2008 CLS 320 CDI Anyone had one?

[16vCento]

Has anyone had one?

Its a late 2008 one, apparently doesn't has SBC and no air suspension either so 2 less things to go wrong.

Its listed as a Grand Edition, 7 Speed auto, full mercedes history.

I've never had any dealings with Mercedes so any pointers would be good if anyone had had one

[Broccers]

Sure its not a 350? The grand editions we discussed a while ago on here somewhere. I'd imagine @Jobbo can tell you a bit about them

viewtopic.php?f=7&t=10553&hilit=brabus+cls&start=60

[Jobbo]

If it's a Grand Edition it would definitely be badged as a 350. It's the previous model to mine, John had one and really liked it IIRC (is he still here?)

Grand Edition comes with the Brabus chip as standard (watch out for previous owners removing the box) and 272bhp. They didn't come as standard with memory seats which is a must have on any Merc, IMO - look out for them. And the alloys were diamond finished and often get water under the lacquer so look corroded.

I think they're better looking than the W218 shape (though obvs I prefer my Shooting Brake anyway). The model number is W219, bizarrely, so google what commonly goes wrong. I don't think they're good value compared to early W218s, to be honest, but they do look nice.

[John]

Still here

As Jobbo said a Grand Edition will be a 350, mine was a 2008 but a 320. I owned it for two years and it was very reliable with just a window regulator and an injector seal needing to be replaced. I'm not sure how they've aged reliabilty wise but there are plenty of Mercedes specialists around if you don't want to do your own servicing/repairs.

Still one of the better looking Mercedes in my eyes.

[16vCento]

Its definitely a 320 so I'm guessing its not a Grand Edition then!

It does look lovely, I've always liked the styling of the 1st gen ones.

Has non AMG 19s, what i imagine to be very out of date Sat Nav, lovely looking seats that don't look like they have ever been sat in!

I might have it and just see what happens. It won't tow my caravan, so it will probably replace the 308, as I'll be swapping it for my S60 and I'm using my dads car for the foreseeable, so the towing issue can be decided in the future!

[JonMad]

One of these is definitely my #1 wafting device choice should such a need arise. Interesting about the wheels/lacquer on the Grand Edition, Jobbo, of the few I saw on AT when I was looking, dodgy wheels were quite common.

[Jobbo]

One of these is definitely my #1 wafting device choice should such a need arise. Interesting about the wheels/lacquer on the Grand Edition, Jobbo, of the few I saw on AT when I was looking, dodgy wheels were quite common.

I'd rather have corroded wheels than a simple silver spray job which really looks awful on what were originally diamond-cut wheels.

IIRC the Grand Edition was late-2009 onwards - the last year or so before the W219 ceased production - so I should have realised a 2008 wouldn't be one, but it's only a run-out special with different wheels and the Brabus chip to distinguish it. The chip might of course be a good thing, since it wouldn't be declared as a mod on your insurance.

[Rich B]

I'd always try to avoid diamond cut wheels. I've had loads over the years, and they always fail.

[dinny_g]

One of these is definitely my #1 wafting device choice should such a need arise. Interesting about the wheels/lacquer on the Grand Edition, Jobbo, of the few I saw on AT when I was looking, dodgy wheels were quite common.

I'd rather have corroded wheels than a simple silver spray job which really looks awful on what were originally diamond-cut wheels.

IIRC the Grand Edition was late-2009 onwards - the last year or so before the W219 ceased production - so I should have realised a 2008 wouldn't be one, but it's only a run-out special with different wheels and the Brabus chip to distinguish it. The chip might of course be a good thing, since it wouldn't be declared as a mod on your insurance.

Wikipedia states that Jobbo is... sorry, I have that the wrong way round...

Jobbo confirms that Wikipedia is correct...

All 2009 and 350’s

[Jobbo]

They sold plenty in 2010 - here's a 60 plate for sale, so no earlier than September 2010: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-detail ... 2157135928

[GG.]

"no expenditure required for 10,000 miles"...

Buy that one and the invoice him for any consumables for the next 10,000 miles on the basis of breach of warranty

[dinny_g]

They sold plenty in 2010 - here's a 60 plate for sale, so no earlier than September 2010: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-detail ... 2157135928

Sorry - Jobbo confirms Wikipedia is wrong...

[integrale_evo]

I'd always try to avoid diamond cut wheels. I've had loads over the years, and they always fail.

Agreed, it’s a dumb finish and can fail at random no matter how careful you are.

As for mercs, the 7 speed ‘box can crap itself randomly no matter how few miles, how gently driven or if the oil is regularly changed. Merc will want to charge you for a whole gearbox, luckily specialists can take out the conductor plate and change the sensors which cause the issue for £800ish.

[16vCento]

At least the box is easy to remove by the look of it.

I think ideally I'd like a petrol one, but they seem to have balancer shaft issues?

The diesel seems to be the more reliable engine which isn't ofter the case, maybe I'll just get it, if I don't like it I can always sell it.