) or steel springs on smaller capacity engines

CLK only ever had conventional springs/shocks

 

[AMGeed]

£1k isn't too bad, is that worst case scenario or the bare minimum though?

Also, is this a recurring problem or just a one off issue?

So I heard ABC is a nightmare, CLS or CLK doesn't have those right?

Worst case scenario for SBC pump replacement using an indy is around £1k

Very rare for an SBC pump to fail twice. Its dependant on the number of brake pedal actuations and can be reset using MB diagnostic equipment (STAR) if the correct fault code appears. (C249F if I remember correctly)

Don't worry about ABC , neither CLS or CLK has it.

I bought my E55 knowing the potential for a suspension or brake pump problem but neither have occurred in the 2.5 yrs of ownership. Just set aside a few quid , don't worry about it and enjoy the car.

 

[Suky Sangha]

Go for the cls 55 AMG I've owned mine for a few years now with low miles and am loving every minute definitely have a warranty fir piece of mind

Sent from my iPhone using MBClub UK

 

[Deleted member 37751]

CLS 55 AMG
CLK 55 AMG
E92 M3
Maserati 4200 Cambiocorsa

I would discount the CLK 55 for being too slow in that company and the M3 because it'll be ropey at your budget.

I'm going to be doing almost exactly the same as you in a few month but my list involves swapping the 4200 for a Quattroporte.

I've owned two E55K's and love the engine, the supercharger is really addictive, it wants to attack right through the Rev range and in any gear. Attach that engine to a definite future classic like the W219 CLS and you've got a winning combination.

Having said that, and as highly as I rate the CLS55, I'll probably edge towards the Maserati Quattroporte; another future classic in the making, wonderful sounding engine and the Duo Select gearbox matches it perfectly. It's actually an automated manual with the gearbox bolted to the rear diff for perfect weight distribution and it feels so tight driving on challenging roads. It also feels much faster than the stated 400bhp figure (the CLS 55 is approximately 476)

I'm leaning towards the CLS 55 AMG, would 15-16k be sufficient for a decent model?

You will have your pick of CLS55's for that sort of money, I would try and buy a good one for about £12k though and keep £3k back for running costs because it will need money spending on it.

 

[V8 CLS]

Thanks guys, lots of excellent information here - really helpful thanks!

The CLS looks to be the one, so i'll get one for 12-13 and set aside the rest

Thank you - hope to join the club soon - i can't stop watching vids really wanna see what it feels to sit in

 

[Cyclone1]

Depending on where you are located then I am sure a member on here will allow you to have a look around their CLS.

Of the cars you've mentioned then I agree with most on the CLS.

Jules

 

[andy27168]

Hi,
I was in a very similar place to you this time last year, though my heart was set on a black CLS55, I would of considered an E55 as I just wanted to get a 55k powered car.
Well if you are anywhere near Southampton you are welcome to come look at mine and will take you out for a spin of you like.