HemantS

1. Did they all come with a height adjustable suspension? If not, what it the option called?

2. Can it be lowered using star diagnostics?

3. What are the main reliability issues that I might expect?

4. What are the must have options? I'm trying to stretch my cls500 budget by another 20k so I want to keep costs down!

blazinginder

yes
yes(i think)
its mercedes, there maybe some
get the premium1 pkg or p2 and you're good, oh and keyless go

HouTxCLS55

Parktronic-I think it's a must have!
Disktronic-Skip it
Keyless Go-Very Cool Option
Rear Window shade-50/50
Ventilated Seats-50/50 the are not like cooled seats w/infiniti. Not worth the extra money on MB
7 Logic-50/50 sounds good not great

I think you should be able to find a preowned in you price range. Expect to be in the low 80k high 70k range. w/loaded up options

Dogshine

by the way, if you can't afford it, save for a bit. it will be worth it. drive a 55 and then you will see what its all about.

HemantS

Thanks - it's not really an afford thing, it's a justify thing - this car will be a daily driver going 40-50mph most of the time

Bill Q

It is easy to justify the extra 20K for the 55 in my view. The CLS 500/550 are great cars but the AMG version elevates the car to a completely different level. And don't forget you are going to get a chunk of that 20K back when you sell it.

Vadim @ FD

CLS55 uses air suspension that can be lowered through STAR or lowering modules.

If you can stretch it, go for 55.

Another option is to get Pre-owned one.

http://www.autobase.com/cgi/info.exe...80&dealer=MBLN

Good Luck!

HemantS

Yes considering preowned. A used CLS55 is about the same as an 07 CLS550 right now give or take.

a1certified

That's about right. I paid less than an 07 CLS550 for an 8 month old 06 CLS55.

BlackCard

CLS55! Otherwise, you'll probably trade up after a few months, or regret it.

I never thought anything of Vented Seats, however on those hot days, it sure keeps you from sweating and/or shirt getting wet. Wish I had the parktronic though.

a1certified

I never liked Parktronic's equivalent in the BMW I have because I found I never really trusted it. It seemed there were always "situations" that I could think of that would fool the sensors.

I think the same would hold true for Distronic as well. I don't have enough faith in electronics to do that much driving for me yet. Plus, it's an awfully expensive option. However, the Pre-Safe feature that comes along with the Distronic almost makes it worthwhile to pay for even if you never use the Distronic feature itself. It only takes one accident to elevate these advanced safety features from thousands of dollars to priceless.

HemantS

I have laser cruise control in my Toyota Sienna minivan believe it or not. It works great. When a car appears in front of you a car symbol shows up on the dash. You can set three different following distances.

Only minor complaint is that when the car go's away, it downshifts to get to programmed speed quite aggressively.