New CLS

[HumberMart]

Picked up the new CLS250 yesterday.

Shame to see the ML350 go, as it's been one of the best cars I've ever had, hence I kept it for longer than normal, so was time for a change.

First impressions after 24 hours:-

The Good - Different, Eye Catching, Fabulous Ride/Handling combo, great brakes, very eager off the line with no awkward pause (especially in sport mode), superb all LED headlights. Quiet, certainly the 4 pot is not a spoiler. Already easily topping 40 mpg on the trip.

The Bad - I can understand why the trend for light weight build is hindering perceived build quality. The ML always felt like it was worth £50K, this is more on par with the heavily discounted price just under £40K. Some of the fittings seem to come from the A Class range, rather that a higher spec model (such as gear lever, the lack of chrome on the boot floor handle, and most bizarrely no tray under the boot floor, just a space saver, exposed electrics, and white paint (have they forgotten to fit one on mine? - I wouldn't expect this on a £15K car)

Lack of useful storage around the driver. Nowhere simple to drop the phone and coins. The centre console box is hard to access, and I hate having to leave the cup holder flap open just to put the phone in. Glove box and door pockets very small. Loads of storage in the back of course due to the full length console.

For a car that's longer than the ML, it does feel a lot smaller inside. An obvious statement considering its 'coupe' style, and I'm sure in a few days it will feel just fine. However at 6ft 1, I'm really a bit too tall to find comfort in the rear.

The Ugly - Never a fan of those gloss black 'roller shutter' lids (same on the Evoque) they just look cheap. In Diamond White, the plastic bits are a noticeably different shade to the metalwork. The so called real leather seats, do look very much like Artico to me, and seem to smell more plastic than leather. Maybe it's just that the ML had upgraded nappa leather.

You could be forgiven for thinking that I'm not overjoyed with it so far. This is my usual style, study it and notice all the dubious bits before I then just drive and enjoy it. I'm sure it will keep putting a smile on my face for quite some time. It does drive very well, and prob 50% more economical than the ML.

 

[clk208]

Thanks for the write up!


I will likely have something similar to replace the existing CLS in due course.

Having sat in the new W218 model in a couple of showrooms I found that everything internally seemed more solid/industrial but less luxurious with fewer soft touch materials than the original CLS.

Lovely looking car though and as you say, sure you'll appreciate the extra mpg!

 

[Dieselman]

Let us know how you continue to find the refinement of the 4 cylinder engine.

A neighbour of mine has just swapped his SAAB for a CLS250 CDi. I ought to ask him what it's like inside. It sounds a bit gruff outside.

 

[HumberMart]

Let us know how you continue to find the refinement of the 4 cylinder engine.

A neighbour of mine has just swapped his SAAB for a CLS250 CDi. I ought to ask him what it's like inside. It sounds a bit gruff outside.

Sure will DM.

Having rejected the 2010 S350CDI, it was a bit of a knee jerk to go for a 250 CLS, sweetened by the 'extra discount' they offered to keep our business. I'd driven one a couple of times and know that (inside) they are very refined for a 4-pot (more so than the W212's), and most press reviews confirm this.

Whilst we were without the S, we'd had a couple of E250's on loan, and I found the tyre noise was more of an issue with me, not the engine. Fortunately the CLS doesn't seem to suffer as bad on tyre noise, despite 275/19's.

If they'd offered a similar deal on a 350CDI, I'd have considered it, but it's still a diesel at the end of the day, and although the ML never missed a beat, the experiences with the W221 put me off the V6 a little.

A bit too late, but I did realise recently that the 350 petrol would have really been the one. Over 300 bhp, and economy/CO2 close to the V6 diesel. Plus it now seems to be role-reversal with residuals.

I was gob-smacked when I searched for used CLS350 petrols. They seem to hold their value much better than the diesels and even the CLS63. Combo of a great V6 petrol, real world affordability, and scarcity, must make the CLS350BE a much sought after used car.

I think you'd be pleasantly surprised though if you test-drove a 250. They are very eager, refined enough for most, and 50mpg possible. From my limited experience to date, the 7G in this 250 is much better matched than those in the V6 diesels. The car was only built about 3 weeks ago, so I guess it has the latest software, and the way it pulls away at roundabouts is a revelation compared to the previous 3 V6 diesels I've had.

 

[regbuser]

nice car humbermart, from a fellow w218 owner

 

[HumberMart]

nice car humbermart, from a fellow w218 owner

Thanks.

My first long drive in it today, a 250 mile round trip to Teesside. Enjoyed the drive immensely despite the rain. Averaged 48 mpg overall on the OBC. Not bad for a brand new engine. Had fun with the mpg bar chart on the screen. Seeing how often I could get it to max out at 80 mpg!

Noticed that the DAB reception is not as good as in the ML. Maybe just the lower height?

My biggest puzzle remains the lack of boot liner around the spare wheel and the exposed electrics as soon as you lift the boot floor. The issue is even more odd since I notice there is such a part on sale on eBay at the moment and is a genuine OEM one. Please can you confirm if your W218 has bare paint and exposed electrics under the boot floor. It's the first Merc I've ever had that doesn't have any other liner under the main boot floor.

Also tested the auto main beam tonight, seemed to work well. Why no coffee cup for the Attention Assist though

Can't wait to try out the active parking - maybe tomorrow

 

[regbuser]

No, mine's all nicely lined so must be a mfg defect ? :-!

no coffee cup, attention assist disabled, re-enable in steering wheel / binnacle

 

[HumberMart]

No, mine's all nicely lined so must be a mfg defect ? :-!

no coffee cup, attention assist disabled, re-enable in steering wheel / binnacle

Many thanks for your help here. Where's my spare wheel well liner, I'm on to the dealers now................!

 

[HumberMart]

So the dealer has checked another new car and that doesn't have the spare wheel well liner either. Their thoughts are that they stopped fitting the liner when the eco stop/start systems were fitted to the W212/218's. The suggestion is that because the stop/start battery is located in the spare wheel well, it cannot be covered up, so they omitted the liner.

I'd be grateful if any W212/218 owners with Stop/Start could verify that they have no well liner as well. All seems a bit odd to me. Maybe they forgot to design a new liner, so just rushed out the cars without one, and will solve it at the next MY issue.

 

[regbuser]

62 plate 350CDI blue efficiency AMG Sport Shooting Brake - lined

 

[regbuser]

 

[HumberMart]

So a month on and things are going well. Really enjoying the car.

Brim to brim checks confirm the OBC readings are within 0.5 mpg so the 44 that it says I've averaged over the first 1,500 miles is accurate. Damn good for a new engine in cooler weather.

The faster you drive the car the more it impresses. It does mystify me how people complain about the noise from the 250. I know the CLS mutes the noise better than the E and C250, but other than a cold start the tyres are the only noise that intrudes into the cabin.

It was factory fresh and it does feel like a well sorted car that has benefited from software tweaks etc. The way the engine responds and links to the gearbox, the feel of the steering and brakes, the intelligent led headlights etc. everything just seem to work very well.

It does seem a shame that a car considered 'best of breed' by many MB associates has not sold so well. The fashion for Evoque class SUVs has maybe left a smaller and receding niche for the likes of the CLS. Although I guess the XF has tempted a fair chunk of potential CLS buyers. Audi offer similar mega discounts on the A7 so they're not capturing enough imagination either.

Guess I'll see how well it copes with winter weather over the next month!

 

[regbuser]

the audi a6 and a7 are boring drives though, even the s variants.

i thought the xf and station wagon variant were still a bit tinny

cls, refined, poised and powerful, a nice place to be

 

[scottc]

Very interesting review on the 250 engine, I have it in a c250 and its one of the worst engines i have ever had. I hate it that much that i have chopped it in for a new e350 cdi and my car is only 3 months old!!

i have heard the cls is better and i am shocked you are such good mpg. I am getting 32 as an average.

lovely cls though, looks really nice

 

[Dieselman]

Keep the reviews coming guys, I need to make a decision. Economy Vs refinement.

 

[scottc]

Keep the reviews coming guys, I need to make a decision. Economy Vs refinement.

If you can afford the 350 go for it, such a nice engine and it's so refined compared to the 250

 

[regbuser]

DM, if I cruise up and down the M1 at 70, can return appx 40mpg; up the M6 with those speed controls due to roadworks at 55, return appx 44mpg; a bit higher up in the lakes when a turn of speed is desired, 80, return appx 38mpg; sport mode and A roads, return appx 34mpg.

The response is not lag free as no double clutch zf unit like audi and jag, but it is extremely refined and enjoyable ride. The electric steering is bloody good and the car just feels weighted nicely, although a bit back heavy on the estate.

If you get one, only 350/500 has airmatic option, which imho is a really good option.

And you'll want a sunroof otherwise coffin like with the privacy glass and black trim.

Heated and vented memo seats, nice in the colder and hotter extremes.

Get one from MB for a weekend test? Then beat them down on prices, because these are just not shifting

 

[bpsorrel]

Keep the reviews coming guys, I need to make a decision. Economy Vs refinement.

Based on my experience with the 250CDI in the SLK, it's not refined. Not by any "premium" yardstick anyway. But, it has a lot of grunt and once on the move you won't hear or feel much to indicate it's not a far more refined engine than it is. At idle it's a tractor, simple as that!

The V6 is a way better engine, but I never achieved anything like the mpg I'm able to with the 250.

But, one caveat - with all the complexities of the twin turbos and the fact the timing gear is at the back of the engine, I don't think I'd want one out of warranty! The V6 was bad enough!!!

 

[Dieselman]

DM, if I cruise up and down the M1 at 70, can return appx 40mpg; up the M6 with those speed controls due to roadworks at 55, return appx 44mpg; a bit higher up in the lakes when a turn of speed is desired, 80, return appx 38mpg; sport mode and A roads, return appx 34mpg.

The response is not lag free as no double clutch zf unit like audi and jag, but it is extremely refined and enjoyable ride. The electric steering is bloody good and the car just feels weighted nicely, although a bit back heavy on the estate.

If you get one, only 350/500 has airmatic option, which imho is a really good option.

And you'll want a sunroof otherwise coffin like with the privacy glass and black trim.

Tried a SB today, got 34mpg over an 80 mile test drive at mainly CC 74mph indicated.
I thought I was doing well until I turned into the wind and lost 10mpg. I also noticed more wind noise compared to my car.

As far as sunroofs...no thanks.

Positive points.
Nice car, refined,, quick enough for overtaking, stop start function.

Negative points,
Seat bolsters pinched my ribs, wind noise, economy, steering lacked feedback.

What's with the economy gauge only going up to 40mpg..??

 

[clk208]

Tried a SB today, got 34mpg over an 80 mile test drive at mainly CC 74mph indicated. I thought I was doing well until I turned into the wind and lost 10mpg. I also noticed more wind noise compared to my car. As far as sunroofs...no thanks. Positive points. Nice car, refined,, quick enough for overtaking, stop start function. Negative points, Seat bolsters pinched my ribs, wind noise, economy, steering lacked feedback. What's with the economy gauge only going up to 40mpg..??

Was the SB you tried a 250 or 350?

I recall reading the 219 had a worse drag coefficient than the 211, possibly similar thing with the new generation? Not great figures really for a steady cruise.