Anyone have any experience with Mercedes CLS550?

[JulesMaximus]

My Mother-In-Law is looking to buy a new-to-her car and the CLS550 is one of the cars she is interested in. I offered to help out with this quest so any informative posts would be appreciated.

From what I've been reading people seem to be complaining of oil leaks, a maddeningly difficult to use navigation system, and large blind spots (all of which I know will drive her nuts).

She is also looking at the S550 sedan and the E class sedan. She currently has a 2002 E320 with 67,000 miles on it and it has been a great car.

 

[sdifox]

so get a new(er) E?

 

[JulesMaximus]

so get a new(er) E?

Yeah, I think that's where this will ultimately end up going. I'd hate for her to get a car she's going to have a love/hate relationship with. She loves the look of the CLS (as do I) but it sounds like there are some major complaints that come with it and the S550 is way too expensive. She could easily afford it but I don't think she would ever spend $70-80k on a car...any car.

 

[MJinZ]

S-Class is pretty much incomparable to the Es. Get what you want.

 

[sdifox]

does she drive people around? If not, why not a CLK or SL? S is nice, but if you don't need the space, why lug that boat around? Used S is not that much is it?

http://www.finishlineford.net/used/...SL-Class-1a3dffbe7f000001008f2e81665a3198.htm

2008 E350 is around 30k so that is not too bad.

 

[PricklyPete]

Yeah, I think that's where this will ultimately end up going. I'd hate for her to get a car she's going to have a love/hate relationship with. She loves the look of the CLS (as do I) but it sounds like there are some major complaints that come with it and the S550 is way too expensive. She could easily afford it but I don't think she would ever spend $70-80k on a car...any car.

I haven't driven one yet, but I've heard some really good things about the new E. It's also the newest out of the lot...which obviously can be a good and bad thing (most advanced engineering...not proven reliable yet). In my mind, the "best" Mercedes is always the E class just like the "best" BMW is 3 series. And when I say "best", I feel these cars have a huge focus at each manufacturer...since they are their core cars (RX350 and A4 are similar vehicles from Lexus and Audi).

 

[MJinZ]

I haven't driven one yet, but I've heard some really good things about the new E. It's also the newest out of the lot...which obviously can be a good and bad thing (most advanced engineering...not proven reliable yet). In my mind, the "best" Mercedes is always the E class just like the "best" BMW is 3 series. And when I say "best", I feel these cars have a huge focus at each manufacturer...since they are their core cars (RX350 and A4 are similar vehicles from Lexus and Audi).

RX350 is a Camry. Lexus's best selling car is the ES350 (also a Camry).

A4 is some Volkswagen. This is probably Audi's best selling.

The E-Class is not the best car Mercedes makes by a huge stretch. The S-Class is in terms of volume car.

The new E-Class Coupe is basically just a C-Class/CLK Coupe.

 

[PricklyPete]

RX350 is a Camry. Lexus's best selling car is the ES350 (also a Camry).

A4 is some Volkswagen. This is probably Audi's best selling.

The E-Class is not the best car Mercedes makes by a huge stretch. The S-Class is in terms of volume car.

The new E-Class Coupe is basically just a C-Class/CLK Coupe.

Hmmm....where exactly did I say any of those cars were the "best selling"? Oh, that's right...I didn't. I asserted an opinion. Thanks for a being a troll and trying to start an argument that in no way helps the OP.

 

[joesmoke]

i know i stare at them a lot...

Never thought about the blind spot thing, but those side windows on the CLS are pretty tiny. Those prior generation E classes are solid, I'd tell her to keep what shes driving or get a slightly newer one with lower miles and the V8.

 

[JulesMaximus]

does she drive people around? If not, why not a CLK or SL? S is nice, but if you don't need the space, why lug that boat around? Used S is not that much is it?

http://www.finishlineford.net/used/...SL-Class-1a3dffbe7f000001008f2e81665a3198.htm

2008 E350 is around 30k so that is not too bad.

She does carry friends around from time to time as many as 2-3 people so a coupe or 2 seater is not an option. She also likes to spend time hunting the garage sales so she needs something with a decent sized trunk and back seat.

 

[theblackbox]

we recently picked up a fleet s550 amg at high line auction, one of the executive cars, fairly cheap(way under 70k). pretty nice, although i like the sl and the clk55 amg(of course a lot more)

if she is interested in paying a lot less for a lot more, if you get me her info, i'll be glad to get her in touch with someone that hunts down cars and can give her some big insight.
they are out of anaheim but work with people all over the country and come highly recommended, can answer all her mechanical and driving questions, and can help her find the perfect car. all they deal with is mb, bmw, audi, porsche and other high performance cars.

 

[JulesMaximus]

i know i stare at them a lot...

Never thought about the blind spot thing, but those side windows on the CLS are pretty tiny. Those prior generation E classes are solid, I'd tell her to keep what shes driving or get a slightly newer one with lower miles and the V8.

Well, she's had her current car since 2003 (she bought it used with very low mileage) and she's concerned that it is German and out of warranty. She's probably already depreciated it fully too so she is ready for a change.

Japanese cars are out of the question. She absolutely will not buy a Japanese car.

Since I've known her, going on 20 years now, she's owned a Jaguar, an Olds Aurora (probably kept this one the least of any of her cars), a BMW 740i, and the E320 she is currently driving. The Jag and the Olds she bought new and the BMW and the Mercedes she bought low mileage used cars. The BMW was a nightmare, she had nothing but problems with that car.

The last thing I want is for her to have troubles with whatever car she ends up buying.

 

[vshah]

Well, she's had her current car since 2003 (she bought it used with very low mileage) and she's concerned that it is German and out of warranty. She's probably already depreciated it fully too so she is ready for a change.

Japanese cars are out of the question. She absolutely will not buy a Japanese car.

Since I've known her, going on 20 years now, she's owned a Jaguar, an Olds Aurora (probably kept this one the least of any of her cars), a BMW 740i, and the E320 she is currently driving. The Jag and the Olds she bought new and the BMW and the Mercedes she bought low mileage used cars. The BMW was a nightmare, she had nothing but problems with that car.

The last thing I want is for her to have troubles with whatever car she ends up buying.

how about american... cts wagon?

 

[halik]

S-Class is pretty much incomparable to the Es. Get what you want.

What generation are you talking about? The last model gen are essentially identical w221 and W212 and even the generation before that was essentially the same on the interior.

The only difference is that the S has more bells and whistles (multi way seat adjust, window shades and stuff like that... plus legroom)

 

[sdifox]

She does carry friends around from time to time as many as 2-3 people so a coupe or 2 seater is not an option. She also likes to spend time hunting the garage sales so she needs something with a decent sized trunk and back seat.

E it is then, tell her to hold out a couple more years and pick up an off lease 2010 E

 

[MJinZ]

What generation are you talking about? The last model gen are essentially identical w221 and W212 and even the generation before that was essentially the same on the interior.

The only difference is that the S has more bells and whistles (multi way seat adjust, window shades and stuff like that... plus legroom)

Talking comparable generations of course. Not a 1980s S-Class vs a 2010 E-Class.

No, the S-Class is not comparable. It has a more advanced suspension system, including an air suspension in the rear, better chassis, along with all the benefits of being bigger, and having a capable V-12 in there etc etc... and haven't even mentioned all the bells and whistles.

 

[secretanchitman]

S550. CLS is already a huge jump from the E class (imo), so why not spend a little more and get the S550. she will never need another car for a longggggggggggg time.

 

[senseamp]

Why not a CLS 350?

 

[iGas]

She does carry friends around from time to time as many as 2-3 people so a coupe or 2 seater is not an option. She also likes to spend time hunting the garage sales so she needs something with a decent sized trunk and back seat.

What kind of garage sales that she drive to in a CLS550?

It is a good looking car, but IMHO she should test drive a fews luxury cars (include the E class as well as Hyundai Genesis) from various makes before she made up her mind.

 

[PhoKingGuy]

What kind of garage sales that she drive to in a CLS550?

It is a good looking car, but IMHO she should test drive a fews luxury cars (include the E class as well as Hyundai Genesis) from various makes before she made up her mind.

If you're looking at a 7 series/S class/CLS and E I don't think you'd be interested in a Genesis

 

[senseamp]

Maybe E wagon for garage sale junk.

 

[JMapleton]

Lexus LS460

 

[sdifox]

Well, she's had her current car since 2003 (she bought it used with very low mileage) and she's concerned that it is German and out of warranty. She's probably already depreciated it fully too so she is ready for a change.

Japanese cars are out of the question. She absolutely will not buy a Japanese car.

Since I've known her, going on 20 years now, she's owned a Jaguar, an Olds Aurora (probably kept this one the least of any of her cars), a BMW 740i, and the E320 she is currently driving. The Jag and the Olds she bought new and the BMW and the Mercedes she bought low mileage used cars. The BMW was a nightmare, she had nothing but problems with that car.

The last thing I want is for her to have troubles with whatever car she ends up buying.

Lexus LS460

You missed the part where op mentioned the mother in law will not drive a Japanese car.

 

[sdifox]

Just priced the new E350 with some options and it's 63k with 4matic, premium 2 package, folding seat, wood steeling wheel, panorama sunroof, night vision, chrome door handle inserts, rear side airbags, walnut trim and ipod integration kit.

 

[Vette73]

how about american... cts wagon?

:thumbsup: