So the SL is going

[Alex225]

With 7 weeks until mini-me 2 makes an appearance it's finally time for the other half's SL350 to leave us. It's actually been a real b*gger to sell and annoyingly had to drop the price a fair bit but needs must.

It's been a mixed bag with owning the car. It's been used every day and is a lovely wafty drive, not sporty but comfortable cruiser and great with the roof down. It's also one of the best looking cars I've had the pleasure of driving. The downsides being that it feels fragile and you're always aware that something may just stop working. Would I actually buy one for myself? Only if it was an SL55 and I had the chance to garage it and have deep pockets.

So with a new arrival coming, it was time for a 'sensible' car with four doors and a decent sized boot. The Mrs' liked the 'Mercness' of the SL and the creature comforts. Initially considered the C Class but didn't really find one that ticked the boxes for her. So, we've ended up with......a CLS350 CDI! This one to be precise...

These are just the Autotrader pics so will get more in the coming weeks. Both thoroughly impressed with 3.0 V6 diesel engine, easily as quick off the mark as the SL was but a lot more in gear acceleration. This one has 61k on the clock, two previous owners and a service history which was made up mostly of receipts from DDR who are the specialist I use for my CLS! This one has plenty of niceties so the memory heated seats etc. No airmatic which she wouldn't use anyway and just added complexity so pleased with that.

Perhaps a little overkill for a mum wagon but it'll see a few motorway runs to keep that diesel lump happy and be ideal for two adults and two little ones. Not sure who's looking forward to picking it up more!

 

[BaldGuy]

Both lovely cars Sir.....

 

[Nat]

Very nice and heated seats this time of the year are bliss. I've got a real soft spot for the CLS and now wishing I never sold my 500 in May. I've been looking at the dervs recently as there aren't many decent V8's about at the moment.

 

[Alex225]

Thing is it was either going to be a C Class as they fit the bill in terms of practicality but even she said how much she likes the look of the CLS. Her only worry was the size of it. Thing is in most ways it's more practical than an SL, not just in terms of boot space or seating but smaller doors and higher up so easier to get in and out of.

Also, that diesel engine was very impressive. I love my old 3.2 but the 3.0 V6 didn't sound like a diesel from inside the car at all. Also, far more immediate throttle response than the SL and my E. Same 7 speed box than the SL so that's nice and smooth. No paddles for shifting but she never used them in the SL, can still gear down for hills etc using the gear stick.

 

[Nat]

I can see how it'll be more practical than the SL and they are quite a size (CLS). I struggled to get my CLS back from the wife when she drove it or at least until the fuel light came on. Oddly enough the seat positing was better for her than in the SLK we have - she has to use a cushion

 

[Alex225]

Luckily I have my own CLS that she isn't allowed to drive so no fear of that haha. With the SL, although it's only two seats it's not been much of an issue. The difficulty we've had is getting out of the thing. Big doors and a low seating position means car parking spaces or near walls (down our driveway) is not easy. The CLS is, as you say pretty sizeable but just a more 'normal' car in many ways.

 

[Mactech]

Looks like a lovely car!
...and I have great memories of one very similar...
http://forums.mbclub.co.uk/media/albums/mactech-cls.194/

 

[Alex225]

Looks like a lovely car!
...and I have great memories of one very similar...
http://forums.mbclub.co.uk/media/albums/mactech-cls.194/

That link didn’t seem to work for me mate.

Was it your car though?

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

(Scratches head) You must have a more disciplined wife than mine.

I had to sell an M635 when CostCentreTwo arrived, replacing it with an E55 saloon. Rushed home one Friday to take the family down to Salcombe, for a week, loading the car from the bags in the hallway in a hurry to absolute full - boot full with bags around the two kids in the back and all. Got to Salcombe at 11pm and unloaded.

"Where's the kids clothing?" She said. "Huh?" I said.

"In the big green bag. The one that was left up in the bedroom because it was too heavy for me to carry down the stairs."

Not a good way to end a busy week.

 

[Alex225]

That link didn’t seem to work for me mate.

Was it your car though?

Ignore me, it wasn't working via Tapatalk!

Yeah very similar car. Was yours the 350 diesel as well? How did you find the economy?

 

[Mactech]

That link didn’t seem to work for me mate.

Was it your car though?

Link works fine for me....
But yes, bought late 2009, 59 reg, silver, nappa leather in grey, memory seats, posh wheels and standard suspension.
Drove a CLS55 on Airmatic prior to getting this car but found the suspension was no great advance, unlike it was on the ML.
The ML on Airmatic managed to maintain a comfortable ride and control the lean angles from less than yacht like...something the CLS does quite well on standard springs.
Enjoy your (sorry your wife's!) car

 

[Mactech]

Economy was great, but it was mostly used on long trips. 2 year average was above 40mpg. The best on a single journey made it a 55CLS.....mpg that is.
However, my wife used a E320 estate at much the same time to commute to the city (8 miles away) and she got just over 30mpg.
Really depends on who drives and how they use it!

 

[Alex225]

Aah ok, does sound very similar to the CLS we pick up on Saturday. This one has dark leather but the wood is darker, not sure if it's Ash? Same as I have in my 63 so more grey than brown.

I'm pleased it doesn't have the Airmatic as it would be left in normal mode 99% of the time anyway and that would only be if I was testing it out. It certainly absorbed the bumps and although firm felt smooth and planted.

Good to hear the economy was decent. Obviously you have to factor in the sheer size of the car in terms of MPG but on a run I know the Mrs would be happy with 40mpg we never managed more than 28mpg in her SL. My E Class can give an indicated 52mpg but in reality it's 45ish.