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[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

The Merc looks like good value for money apart from the fact that it runs on 'devil juice'.

I'd be tempted by another (petrol, obviously) provided it came with conventional suspension and not the prohibitively expensive  airmatic.

A very imposing Merc that gets noticed.

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

... one thread I read on the CLS said the Air-Matic shocks for the CLS were "only a couple of hundred cheaper, than another Merc" - Just looking at the air-shocks on the XJ, they are £673 each on ECP? 

 ....

but not all Mercs have Airmatic ..... mine has, but the majority of those I looked at didn't. I think even doors are on the options list when it comes to Mercs. Not sure that my suspension legs are quite that much, but they're not far off ....... I just try not to think about it. 

What Andy B....eanz says.

[tunnie]

True....

But the Jags look to have air suspension. Even standard shocks are a couple of hundred quid each for the CLS.

I do like the CLS but I could get similar cost per mile if I LPG the 3.2.

What extra would CLS give me over the 3.2 if that was case?   

A better badge, newer plate. Not much else... 

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

True....

But the Jags look to have air suspension. Even standard shocks are a couple of hundred quid each for the CLS.

I do like the CLS but I could get similar cost per mile if I LPG the 3.2.

What extra would CLS give me over the 3.2 if that was case?   

A better badge, newer plate. Not much else... 

Envious....... I hate wealthy Mercedes owners...... looks.

[tunnie]

Also with other cars, be back to relying on garages and their diagnosis. Nothing beats here for a quick, honest and accurate ident on the issue.

Followed by links to cost effective parts 

I'm probably going to end up LPGing the 3.2 and getting a Zafira Tourer  for the family

[05omegav6]

Merc estates ALL have rear self levelling... Older ones were hydraulic ala Citroën, later ones are airsprung rear axles with conventional shocks.

Airmatic is a very different beast... Hydropneumatic units which regulate damping/spring/levelling/ride height.... No.springs or separate shocks...

This is why they are so expensive

[tunnie]

Standard shocks for CLS not too bad, around £100 each side.

Looks like all XJs at my budget have air shocks, at silly prices 

[dbug]

This thread made me look again at what's out there,  a new ish big diesel or petrol.... I could buy some things like this:

Jag XJ TDVi (again could get a Petrol cheaper, like XJ-R and LPG)

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201509086722859?onesearchad=used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew&keywords=Sport&model=xj&fuel-type=diesel&make=jaguar&sort=default&radius=1500&page=2&postcode=tw89de&search-target=usedcars&logcode=p

Merc CLS 320

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201510137783692?sort=default&page=2&onesearchad=used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew&make=mercedes-benz&fuel-type=diesel&model=cls&postcode=tw89de&keywords=Sport&radius=1500&search-target=usedcars&logcode=p

Spending £8-10k ish on something new(ish) that's going to be smooth, comfy, refined and not tooo bad on fuel. Get around 35-40mpg out of them.

But issues are even at that young-ish age, issues like DPF failure, Turbo's, Injectors are all too common. Looking on forums, it's not uncommon to see a 4 figure bill for a turbo failure or DPF change.

Even basic work though, things like new rear shocks. That cost me £50 on the 2.2 which is cheap as chips, one thread I read on the CLS said the Air-Matic shocks for the CLS were "only a couple of hundred cheaper, than another Merc" - Just looking at the air-shocks on the XJ, they are £673 each on ECP? 

"Arnott Air Spring Unit"



Things will fail on these cars, so suspension changes will be needed. So replacing both rear shocks could be as much as £1.2k even DIY 


Oil changes, basic pad changes on the rear all become super expensive. These electric handbrakes need computer-tools to sort rear brake pads.... for the Omega it costs about a tenner and takes 30 mins DIY. 

They maybe cheap to buy, but not to run, Omega parts really are cheap as chips. Driving 3.2 yesterday, I thought, what is wrong with this? Nothing. Smooth, comfy, fairly quick, Bose sounds etc. If I was to LPG it, be just as good really as the above.

FYI changed rear discs and pads on my old X350 Jag - just leave electric parking brake off - no issues other than rear caliper pistons need winding back (pliers worked ok on mine).  No need for "computer-tools", just need standard tool kit, and timewise DIY as quick as doing Omega rear pads.  Oil changes no more difficult or expensive on Jag compared to Omega, particularly if you use GM 5w30 on TC
As for concerns re X350 air springs, these are generally long lasting, and most owners never have an issue with them.  Agreed if you are unlucky it will be costly!  HTH

[tunnie]

Thanks Dbug, it does  For some reason I thought you needed some gadgets to wind the calipers back for the hand brake.

As you know I do like the XJ after driving one a few years back, ultimate is wafting about, which is all I want for work.

The X35(8?) facelifted ones do appear to be coming down in value, thanks to the new shape ones. Glad to hear not too many issues with rear air shocks.

[STEMO]

I've said it many times before, Tunnie, only people with problems post them up on t'internet. If you listened to what people say about French cars, you'd never believe that a lot of them are perfectly fine. Look how many old Renaults are running about. Similarly, there will be loads of Jag and Merc owners who just drive their cars every day and don't worry about the faults posted online.

[Kevin Wood]

Envious....... I hate wealthy Mercedes owners That reminds me.. I must pick up some more suppositories as the chalfonts are playing up...... looks.

Fixed

[Andy B]

.... If you listened to what people say about French cars, .....

It's all true ..... they're cr4p 

[05omegav6]

Worth pointing out that those people who bitch about the reliability of their Merc/Jag/BMW/Volvo etc clearly can't afford to run one and only posses such a beast to impress themselves... The owners that DON'T post up are more likely not to actually care... If their car plays up repeatedly the invariably buy summat else or simply pay to get it fixed

[baggers]

Definitely notice better performance and economy using the Tesco Super unleaded and back-to-back emission tests showed better results. 

A couple of us have bikes without an ECU and they runs better on super unleaded too, (and it's not the imagination). 

[Diamond Black Geezer]

Been filling with Tesco Ultimatum or whatever its called, 110.9, and has returned better power and mpg in tests than Shell and BP, but at maybe 5-10p cheaper per litre. Used to be on the Asda cheap n cheerful, but hearing it's probably the worst petrol you can buy switched. Haven't seen any appreciable/conclusive increase in fuel costs since the switch. 

No point in putting 99 RON fuel in the Omega, the ECU can`t take advantage of it as it isn`t designed to run on 99 RON, only the more modern ECU`s can utilise the benefits and give you a bit of extra power 

Oooh, now that's contrary to what I've heard elsewhere on OOF... anyone else have any experience of this? I understood that ECU would adapt anyway..    If not I'll be going back to bleeding Asda special 106p stuff, then, as I'm bleedin skint at the min!!!