Torn between a 2009 CLS55 AMG and a 2016 E350 coupe
07-04-2018, 09:46 PM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Torn between a 2009 CLS55 AMG and a 2016 E350 coupe
Hi all,
As the title suggests, I have been contemplating between those two models in general. Now, the reason I would go so far as to create a post, is because I'm an extremely picky person, and I want my next purchase to last me for a while. Previously, I had a CLK coupe for 3 years, which I recently sold, due to the exponentially depreciating price. I actually managed to sell it for a great price, so I'm stoked with that.
Now on to the main subject. I actually had my mind set on a Tesla Model S, and was thinking of purchasing one with the autopilot configuration, until I realized that the monthly payments of around $1400 USD would be a bit difficult for me. So I decided on a used CLS55/63 or E-class coupe.
The CLS55 AMG:
The CLS55 AMG I'm looking at is ridiculously low priced, with a very clean title, 1 small fender bender. IIRC, it is a 2008 or 2009, with around 26000 kms... which would roughly equate to less than 18k miles in the US! I can purchase it for around $24k USD (in my local currency), and it is in PRISTINE condition. We also have a local version of carfax, and it is highly detailed, and goes into insurance claims, accidents, etc... so there's no possibility of being duped. My ONLY concern, is the fact that the car is 10 years old, and as you can see from the price, the prices depreciate very quickly in my country, and I'm afraid that when I resell it, I will have to sell it for a dirt cheap price. I LOVE everything else about the car, the design, interior, performance, durability, absolutely everything is just beautiful to me, but do also worry that I might get bored of the design.
The E350 coupe:
This car (W212 facelift), has been my "realistic" dream car, with my "buddy, you won't ever buy this car unless you hit the lotto or wait for 20 years" car being the end-all be-all S63 coupe. Holy smokes that thing is sexy. Anyways I digress... So the E coupe has been on my radar since first appearing on the scene, and I still think the design is a timeless classic, so much so as to say that I don't think MB will be able to come up with a better design ever. I can see myself driving this for 10 years and still be happy with it. However, the downside to this vehicle is the price. It is around $40k USD, and even though I can afford it, I am currently paying off the mortgage, and also am expecting to spend around $8k in emmigration fees, since I have been planning on emmigrating overseas.
So there you have it. I currently make around $85k per year, with income tax being around 14%. I'm single, but do live with my fiancee in a mortaged apartment, and she also has a job making around $50k per year. I've been contemplating for 2 weeks, and I still cannot decide, which is why I'm asking for your opinions.
Also, if you can provide any "hidden" pros/cons of the CLS class, that doesn't show up in reviews, etc.., please let me know.
Thank you!
JC
As the title suggests, I have been contemplating between those two models in general. Now, the reason I would go so far as to create a post, is because I'm an extremely picky person, and I want my next purchase to last me for a while. Previously, I had a CLK coupe for 3 years, which I recently sold, due to the exponentially depreciating price. I actually managed to sell it for a great price, so I'm stoked with that.
Now on to the main subject. I actually had my mind set on a Tesla Model S, and was thinking of purchasing one with the autopilot configuration, until I realized that the monthly payments of around $1400 USD would be a bit difficult for me. So I decided on a used CLS55/63 or E-class coupe.
The CLS55 AMG:
The CLS55 AMG I'm looking at is ridiculously low priced, with a very clean title, 1 small fender bender. IIRC, it is a 2008 or 2009, with around 26000 kms... which would roughly equate to less than 18k miles in the US! I can purchase it for around $24k USD (in my local currency), and it is in PRISTINE condition. We also have a local version of carfax, and it is highly detailed, and goes into insurance claims, accidents, etc... so there's no possibility of being duped. My ONLY concern, is the fact that the car is 10 years old, and as you can see from the price, the prices depreciate very quickly in my country, and I'm afraid that when I resell it, I will have to sell it for a dirt cheap price. I LOVE everything else about the car, the design, interior, performance, durability, absolutely everything is just beautiful to me, but do also worry that I might get bored of the design.
The E350 coupe:
This car (W212 facelift), has been my "realistic" dream car, with my "buddy, you won't ever buy this car unless you hit the lotto or wait for 20 years" car being the end-all be-all S63 coupe. Holy smokes that thing is sexy. Anyways I digress... So the E coupe has been on my radar since first appearing on the scene, and I still think the design is a timeless classic, so much so as to say that I don't think MB will be able to come up with a better design ever. I can see myself driving this for 10 years and still be happy with it. However, the downside to this vehicle is the price. It is around $40k USD, and even though I can afford it, I am currently paying off the mortgage, and also am expecting to spend around $8k in emmigration fees, since I have been planning on emmigrating overseas.
So there you have it. I currently make around $85k per year, with income tax being around 14%. I'm single, but do live with my fiancee in a mortaged apartment, and she also has a job making around $50k per year. I've been contemplating for 2 weeks, and I still cannot decide, which is why I'm asking for your opinions.
Also, if you can provide any "hidden" pros/cons of the CLS class, that doesn't show up in reviews, etc.., please let me know.
Thank you!
JC
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ca12bon (07-11-2018)
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ca12bon (07-11-2018)
07-05-2018, 04:41 AM
#4
Super Member
But anyway get the amg. I think youll be disappointed any time you see any amg 55 supercharged or newer in the non amg. The w219 always looks newer than it is to people.
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ca12bon (07-11-2018)
07-05-2018, 08:35 AM
#5
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2012 CLS63
Get the newer, more reliable car.
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ca12bon (07-11-2018)
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ca12bon (07-11-2018)
07-05-2018, 12:00 PM
#7
Junior Member
One thing to note is that newer cars have newer tech.
That can't be denied if you like all the new tech/convenience and safety features that a 2006 simply won't offer.
That can't be denied if you like all the new tech/convenience and safety features that a 2006 simply won't offer.
Last edited by tudes; 05-13-2020 at 01:12 PM. Reason: double post
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07-10-2018, 09:06 PM
#8
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Okay, so I have been travelling all around my city to test drive different cars, and the E-class coupe was actually less comfortable than my 13 year old CLK coupe, so that car is out of the picture. I rode in a CLS 550, and the air suspension got me hooked instantly. After talking around with some MB fans from local car club, they mentioned that the CLS line were prone to 3 major issues: SBC, air suspension woes, and cam shaft issues. The air suspension seems really (and I mean REALLY) expensive to replace, and they are bound to deteriorate at one point or another (usually between 100k kilometers - 150k kilometers). Is it possible for the air suspension to last a lot longer? I don't want to buy a 100k kilometer CLS only to find out a couple of months later I need to spend $4000 on the suspension.
07-10-2018, 10:31 PM
#9
Super Member
You can get reman suspension for 460ish corner. Compressor is only like 200 bux. Unlikely to have everything fail in the system at once M156 has some known issues, headbolt issue plus the cam/valve issue but theyre not terribly common from what ive seen over 3 years of being on the forum. Sbc you can get repaired for 430.
https://modulemaster.com/rebuilds/shop/brakes/abs-modules/
ive had my 2005 cls55 for 3 years 20k miles and only had 1 strut fail, i live in a town that has had earthquake damaged roads the whole time and hit a gravel trap at probably 100 mph at the track when my fluid boiled(probably was the brake fluid from factory hehehe) before it failed a couple weeks later.
https://modulemaster.com/rebuilds/shop/brakes/abs-modules/
ive had my 2005 cls55 for 3 years 20k miles and only had 1 strut fail, i live in a town that has had earthquake damaged roads the whole time and hit a gravel trap at probably 100 mph at the track when my fluid boiled(probably was the brake fluid from factory hehehe) before it failed a couple weeks later.
Last edited by PieRat; 07-10-2018 at 10:34 PM.
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ca12bon (07-11-2018)
07-11-2018, 02:02 AM
#10
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Thank you for the detailed answer, Pierat. Now I have to choose between the following cars I've looked at lol:
1) CLS350 (limited red color in my country), 2006, 100k kilometers - around $12000 USD
2) CSL550 white / beige interior (love this combo), 2007, 70k kilometers - around $17500 USD
3) CLS63 AMG silver (bland color but very clean, NO accidents), 2008, 122k kilometers - around $21500 USD
The horsepower of 350 is "enough" for me, although I would prefer higher, but ONLY if it doesn't cost an arm a leg for maintenance. I make decent money so it is not an issue for me, but at the same time I would prefer to get the most reliable car. I've heard that 2007 and up do NOT use the SBC in their brake system, hence I'm include to go with #2 or #3, however if in terms of maintenance the 550 or 63 are going to be more expensive, I might just choose the 350, since it's in my favorite color, and it's extremely difficult to buy here (only 2 in the country!) I also sold my CLK for $13000 USD, which is why I'm trying to buy another car around that figure.
1) CLS350 (limited red color in my country), 2006, 100k kilometers - around $12000 USD
2) CSL550 white / beige interior (love this combo), 2007, 70k kilometers - around $17500 USD
3) CLS63 AMG silver (bland color but very clean, NO accidents), 2008, 122k kilometers - around $21500 USD
The horsepower of 350 is "enough" for me, although I would prefer higher, but ONLY if it doesn't cost an arm a leg for maintenance. I make decent money so it is not an issue for me, but at the same time I would prefer to get the most reliable car. I've heard that 2007 and up do NOT use the SBC in their brake system, hence I'm include to go with #2 or #3, however if in terms of maintenance the 550 or 63 are going to be more expensive, I might just choose the 350, since it's in my favorite color, and it's extremely difficult to buy here (only 2 in the country!) I also sold my CLK for $13000 USD, which is why I'm trying to buy another car around that figure.
07-11-2018, 02:23 AM
#11
Super Member
Can you get a third party mechanical warranty in your country? Here we can get them when buying from dealership or using a motor specialized finanace company. Ive loaned from finanace company when buying privately then early settled a month later to get it hehe. If i was you id get an amg, theyre not bad if you maintain them well and source your own parts online. Never buy parts from your mechanic they charge mark up on them!
the reason i suggest an amg is that whenever i see someone in a non amg i feel superior, even to newer mercedes. And i feel like they always look little jealouz when they see the amg badge, especially if they try punch it with their less horses. Im 27 and look young for my age and its always older men in the mercs so you can imagine the situation.
the 55s (m113k) amg sl55, e55, cls55 etc are more reliBle that 156 m113ks mechanically imo. Maybe you should take a look at them. Their engine feels abit more angry and less refined then other mercs but thats coz its mad and wants to be POWERFUL. The m113k is a solid simply designed engine without complicated variable vslve timing or doube overhead cam etc.. and has a nice v8 power and torque curve..
the reason i suggest an amg is that whenever i see someone in a non amg i feel superior, even to newer mercedes. And i feel like they always look little jealouz when they see the amg badge, especially if they try punch it with their less horses. Im 27 and look young for my age and its always older men in the mercs so you can imagine the situation.
the 55s (m113k) amg sl55, e55, cls55 etc are more reliBle that 156 m113ks mechanically imo. Maybe you should take a look at them. Their engine feels abit more angry and less refined then other mercs but thats coz its mad and wants to be POWERFUL. The m113k is a solid simply designed engine without complicated variable vslve timing or doube overhead cam etc.. and has a nice v8 power and torque curve..
Last edited by PieRat; 07-11-2018 at 02:27 AM.
07-12-2018, 01:24 AM
#12
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Can you get a third party mechanical warranty in your country? Here we can get them when buying from dealership or using a motor specialized finanace company. Ive loaned from finanace company when buying privately then early settled a month later to get it hehe. If i was you id get an amg, theyre not bad if you maintain them well and source your own parts online. Never buy parts from your mechanic they charge mark up on them!
the reason i suggest an amg is that whenever i see someone in a non amg i feel superior, even to newer mercedes. And i feel like they always look little jealouz when they see the amg badge, especially if they try punch it with their less horses. Im 27 and look young for my age and its always older men in the mercs so you can imagine the situation.
the 55s (m113k) amg sl55, e55, cls55 etc are more reliBle that 156 m113ks mechanically imo. Maybe you should take a look at them. Their engine feels abit more angry and less refined then other mercs but thats coz its mad and wants to be POWERFUL. The m113k is a solid simply designed engine without complicated variable vslve timing or doube overhead cam etc.. and has a nice v8 power and torque curve..
the reason i suggest an amg is that whenever i see someone in a non amg i feel superior, even to newer mercedes. And i feel like they always look little jealouz when they see the amg badge, especially if they try punch it with their less horses. Im 27 and look young for my age and its always older men in the mercs so you can imagine the situation.
the 55s (m113k) amg sl55, e55, cls55 etc are more reliBle that 156 m113ks mechanically imo. Maybe you should take a look at them. Their engine feels abit more angry and less refined then other mercs but thats coz its mad and wants to be POWERFUL. The m113k is a solid simply designed engine without complicated variable vslve timing or doube overhead cam etc.. and has a nice v8 power and torque curve..
Nope, I'm afraid they do not have third party warranty afaik. I also looked at a 2008 CLS63 AMG today, with 120k kilometers. They were selling for around $21k USD and in *absolutely* pristine condition, and I mean super clean. Engine "cylinder block" seemed to show a small oil leak as per their technician, but other than that, it was one of the cleanest CLS I've ever seen here. I'm going to go for a test drive after work, and will most likely purchase it. I think this car was really pampered, as evident both inside and out, including the engine bay. Heck, even the engine bay looked brand new lol...
