So I've got this Me...
 

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So I've got this Mercedes and I have questions

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As per the other thread I had to make a very rushed purchase and ended up with a 2013 Mercedes CLS 250 shooting brake AMG sport, I think. I'm not entirely impressed in all areas.

1. The suspension is hard but not supple, it crashes hard over potholes.

2. When this happens the interior is quite creaky and rattly.

3. A reviewer praised the auto gearbox, but to me it feels rubbish. It doesn't drop down quickly enough for a start but shifting is not smooth. It surges or thumps when upshifting and slurs the downshifts. It's exactly what I'd expect from a big standard American style old automatic. Shifts using the manual paddles are glacial. Does it need to be looked at or is this normal?

4. Lots of tyre noise especially from the rear. Are these run flat tyres? Does it come with them?

5. When I turn it off there's a brief rattle or judder from the engine, do I have a bad engine mount?

6. I can't get Bluetooth audio to work from my Samsung phone. It plays but then seems to keep jumping back to the start of the track after 6 seconds. Anyone else have this?

7. Bonnet is so big I can barely reach to close it.

8. Is it a liability with expensive failures waiting to happen?

Its not all bad though. Driving position is ace and it makes a lot more sense when you drive it faster. But noise and harshness aren't what I'd expect from a car like this.


 
Posted : 21/07/2021 5:21 pm
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But noise and harshness aren’t what I’d expect from a car like this.

Eh is that not what AMG bit does? Takes a comfortable quiet wafter and makes it more GRRRR?


 
Posted : 21/07/2021 5:28 pm
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I dunno. I'd expect a bit more firmness but with some suppleness still not crashing over potholes. It's not a racing car and is never going to be.


 
Posted : 21/07/2021 5:33 pm
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1. AMG sport = hard suspension.
2. 2013, never been replaced? yup.
3. Change gearbox oil/service.
4. Check tyre pressures.
5. Check engine mounts/exhaust clamps.
6. No idea.
7. They have big bonnets get over it.
8. Yes, Mercedes parts are legendary for being expensive, AMG is at the top of that scale, and you now pay brexit tax on top.


 
Posted : 21/07/2021 5:35 pm
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It's a Mercedes, just stuff it up the inside at copse and you will be golden.

Seriously though if you wanted comfort why did you get an amg?


 
Posted : 21/07/2021 5:36 pm
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He didn’t want comfort, he just wanted a car that the front subframe wouldn’t fall off of! 😉

As above I’d get the gearbox oil flushed and changed as that will prob make a world of difference…


 
Posted : 21/07/2021 5:47 pm
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What's the mileage on the car? This may define whether the box needs flushed and the mounts need replaced.

I've often found AMG Mercedes to be harsh and noisy especially at the back. I had an E350 CDI AMG as a hire car for a week and despite having a nice engine and interior, this was my overriding memory of it.


 
Posted : 21/07/2021 5:49 pm
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7. Bonnet is so big I can barely reach to close it.


 
Posted : 21/07/2021 6:04 pm
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The AMG spec will have sports suspension and large alloys. These combined will lead to a hard ride. The tyres will also probably be pretty wide as well as low profile which will lead to additional noise. I also find that the more worn tyres are, the more noisy they get. New tyres should be quieter.

The hard suspension will exacerbate squeeks and rattles.


 
Posted : 21/07/2021 6:43 pm
 pk13
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Should have got the Kia.
Merc sports are well know for having a teeth rattling ride. Inside they (mercs) have gone a bit cheap not ford cheap but vw mid range.
If it's AMG it will eat tires are they low profile 60s?
They are nice to drive I'm over 6feet and the bonnet end seems a long way off when sitting in it.


 
Posted : 21/07/2021 6:46 pm
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60's aren't low profile!

They're more likely 40's or 45's.


 
Posted : 21/07/2021 6:50 pm
 pk13
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Tell my wife that I've had to change hers 😂 we do have shocking roads here and speed bumps.

Molgrips are you using Android auto plugged in with a proper charger lead it's a bit old fashioned plugging it in but works better if the cars info pack supports it I use Waze mapping instead of Google and the inbuilt sat nav much more reliable for music and calls


 
Posted : 21/07/2021 6:56 pm
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They're 30s! Although they are only at 32psi.

Seriously though if you wanted comfort why did you get an amg?

Long story short. We were due to go on a much needed holiday on Monday, I broke the existing car on Sunday night (yeah I know save it) and decided I was sick of it so I went out to buy a new car on Monday to leave Tuesday. Only thing is that I needed a car with a towbar. The car supermarket only had two towbar equipped cars out of 1000 odd so I thought I'd better go for it. They don't let you test drive them though before you commit, and it doesn't say AMG on it anywhere.

I am not at all sure I'm going to keep it.


 
Posted : 21/07/2021 6:58 pm
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Not tried Android Auto yet, was that even a thing in 2013?


 
Posted : 21/07/2021 6:59 pm
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I am not at all sure I’m going to keep it

.

Are you going to get a refund ? 😂

“Wasn’t what I expected I want my money back “

Do tell


 
Posted : 21/07/2021 7:20 pm
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I've an estate car with pretty hard sports suspension, awesome on the motorway - the miles just disappear.

It's a bit of a pig in car parks as it has the turning circle of the qe2 and I drive a lot slower around town (lots of speed bumps and potholes). B roads are great if the road is smooth but rough roads are not great.

As my commute is 60km each way on the motorway pretty much all the way, the car is perfect for it (and when packing for holidays the sports suspension copes really well with the heavier loads). If I was driving around town I'd be considering the fat business man edition.


 
Posted : 21/07/2021 7:30 pm
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We (the Mrs) had a CLK320. The 7 speed autobox went west at 68K miles. It had good legs & was nice enough to drive but a road spring broke after whacking a puddle filled pothole which wasn’t that deep. It got tinworm round the wheel arches before it was 8 years old & the handbrake kept sticking on.
Pile ‘O’ Shite for what was a 35K car in 2006.


 
Posted : 21/07/2021 7:36 pm
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Are you going to get a refund ?

Nah I'd just sell it on and get something else.

This one has self levelling suspension which I've always wanted as it's perfect for holidays. Huge boot filled with stuff and a caravan on, and it rides nice and level.

Re the handling, it does seem to make much more sense on windy roads. I drove up the hill to the campsite yesterday a little faster than was courteous...


 
Posted : 21/07/2021 7:41 pm
 pk13
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Why are you on here if your on holiday...
30s are just rubber bands.
Download Android auto and plug it into the USB socket see what happens.
In all fairness they are not bad cars untill you service it


 
Posted : 21/07/2021 7:42 pm
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So it has a tow bar.

Is it factory fit.

Did they fit the aux oil cooler for the gear box......

parents had an amg E350v6. It was sodding horrible to drive for pretty much everything you listed(most of it amg issues) except that the gear box wasnt sluggish went like a stabbed rat when you squeezed the loud pedal

Wait till you see the cost of a set of front disks and pads if it has the AMG brake kit on


 
Posted : 21/07/2021 7:58 pm
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No Merc should wear AMG badges unless it says 6.3 V8 on the wings...


 
Posted : 21/07/2021 8:44 pm
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Guessing it’s maybe AMG line spec ? Skirts/bigger wheels etc minus the oomph!!

They’re all at it

VW has R line
Ford has ST line
Vauxhall Griffin spec

Etc


 
Posted : 21/07/2021 9:16 pm
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Dunno if it has an oil cooler. I assumed all modern cars had them towbar or not. I mean it's made for bombing down an Autobahn at 150mph I doubt that's much harder than towing a caravan.


 
Posted : 21/07/2021 9:20 pm
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mean it’s made for bombing down an Autobahn at 150mph towing a caravan.


 
Posted : 21/07/2021 9:27 pm
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Dealer changed the front discs and pads 🙂


 
Posted : 21/07/2021 9:28 pm
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I doubt that’s much harder than towing a caravan

RustyNissanPrairie's #1 on his list of reasons to walk away from a used car......

Does it have a towbar?


 
Posted : 21/07/2021 9:31 pm
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RustyNissanPrairie’s #1 on his list of reasons to walk away from a used car……

Does it have a towbar?

Towing isn't that hard on a vehicle....it's just that most folk can't tow.....


 
Posted : 21/07/2021 9:34 pm
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Towing isn’t that hard on a vehicle….it’s just that most folk can’t tow…..

I'd rather not buy something that's had increased load and wear on a clutch/CV's/propshaft/diff/gearbox when there's plenty of choice out there but understandably Molgrips knackers were on the line with MrsMolgrips.


 
Posted : 21/07/2021 9:40 pm
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I borrowed my sisters mk 1 fiesta St for a couple of months I felt every sett in Edinburgh through the pulpy remains of my arse bones.


 
Posted : 21/07/2021 9:47 pm
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Re: Merc AMG Sport vs Merc AMG.

There's not surprisingly a BIG difference between a Merc CLS 250 'AMG Sport' with 202bhp vs a full fat Merc CLS 63 AMG with 518bhp. ;-D


 
Posted : 21/07/2021 9:59 pm
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I have a Merc GLC Coupe 250 AMG Line Premium Plus. Inside doesn’t feel cheap, feels pretty good. I’ve had my fair share of good cars, including Porsche and full AMG Merc, the AMG line is a pretty nice driving environment.
But the Mercedes diesel isn’t particularly refined. When I bought mine I was torn between this one and a petrol Alfa Stelvio, preferred the Merc inside was only the engine noise that put me off the Merc.
My gearbox to me works a treat. In fact I’d go as far as saying it’s the strongest part of the car. Think mine is a 10 speed, may be 9, either way it drives nice at all speeds.
Suspension on mine is pretty good, in fact I drive mine in Sport + mode quite a lot. It doesn’t soak up pot holes like my Kia Sportage did, but it wafts around town much better and is an amazing drive on motorway journies.


 
Posted : 21/07/2021 10:04 pm
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Always have a tow bar on my cars and I'm still with RNP on this.

Wouldn't choose to buy a car with one as the downside risks of crap driving/overloaded towing Vs the cost of just getting one fitted are disproportionate to me.

What's really worrying now is the volume of models of cars coming off production lines where they're not homologated for towing without factory fit towing packs (extra cooling and wiring etc). The Skoda range was shocking when I looked a couple of months back only the Superb and a few of the Octavia's seemed ok to add a towbar to out of the box. Really limits the options for 2nd and 3rd owners.


 
Posted : 21/07/2021 10:08 pm
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1. The suspension is hard but not supple, it crashes hard over potholes. - Change for higher profile tyres it is a world of difference

2. When this happens the interior is quite creaky and rattly. - Clean it with a paint brush and vacuum cleaner between the trim bits and spray with a polish to reduce, not remove, this.

3. A reviewer praised the auto gearbox, but to me it feels rubbish. - I have an 8 speed with paddle shifts but it just feels like an old slush box 90% of the time

4. Lots of tyre noise especially from the rear. Are these run flat tyres? Does it come with them? - See point 1

5. When I turn it off there’s a brief rattle or judder from the engine, do I have a bad engine mount? - Check with garage

6. I can’t get Bluetooth audio to work from my Samsung phone. - No idea, mine works

7. Bonnet is so big I can barely reach to close it. - Grow taller

8. Is it a liability with expensive failures waiting to happen? - Possibly, I have just coughed £600 after a chunk of concrete ruined the aircon condenser and the garage could only get Mercedes parts - they suggested I might get something cheaper with eBay but wouldn;t recommend it


 
Posted : 21/07/2021 10:23 pm
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That description of the gear box would make me take the car back for a refund or swap for something else, 2 things - if it goes properly wrong you will be in warranty anxiety , and most importantly nobody will buy it off you if it has a blatant gearbox fault. It might respond to an oil/filter change but if it has got into that state then it will likely need some specialist advice/work there are known issues with Mercedes auto boxes such as oil leaking into the complex electrical plug near the gearbox sump and distorted plastic sumps, but thumping surging and turgid shifting could be a box full of sludge hopefully not metalic blocking the valves and oilways.
Mercedes would typically specify enhanced rad fans and bigger transmission oil coolers as part of a towing package.
After this week you can go back and swap it for something else that you can have a towbar fitted to.


 
Posted : 21/07/2021 10:28 pm
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Ta WCA.

There's 6mm 9n the tyres now I can't wait for them to wear out. Sort of. I have checked prices. Doesn't fitting bigger tyres need a wheel change? If I flog the existing ones would I break even?

Re towing - it's relatively small mileage usually. If you do 100k miles all but the keenest continental caravaners will be doing fewer than 5k miles hitched up, I'd guess.


 
Posted : 21/07/2021 10:35 pm
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Doesn’t fitting bigger tyres need a wheel change?

Yes. You need new rims, but need to check that they clear brake calipers etc. It's not always possible to fit different size wheels.

If I flog the existing ones would I break even?

I doubt it.

+1 to WCA suggesting that gearbox isn't right. I've been in a couple of new mercs and the gearbox was like butter.


 
Posted : 21/07/2021 10:40 pm
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@finishthat now I'm thinking I should drop it in somewhere whilst I'm in holiday. This is a long trip we have a lot of driving. However it feels more like a software/settings issue. Pulling up a hill it won't downshift till the engine is labouring. It could be that the engine is down on power - doesn't feel like 202bhp's worth to me.


 
Posted : 21/07/2021 10:43 pm
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You could check if there is a gearbox or Mercedes specialist nearby for a chat ,
hopefully you still have a gearbox dipstick to check the oil? Overfilled is sometimes worse than a bit under - can be vac sucked out usually.
There should absolutely be no oil leaks from the gearbox sump, nor signs of bodgy sealing.
In my last auto - 5 speed Saab when towing on long uphill there were 2 choices , either put it in sport mode so it changed down earlier - could be prompted by twitching the accelerator pedal , or put it in manual/paddle mode and keep it in sensible gear - note that almost all manual paddling torque converter autos are slow to shift .


 
Posted : 21/07/2021 10:58 pm
 colp
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Have you reset the gearbox using the secret procedure? (Google it)
It should then adapt to your style of driving.
Worked on my old 2006 Vito


 
Posted : 21/07/2021 11:14 pm
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The plug that leaks is readily available , there is another thing in the box sump that is called the conductor plate , neither are expensive , the plug leaks into itself and causes problems, the conductor plate goes brittle and bits break - its plastic in a hot environment .
The box has sophisticated diagnostics and will log fault codes but AFAIK Mercedes Star or expensive diag tools needed to read the codes .
Its not the end of the world but obviously stress you don`t need on holiday.
Just that its the dealers fault for selling something that is not working right.
It does need a specialist though if possible.


 
Posted : 21/07/2021 11:16 pm
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I tried the secret reset. Basically it sets the gear box to default vanilla settings and then adapts to how you drive. Try it.

Put the car in comfort gearbox setting and drive like Miss Daisy for a few hundred miles and it will make the changes so smooth you won't notice.
Put the car in Sports mode and drive it like you stoile it and the gear box will up and down shift like a race car.

It is really noticeable as I discovered after I was advised to do so by the garage after this little bill which followed my gearbox getting a bit lumpy. Notice that this was a 2nd hand gearbox rather than the ££££££ new replacement


 
Posted : 21/07/2021 11:25 pm
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Oh, did I mention that you should just relax and enjoy the car, nothing is likely to go wrong.


 
Posted : 21/07/2021 11:26 pm
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hopefully you still have a gearbox, dipstick

I know molgrips asks a lot of inane questions but this seems a bit rude 😉


 
Posted : 22/07/2021 12:16 am
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@worldclassaccident nice bill. £100 for the replacement gearbox oil (+VAT?) seems like a bargain compared to what I remember of the compulsory gearbox oil change on several MBs at ~2 years in. I assumed it was synthesised from unicorn parts and then matured in oak for many years.


 
Posted : 22/07/2021 6:32 am
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30 section tyres have no place on a car in the UK, but for some reason there's a certain proportion of the population that like big, heavy, expensive, easily damaged, uncomfortable wheels with a sliver of rubber around the outside.

Check what the minimum size wheel that can be fitted is. It'll likely show you in the manual with winter tyre spec.

I think that if you're large wheels and good tyres are in good condition, you should be able to ebay them and buy a smaller, equally good condition set of wheels and (hopefully non-runflat) tyres and actually MAKE Money.


 
Posted : 22/07/2021 7:12 am
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30 section tyres have no place on a car in the UK, but for some reason there’s a certain proportion of the population that like big, heavy, expensive, easily damaged, uncomfortable wheels with a sliver of rubber around the outside.

But they look good and that is all that matters I guess. Nobody driving on the road actually needs massive wheels, massive discs, 30 section 300+ wide tyres. How are all those things helping when the maximum speed you can do is 60mph?

Nobody really needs a car with over 100bhp for same reasons so not really sure what people are doing with their 500bhp cars either.


 
Posted : 22/07/2021 7:29 am
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Modern cars are much better than older cars. They drive better despite being bigger and heavier because of things like low profile tyres, big brakes. Big brakes are not for stopping power but brake fade. When was the last time you had to manage brake temps in a car. I remember my first car and having to manage brake temps but these days just not a problem. Also traction control, ESP and clever diffs all use brakes so you need the capacity to manage all that and braking.

Mate of mine had an MB a while back and took his to a MB commercial van/truck dealer for servicing and repairs. A lot cheaper than car dealers and all authorised MB work. They helped diagnose a gearbox issue for several hundred pounds instead of several thousand that the car dealership wanted. Unfortunately the gearbox was knackered but saved a lot in establishing that.


 
Posted : 22/07/2021 8:32 am
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Big brakes are not for stopping power but brake fade.

Seriously, brake fade driving around on the road. Again what exactly are you doing to get brake fade?
I hardly ever use my brakes (backed up by how often I need to replace pads) as I drive at correct distance behind cars and stick to speeds around the speed limit.


 
Posted : 22/07/2021 8:58 am
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Last time I got brake fade was descending Hardknott Pass in an early 1990s Fiat Regatta. The fact that I've not had it since kind-of proves wobbliscott's point.

OP - Is there any possibility of returning the vehicle and exchanging for something else, if it's a relatively recent purchase? Perhaps paying a "restocking fee" or something?


 
Posted : 22/07/2021 9:17 am
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Bigger brakes (rotors) also give better stopping power. Bigger rotors also allows for bigger callipers and more (and bigger) pistons, which allows for bigger pads which means less heat.


 
Posted : 22/07/2021 9:18 am
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Okay, whatever. You all seem sure that you need you massive brakes and wheels and I will leave it at that as not something I will ever understand as I hardly ever touch my brakes.


 
Posted : 22/07/2021 9:30 am
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I suspect the previous owner had a large boat and spent the last 8 years towing it around hence your shagged gear box / engine / suspension. Nice looking car though - am sure you will get your money back.

How many miles? How much did you pay for it?


 
Posted : 22/07/2021 9:43 am
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Okay, whatever. You all seem sure that you need you massive brakes and wheels and I will leave it at that as not something I will ever understand as I hardly ever touch my brakes.

The heavier the car the bigger the brakes you need to stop it in an emergency. My i3 electric BMW is 1.4t and has teeny tiny brakes (due to regenerative braking), but if you have to stop in an emergency, especially if you've just been accelerating, they are quite scary. My 330 touring on the other hand almost has the ability to upend itself if you stomp on the brakes .


 
Posted : 22/07/2021 9:46 am
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Brake size needed less to do with weight more to do with engine power output. Most average brakes will stop a car once from 70mph but twice in a row? Three times? More engine power potential means more need to repeatably dissipate energy. A small car with big power still needs big brakes.

Back on topic there's an extended diag tool you can get for Mercedes 'iCarsoft MB V2' slightly more than info than a standard OBD reader, cost about £126. Will get error codes from various modules which can be generated before engine light comes on. Not quite the same as the dealership system but I still used it to diagnose, replace and reset a sensor issue. Can read gearbox module I believe.

I agree gearbox should be smooth and responsive. Cars with stop-start system recommend oil changes at very low 40K intervals - this is about the only job I won't take on and had an indy do for me.


 
Posted : 22/07/2021 10:02 am
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It sounds shagged, reject it.


 
Posted : 22/07/2021 10:12 am
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Most average brakes will stop a car once from 70mph but twice in a row? Three times? More engine power potential means more need to repeatably dissipate energy. A small car with big
power still needs big brakes.

That is the part I am not getting but guess I don't drive like you. Why are you stopping from 70mph three times in a row to the point that brake fade becomes an issue? Drive at correct distance and you never need to slam on brakes unless some sort of emergency, having to stop in quick succession for 3 emergencies is never going to happen is it?
Drive at 70mph, deer runs out ahead of you. Quickly get back up to 70mph, another deer runs out ahead of you. Quickly get back up to 70mph and jeez, where the hell are all these deer coming from.


 
Posted : 22/07/2021 10:16 am
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More engine power potential means more need to repeatably dissipate energy

More weight means more need to repeatably dissipate energy. Yes there are situations, like on a race track where acceleration leads to a significant increase in KE and a more powerful car will increase its KE faster, but weight is a more determining factor for most road cars. Repeatedly slowing from 70mph on a motorway is going to cause a far greater buildup in heat from a heavier car than from simply having more power.


 
Posted : 22/07/2021 10:20 am
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Hi @molgrips I have a 2011 C350 estate AMG Sport which although a class down (yours based on the E class chassis) has many similarities.

The AMG bit is just trim, body kit and wheels. The Sport bit gives you "sporty" suspension.

1. Wheels. When I got my 911, I changed from 17 to 18. The difference in ride quality was massive. My Merc runs 18, Next time it needs tyres I will look out for a set of the 17 wheels.

2. Um mine is not at all rattly or creaky.

3. I think you have the same 7G gearbox as mine with paddle shift and sport mode. I absolutely HATED the gearbox at first (coming from a manual 911). I always though it was in the wrong gear and wouldn't go when I wanted it to! However the more I go used to it the better it got, and I actually think it matches the car perfectly now. I never use the paddles, just the sport mode. I've stopped trying to drive it like a manual 911. After 18 months I think the gear box is the best bit of the car!

4. Probably brand of tyre or alignment. I run Bridgestones.

5. Hmmmm

6. Hmmm tried a different phone?

7. Can't help with that

8. I'd say no, mine hasn't missed a beat except rear blind spot radar sensors failing. This generation they got the quality back up. You'll have random electrical failings for sure.


 
Posted : 22/07/2021 10:52 am
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@molgrips I appreciate that this car was a bit of a distress purchase but I think you've probably bought the wrong car for what you want.

CLS is the 'sporty' version of the E-class for a starter. Anything 'AMG Sport' or similar badged, other than a proper AMG version, means big wheels, bodykit, and usually measly engine spec. Hence it bangs and rattles and has made the interior start to rattle.

I'm not sure whether CLS shooting brake is on coils or Airmatic at the rear - all E- estates are Airmatic.

Gearbox is the 7g-tronic, it should be absolutely [i]excellent[/i]. Perform the gearbox adaptation/reset procedure as detailed above.

You may also have run flats, as I don't beleive CLS has a spare wheel well like the full size W212/W213 E-Class. As you are complaining about Tyre Roar/Noise I'd bet they are rock hard Continentals are Bridgestone. You want something nice and soft and comfy and quiet, Dunlop/Goodyear or Rainsport 5's

Regards Bluetooth, you need to check what version software you have, it'll ne NTG version XXX.
NTG 5 and above (IIRC) should have full Bluetooth A2DP streaming from your phone.

Is it a liability? Kind of depends on the condition and how its been looked after.

Again, I remember the story and how it was a distress purchase but if you wanted a Mercedes of that generation (and you should) you should have bought a W212/W213 'Kombi T-model (estate). Its all about the specs, as two cars of the same platform (which yours, and mine, fundamentally are underneath) can feel very very different.

E Class

6 cylinder engine. And not an AMG line, in fact as un-sporty as possible. I have an actual sports car for that. Mine took some finding but had the right engine (not a rattyl 4 pot), Avantgarde not AMG-lite so 17s, square setup too so can be rotated front/rear unlike the 18 and 19 options. Spare wheel. Comfort Seats. Airmatic. Its fast, very torquey, incredibly comfy and quiet. And MASSIVE inside! A facelift W213 model would have been similar price to the CLS.


 
Posted : 22/07/2021 11:52 am
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You may also have run flats

It's pretty easy to check tbh, it'll say on the tyre!


 
Posted : 22/07/2021 12:02 pm
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It’s pretty easy to check tbh, it’ll say on the tyre!

Yeah, but only in code such as SSR, ROF, EMT, DSST, Etc.


 
Posted : 22/07/2021 12:30 pm
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6. I can’t get Bluetooth audio to work from my Samsung phone. It plays but then seems to keep jumping back to the start of the track after 6 seconds. Anyone else have this?

Gonna need more detail than that. What music player app are you using? Have you tried a different one? Does it do it with all of them? What about streaming?

8. Is it a liability with expensive failures waiting to happen?

To keep you in the manner to which you've become accustomed? (-:

One thing I will add which I don't think has been mentioned yet: you have a 30-day right to reject the car if it's bought from a dealer / trade. If you are considering rejecting it, I'd be very wary of having someone else work on it first as they could argue that you were implicitly accepting the car in doing so.


 
Posted : 22/07/2021 12:34 pm
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Seriously, brake fade driving around on the road. Again what exactly are you doing to get brake fade?

Making progress in true STW style


 
Posted : 22/07/2021 1:27 pm
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Well we're on holiday now so it'll have to wait til we get back. I'm not sure about it. I mean there are things to like - it's a big estate which is handy, it is good to drive and it has auto levelling rear suspension. Most of the miles will be motorway so it'd be good for that.

However I just drove 15 miles, 5 on lanes and 10 on A road and got 35mpg. Ok so there are roof bars on but that's still crap. It got 50 coming back from the dealer.

I might just hand it back. I need to get a specialist to look at it and if there are mechanical issues that would help I might get them fixed under warranty. If the dealer says 'they're all like that' then I'll be less impressed. It was 13k with 80k miles on, and if there's no advantage to the premium nature then I could do better elsewhere.

I thought it was expensive but the plushness would be worth it, but I'm not seeing it.

The tyre noise seems better now I've got the alignment done (which took 3 goes at Kwik Fit).


 
Posted : 22/07/2021 1:46 pm
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...I dream of 35mpg! 🙂


 
Posted : 22/07/2021 1:50 pm
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However I just drove 15 miles, 5 on lanes and 10 on A road and got 35mpg. Ok so there are roof bars on but that’s still crap. It got 50 coming back from the dealer

Is that with passengers and a load of holiday gubbins too?


 
Posted : 22/07/2021 1:50 pm
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Seriously, brake fade driving around on the road.

If you are getting brake fade on public roads you're driving like a complete **** and are a public menace.


 
Posted : 22/07/2021 2:03 pm
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Is that with passengers and a load of holiday gubbins too?

Two adults, two kids, nothing else. I'd have expected 45 in the Passat at least on that trip.

If you are getting brake fade on public roads you’re driving like a complete **** and are a public menace.

Or going down a big hill loaded up.


 
Posted : 22/07/2021 2:19 pm
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Or going down a big hill loaded up.

Just like on a MTB - Don't drag your brakes. Let it speed up, brake, let it speed up, brake. That way they can cool between hits.

I've only ever experienced brake fade on a track with a heavy car and crap single piston brakes (I'm looking at you e92 M3!) trying to keep up with others.


 
Posted : 22/07/2021 2:26 pm
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As posted above, smaller alloys / bigger side wall tyres / non run flat's will help the ride. Yours will be an AMG line and may have harder suspension.

The gearbox may be a G-tronic 7 or 7+ and should be fairly smooth and quick shifting, however gearbox oil changes are optional on service plans (I had mine done on my E350 cdi) and I bet yours hasn't had a change. The 7+ gearboxes were definitely a bit smoother though.

The good news is that the 250cdi engine is meant to be very reliable. One of the taxi drivers that I used to take to the airport - when I used to get on airplanes - had a E250cdi S212 with over 400K on it.

They are big heavy cruising sort of cars and should be comfy / smooth not crashy. It depends on models though, I never found the S212 seats that comfy.


 
Posted : 22/07/2021 2:41 pm
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Seriously, brake fade driving around on the road. Again what exactly are you doing to get brake fade?

Have you ever crossed roundabout city (Milton Keynes)? Brake fade can happen at legal speeds around 3 junctions from the end.


 
Posted : 22/07/2021 3:03 pm
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Two adults, two kids, nothing else. I’d have expected 45 in the Passat at least on that trip.

But it is a very different car - you can't compare the two. A fully-laden 200bhp vehicle (twin turbo too I believe) was always going to use more fuel than your old Passat.


 
Posted : 22/07/2021 3:50 pm
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If you are getting brake fade on public roads you’re driving like a complete **** and are a public menace.

Hang on a second before you get your knickers in a twist, was anyone actually getting brake fade?

I thought someone just said modern cars have bigger discs than old ones - and that's why we don't get it.

This place sometimes.


 
Posted : 22/07/2021 3:55 pm
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Mate... have you ever bought a car that wasn't a dog?

Maybe you should allow another member of the Molls household to do the vehicle purchasing?

One of the kids, perhaps?

Still... the 'what's wrong with it now?' threads should keep us all entertained until you get rid of it and buy your next stinker 🙂


 
Posted : 22/07/2021 4:00 pm
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Most average brakes will stop a car once from 70mph but twice in a row? Three times

Ah it's safety feature for driving like a twit.


 
Posted : 22/07/2021 4:02 pm
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I was avoiding saying what binners has eloquently put just now...


 
Posted : 22/07/2021 4:24 pm
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Mate… have you ever bought a car that wasn’t a dog?

Yes.

Anyway just did about 40 miles in mostly A roads and on the way back from town I got 42mpg which is more like what I'd expect. I did the reset procedure (without removing the key) and it's a bit better but I am not sure if it's just better roads or what. I will try again with removing the key to see if that makes a difference. Apparently it varies between models. The car seems to be getting smoother, and it's fairly likeable on the open twisty roads now. Although it wasn't one of these cars where you end up going faster than you think - I ended up doing 50-55 but it was still enjoyable. Its the first time I drove it at speed without the boot full since I got the alignment sorted and it seemed quieter and better generally.

One thing I did notice was slught kangaroo-ing whilst trundling around a car park in 1st.

Anither thing I noticed doing a couple of overtakes is that it doesn't feel as quick as I thought it would. It's meant to be over 2 seconds quicker than the Passat so I'd expect to be a little more impressed. These things might point to an engine problem rather than a gearbox one. If for example there's a small boost leak it might explain those symptoms, but I wouldn't see smoke because it has a DPF.


 
Posted : 22/07/2021 4:35 pm
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Yeah, but only in code such as SSR, ROF, EMT, DSST, Etc.

True, but it's still not Rocket Surgery


 
Posted : 22/07/2021 4:38 pm
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Have you any plans to take it all apart yet?

Or will you wait a few weeks before setting off down that route?

Don't forget to take plenty of photo's and keep us all updated 🙂


 
Posted : 22/07/2021 4:41 pm
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Brakes are a safety feature - who would want a less effective safety feature?
That's like having airbags that don't inflate very quickly!

My car is rated to tow 3.5 tons (and I actually tow 2.5 tons) - the brakes need to be sized so that they can stop that kinetic energy.


 
Posted : 22/07/2021 4:50 pm
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