I have a cls 350d 4-matic shootingbrake 2015. Am the second owner. Bought it in 2017, 47000 km. It basically has all the extra equipment including the designo package. Now it has almost done 107,000 km, serviced at Mercedes. No faults, and an absolutely wonderful car. It feels built like a tank. Will have it for a few more years. Don't know what I would like instead, apart from the same car, but a 63s. Greetings from southern Sweden.
I know this comment is over a year old but i'm still gonna ask, do you have problems with the frameless windows during winter? Been looking at these CLS's but i don't want to be locked out of my car during winter cause the windows might freeze 😅 Greetings from southern Finland.
@@NakkiPie Hello! My cars are kept in warm garages so have never had any direct problems with the frameless windows. I've had a problem with them once and the fault was 100% mine. Washed the car outside in about 12 minus degrees and the car was left outside 24 hours afterwards. Then they were stuck! Including folding in and folding out the rear-view mirrors. But everything worked quickly again. If you are going to have this car, it must be with six or eight cylinders. 4 cylinder diesel, no thanks in this body.
from a mechanics standpoint in germany, the cls / e class line is generally quite well engineered and built to last. if you are in the market for a used german sports saloon or wagon, those are not the worst choice. but as redriven points out correctly, repair bills can be immense in this category of car.
I have the 2012 cls550 base and love it. 100k miles. Only issue so far was a battery drain TBD and rear air bag leak that was a 250$ at home repair. A monster at 402 horse and 443 ft lb torque
I have a late 2013 cls 350 cdi 4matic and have to say I am really happy with it. I have owned it for 2 years, it has 150k kilometers and mechanically there have been no major issues. Everything you said about the ride quality and wind/tire noise is spot on. I installed Sound deadening material into the doors and now it's much better. As of not I've got 1 problem , which is blindspot monitoring: well it is not working and I'm not paying almost 2000 euros for something that is not necessary for me. There's also been couple of times when my steering wheel does not want to go down but with some light pressure + holding down the lever, it has fixed itself. Last winter I forgot to disable automatically foldable mirrors so I had to force them open and now the mirror motor seems to be somewhat weeker than it should be. That's about it
Lol at the doom and gloom reliability and costs part.. The OM624 it's one of the most under-stressed modern diesels, the fact that Sprinters with good maintenance reach 1 mil Km is speaking about the quality and reliability of the engine. The M278 is also a great engine, built like a tank. 4 cylinders engines are not for this car, sorry. The 7G is also great, don't believe all the hype around a minor number of cases. Also, whoever expects to pay same prices for parts for a big Benz like you pay for a crappy Dacia should go check his/her head. They are amazing cars, better than the current cars that are basically computers with touch screens on wheels. Oh, and nobody cares about the rear seats if you buy a CLS, they are just options for 2 additional people for a few minutes short drive in town. Also better design than the newer generations, more individuality, more masculine, more simple elegance.
I bought a 2013 CLS Shooting Break 250CDI and the servicing and maintenance costs have been similar to the 2006 VW Passat 2 litre TDI that I had before it. But then I service it whenever the car tells me to, and have a good independent mercedes specialist garage who do the work for me. I bought it with 60,000 miles on the clock and have taken it to 102,000 miles. I would say do not to be put off buying one that has a full service history. After all, it is probably the best looking estate car ever built.
The 725.0 trans (the 9-speed one) is eye-wateringly expensive to service. Basically the filter is built into the sump so the sump itself has to be replaced, the retail price on that is around $700 off the top of my head, and the 236.17 trans fluid is about $45/L All up you won't see much change from $1.5k depending on labour rates.
I've got my 9 g tronic serviced for £400 in london (2024) and whilst it is an expensive service, the recommended interval is 75,000 miles so i wouldnt say its too bad at least in the UK
I bought a brand 2015 CLS250d in 2017. Thats how popular these cars was, RRP 128k I paid $72k from Mercedes Melbourne Airport. For an AMG line shooting brake, air suspension, timber boot lining, active bolsters, radar cruise. It has the perfect combo of an E and S class, fantastic finishes, soft luxurious finishes where more expensive cars had hard plastics, amazing smart headlights. It was a fantastic car! Stunning..However, eventually you get the shits with, 1. The roof is low, so hit your head getting in and out. 2. The diesel wasn't great, it was fine with 500nm but it didn't match the car, a 500 would have been great. 3. Mercedes dealer service is poor 4. As soon as the Mercedes warranty finished stupid things started breaking, door mirrors, parking break mechanisms etc, luckily I had the short lived carsales "bumper to bumper" warranty that sorted those very expensive issues out. Unless it was very cheap or you were very very hands on I would not consider a used one with no warranty.
We’ve had an e-class 13 plate a 16 plate cls and a 21 plate e-class-All 2 litre diesel -All serviced on time at Mercedes and never had a problem with any of them -I’ve probably jinxed it now 😁
Just like any brand, there are combos of drivetrains that are reliable. We have 2 older benzs and they have both been fantastic. Good service history, and up kept maintenance, they have been excellent. Servicing is everything.
In my case, we have had a slk350, W212 E500 and now the CLS 500. 3 different engines, all kept until at least 10 years old and all have been perfect with only routine maintenance. From our perspective they have been the most reliable cars we’ve owned. Maybe we have just been lucky.
My dad's cousin had a 2007 CLS 55 AMG that I borrowed to go to my school Graduation with. I now drive a Mk7.5 Golf R but that CLS remains the most powerful car I've driven.
I own a 2006 CLS 320 cdi purchased it about 6 years ago with 58000 miles on the clock and its has been a rock - the only problems I have had with it is drivers side front spring snapping (common problem) had both replace £400 by a specialist, gearbox serviced at 65000 miles (7g tronic is the cls's achilles heel if you own one get it serviced every 30k - 40k miles they are NOT sealed for life gearboxes ) one glow plug replaced and the glow plug relay and usual control arms and ball joints it is a heavy car. I average late 40's to low 50 mpg town driving you can see mid 20's low 30's. Its been a pleasure to own and drive from day one with 120000 miles on the clock still going strong . If your thinking about buying one you need full service history and make sure the gearbox has been serviced on a regular time scale.
Extremely reliable cars those cls. My dad has had a 2018 cls 400 for the past 5 years and only changed a small 1k part under the hood and a blind spot sensor. Less than 2000$ in repairs in over 5 years and 110 000km . But the v6 is the one to get.
@@charles-davidberube1174 just under 200,000 km for 2014 VF Commodore SV6. The mechanic noticed some oil which turned out to be from one of the engine mount so he put two new ones in because apparently that’s what they do. Labour and parts $300!
Wagons have a weird place in my heart. They're really one of those love or hate. There's hardly any grey line. Either way love the Merc I just have anxiety about reliability everytime I see one.
I love my CLS350. It had timing chain’s replaced when I bought it. Just been serviced @$1400NZD. Cost is largely in oils! The bugger is the deterioration of the paint behind the GLASS B on the pillar. Who makes it glass????
Belive me,if you find a maintain model,you will be suprised. We had an e class from 2014 with 3.0 diesel omg642 for 5 years, the only problem was that out small battery died in the trunk. Om 642 is fantastic engine.
Best think about this channel… AK asks and listens to feedback, and stays true to himself during the reviews which are always brilliant. That said would love to see a BMW X3 review. 😉
Great video as I am looking just these days for a CLS 250 Diesel... I have a first generation CLS 500 (with M113) and I love it!! Such a beautiful car! But the CLS 500 is only a sort of fun car for me (I will keep it), so I am looking for a more practical and thrifty version. This one seems to fit! I´ve set an eye on a 2015 model. :)
In late 2008 we went into MB Melbourne to buy a CLS350 sedan and walked out with a CLK 63 AMG. With 354 Kw and 610 Nm in the 2 door CLK we decided we didn’t really NEED a four sedan 🤣🤣👍🏻👍🏻
Nice!! Great review adam and Jim i really luv these detailed and enjoyable vids, now because of you i know what cars to avoid and what to go for. LUV IT!!! pls do a cx7 review pls pls pls. I live in canberra if you wanna come and review my cx7. LUV LUV LUV it!!! kp it up guys😎😎👍👍👍👍👍👍👌👌👌👌❤❤❤❤❤❤
Just bought my second shooting brake.. the best car I have ever owned.. I love it and gutted they didn’t carry on the sb in the latest model. I don’t think I’ll ever get a different car.. thinking ahead I plan to get another one to convert to electric future proofing the car
I think the cost of ownership is frequently overstated, especially with the m276. They can have timing chain issues, but it is uncommon and it only tends to happen on very high milage cars. The w212 is known to be one of the most reliable modern Mercs out there and the CLS shares most of its components with that car. Find one with the m276 that was well maintained, not abused, and does not have the air suspension and you'll be good to go.
A close friend bought his 'dream car' CLS 55 AMG sedan back in 2010, the car was 4 yrs old with 48,000kms...I guess the first clue of what was to come was the $280,000 new price came down to $115,000 when purchasing. It looked and drove great, but was an unmitigated disaster..mulitple failures of the Airmatic suspension, the super charger which died at 80k kms not to mention other things like failing window regulators and MURDEROUS service costs and parts pricing. I joked beforehand he should have bought a MAserati Quattroporte, but he baulked at the idea saying the car would be always in the shop and cost a fortune. Looking back, the Maserati may have possibly been MORE reliable than his CLS. I wouldn't even buy one with someone elses money.
Own a 2016 CLS550 with 80K. Replacing air suspension system with Arnot regular shocks & struts. Fairly common for this model. Also had misfiring errors. Hope that’s it!
I have a 2010 cls 350 with about all possible options since 2019 and driven about 100.000 km. Nothing special with maintenance or reliability . Tires are the main costs.The car is serviced by a specialist ,not by the dealer.Sometimes there are electrical malfunctions but this can be put right by restarting the car . Fuel consumption is pretty ok for a car like this … about 10 km on a liter.
Please give some advice in terms of engine reliability of the 350 vs the twin turbo 400. Would you recommend a low mileage 350 vs a high mileage 400 please?
I had the OM642 V6 diesel & Merc transmission in a WH Jeep Grand Cherokee and it was a torque monster. In the rain it would light up all four wheels. Astonishingly expensive, hugely complicated to maintain, no parts availability if a major failure, but the power was biblical. It just added gears and boost and defied the laws of physics until you ran out of road or testicular fortitude. That engine in a station wagon would be hilarious. Biggest disappointment was the Jeep parts making the vehicle irreparable. Moral of the story; here for a good time, not a long time, they were never meant to get old..
Lacquer peel on the B-pillar, check! I've owned a 640d GC and currently a CLS350 CDI. The Merc looks better, is a nicer place to be inside but isn't a match for performance or handling of the BMW.
You can run these cars if you are able to service them yourself and don't mind taking out the credit card when buying spares. They are generally easy to work on as well.
My experience with Mercedes is such that I would never buy one again. It was OK when low mileage but when the mileage which was only moderate by Japanese car standards it was a lot of trouble. It had been maintained well. Friends have had similar experience with other German brands.
well, it's up to you to drive a Benz or a Toyota.. I know what I'll choose. I really don't see any competition for this car segment from Japan anyway..
@@farnum3297 It will be OK until the miles get up. Then it will spend a lot more time in the workshop that anything from Japan, in which case you will not be driving it at all whilst it is tied up in the workshop. I will never buy another Mercedes after my past experience, the most unreliable vehicle that I have ever owned period.
@@TheAllEngineering can you tell us the model? I have been driving Mercedes my whole life and they are very reliable. Toyota is not really any competition to merc.
@@EXYUTV I Had Vito Van. It was expensive to keep on the road. Suspension failure, Instrument cluster failure, ecxessive bosy rust, multiple engine issues, most around injectors. It went in for regular servicing as per merc schedule. It left me stranded, broken doen on many occasions. I have never had this with my Toyota van or Lexus car, so I guess Toyota is no competition for merc in this respect. I have friends that have had Mercs, BMW, VW, Audi all had reliability issues. The newer models are not like the older models. If you are owning at high milage you will have more problems than with japanese vehicles generally. This is very well documented.. You can have the nicest to drive car in the world but it is pointless if it spends so much time brioken down.This is why I would never by any europeon vehicle again.
@@TheAllEngineering no one ever claimed Toyota is not reliable but its just a box on wheels with some plastic and glass.... Most of them, not all of course. Owning a merc van doesnt make you really knowledgeable about the brand. If you are satisfied with the Toyota brand, stick to that, nothing wrong with it.
i had a 2013 550 i loved it so much one of the most comfortable cars ive had but in the span of 1.5 years of having it i had to replace the thermostat, and one of the air suspensions and by the time i sold it to get my current car (cls63s) the car was lower on one side.
Well there cheap to buy once over 5years or post warranty valuation falls off a cliff you just have about 10k put aside for repairs as they most likely will occur
Ironically, the review car is fitted with AMG package. Ive driven the 4cyl diesel quite a lot, also fitted with AMG package. The looks of the car without this 10k upgrade is barely comparible. For such a heavy long car it handles well and not hard to manouver in car parks. The one downside to the 4cyl was a very rough engine, which if you wanted smooth you should get the 6cyl.
I have seen some of ReDriven videos, as well as other car videos on other channels.... the general rule of thumb seems to be: If it is a Toyota, Honda, or Mazda, buy it. If anything else, dont buy it :D
I had a new 1998 C Class, one of the last of the over engineered German built models before manufacturing shifted to South Africa. My wife drove that car for 300,000km+ over 13 years without a single issue! I sold it to a family who have since put 5 kids through it on their Provisional Licenses and it still looks as new as the day I purchased it 25 years later. Wish I had the confidence to buy another new Mercedes!
@@MrAk749 I owned an '02 South African made C class. It had the pretence of being a "quality" vehicle, but the more I got to know it, the more the harsh reality set in. It was not "a Mercedes"! Previously I had owned a '76 E 280 and a '76 280 SEL. I'd also driven and been driven in, a few other models in between. I was a Mercedes convert. Or so I thought. That South African C class put me off for life. Rubbish car. You were lucky that you got a German one. Mine tired with 160 k on the clock. Especially when the head gasket failed!
I was liking that CLS but me not being flushed with cash felt my fingers burning...(so I hurriedly took them out of the fire)...which is where I am now dam it! Please do a review of the most reliable but very comfortable cars please asap.
This car is currently for sale, still advertised with the Redriven plates on it! Fantastic review, but I think for this very car I'm not as keen as I was, seems to have lots of little things wrong that will add up over time,. You oftem mention issues with 10 year old cars, they stack up and start to cost serious dollars, shame...it looks fantastic!
@@ReDriven yeah, I saw the case shape looked like Seiko, but hadn't seen the 6-12 chrono from Seiko and couldn't find any pics. Nice watch. I'm loving your channel. Good work.
you should have had the cls350SB with the diesel engine - the difference between the 250D and the 350D regarding the "engine feel" while driving is worlds apart. I had a E350D (the "real" 350, not the 300 with 350 badge ;) - the 265hp version) with the "standard 7G" and test drove the cls350 with the 7G-Plus and the slightly different ECU settings and it feels so much different - the CLS just feels a lot more sporty than the E350 with the same engine. And it's still an amazing feel :) (but I also tested the 250 and have to agree with you .... its just not what you'd expect or "the most pleasant feel" :D )
I called it lol 😆. Figured it'd have to have been the CLS after the X-Trail lol. Nice looking car but I wonder if its monocoque design makes it hard to work on or not when things need to be fixed? Also is it one that needels premium rubber on it or will standard boots work? Good review guys and I eagerly await next week's videos as always. Have a good weekend guys and keep up the good work 👍.
@@skilgour44 Because some people do long country miles and fuel economy then matters for those who might want to use this as a long tourer (plus you have to fill up less often)
@@zaamuro8408 the more open road driving you do, the less difference there is in the fuel consumption of larger and smaller engines or in the consumption of petrol and diesel engines. If you're truly value-oriented, don't buy a Mercedes. This is meant to be a stylish car and a diesel does not match the character of the car.
06:51 I'd buy this car just to be able to explain to a mate how much I love my bisexual console, then just leave it hanging with an awkward silence and continue driving.
Adam, you have sexy hands. Great movement that will put Vanna White to shame….lol! Another great job done! BTW, see what I meant with that S class review, that car was an odd ball. My 5.5 year old S coupé 550 with 47k kilometres is still perfect, but I take care of it ( even had the pain correction done with ceramic coating….). Hope to show it when you guys come here. (You can play with the vents! ). Is that still on your plate? Fred
You guys do some of the best 'available to purchase' car reviews on the whole internet.
Wow…
Thank you so much for the kind words!!!
Agreed!
well said 👏🏼
I have a cls 350d 4-matic shootingbrake 2015. Am the second owner. Bought it in 2017, 47000 km. It basically has all the extra equipment including the designo package. Now it has almost done 107,000 km, serviced at Mercedes. No faults, and an absolutely wonderful car. It feels built like a tank. Will have it for a few more years. Don't know what I would like instead, apart from the same car, but a 63s. Greetings from southern Sweden.
🤘
I know this comment is over a year old but i'm still gonna ask, do you have problems with the frameless windows during winter? Been looking at these CLS's but i don't want to be locked out of my car during winter cause the windows might freeze 😅 Greetings from southern Finland.
@@NakkiPie Hello! My cars are kept in warm garages so have never had any direct problems with the frameless windows. I've had a problem with them once and the fault was 100% mine. Washed the car outside in about 12 minus degrees and the car was left outside 24 hours afterwards. Then they were stuck! Including folding in and folding out the rear-view mirrors. But everything worked quickly again. If you are going to have this car, it must be with six or eight cylinders. 4 cylinder diesel, no thanks in this body.
@@niki7040hey you want to sell ypur car iam in stockholm searching for Cls ;)
@@niki7040 why not a cls250? whats the reason?
from a mechanics standpoint in germany, the cls / e class line is generally quite well engineered and built to last. if you are in the market for a used german sports saloon or wagon, those are not the worst choice. but as redriven points out correctly, repair bills can be immense in this category of car.
I have the 2012 cls550 base and love it. 100k miles. Only issue so far was a battery drain TBD and rear air bag leak that was a 250$ at home repair. A monster at 402 horse and 443 ft lb torque
What is your fuel consumption?
@@Sh8erNK 25 citi 29 highway. 23 if getting in it
I have a late 2013 cls 350 cdi 4matic and have to say I am really happy with it. I have owned it for 2 years, it has 150k kilometers and mechanically there have been no major issues. Everything you said about the ride quality and wind/tire noise is spot on. I installed Sound deadening material into the doors and now it's much better. As of not I've got 1 problem , which is blindspot monitoring: well it is not working and I'm not paying almost 2000 euros for something that is not necessary for me. There's also been couple of times when my steering wheel does not want to go down but with some light pressure + holding down the lever, it has fixed itself. Last winter I forgot to disable automatically foldable mirrors so I had to force them open and now the mirror motor seems to be somewhat weeker than it should be. That's about it
Lol at the doom and gloom reliability and costs part.. The OM624 it's one of the most under-stressed modern diesels, the fact that Sprinters with good maintenance reach 1 mil Km is speaking about the quality and reliability of the engine. The M278 is also a great engine, built like a tank. 4 cylinders engines are not for this car, sorry. The 7G is also great, don't believe all the hype around a minor number of cases. Also, whoever expects to pay same prices for parts for a big Benz like you pay for a crappy Dacia should go check his/her head. They are amazing cars, better than the current cars that are basically computers with touch screens on wheels. Oh, and nobody cares about the rear seats if you buy a CLS, they are just options for 2 additional people for a few minutes short drive in town. Also better design than the newer generations, more individuality, more masculine, more simple elegance.
I bought a 2013 CLS Shooting Break 250CDI and the servicing and maintenance costs have been similar to the 2006 VW Passat 2 litre TDI that I had before it. But then I service it whenever the car tells me to, and have a good independent mercedes specialist garage who do the work for me. I bought it with 60,000 miles on the clock and have taken it to 102,000 miles.
I would say do not to be put off buying one that has a full service history. After all, it is probably the best looking estate car ever built.
I love the honesty of your mechanic. Great job 👍
Jim the mechanic is great. I love how he explains everything so clearly and yet with so much defeat in his tone for this car. Haha
The 725.0 trans (the 9-speed one) is eye-wateringly expensive to service. Basically the filter is built into the sump so the sump itself has to be replaced, the retail price on that is around $700 off the top of my head, and the 236.17 trans fluid is about $45/L All up you won't see much change from $1.5k depending on labour rates.
😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲
I've got my 9 g tronic serviced for £400 in london (2024) and whilst it is an expensive service, the recommended interval is 75,000 miles so i wouldnt say its too bad at least in the UK
I miss hearing your opinion on looks and aesthetics, Adam, because they can sometimes make me question my own opinion. Keep doing them!
I bought a brand 2015 CLS250d in 2017. Thats how popular these cars was, RRP 128k I paid $72k from Mercedes Melbourne Airport. For an AMG line shooting brake, air suspension, timber boot lining, active bolsters, radar cruise. It has the perfect combo of an E and S class, fantastic finishes, soft luxurious finishes where more expensive cars had hard plastics, amazing smart headlights. It was a fantastic car! Stunning..However, eventually you get the shits with, 1. The roof is low, so hit your head getting in and out. 2. The diesel wasn't great, it was fine with 500nm but it didn't match the car, a 500 would have been great. 3. Mercedes dealer service is poor 4. As soon as the Mercedes warranty finished stupid things started breaking, door mirrors, parking break mechanisms etc, luckily I had the short lived carsales "bumper to bumper" warranty that sorted those very expensive issues out. Unless it was very cheap or you were very very hands on I would not consider a used one with no warranty.
Nice to read an honest owner's review. Cheers.
The V6 Diesel is the way to go.
That car is freakin gorgeous. I had no idea the wagon version existed. I'm drooling a bit.
We’ve had an e-class 13 plate a 16 plate cls and a 21 plate e-class-All 2 litre diesel -All serviced on time at Mercedes and never had a problem with any of them -I’ve probably jinxed it now 😁
Just like any brand, there are combos of drivetrains that are reliable. We have 2 older benzs and they have both been fantastic. Good service history, and up kept maintenance, they have been excellent. Servicing is everything.
Servicing is indeed everything. Which is challenging when you are buying used because there are almost always gaps. I haven’t yet seen a car without
Which of the 2 reliable Benz models do you own?
In my case, we have had a slk350, W212 E500 and now the CLS 500. 3 different engines, all kept until at least 10 years old and all have been perfect with only routine maintenance. From our perspective they have been the most reliable cars we’ve owned. Maybe we have just been lucky.
Even with unreliable brands, *most* cars are still good. It’s just the one or two in ten absolute lemons that really make it unwise.
@@jeremybean-hodges6397 except BMW. Almost everyone I’ve know who has owned one, including me, has had endless problems.
My 2014 CLS 550 was the best car I ever owned, wish I still had it.
Just got one and man i think
Its the best car i ever bought 😂
@@johnguwop2891I’m gonna get one myself. How many miles on yours? How has your ownership experience been?
My dad's cousin had a 2007 CLS 55 AMG that I borrowed to go to my school Graduation with. I now drive a Mk7.5 Golf R but that CLS remains the most powerful car I've driven.
Your uncle
@@nhojadnab383 My uncle would be my parents' siblings though.
I own a 2006 CLS 320 cdi purchased it about 6 years ago with 58000 miles on the clock and its has been a rock - the only problems I have had with it is drivers side front spring snapping (common problem) had both replace £400 by a specialist, gearbox serviced at 65000 miles (7g tronic is the cls's achilles heel if you own one get it serviced every 30k - 40k miles they are NOT sealed for life gearboxes ) one glow plug replaced and the glow plug relay and usual control arms and ball joints it is a heavy car. I average late 40's to low 50 mpg town driving you can see mid 20's low 30's. Its been a pleasure to own and drive from day one with 120000 miles on the clock still going strong . If your thinking about buying one you need full service history and make sure the gearbox has been serviced on a regular time scale.
Will you ever bring back ‘how’s it look’? I always like getting your opinion on that.
Agreed with this. Also find the 'Whats it like to drive' at the start odd. Want to know about the interior etc before getting what its like to drive.
@@bensmith7956 YESS!!
Agreed, the old format is better
Due to popular demand, my opinions on the looks will be coming back mate. - AK
@@ReDriven legend
Extremely reliable cars those cls. My dad has had a 2018 cls 400 for the past 5 years and only changed a small 1k part under the hood and a blind spot sensor. Less than 2000$ in repairs in over 5 years and 110 000km . But the v6 is the one to get.
I’ve got the mk2 v6 bro
But mines got a hunting issue when cold, but when it heats up it stops
It’s driving me mad
Try $300 in repairs over 10 years.
@@MuttnikSS6 that’s just insane! Like no faulty sensors?? No oil leaks? Nothing!? And how many miles/km
@@charles-davidberube1174 just under 200,000 km for 2014 VF Commodore SV6. The mechanic noticed some oil which turned out to be from one of the engine mount so he put two new ones in because apparently that’s what they do. Labour and parts $300!
Had mine for two and a half years love it still
Best car review I have seen in a very long time. Genuine, honest and your energy doing the review makes me want to watch more of your channel Thanks.
Glad you enjoyed it!
In "Straya... we call 2 door wagons, panel vans :D
Wagons have a weird place in my heart. They're really one of those love or hate. There's hardly any grey line. Either way love the Merc I just have anxiety about reliability everytime I see one.
They really are reliable! Just avoid the dsg transmission models. I had a w204 c class and it was more reliable than my toyota prado
@@samartz Whaaaaaat? Really? That is amazing
The diesels are reliable, especially the 2.1.
@@samartz I find this very hard to believe
There are reliable euro cars, you just have to find the right engine/ transmission combo and make sure it's well serviced...
Love the design of the CLS its an E-class with flair !, Great video !!
I love my CLS350. It had timing chain’s replaced when I bought it. Just been serviced @$1400NZD. Cost is largely in oils! The bugger is the deterioration of the paint behind the GLASS B on the pillar. Who makes it glass????
"What goes wrong?" Apparently everything with this car. Shame, it's damn good looking car.
Belive me,if you find a maintain model,you will be suprised. We had an e class from 2014 with 3.0 diesel omg642 for 5 years, the only problem was that out small battery died in the trunk. Om 642 is fantastic engine.
@@matejvukovic3108 All Mercedes diesels are really good. Personally I'd prefer car like this with a bigger petrol engine.
@@DG_427 CLS 500 is the “beast” 👍💪
Best think about this channel…
AK asks and listens to feedback, and stays true to himself during the reviews which are always brilliant.
That said would love to see a BMW X3 review. 😉
Cheers Ben!
We’ll track down an X3 and review it asap!
We are presently deciding whether to keep our CLS500 shooting brake. Great timing!
I've been waiting for this for a while. Thanks for the upload.
Great video as I am looking just these days for a CLS 250 Diesel... I have a first generation CLS 500 (with M113) and I love it!! Such a beautiful car! But the CLS 500 is only a sort of fun car for me (I will keep it), so I am looking for a more practical and thrifty version. This one seems to fit! I´ve set an eye on a 2015 model. :)
In late 2008 we went into MB Melbourne to buy a CLS350 sedan and walked out with a CLK 63 AMG. With 354 Kw and 610 Nm in the 2 door CLK we decided we didn’t really NEED a four sedan 🤣🤣👍🏻👍🏻
Nice!! Great review adam and Jim i really luv these detailed and enjoyable vids, now because of you i know what cars to avoid and what to go for. LUV IT!!! pls do a cx7 review pls pls pls. I live in canberra if you wanna come and review my cx7. LUV LUV LUV it!!! kp it up guys😎😎👍👍👍👍👍👍👌👌👌👌❤❤❤❤❤❤
Just bought my second shooting brake.. the best car I have ever owned.. I love it and gutted they didn’t carry on the sb in the latest model. I don’t think I’ll ever get a different car.. thinking ahead I plan to get another one to convert to electric future proofing the car
I think the cost of ownership is frequently overstated, especially with the m276. They can have timing chain issues, but it is uncommon and it only tends to happen on very high milage cars. The w212 is known to be one of the most reliable modern Mercs out there and the CLS shares most of its components with that car. Find one with the m276 that was well maintained, not abused, and does not have the air suspension and you'll be good to go.
shhhhh no don't tell everyone… keep the cars cheap for the rest of us lol
@@Ben-hq2wg Oops 🤣
The fading door pillars are very common. I replaced mine with eBay adhesive overlays and they look great..
Great video, as always
A close friend bought his 'dream car' CLS 55 AMG sedan back in 2010, the car was 4 yrs old with 48,000kms...I guess the first clue of what was to come was the $280,000 new price came down to $115,000 when purchasing. It looked and drove great, but was an unmitigated disaster..mulitple failures of the Airmatic suspension, the super charger which died at 80k kms not to mention other things like failing window regulators and MURDEROUS service costs and parts pricing. I joked beforehand he should have bought a MAserati Quattroporte, but he baulked at the idea saying the car would be always in the shop and cost a fortune. Looking back, the Maserati may have possibly been MORE reliable than his CLS. I wouldn't even buy one with someone elses money.
Great video, I love the CLS shooting brake! I remember you could get the boot lined in this beautiful cherry wood.
I have that in my CLS, it is the reason behind buying the car at the first place lol
@@bchallah amazing!!
Own a 2016 CLS550 with 80K. Replacing air suspension system with Arnot regular shocks & struts. Fairly common for this model. Also had misfiring errors. Hope that’s it!
I have a 2010 cls 350 with about all possible options since 2019 and driven about 100.000 km. Nothing special with maintenance or reliability . Tires are the main costs.The car is serviced by a specialist ,not by the dealer.Sometimes there are electrical malfunctions but this can be put right by restarting the car . Fuel consumption is pretty ok for a car like this … about 10 km on a liter.
so currently between one of these and a 535d touring
Years ago I got the chance to test drive a CLS500 and thus was born my need for a modern Turbo V8. Just not a Mercedes or Audi one :)
Or a BMW one
Why would you even want a turbo v8
@@AKK5I Up to personal preference... But I'm not a huge fan of turbo V8's either, if we're talking about sound and reliability
Please give some advice in terms of engine reliability of the 350 vs the twin turbo 400. Would you recommend a low mileage 350 vs a high mileage 400 please?
Did you get the answer? If yes please share
I always thought ‘shooting brake’ meant a sexier, coupe-ish wagon. Admittedly that was a definition in my own mind, induced from examples.
I've always thought it was a coupe with a wagon back added on. As the 4 door is considered a coupe that tracks for this shooting brake.
Looks and drives amazing, quality interior and love the design. The v6 diesel is the best one to go for
2017 cls here. Best car I've ever owned of many Europeans.
Omg Adam! you are such an eye candy now you have become my new favourite Aussie presenter mate!:)❤
I had the OM642 V6 diesel & Merc transmission in a WH Jeep Grand Cherokee and it was a torque monster. In the rain it would light up all four wheels.
Astonishingly expensive, hugely complicated to maintain, no parts availability if a major failure, but the power was biblical.
It just added gears and boost and defied the laws of physics until you ran out of road or testicular fortitude.
That engine in a station wagon would be hilarious.
Biggest disappointment was the Jeep parts making the vehicle irreparable.
Moral of the story; here for a good time, not a long time, they were never meant to get old..
Lacquer peel on the B-pillar, check! I've owned a 640d GC and currently a CLS350 CDI. The Merc looks better, is a nicer place to be inside but isn't a match for performance or handling of the BMW.
You should really review the B8 Volkswagen Passat (primarily 206tsi). Overall, great review 👍
We will be! - AK
Great review, after researching and test driving this actual car I bought it, love it 🚗👍❤️
You can run these cars if you are able to service them yourself and don't mind taking out the credit card when buying spares. They are generally easy to work on as well.
Sedan way version looks way more sexier. If u want a wagon, my old w204 cdi wagon will fit 90% of peoples needs!
can you review a fpv f6 please
100%! - AK
My experience with Mercedes is such that I would never buy one again. It was OK when low mileage but when the mileage which was only moderate by Japanese car standards it was a lot of trouble. It had been maintained well. Friends have had similar experience with other German brands.
well, it's up to you to drive a Benz or a Toyota.. I know what I'll choose. I really don't see any competition for this car segment from Japan anyway..
@@farnum3297 It will be OK until the miles get up. Then it will spend a lot more time in the workshop that anything from Japan, in which case you will not be driving it at all whilst it is tied up in the workshop. I will never buy another Mercedes after my past experience, the most unreliable vehicle that I have ever owned period.
@@TheAllEngineering can you tell us the model? I have been driving Mercedes my whole life and they are very reliable. Toyota is not really any competition to merc.
@@EXYUTV I Had Vito Van. It was expensive to keep on the road. Suspension failure, Instrument cluster failure, ecxessive bosy rust, multiple engine issues, most around injectors. It went in for regular servicing as per merc schedule. It left me stranded, broken doen on many occasions. I have never had this with my Toyota van or Lexus car, so I guess Toyota is no competition for merc in this respect. I have friends that have had Mercs, BMW, VW, Audi all had reliability issues. The newer models are not like the older models. If you are owning at high milage you will have more problems than with japanese vehicles generally. This is very well documented.. You can have the nicest to drive car in the world but it is pointless if it spends so much time brioken down.This is why I would never by any europeon vehicle again.
@@TheAllEngineering no one ever claimed Toyota is not reliable but its just a box on wheels with some plastic and glass.... Most of them, not all of course. Owning a merc van doesnt make you really knowledgeable about the brand. If you are satisfied with the Toyota brand, stick to that, nothing wrong with it.
i had a 2013 550 i loved it so much one of the most comfortable cars ive had but in the span of 1.5 years of having it i had to replace the thermostat, and one of the air suspensions and by the time i sold it to get my current car (cls63s) the car was lower on one side.
Why would you touch a merc from this era. If you have the cash to fix it up, you almost have the cash for a new one.
Well there cheap to buy once over 5years or post warranty valuation falls off a cliff you just have about 10k put aside for repairs as they most likely will occur
Had the 350 and the AMG CLS63s both beautiful cars
whats your feedback on cls 63 s? dive into detail if possible ;)
Ironically, the review car is fitted with AMG package. Ive driven the 4cyl diesel quite a lot, also fitted with AMG package. The looks of the car without this 10k upgrade is barely comparible.
For such a heavy long car it handles well and not hard to manouver in car parks. The one downside to the 4cyl was a very rough engine, which if you wanted smooth you should get the 6cyl.
I have seen some of ReDriven videos, as well as other car videos on other channels.... the general rule of thumb seems to be: If it is a Toyota, Honda, or Mazda, buy it. If anything else, dont buy it :D
The best looking car 😍😍
Really? I think it looks quite ugly in my opinion
Should of gone to spec savers
@@michaelhart5886 🤣🤣🤣
I'm here because I bought a new CLS. How does the quality keep up after 6 years.
Tension, tension, tension, 10mln electronic systems, egr, dpf, fuel system, etc etc, glad I have a w123 200D which a kid can fix 🙏🏻👊🏻
I can't yet part with my dear 08 facelifted W211, but these look great!!!
I have an 08 facelift W211 as well, just got a 2012 CLS550 4 matic with 30k miles. Ad much as i loved my W211 this car is a lot nicer in my opinion!
I wish Mercedes still built cars like they used to. I'd buy one.
I had a new 1998 C Class, one of the last of the over engineered German built models before manufacturing shifted to South Africa. My wife drove that car for 300,000km+ over 13 years without a single issue! I sold it to a family who have since put 5 kids through it on their Provisional Licenses and it still looks as new as the day I purchased it 25 years later. Wish I had the confidence to buy another new Mercedes!
@@MrAk749 I owned an '02 South African made C class. It had the pretence of being a "quality" vehicle, but the more I got to know it, the more the harsh reality set in. It was not "a Mercedes"! Previously I had owned a '76 E 280 and a '76 280 SEL. I'd also driven and been driven in, a few other models in between. I was a Mercedes convert. Or so I thought. That South African C class put me off for life. Rubbish car. You were lucky that you got a German one. Mine tired with 160 k on the clock. Especially when the head gasket failed!
Love the bloopers. Rare these days😂
The original owner has taken a massive hit by the 4 by 2 called depreciation .
…and by the fit/finish around the front end… may have taken another hit before?!?🤷♂️
Where’s the link to the s-class video you were talking about - regarding peeling interiors 😅
I have e220 coupe 2012 model year, had 5 years, apart maintenance costs nothing wrong happened, car is on 115k miles
What….I am so confused at the map pocket and what you did. I need to go check mine. I do not have the pocket under mine. 2016 CLS 550
Nice review keep up the good work. Would really love to see an episode of Hyundai Palisade as the market for a 7 seater is rapidly becoming a thing.
Hi ! Only coolant leak (due to the gasoil filter support) on my 250 CDI so far...
I was liking that CLS but me not being flushed with cash felt my fingers burning...(so I hurriedly took them out of the fire)...which is where I am now dam it!
Please do a review of the most reliable but very comfortable cars please asap.
Shall do David, we’ll do a Top 5 on them. - AK
Is Jim saying that the OM651 250 CDI timing chain issues not really an issue on models post 2012?
Was this filmed in Yarramalong? The road looks so familiar but struggling to place it!
100% correct
Thanks for that really good helpful video. I really want to see the a5 cabrio 2009-2015
Or coupe
Dude, if someone is swimming in money and has the Financial Position, they would actually buy a Brand New Example 😏
This car is currently for sale, still advertised with the Redriven plates on it! Fantastic review, but I think for this very car I'm not as keen as I was, seems to have lots of little things wrong that will add up over time,. You oftem mention issues with 10 year old cars, they stack up and start to cost serious dollars, shame...it looks fantastic!
I’m am SOOOOOO sorry that this video jsut taught me that a 4 cylinder was EVER put in this car… just a shame 😢
Should I get the 2011 CLS350 in the end of 2022, with 60000km, with good condition ? A friend who offered me 9k USD in Asia.
Great stuff, would love go see a review on a C200/250 w204/205, these seem to availbe at reasonable prices with fairly low mileage
Definitely love to see it
The tan leather strap is nice on the chrono. I just can't see it quite well enough to be sure what watch it is.
It’s a vintage Seiko 6138 I picked up in Japan mate. - AK
@@ReDriven yeah, I saw the case shape looked like Seiko, but hadn't seen the 6-12 chrono from Seiko and couldn't find any pics. Nice watch. I'm loving your channel. Good work.
you should have had the cls350SB with the diesel engine - the difference between the 250D and the 350D regarding the "engine feel" while driving is worlds apart. I had a E350D (the "real" 350, not the 300 with 350 badge ;) - the 265hp version) with the "standard 7G" and test drove the cls350 with the 7G-Plus and the slightly different ECU settings and it feels so much different - the CLS just feels a lot more sporty than the E350 with the same engine. And it's still an amazing feel :) (but I also tested the 250 and have to agree with you .... its just not what you'd expect or "the most pleasant feel" :D )
I called it lol 😆. Figured it'd have to have been the CLS after the X-Trail lol.
Nice looking car but I wonder if its monocoque design makes it hard to work on or not when things need to be fixed?
Also is it one that needels premium rubber on it or will standard boots work?
Good review guys and I eagerly await next week's videos as always. Have a good weekend guys and keep up the good work 👍.
Good on you mate!
@@ReDriven I think I know what next weeks review car is but I'm staying stum on that for the mo lol
Just normal good tyres.
I like the first generation. It looks like the designers' original concepts of the AU Falcon.
Great Car but too many what ifs to buy one
Viking vibes . Love the beard 😊
An estate CLS is what I want. Probably more than an A6/S6 avant.
Sadly with diesel prices being so high, you really have to get the petrols.
And the maintainience of the diesels in the long term with DPF's, EGR's and injectors is another reason to go petrol.
Why is that sad? You’d have to have rocks in your head to genuinely want the diesel over the petrol for any reason other than economy.
@@skilgour44 Because some people do long country miles and fuel economy then matters for those who might want to use this as a long tourer (plus you have to fill up less often)
@@zaamuro8408 the more open road driving you do, the less difference there is in the fuel consumption of larger and smaller engines or in the consumption of petrol and diesel engines. If you're truly value-oriented, don't buy a Mercedes. This is meant to be a stylish car and a diesel does not match the character of the car.
Are Mercedes diesel motors more reliable long term compared to petrol ones?
Not the modern versions no mate. - AK
Have a 110k mile 2014 e550 love it
Please do a w204 facelift video 😃
Hey Adam Morris...can you please do an episode about legendary bolbo 850/855 T5R will be better..thank you
It’s happening in the new year Dol. - AK
@@ReDriven you Sir are absolute LEGEND 🤘🏻 Thank you so much mate
06:51 I'd buy this car just to be able to explain to a mate how much I love my bisexual console, then just leave it hanging with an awkward silence and continue driving.
Always, always gold mate. - AK
Adam, you have sexy hands. Great movement that will put Vanna White to shame….lol! Another great job done!
BTW, see what I meant with that S class review, that car was an odd ball. My 5.5 year old S coupé 550 with 47k kilometres is still perfect, but I take care of it ( even had the pain correction done with ceramic coating….). Hope to show it when you guys come here. (You can play with the vents! ). Is that still on your plate? Fred
One day Fred, one day! - AK
Did he say:bloodspot monitoring?
I really wish I had! - AK
Watching this after buying one today😅
Any regrets so far?
@@kouki8334 no, all good for now
@@ristaglista947cls 550 gonna get one very soon how is it, any problems at all , worth buying?
The most expensive thing in the world is a cheap European car.
I have to remind myself of that every time I search for cars. They seem like good value until you remember why they've already depreciated so much.