Watch This Before Buying a Mercedes CLS550 (W218)

[@Mo-ij8re]

I purchased my 2014 cls550 4 matic designo graphite in 2020 pre covid market! got it with 56k miles for $28k out the door. the car has been amazing so far no major issues. I’m tuned with catless downpipes making over 550hp and it’s been absolutely amazing.

[@metrox0776]

thanks for this , im really considering getting one

[@adammohammed9550]

How’s the drone with the down pipes ?

[@Mo-ij8re]

@@adammohammed9550 no drone at all

[@Sinaloa867]

Same here and flipped over 9months later from suspesion malfuncion

[@bex550]

Got the same car no issues fit the first 2 years. Third year I’ve put about 10k in repairs and maintenance

[@Dnasty1]

This design is one of my favorite mercedes bodystyles. I owned the first gen of this and came close to buying this and keep thinking about it. I am probably going to get the cls63 as my next vehicle.

[@Mo-ij8re]

also to note the timing chain issue was revised in 2014 so aim for that model year!

[@Nrdob9]

So 2014 and up is good

[@makekakejake]

@@Nrdob9 yeah, but if i remember right. Mercedes had an campaign for that chain tensioner problem, so it was free to repair

[@OnlyRollingRed84]

@@makekakejakefree where at?

[@paulto2000]

Great video man, looking to pick up hopefully a 13’ or 14’ cls550 once the user car market stabilizes and I’ll for sure be coming back to this video before test driving one !

[@Azizdesign_]

Nice! Goodluck on your search :)

[@jamesholt8636]

Good video. The rattle on startup is unnerving at first for sure lol. But after talking with multiple merc specialists over the last year, virtually all of the m278 do this. The Ml, S, CL…I thought my engine was knocking at first. It only lasts about 3-4 seconds and once the car is warmed up it doesn’t do it at all. I bought mine with 78k. At 102k right now and going strong. The m278 is one of Mercedes’ most bullet proof engines.

[@Azizdesign_]

Wow, good to know! I’m considering buying one myself as I feel this is a great upgrade from the e-class model i currently own.

[@jamesholt8636]

Yea it’s really bizarre but extremely common with these m278s. You will love it man. It’s my 4th Benz and easily my favorite. Crazy fast for a stock engine. Mercedes restricted the hell out of these engines, there is so much untapped power in them. A stage 1 ecu tune can easily get you close to 600whp on these. You won’t regret it

[@markvalentino1056]

in the market for one..hows it treating you still??what year did you get?any issues?

[@loveforthegame3]

except the fact they run hot, And the 5th cylinder always fails. I am on my secind m278 in 4 years same defects.

[@c.m.2747]

@@loveforthegame3 what year and miles do you see this happening

[@clevelandaeromotive]

Last month at 50K miles I put a RENNtech tune on my 2014 W218 M278. Now 540 Hp and 700 lb/ft of torque. Over 2000 rpm the car is an animal. I don’t beat on my car though. Yes, the occasional junket up to 120-130 mph, but I baby my CLS 97% of the time. With the tune it still shifts and revs very composed under normal conditions.

[@urbanwayne2008]

Looking at same tune. Was it 1500? Any issues from the tune?

[@clevelandaeromotive]

@@urbanwayne2008 it’s actually $2350 now, but you get an OBD programmer which allows you to flash back and forth between the RENNtech tune and the factory tune. No problems so far. But I believe that those people who run in to mechanical problems with good tunes (Like RENNtech or Brabus) are racing their cars and creating the problems through their treatment of the car.

[@SelfImprovementWizard]

​@@clevelandaeromotive Brother what other things did you have to replace to run this setup? Did u change the charge pipe, spark plugs, or any stock parts? And did u play 2k for ecu tune and 2k for the tcu?

[@traybutts4425]

How reliable is the tune

[@clevelandaeromotive]

@@SelfImprovementWizard no other purchases or modifications needed to support this RENNtech OBD ECU tune.

[@cbmpire]

Just got my Black 2014 w/71K on her in Nov & no problems! So fun to drive man, & ngl the head turn factor is a slight ego boost 😂

[@Letsgetitgointlilcuz]

Any update?

[@fxzn]

i got a 2012 CLS550 about a month ago and its great. previous owner put horrid tires on it though so they are very uncomfortable and loud, takes away from the mercedes experience a bit. other than that the car is amazing.

[@Azizdesign_]

Agreed It’s a great car!

[@Mlive722]

I've had my 2014 for 4 yrs change the timing change tensioner and front drive shaft but other than that and regular maintenance no problems

[@Azizdesign_]

How much did it cost?

[@Mlive722]

@@Azizdesign_ I did both myself if it ever happens just get original one redone aftermarket ones work aren't built the same .

[@Mlive722]

@@Azizdesign_ aftermarket drive shaft like $225

[@Azizdesign_]

@@Mlive722 not bad, glad it worked out!

[@offradar31]

What do you mean by getting the tensioner redone?

[@mobile_drew6146]

Got a 2016. Air suspension crapped out at about 70k. Car ran like a low rider. Rather than replace with OEM for $10K went with conversion kit from Arnott for a helliva lot less $$$. No regrets.

[@Azizdesign_]

@@mobile_drew6146 awesome, how much did it cost you?

[@MrBololicious]

Got my 2014 cls w 140km on it it’s been running smoothly

[@iTaReZ]

is it still godo?

[@iTaReZ]

good

[@MrBololicious]

@@iTaReZ yup, no problems

[@CivilianM]

Awesome video. Considering purchasing one of these. Very informative

[@Azizdesign_]

Thank you for watching :)

[@Stupidboi1]

It’s a 4.7 in the 550’s.

[@DarkNights-Vibe]

Yes when I have my car is parked. For awhile the rear sags. But when I start it. It goes back up. So for it not to sag. I raise the car before I shut it off.

[@Azizdesign_]

Its normal for it to sag if the car sits for a long time, but not overnight. Your airsuspension motor might be going out

[@yolsclassics6347]

You likely have a leak in your system regardless, your system is failing

[@skanderr43]

I cant decide between the w218 cls550 or a w205 c43, can i get some advice about this please?

[@lightsoutmedia7370]

I wish there was something in place to where these manufacturers be held accountable for these common issues

[@Azizdesign_]

Agreed. Unfortunately these sort of issues arise much later than usual (100k+) and by that time the warranty is over.

[@lightsoutmedia7370]

@@Azizdesign_ with that said it sounds like its by design for that stuff to go out

[@Azizdesign_]

@@lightsoutmedia7370 yes it actually is. Most major components are stress tested so the engineers know exactly at how much uses/kms itll fail

[@lightsoutmedia7370]

@@Azizdesign_ just insane

[@slm8025]

I have a well kept 2008 Hyundia Sonata that never fails me when my 250C Couple is not up to the task LOL,...., sad huh? Buying almost any used Mercede in the USA means have $5000+ waiting for the dash to light up in codes. Nothing against the "toys" but honestly at 67yo, I can remember when Mercedes build good daily drivers that lasted one owner's 10+years and 300,000mile before they hit the used car lots. You see a Mercedes that 3-5 years old and not even 100,000 miles,...., run or check for sawdust in the transmission! LOL!.

[@jordan1613]

Man I gotta be honest Im really thinking about getting one of these. Its either a cls550 and a e550

[@Azizdesign_]

Jus make sure its newer than 2012-2013

[@Ddq888]

Lol my exact thoughts

[@ethansgarage1]

excellent video!!!

[@step0verJr]

Great video man. Still out of my budget as they’re going to 25k in my city

[@GonzalezEzekiel]

Where do you live? I got mine for $15k, $18k after taxes. I used to work for Mercedes and I had my friend, that I met while at Mercedes Benz school, run the VMI and it had a good Mercedes Benz dealer history. 110,000k miles.

[@jamesholt8636]

Got mine for 20k with 78k on it last April. They are out there

[@paulto2000]

@@GonzalezEzekiel damn bro where tf do u live?? in Canada ur paying 25k+ for a 2012-2014 cls550 with around 90-120km

[@GonzalezEzekiel]

@@paulto2000 Dallas, Texas

[@jokxingjosxph5752]

What song was this?

[@tommyghast940]

dose 550 fit the 63 dashboard？

[@scottp6761]

2014 CLS 550 4 matic. With 26k miles only. What is the symptoms of a bad conductor plate? At stop when letting off brake it seems to jerk/jolt some. In drive and eco mode. In manual mode it's smooth as silk. If you slightly let off brake from dead stop it jerks. If you come to a stop and then with brake engaged pull down on lever to put it back into drive it will engage back in drive. It's almost like it goes into Park or something. It's weird. I just bought the car and drove it 3000 miles to Arizona in back. No codes. I drive it in manual to avoid this. It's not terrible but I'm thinking conductor plate maybe is the issue or bad drive lever module or whatever it's called

[@Azizdesign_]

Have you tried to reset the transmission adaptations? I would start there before suspecting the conductor plate.

[@scottp6761]

@@Azizdesign_ I did with the brake pedal reset but not with Star machine

[@scottp6761]

@@Azizdesign_ do you suggest a star machine adaptive reset?

[@Azizdesign_]

@@scottp6761 it’s worth a shot, and if that doesnt fix it, then do a filter and oil change on the transmission

[@scottp6761]

@@Azizdesign_ I planned on doing Amsoil or Liqui Moli from FCP. I prob will stick to FCP kit. Just to get it done. The fluid and filter needs to be done anyway as old as the fluid is.

[@werid536]

What about CLS350 ..2012..there is any proplem?

[@Azizdesign_]

cls350 has a good engine, 3.5 V6. They're reliable

[@DaVid-yj6fh]

y would it fail is it from pusging it to stop or just over time ?

[@DaVid-yj6fh]

i wantb one

[@scottp6761]

Another question, any idea on how much labor it is to do check valves, and tensioners and chain? I have a rattle at.start up sometime but think it could be dry start from check valves.

[@Azizdesign_]

The pre 2014 models suffered from this issue. It's relatively easy to do yourself, not sure if you would need to do the chain (unless it has built up slack), but otherwise tensioner and check valves shouldn't be more than 800-900 in labor. Definitely get that fixed soon

[@scottp6761]

@@Azizdesign_ 10 4

[@scottp6761]

@@Azizdesign_ mine is 2014

[@Azizdesign_]

then it must be because of high kilometers perhaps@@scottp6761

[@scottp6761]

@Azizdesign_ actually no. It has 33,000 miles only. The check valves could be my issue and dry starts. There was a superceded part # for check valves for my particular vin # according to Mercedes benz of Austin amd they updated those check valves. It supposedly has the updated timing chain and tensioners that the 2012 13 models suffered from. Im 2nd owner. Bought car with 25,000 miles. 1st owner was a bum when it came to maintenance

[@yopp2k]

Just grabbed a 2012, anyone have suggestions on what to do to it

[@Azizdesign_]

Check my latest and future videos, they will all be cls550 mods related

[@Suelonoe]

Should I buy a 2012 ?

[@Mattvarville]

I want one but the reliability is concerning

[@Azizdesign_]

@@Mattvarville get low kms

[@Jayynoz.]

funny how you mention timing chain issues when that’s the exact issue on my car. shops want $9/10k just to repair yikessss 😂

[@Azizdesign_]

Damn thats pricey man! Hope you get it sorted out

[@fxzn]

they are fucking you for sure a decent shop will do it for 3k.

[@wr8thbeatz322]

Did u ever get is sorted out for cheap?

[@Jayynoz.]

@@wr8thbeatz322 idk if your state has it but carmax hooking me up also i know a local mechanic so now it’s a waiting game of getting parts and then the labor 🤝🏽

[@-.---.--.-.-.]

It's C218 chase, not W218

[@farrahvee]

So there's alot of things that can go wrong with these cars

[@Azizdesign_]

Yes! and with its age, expect to replace tons of parts

[@werid536]

What about CLS 350..2012

[@MrReddyy]

Is 20k after taxes for a 2013 CLS550 with 103k miles a good deal

[@c.m.2747]

I'm looking at a 2012 w/102k for 15k and a 2014 w/96k miles for 20k ...so depends on your area and state taxes.

[@josepicazo6757]

Can they keep up with hellcats ?

[@Azizdesign_]

No they cant. Perhaps the cls63 could as the Hellcat is rather heavy

[@kenyalee4982]

E 6 cylinder, Cls 8 cylinder. Not E.

[@S.Madman]

Ever seen mine?

[@kenyalee4982]

@@S.Madman Don’t want to. Do not reply back to me.

[@S.Madman]

@@kenyalee4982 E's have V8's was my point.

[@Digitalstar3]

@@kenyalee4982 This has to be the funniest interaction on youtube

[@dennisa5881]

??????? ?

[@wr8thbeatz322]

?????? ?

[@MalibuGlassMI]

Lol

[@lawrenceralph7481]

Nice. But way too expensive. No thanks. Base Camry Hybrid. No vanity or thrust, but comfortable, adequate reliable affordable value. And you'll save $1000 on maint, $2000 on gas, $1000 on repairs, $5000 interest on carried loan balance PER YEAR. Plus you'll have $50k in the bank to invest in QQQ.

[@Azizdesign_]

Life is too short to be driving around a base camry. Though from a financial standpoint there's no doubt it makes sense.

[@heavybarcodes7422]

lmao

[@Digitalstar3]

What's the point of investing and having money if you don't got anything to buy ?