MERCEDES-BENZ CLS Coupe 2005‑2010

We first saw one of these car while travelling in Germany in 2005 and were blown away by the styling. We've owned our vehicle for 6 months now and it's been a lovely car.

It was originally purchased so we could take some friends for an extended trip around Europe and the car was perfect for that. Four people and all our luggage fitted easily, the interior is very quiet so converstion was no problem even while cruising down the autobahns and it returned 44mpg over nearly 3000 miles of mixed driving. My wife is now using it for going to work and doing the shopping.

I particulary like the air suspension which offers a choice of settings and the Bi Xenon headlights which see around corners. My wife loves the very easy to use cruise control, the front and rear parking sensors and the heated and cooled electric leather seats.

The CLS diesel averages 35mpg around town and we have managed 47mpg on a motorway which is excellent and as it has a long range tank you don't have to fill it up too often.

Overall the CLS320CDI is a safe, economical, very well equipped luxury drivers car for less than the price of a new Focus.

Having owned BMW "M" series cars for a number of years, I was a little apprehensive about the change to a Merc CLS AMG. I still needed space inside but more importantly the driving experience to enjoy.

I was also on a slightly restricted budget which reduced my options somewhat.

Having owned the CLS now for over 12 months, I can honestly say it is a really lovely car with all the luxuries one would expect from a prestige top of the range German coupe' whilst still able to carry golf clubs, trolley etc in the large boot.

Driving it is a dream. I do tend to poodle about in it but at the dab of your right foot it will respond with a growl and acceleration of any "M" series BMW.

From a practical aspect, the MPG generally is not great, but for a 5.4 litre kompressor engine, I have to say it really isn't to bad by comparison. If you are light footed, between 16 - 20mpg around town is achievable and on a run, I got 28plus!

The car comes with untold extras and gadgets to keep the most enthused driver interested and nicely laid out too. The sat-nav is easier than the older BMW system as well.

I have only had the car serviced once since ownership and that was at a AMG specialist and cost me a very reasonable £264.00, though the rear screen demister packed up and cost me £460,00 for a new rear unit as the previous one had burnt out!! To be fair it is the only additional expense I have had to fork out for in my 14 months of ownership.

It is in my opinion a very eye catching car and attractive whilst retaining a huge amount of practical use. The fun factor when you want to drive whilst out in the hills is there which allows the suspension, seats and gear selection to adapt to your "need for speed"

I shall be keeping the car for years to come as there's not much out there to beat it in it's category.

I always had Mercedes. I started from A class purely for insurance reasons then I had a proper car. It was C class which was amazing. I had to give the car back because it was on contract hire.

I had to choose between: BMW 3 sport, Audi A4-A5, Mercedes SLK or CLS.

I finally decided to buy the CLS. What a car. What I like about the car:

1. stability on the road. It is heavy and the faster you drive the more closer to earth it feels. There are cars which feels lighter when they go faster and force you to reduce your speed. This car doesn't.

2. Amazing curves, Coupe style and can turns everyone's head.

What I want more from Mercedes:

1. lighter steering wheels.

2. less smoke

3. tyres which survive the snow

The design of the body (and indeed the rest of the car) is pretty faultless and I'm sure will result in it being viewed as a real classic.

It offers spacious seating for 4 (as long as those in the back aren't too tall), and the boot will easily take my mother's wheelchair. In fact it's suprising just how much can be crammed in the boot.

With 2 young children (8&6) and really wanting a sports coupe, the CLS provides performance and handling close to that of a sports car, yet with quite spacious accomodation and 4 doors which allows easy access. The optional air suspension means that when it's raised the CLS will happily take on London's speed humps with no problems. Lowered to the Sports 2 setting the car is amazingly tight and grips the road well.

On any journey it's a pleasure to drive, and with the right road conditions and a heavy right foot it can bring a smile to my face time and again.

Returning an average of 35mpg for the size of car is pretty good. Match that to a 0-60 time of less than 7 seconds and you can't fail to enjoy it.

No major criticisms - the 7 speed auto gearbox is great but has a bit of a delay when used manually- overall though I totally love it!!

This car attracts a lot of attention, People will always give you the thumbs up and pass positive comments especially when its just been washed.

Good on fuel, is built well and can seat four in comfort.

Its not as good to drive as it looks - A lot of road noise, poor brake feedback and feels heavy around town.

I chose this over an Audi A8. This is my first Mercedes and mostly it is a superb car. I chose the 3.2 diesel for obvious reasons and generally it returns high 30's even upto lo 40's on cruiseways, because that's all you will want to do. I specifically chose the paddleshift model to use as and when, but after a few times of using it in this mode I found it pointless as it does not change up when I want it to as it is rev dependable i.e. will not change unless above 2000rpm. Another niggle with the autobox is the " learns how you drive" facility. If you squeeze the GO pedal for a short time to get past the lower classes, it assumes you are going on a race track and holds the revs for longer before changing up. On the odd occasion it gets confused and will not change up at all, causing it to scream it's nuts off until you have to manually scroll through the select switch to manual allowing you to finally put it out of it's misery.

I had 4 new tyres when I bought the car. After 10,000 miles the rears are shot, at £200+ a piece for 18" Pirelli Pzero's, running costs could be an issue for some. Alternatives should be sourced as all you will want to do is cruise in this vehicle.

If you are over 5' 6" then gaining access to rear seats will require a certain amount of discomfort as your head will make certain contact with the very stylish roofline!

And the last negative is the quality of the paint. Altough I try and park, giving myself ample room, I have found chips on the crease lines which maybe inevitable. Due to the large doors you find yourself taking two spaces or parking like an outcast miles from anyone else.

Although I may sound negative this is not my intension. The above issues are honest and are relative opions in day to day driving.

I still love to drive this car and even after a year of ownership I can not help but look back after locking up......Reason enough to own one.

The CLS 5.5 is an amazing car and having owned many top marque vehicles from Bentley GT to RR sport etc, this car does it all for the fraction of the cost, fuel economy for such a powerful car, with all the comfort any one would be happy with. Highly recommend this model and will surely upgrade when possible.

I have now driven 130,000 miles in 5 years in my 320 CDi CLS; mostly on 500 mile round trips up and down all parts of the UK. Had to spend £1,000 on the suspension at the last MOT, but otherwise it has been very reliable. It is a superbly comfortable mile eater, goes like a train and averages over 40mpg on a long run. Overall average MPG has been 37 as advertised. I only gave it 4 out of 5 for practicality due to the restricted rear space - but you know that before you buy. It is a small sacrfice for the drop dead good looks; in my opinion it is STILL one the most beautiful cars on the road (better than the new one). Highly recommended.

The CLS 63 is a supoerb machine, when Top gear reviewed the 55 Kompresser version which I drove I was impressed, so much I bought the 63, which is even better, the 7 speed gearbox is a joy. the perfomance is intoxitating, always takes your breath away, handling is wonderfull, and th ride is brilliant, this was my second mercedes and will ever buy anything else, i have had the car for 7 monmth now, all is needed was a car wash, not even oil top up is required.

a great smooth drive. surprisingly efficient on fuel but very powerful and comfortable. good sound system. Great looks. Better than the new one! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!