Aablue

Hello Everyone,

I am considering a pre-owned CLS 4MATIC from '13 - '17 in the US with less than 40k miles. Which years were the most reliable and which trim (400 vs 550)?

It would be driven like 5k - 8k a year

I have only experienced ownership on '12 GLK350 4MATIC and '15 C300 4MATIC. Maintenance on these were not a lot. I do understand the CLS is a more premium class of vehicles.

Thanks

Idklol69

I have a CLS400 4Matic with about 58,000KM right now and I've had no issues (knocking on wood), and have had it since it was at about 32,000KM. I recommend you make sure that whichever model you're getting has its service history so you can know that it was serviced on time and well taken care of. Depending on where you're at in the world, most CLS400's do not have the airmatic suspension, most have the sport suspension which is pretty stiff (you feel the manholes on the road). Pretty much every 550 has the airmatic suspension, and if you plan on keeping it in the long run, they can become problematic and can cost thousands to repair, so the 400 avoids this issue entirely. I'd recommend getting at least a 2015 model because there were many changes in 2015 (diamond grill, new headlights, design of front bumper is different, rear air vents near parking sensors, side skirt area is different, display is like your C300's as it sits on top of the dash, and the steering wheel design changed, seat controls are in the screen rather than the seat). If you're looking for more power and that V8 sound, then definitely go for the 550.

Aablue

Hello,

Thanks for the detailed reply. Very helpful.
I am from USA.

So the 2015 CLS 400 engine is better engineered you think from others? Is 2015 the last year for that specific design or is it a first year where that design came into existence?

I do know that if you purchase a car with the last year design before a design changes usually those models are constructed quite well.

I understand, I wouldn't want airmatic because I would like to keep the car for more than 8 years.

PekkaH

Id say airmatic is very good. My car is driven now 150 000km with zero problems. Okay if something will broke that's gonna cost but still the ride is very very nice and I'm willing to pay when that happens. It can be lowered too with star.

Idklol69

Idk if I’d say better engineered. There are a lot of guys here with the 550 so I’m sure the replies will be coming shortly.

The E400/E550 are pretty much the same car based on the same platform so you could find threads on reliability for those two cars as well if you want. 2015-2016 were the only two years of the CLS400 in North America.

shortspark

The 550 (W278) is one of the best engines ever made by MB. There is a diesel or two that match it but no MB petro engine has ever superseded it. It is more powerful than the manufacture specs (so as not to infringe on the S class), and very reliable and trouble free. Turbo lag is virtually unnoticeable. At least that has been my experience with the 2017 CLS 550 that I own. I have on order a 2021 CLS 450. The in-line six cylinder motor that the CLS is stuck with is close in spec to my 550 but I do not believe the performance will be the same. I would have to move to AMG to do better than what I have. Idklol69 is right, the 400 and 550 are pretty much the same car but the W278 simply can not be surpassed. Reliability? I have had no trouble at all since I bought mine new in the fall of 2017. It has been a joy to drive the entire time. I have experienced no problem with the air-matic suspension but I have heard others complain. I guess it is hit or miss. Go with a 550 under 50,000 miles, well serviced (and only by a Mercedes dealer), maintenance records are a must as well as garage kept. Do not buy a car that is not garage kept. Spend a couple thousand on a tune to bring it to AMG standards and you will have the finest car on the road today.

Adi-Benz

You can't go wrong with either one. I have a 2015 CLS400 with airmatic (only have had it a few months though) and I love it. From the forum history, facelift models seem to have less issues thus far when it comes to airmatic.

MBmemphis

I have a 550 (2013)

my 2c below

-no issues since I bought it
-I do like the updated diamond grill a little better
-buy a slightly cheaper car and do a tune
-go V8 (with the tune it’s an absolute beast)
-even with tune the car is tame enough to let other people drive it in comfort setting
-I do do worry about my airmatic costing me money later but I really like being able to change settings

DigitalDisaster

I also have a '13 CLS550 and I agree with this assessment and especially his suggestion to get the V8 and opt for a quality aftermarket tune. My car replaced a 500 HP tuner Corvette, and I have not looked back for a second - love this car.

dweb4

Get a CLS boss, one with a V8. I have a '14 CLS550, and lord goodness with a tune I got this is a monster that puts in strong work when the peddle is pressed. It certainly makes all these dudes driving around wanna be Days of Thunder stock cars go back and get a refund.

Dblok1113

2014 550 RWD 122,000 miles and replaced rear airbags and valve block (1,500Usd) water pump and turbo coolant lines was my fault (2800usd) , all replaced 120k miles. Car is driving like new and puts a smile on my face every time I get in, it’s absolutely amazing. If you can afford the oil changes, tire and brake changes on the 550 you will not be disappointed especially with that low of mileage you are looking at and from what I hear the launch is a lot better on the 4matic not sure if you will playing with it like that but if so I’d say the 550 any m278 motor is bulletproof from what I’ve read as well , good luck on your find !

Dblok1113

seriously stage 2 tune 14 550 as well and I can’t stop finding a reason to leave house

Idklol69

Honestly wish I had got the 550, been thinking this for the past couple of months. Reason being all of my driving is the city and I only get 400-450km from my tank. I'm sure the 550 wouldn't be much less. The tuning potential of that motor is insane as well, as renntech's stage 1 is like 540HP/705 pound feet which is crazy. Unfortunately I didn't even know about the tuning world when I purchased the car.

All of the 550's and 400's here are 4Matic so with a tune it'd be running mid 3's to 60mph. A secondary cat delete would bring out some more V8 goodness + CLS63 mufflers would make it sound even better. I feel like I might switch to a different vehicle soon as I want a V8, but I doubt I'd go from a 400 to 550 as everything else but the engine is the same (don't want to redo a lot of the same mods as I'll waste thousands more lol). The sad thing about Mercedes is that the CLS550/E550 were discontinued a few years ago so now if you do want a V8 thats a couple of years old, it's gonna have to be like an S550 or C63S.

Adi-Benz

They're all 4matic in Canada*

US has rwd versions as well
I kept test driving 550's and eventually I ended up with the 400 and I have no regrets. I get almost 30mpg on a daily commute which is better than my c300 w204. The only thing missing is a muffler delete v8, but the 400 doesn't sound bad for a 6. If a second slower to 60mph is going to be the end for you, definitely go 550.
A tuned 400 is faster than a stock 550 if that somehow incorporates into cost for you. Tuning both will cost you about the same though.

W218CLS

anything 12 to 14 with good ownership history.

Better get one fast. They are becoming more and more rare and the demand for these are increasing.

I noticed prices are going up on the w218 body style.

there are only 48 of these in the used car market with 500 mile radius of me, and 46 of them are at dealer lots.

Tbbt CLS

I love my 2013 CLS550 and have no regrets about it. I purchased my car with 17.7K miles two years ago and have no had repairs other than oil changes, now at 28K miles. The Dealer keeps pestering me to trade it in, not happening!

Couple of things to keep in mind:
1. 2013 does not have stop/start system ( I hate them). 2014 and newer do have it.
2. If you can find a Certified Pre Owned from a Dealer, you get an extended warranty. Must be less than 5 years old and less than 50K miles.
3. MPG on the 550 isn't much less than the 400.
4. As others have stated, tuning a 550 gives you monster power and a streetable ride at the same time.

CaptainMongo

I bought a 2015 CLS three years back. I loved that car. I didn’t realize how much I did until after I sold it earlier this year. (it was a good reason to sell at the time)

It took me about a month to regret the decision and about 9 months to find a suitable replacement. My 2017 CLS will be here in a few weeks.

I’m taking this one to the grave.

Tbbt CLS

Sometimes things work out for a reason, enjoy your 'new' CLS! I love mine too. Marv

shortspark

I have a 2017 CLS 550 I bought new five years ago. I have 50,000 miles on it and warranty is out so I thought I would trade it in for something. The car has been dependable, fun to drive and will never go out of style. And that big V8 twin turbo is one of the best gasoline motors Mercedes ever built. It will probably outlast me! I decided not to trade and just pay the maintenance and repair costs as they happen. I may regret it if something major goes wrong but I think I will buy a small truck or suv just to use to bang around in and keep the CLS as my touring car. You will enjoy it for sure - good luck!

Sentinelsf

I have a 2014 CLS550. It only has 43K miles and it has been very reliable - no serious problems. This is my 4th Mercedes I have owned and I have never issues with any of them.