Decicions, decisions!

[sheepy67]

CLS all the way, just get the AMG version and you wont have any regrets..promise

 

[bpsorrel]

Decision made, option 1 all the way! Am talking to a well respected specialist who will hopefully source me the ideal CLS when I return from Russia soon!

One quick question - I have a portable satnav which does the job very well- would you guys bother to add Command to the desired spec or with a decent satnav is command not worth the extra?

 

[Deleted member 37751]

COMAND is much more than just sat-nav, it's the entertainment/media centre for the car.

My current S211 is the first Mercedes I've had with it and I now couldn't imagine buying another one without it. It's just really easy to use and I can't sing it's praises high enough.

 

[bpsorrel]

Hmmm, thanks sweetpea! The only car I've had with built in infotainment (?) was my 730d and although my wife mastered the infernal iDrive, I always hated it!

Tried comand on a friends SL350 and quite liked it...

 

[Mactech]

The vast majority of CLS will have COMAND. I have a TomTom which I use for hire cars home and abroad, but it is always good to get back in my own car with a proper built in system. I haven't had a Merc without COMAND since 2004 so maybe I'm just used to it, but I really like it.
You wouldn't want to spoil the nice CLS dash with nasty clip-ons and wires That would be tacky!
That being said, the few cars without COMAND are worth less and a you may find yourself in a very strong bargaining position...
but then again you may well want to watch a concert or film on DVD while waiting for SWMBO...

 

[Oli]

Decision made, option 1 all the way! Am talking to a well respected specialist who will hopefully source me the ideal CLS when I return from Russia soon!

One quick question - I have a portable satnav which does the job very well- would you guys bother to add Command to the desired spec or with a decent satnav is command not worth the extra?

I rarely use the actual Navigation in my car, it's a bit dated and doesn't have full postcode entry so just use a Tom Tom, however it intergrates with the phone and does various other things so I would say go for Command.

I also agree with what others have said, the CLS is a great car, just make sure you get one that is either a 5.5K or a 6.2

 

[bpsorrel]

just make sure you get one that is either a 5.5K or a 6.2

*Sigh* If only...

 

[bpsorrel]

Just thinking, does anyone have "real world" running costs (mpg and road tax) comparisons between the CLS 320cdi and the CLS 500?

Two things that steer me firmly towards the diesel are the lower road tax (that one is a principle, I loathe paying more tax than I need to) and the improved fuel consumption, over around 10K miles. But, am I right?
With the huge drop in CLS500 prices compared to diesels would it make economic sense, or, would I be stung big time in a couple of years time when I want to change, whereas the diesel will always be more desirable?

Reason for asking? Well, I drove a CLS500 today, here in Russia (there's hardly any diesels here) and it was stunning!!!......

 

[jonm]

Easy...see my simple to use Mercedes-benz-o-rekoner

1) go for no 1..get the cls
2) if unsure, see no 1 above

;-)

 

[Mactech]

Just thinking, does anyone have "real world" running costs (mpg and road tax) comparisons between the CLS 320cdi and the CLS 500?
Reason for asking? Well, I drove a CLS500 today, here in Russia (there's hardly any diesels here) and it was stunning!!!......

Well my rough figures suggest that at 12k miles a year the CLS500 would cost about £1k pa extra to run. So it all depends on the price you pay for a car.
The 500 is already has much worse residiuals than the wood burner, (about 38% V 45% at 3 years) so you might just strike lucky. The actual amount you will lose over the period you keep the car will be difficult to predict, but I doubt the 500 will become more desirable in a couple of years. Most 500's have a really good spec, but would it niggle you to have to throw over £100 pounds of fuel in it every 400 miles instead of every 700?

 

[C240Sport97]

Two things that steer me firmly towards the diesel are the lower road tax (that one is a principle, I loathe paying more tax than I need to) and the improved fuel consumption, over around 10K miles.

my CLS55 was registered about 10 days before 23 Mar 06, so is Band K. Current road tax is £260

 

[John]

Just thinking, does anyone have "real world" running costs (mpg and road tax) comparisons between the CLS 320cdi and the CLS 500?

Two things that steer me firmly towards the diesel are the lower road tax (that one is a principle, I loathe paying more tax than I need to) and the improved fuel consumption, over around 10K miles. But, am I right?
With the huge drop in CLS500 prices compared to diesels would it make economic sense, or, would I be stung big time in a couple of years time when I want to change, whereas the diesel will always be more desirable?

Reason for asking? Well, I drove a CLS500 today, here in Russia (there's hardly any diesels here) and it was stunning!!!......

You need to do some man maths here to justify a CLS500.

Man maths always adds up to a favourable result for you.

It certainly fixed it for me to have an E55K instead of a 535d.

:bannana:

my CLS55 was registered about 10 days before 23 Mar 06, so is Band K. Current road tax is £260

Yup, I was going to say this - aim for a 55 or 63 prior to this date - or 500 if your not so good at man maths yet...

 

[C240Sport97]

aim for a 55 or 63 prior to this date - or 500 if your not so good at man maths yet...

all 63s are post Mar 06. I think that is the case with the 388hp CLS 500 as well.

therefore, CLS55 is the answer

 

[bpsorrel]

Seems like this decision will need to be made once I'm back in UK, but I'll probably stick with the oil burner as I've run them for a few years now and I do like the lazy torque..

Last choice, as SWMBO has eased up a little on the black.....

My choice would be "steel grey" (iridium grey?) or black.. guess it depends what is around next month...

OK, times up at the internet cafe in Samara! Bye all!