Meeting point of value for CLS55 vs. CLS63?

[ChrisCLS55]

On another random point .. how much weight do you put into the amount of owners and why? A 2006 CLS I'm looking at now is on it's 8th owner ..

I'm the 8th owner of my CLS55 and while I've had to have a bit of work done to it, I'd say when I picked it up it was in maybe 90% condition and the stuff I have had to do is typical with the age of the car (05) and common problems. In general it has been well looked after with a FSH, only a few with MB themselves.

My brother in law has just bought an 07 911 Turbo and he's the 6th owner. People who can afford such cars tend to not have them too long. I've had my CLS 3 years coming up and I'm getting the itch to get a new car so although I dearly love it, I'll probably be getting rid and onto the next who knows what kind of car. I'd love a 911 or an Aston Martin but pound for pound I don't think I'll ever own a better all-round car than my CLS55.

FSH with any car, especially a high performance car is essential, not necessarily full main dealer service history either.

A friend of mine says when buying a car (ex dealer) buy it on condition and service history and not the low miles. In short don't be put off by many owners and high miles.

 

[AlanD]

Good to know, with 8 owners and 70k miles, it's there with that description. Full MBSH up till MB Indy though, so no issues there. Just one of those things in the industry where 2 to 3 owners is a magic cap for a "normal" car. This isn't a normal car though ..

 

[ChrisCLS55]

Good to know, with 8 owners and 70k miles, it's there with that description. Full MBSH up till MB Indy though, so no issues there. Just one of those things in the industry where 2 to 3 owners is a magic cap for a "normal" car. This isn't a normal car though ..

Exactly, I'd be wary of low mileage one owner examples of cars that aren't exactly normal. They do exist, but they are the exception to the rule.

Condition is important with any car or used purchase really.

Having said that, as much as I love my car, it has been neglected in terms of the general aesthetic condition of the car. Mechanically money has been no object, but wheel scuffs, chips and dents and the interior etc., well it could all do with a good clean, polish and maybe some paint work here and there.

The drivers seat has pen ink on, I had a pen in my rear pocket and it must have leaked. God knows how I'm going to get that right.

 

[KillerHERTZ]

On another random point .. how much weight do you put into the amount of owners and why? A 2006 CLS I'm looking at now is on it's 8th owner ..

I'm the 9th owner of mine. They are expensive to run cars, not to everyone's taste. If I didn't cycle to work, I'd have to sell mine.

 

[b1g1an]

I'm the 9th owner of mine. They are expensive to run cars, not to everyone's taste. If I didn't cycle to work, I'd have to sell mine.

Personally think they're no worse than any big car, let alone alone one that capable, and actually cheaper than the big diesels unless you never show any restraint with the throttle. Consumption is actually vary similar to the E39 528i I had many moons ago.

The 55 was one of the last monsters that didn't use much in the way of exotic consumables and you're just unlucky if you get caught by one of the big ticket items, although all cars have their own variations on that theme.

I'm 4th owner and 2nd and 3rd were daughter taking over from father when he became ill. Still has full MB history which isn't very painful to upkeep as they only need servicing every two years unless you do a lot of miles.

 

[Lenny63]

My economy is woeful lol

 

[M.Khalid]

Its only the bottom part that heats up and cools, but you do feel a benefit in your lower back. The only way to test the dynamics work is to turn it on and drive round a couple of roundabouts or twisties. The mechanics on the dynamics are pretty basic and I think fairly reliable. Never had a problem with mine and the car is 8 years old now. The pulse massage function is a bit on the slow side, but I guess you dont want it too vigourous as it might be a bit of a distraction!

This statement is actually wrong, the CLS (and other models post 2000) heat and cool the bottom and the back seat.

Just check on EPC and you will see fans on bottom and back for cooling feature and heating foils also on bottom and back for heating option.

 

[SteveG321]

You are quite right M. Khalid, but if you read all the posts you will see that we managed to establish that last Sept.

 

[Alex225]

Personally think they're no worse than any big car, let alone alone one that capable, and actually cheaper than the big diesels unless you never show any restraint with the throttle. Consumption is actually vary similar to the E39 528i I had many moons ago.

I do think that people don't quite realise the running costs of these cars, be it just in terms of fuel consumption.

Compare my E320 and my CLS63. Both not dissimilar in size/weight but on a steady run, I'll see 50mpg from my E Class but at best with a steady 65mph I'll see 25mpg from my CLS. Admittedly round town my E is probably doing 25mpg but even then the CLS will only achieve 18mpg but more likely 15mpg.

Thing is if someone buys a CLS55/63 without quite doing the maths (or man maths ) they could be in for a shock at the petrol pump.

As you say though, a lot of bigger petrol cars won't be amazing on fuel anyway but I am sure it still catches people out.

 

[Will]

I do think that people don't quite realise the running costs of these cars, be it just in terms of fuel consumption.

Compare my E320 and my CLS63. Both not dissimilar in size/weight but on a steady run, I'll see 50mpg from my E Class but at best with a steady 65mph I'll see 25mpg from my CLS. Admittedly round town my E is probably doing 25mpg but even then the CLS will only achieve 18mpg but more likely 15mpg.

Thing is if someone buys a CLS55/63 without quite doing the maths (or man maths ) they could be in for a shock at the petrol pump.

As you say though, a lot of bigger petrol cars won't be amazing on fuel anyway but I am sure it still catches people out.

LPG is circa 55p/litre around my way, less than half the price of petrol

Approx £20 of LPG gets me around 160 miles in the E55 on a run, circa 20mpg but at less than half the price of petrol that equates to comfortably over 40mpg. Around town can be much lower - always over 100 miles to £20 which is more like 13mpg (which equates to 26mpg) but that's the same with petrol anyway.

It does start from stone cold on petrol and switches over automatically after one or two minutes, but in hot weather it will start straight up on gas. I usually stick £10 of unleaded in every few tankfuls of LPG and also occasionally run on petrol for a while so the petrol fuel system stays healthy.

This compares very favourably with other more fuel efficient cars consumption wise, but with the benefit that you still have 400+bhp under your foot when needed and almost zero depreciation. I'd say probably more reliable/less hassle than a modern diesel too

 

[Alex225]

Funnily enough I had considered exactly your solution for the car I would replace my E320 with! My W211 is brilliant for everything I ask of it, as a family car and as one for covering distances. Even the 3.2 diesel engine is gutsy and surprisingly quick.

All that said, it's no AMG and as much as I have the CLS63, I wouldn't whack the miles on it as I'd like to keep it for years and have low mileage. So an E55 with an LPG conversion would be a perfect car really. All the comfort I appreciate but with a whacking great engine for tonnes of power.