Newbie to the CLS

[tunnie]

Hi all,

I'm strongly considering a CLS 320, I currently own a Vauxhall Omega and do all my own maintenance on it. But I feel the time for a change is coming after 10 years with my Omega.

I'm looking at getting a CLS 320, but have a few questions as my budget will limit me to the earlier versions. But I want to know if it's worth saving a bit more to go for the 'Facelifted' version after 2008.

1) The 'Command-Nav' system between 2006-2008 FL model, are there any significant differences? Can later system be retro-fitted?

2) Is it worth going for FL version? What are the key benefits? (Better sound system/lights etc? - As I actually prefer the dash/wheel of the early ones.

3) What faults should I look out for?

4) Does anyone here do DIY service on CLS 320? What has kept me in Omega for so long is my own service work. Oil changes/plugs/exhaust/brakes etc)

5) Are there any service DVD type resources for the CLS or 320 engine?

6) I'll look for condition vs mileage, I'm not scared by big miles as quite often a high mile car will drive and perform better than a supermarket runner low miler. Is there anything to look out for on the higher mile versions?

7) Are Xenon headlights a common option for earlier versions, this will be a must have.

8) What other options should I look for?

Thanks in advance

 

[tunnie]

Anyone?

 

[TheFoX]

I had a 54 plate CLK that had Xenons as an option, if that is any help.

As for condition, a CLS will usually be looked after considering that it was an expensive purchase to start with, but as with any car, there will be excellent examples and lemons to boot.

Options? Hmm... How about memory seats, Comand (was this standard or optional?), Harmon Kardon, Heated and Chilled seats, Sunroof.

As for doing your own servicing, if you feel up to it, why not. Just because it is a Merc doesn't mean it is beyond you. Only you know your own limits.

Unfortunately, there isn't much in the way of material out there to read, except forums such as this one, where the knowledge base is as diverse as the members who frequent this board.

As for problems, just look for the usual culprits, such as injector seals leaking.

 

[gunning]

Hi all, I'm strongly considering a CLS 320, I currently own a Vauxhall Omega and do all my own maintenance on it. But I feel the time for a change is coming after 10 years with my Omega. I'm looking at getting a CLS 320, but have a few questions as my budget will limit me to the earlier versions. But I want to know if it's worth saving a bit more to go for the 'Facelifted' version after 2008.

1) The 'Command-Nav' system between 2006-2008 FL model, are there any significant differences? Can later system be retro-fitted? The systems were slowly upgraded but it's the same base unit, in my opinion they are great sat navs and generally trouble free.

2) Is it worth going for FL version? What are the key benefits? (Better sound system/lights etc? - As I actually prefer the dash/wheel of the early ones. Mercedes tend to sort niggles and upgrade components here and there. I personally prefer the pre facelift in non amg spec cls's. I wouldn't say there is a massive benefit in buying one or the other,

3) What faults should I look out for? Huge amounts of soot around the tailpipes can lead to costly repairs (balance shaft) I think but don't quote me on that. These diesels should barely smoke if at all. Other issues are harder to see. Inlet manifolds can crack on the inside and pull through the turbo but you'd know if this has happened as it would be In limp mode.

4) Does anyone here do DIY service on CLS 320? What has kept me in Omega for so long is my own service work. Oil changes/plugs/exhaust/brakes etc) same as a w211 e class so search for details on that

5) Are there any service DVD type resources for the CLS or 320 engine? Probably loads it's a commonly used engine in Mercedes


7) Are Xenon headlights a common option for earlier versions, this will be a must have. I wouldn't say common, not on the 320. They will have the projector style headlight but it was a costly option.

8) What other options should I look for? 3 types of media/ nav interface just the bog standard radio, a smaller sat nav unit without the big colour screen (50amps or something?) and the big unit with the big colour screen (100 amps) if it's got cooled seats it has the upgraded Nappa leather. In my opinion the must have on a cls is air suspension.

D

Hope that helps

 

[Simon_M]

If you can find one, try and get a 'Grand Edition' caring budget will allow.

I had a 57 plate 320CDI - lovely car.

S

 

[tunnie]

Thanks all, really useful stuff. Keep seeing the odd CLS on the road, looking forward to getting one :bannana:

 

[bpsorrel]

I had a pre-facelift CLS 320 CDI for a year and in many ways loved it. It was powerful, refined, very good looking and a real "premium" feeling car which was admired almost everywhere I took it.

But.... I bought a problem car, despite looking for a long time for the best one I could find!

Be very careful when choosing one as mine looked superb inside and out. Luckily I had a very, very good warranty provided by the (non-franchised) dealer I bought it from who swallowed the £3000 repair bills it had in the first 3 months!

What went wrong? Well, everything that goes wrong with the 3.0 diesel! EGR, DPF, Turbo, font crankshaft bearing and an assortment of irritating things like failing passenger electric window and paint peeling off!! This car only had 40,000 miles too!

I kept it a year only because I loved how it looked and drove once it had been fixed!

However, I know a few owners who've had no issues, just tread carefully and then enjoy a superb car that's bound to be a classic one day!

 

[tunnie]

Thanks bpsorrel for the feedback, how long ago did you have yours?

Sounds like it has been used for local short runs, with DPF failure. These big dervs belong on the motorway and long distance stuff in my view.

What is the best way to check for EGR? With engine cover off is it straight forward to inspect? Also for turbo, what's signs of one in trouble? I look for hissing or whining noises.

 

[TheFoX]

I've had my CLS 350 for a year now and the only issue I have had was a temperature sensor upstream of the turbo, which my local mechanic changed for £140.

Buying a car is akin to buying a lottery ticket. Some you win and some you lose.

For any given make and model, you'll find those who support it and those who despise it. If you have any concerns, get a quality warranty as back up, but you need to take the plunge otherwise you'll be sitting there wondering what would have been.

 

[bpsorrel]

Thanks bpsorrel for the feedback, how long ago did you have yours?

I sold it three years ago. Despite the issues I had with it, it's one of the few cars I've had that I genuinely miss.

If you have the itch for a CLS (as I did), you've gotta scratch it!!

As I said before, tread carefully, get it checked out before you buy and then enjoy a car that, if you're like me, you'll be looking back at every time you park it! LOL!

 

[Mactech]

I had a facelift car in 2010/11 for two years. It replaced a 07 S Class and came very close to the refinement levels of that car, but it would do something that the S Class couldn't...it could be fun to drive when you wanted it to be
I ran mine to 36k miles with no hint of a problem and is one of the few cars I miss
I drove a Grand Edition last year, but it did not seems as quick as my old 320 with a Brabus tuning box on. I'd have one again in a heartbeat

 

[PhilG]

Hi all,

I'm strongly considering a CLS 320, I currently own a Vauxhall Omega and do all my own maintenance on it. But I feel the time for a change is coming after 10 years with my Omega.

I'm looking at getting a CLS 320, but have a few questions as my budget will limit me to the earlier versions. But I want to know if it's worth saving a bit more to go for the 'Facelifted' version after 2008.

1) The 'Command-Nav' system between 2006-2008 FL model, are there any significant differences? Can later system be retro-fitted?

2) Is it worth going for FL version? What are the key benefits? (Better sound system/lights etc? - As I actually prefer the dash/wheel of the early ones.

3) What faults should I look out for?

4) Does anyone here do DIY service on CLS 320? What has kept me in Omega for so long is my own service work. Oil changes/plugs/exhaust/brakes etc)

5) Are there any service DVD type resources for the CLS or 320 engine?

6) I'll look for condition vs mileage, I'm not scared by big miles as quite often a high mile car will drive and perform better than a supermarket runner low miler. Is there anything to look out for on the higher mile versions?

7) Are Xenon headlights a common option for earlier versions, this will be a must have.

8) What other options should I look for?

Thanks in advance

2009 model years have much better NTG 2.5 Nav, which is hard drive based. This also gets you bluetooth. Probably one of the strongest reasons to get a facelift. Retrofits are possibe but expensive.

Xenons is a good option to look for, pretty rare. You can tell from ads as the foglights are oval on cars with xenons and round without.

Agree on your take on mileage, they take the miles well and given it has good history, low milers are not worth the premium to me.

Faults - glowplugs, check the nav works, electronic gremlins etc. Frameless windows can be trouble, make sure they all work.

One other tip is to look for the location of the antenna on the roof to identify the cars that have ABC braking (expensive and fails) look for aerial on the roof vs. aerial in the rear screen to tell.

Some cars have loads of kit on, and are worth seeking out as would have cost a fortune new. Not so sure on airmatic though, sure the ride is great but it will go wrong.

As for doing your own work, it is definitely harder than on an old omega. Servicing and stuff is fine but for lots of stuff you need STAR.

I thought this one looked good:

2007 57 MERCEDES CLS 320 CDI AUTO COUPE + 4DR + IRIDIUM SILVER MET | eBay

 

[tunnie]

Thanks, this is great stuff. Really appreciate this info

Can I just clarify this ABC braking:

Ariel on the roof = Good

As this does not have ABC braking?

Was there a year change for this? Or was it an option?

 

[bpsorrel]

SBC braking system is very good (mine had it) but it does have a limited life on the pump.

Some Indies such as Ollie can extend the life of the system and I believe new pumps can be fitted, but are expensive. Here's an article about SBC
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sensotronic_Brake_Control

If your car has the antenna on the roof it won't have it as MB cancelled it and went back to normal braking around 2006/7.

I will say though that an SBC fitted car will brake phenomenally well and if you can live with the "countdown" to a repair, can be worth it.

 

[PhilG]

Ah yes sorry, ABC is something else? On a W215?

Yes I think the change on the SBC happened in 2006.

Options I'd want:

* Xenons
* COMAND
* Leather (standard on 2009 MY I think)
* iPod kit (allows you to do bluetooth streaming with the right adapter)

I have linguatronic on mine and a sunroof, neither of which get much use. Standard stereo on mine sounds definitely good enough so I wouldn't bother looking for Harmon Kardon.

 

[tunnie]

Thanks Chaps. Most useful

I'm looking at 56-57 plate area with my budget, so this good info as I think I'd prefer a 'normal' braking example.

I'm yet to actually see a CLS with Cloth? Every example I've seen on trader has leather, so that's good!

iPod connectivity, my understanding is that is only available after the facelift version, with a connector in the glove box?

 

[PhilG]

Thanks Chaps. Most useful

I'm looking at 56-57 plate area with my budget, so this good info as I think I'd prefer a 'normal' braking example.

I'm yet to actually see a CLS with Cloth? Every example I've seen on trader has leather, so that's good!

iPod connectivity, my understanding is that is only available after the facelift version, with a connector in the glove box?

There are some early cars with just half leather. They usually have no other spec on either, e.g. Audio 20 stereo (no COMAND) and no heated seats.

Traders will usually describe these as FULLY LOADED because it has electric windows...

 

[tunnie]

There are some early cars with just half leather. They usually have no other spec on either, e.g. Audio 20 stereo (no COMAND) and no heated seats.

Traders will usually describe these as FULLY LOADED because it has electric windows...

Don't forget 'VERY RARE' just because it has an AMG badge

 

[gunning]

Thanks Chaps. Most useful I'm looking at 56-57 plate area with my budget, so this good info as I think I'd prefer a 'normal' braking example. I'm yet to actually see a CLS with Cloth? Every example I've seen on trader has leather, so that's good! iPod connectivity, my understanding is that is only available after the facelift version, with a connector in the glove box?

My 2005 cls55 amg had aux in it.

 

[bpsorrel]

Mine had AUX too, but no USB input.