MB CLS below £5k - Advice Please?

[sfalken]

Hi all, new to the forum and keen to get your collective insight and experience on this if possible, thanks.

I'm looking at the market for ULEZ compliant motors on a budget and the MB CLS often serves up in search results. I see quite a few for sale for £3-5k, an example of which are here: Cheap Mercedes Benz Cls Cars For Sale Under £5,000 | Desperate Seller

At the £5k mark it's typically 2006-2010, 70k-140k mileage.

These are obviously great looking cars but, is a CLS at this price range best avoided, due to potential big garage bills etc when you hit a certain age or mileage?

Any particular models better at this age & mileage vs others?

Any insights or advice for a potential MB owner appreciated.

Thanks all great to be here!

 

[AMGeed]

Buyers still seem keen to buy older CLS55 models with more miles for considerably more money than those cars.
I can't comment on diesel engines, never had one, never will but obviously higher mileage cars will need suspension parts and engine /transmission mounts done at some point if not already done. Not too expensive for non AMG models.

Try and get one with a complete service history, main dealer or Mercedes specialist and if possible, get it checked by someone who knows these cars.
There should be no amber or red engine lights showing once the car is started. Plumes of smoke or rattly engines, steer clear.
Check all electric accessories work, some can be expensive to fix. Lipped discs or low pads? A good bargaining tool to reduce the price, but not a dear fix at all.
I'd imagine there are some good bargains to be had around the ULEZ zone of London now. A good time to buy.

 

[ALFAitalia]

I'd imagine there are some good bargains to be had around the ULEZ zone of London now. A good time to buy.

He says he wants ULEZ approved...so a 219 derv won't be any good. There are loads of the early petrol CLS about ....most at sensible/cheap money due to how many there are for sale They can't all be wrong'uns!

 

[AMGeed]

He says he wants ULEZ approved...so a 219 derv won't be any good.

Quite right. How did I miss that

 

[sfalken]

He says he wants ULEZ approved...so a 219 derv won't be any good. There are loads of the early petrol CLS about ....most at sensible/cheap money due to how many there are for sale They can't all be wrong'uns!

Thanks guys. From which year would you suggest for early petrol CLS?

On a separate note, any other MB models you’d suggest for £3-5k price range that age well, assuming they’ve been looked after.

 

[AMGeed]

Thanks guys. From which year would you suggest for early petrol CLS?

On a separate note, any other MB models you’d suggest for £3-5k price range that age well, assuming they’ve been looked after.

I'd look at a post 2006 W211 E class. Can seat 5 instead of only 4 in the CLS and more plentiful.
An E240/280/320 petrol model would fit the bill.
Check before buying that it is ULEZ compliant on this website.

ULEZ Check: Is your car ULEZ compliant?

ULEZ Check. Quickly determine if your car meets the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) standards with our ULEZ Checker. Discover in seconds: Is your car ULEZ compliant?

ulez.co.uk

 

[Smiley]

A £3-5k used MB can either be a bargain or a money pit. It would be well worth getting a potential purchase looked over by a specialist before buying it.

 

[SamNotts]

It seems that most of the good Mercs around that price on the market at the moment are either diesel ones that aren't ULEZ (or clean air zone outside London) compliant or potential money pits. Good luck with your search!