new member, should I buy a CLS ?

[Reggie-rock]

Hi everyone, I need some advice on purchasing a 2005-2006 CLS 5.0 petrol which seems a better buy than the 3.5 engined car but please correct me if you think I am wrong.
My previous car was a 2004 Mercedes CLK 2.7 D which was a mistake as I only cover about 8,000 miles a year with most journeys not exceeding 10 miles.
I have also had a 1994 W124 3.2 coupe, so I am no newcomer to Mercedes.
The purchase of the CLS would replace my 2006 Jaguar Sovereign with only 57,000 from new and drives like a Bentley but now need a change and would even consider a swap but would be very hard to seek.
I your a 05-06 CLS owner with a petrol engine what do you think of this model and what should I be looking for ?

Many thanks.

 

[def90cars]

If you are bothered by such things then I think pre-April 06 would mean cheaper VED.

 

[flango]

Both great cars but consider repair costs the airmatic suspension on the CLS costs 3 times more to repair per component strut, pump etc than the Jag CATS system, MB. V8 is bombproof though

I went through this about 3 months ago with a pal who wanted me to source him a CLS. Or XJ eventually I found a mint XJ which is serving him fine and as you say drives just like a Bentley. CLS is equally as good a car but drives totally different to an XJ and is more costly to run from the people I have spoken to who have had both

Happy hunting though hope you find a good one

Sent from my iPhone using MBClub UK

 

[clk208]

If you're looking at the 500 I would also consider a 2007-onwards 350 CGI (petrol - not to be confused with the CDI).

Slightly later car and higher purchase cost but should prove a less costly proposition to run, has pretty much the same BHP as the 06 V8s (292BHP vs 306BHP) and still has an excellent engine note.

Areas you are likely to save money are:
Better fuel efficiency
No air suspension which can cost around £1k per corner to repair
No SBC brakes being the later car - another £1500 repair
I think the VED is cheaper

Most of these come very well spec'd - the only feature that seems to be less common on the 350s is 4 zone climate. Earlier 350s have potential timing gear issues - you can check from the engine number but by 07 most of these had the updated hardware.

They are still relatively costly to run is my finding so far, but an amazing car which I can confirm drive as good as they look.

 

[ChrisA]

CLS is a great car but shame they are only 4 seaters
Airmatic is a constant cash point visit but other than that, comfort at speed

V8 is a monster of an engine which delivers plenty of smiles per gallon

 

[developer]

Great cars - but there was a guy on here who bought a pre facelift 500 with 308bhp, and then found out it only had c30bhp more than a 3.0 diesel.

The facelift was upped to 388bhp.

Maybe the power isn't as important to you - however, I though it worth mentioning.

Also 17 wheels are just plain wrong on a CLS (IMO).

Go get one, they are ace .

 

[Reggie-rock]

Thanks for all your comments so far with the suspension issue a very good point.
Any more info would be much appreciated.