USED Mercedes-Benz CLS Saloon (05 - 10)

My car

Don't get me wrong, this is not a cheap car to buy and operate. However, if your wallet can accommodate this with ease, this car is truely exceptional. It holds the road as though it's on rails, has acceleration that will virtually push your eyes through your head and out the back, and have enough 'toys' - even on the basic model - to keep a gadget geek happy for weeks. I'm a big Jaguar fan and feel I'm betraying my loyalty somewhat! But then that's what Mercedes wants, they nicknamed the CLS the 'Jagfighter' due to it being aimed squarely at potential Jaguar buyers. To put this train of thought into context, the CLS makes other cars in the Mercedes range seem a tad stolid and stodgy (the E Class for example). In a nutshell, the CLS is a tremendous car, an incredible drive, but a smidge expensive.

My car

Maybe I'm biased but I LOVE this car!

I bought it in March 2007 and have done 9,000 effortless miles. It is expensive (£55k with options) but now I cannot imagine not having it. I have always been a Mercedes fan and my first was an SLK but it was just too impractical so I needed to get something bigger. Did not like the image of the E class and the new C class was not available at that time so it had to be the CLS. Indium grey metallic paint with black leather interior and AMG wheels plus plus plus. It looks the business and I am slowly getting used to all the attention it gets!

Parktronic works a treat and it amazes my partner just how small the spaces are that I can get into. Economy is amazing and almost seems at odds with the performance. Took a work colleague out recently and he did not believe me after 50 miles when I told him it was a diesel. I've never been one for flat out speed so this does me just fine as a fast, comfortable, motorway cruiser.

In my eyes there is nothing else to touch it. LOVE it!

My car

I have had my CLS for 18 months, it is my first Mercedes, previously I have driven BMW, Audi, Jaguar. The car is excellent and with the exception of a replacement steering rack and failed electronic key which left us stranded it has been fault free.

I have a very real problem with the steering, it pulls to the left. It first came to light with extreme tyre wear on the inner edge of the off-side front tyre which had gone through to the cord after 14,000 miles. In the last 12 months, the dealership checked the geometry 6 times and replaced the front struts, but it stills pulls. Last week Mercedes sent out a technical assessor who concluded that the pulling is due to road camber and this is normal on Mercedes. I drive other marques and they do not do this.

If you are sensitive to this, be wary. It is a real shame that such a stunning car cannot track in a straight line.

This will stop me buying another.

My car

I have owed a few mercs, including SL350, E320CDI, S320cdi, but the CLS320cdi has to be the best!

It's a great car to drive, diesel engine is very powerful, super fast, and ecomincal.

The build quality is superb, my black car with cashmere leather looks the best!

I am ording a new one next year. If you're looking for a stylish car, go for the CLS!

Just brilliant!