Beskrivning
“The Black Phantom” as a mate of mine describes it, is my Mercedes CLS 500.
This is the original and best of the four-door coupe style, copied by other manufacturers. I have owned it for nearly five years, having bought it from a doctor in Harlow.
Registered in September 2005, it avoids the costly road tax of later models. As can be seen from the photos, it has some subtle body kit additions. The AMG badge on the boot does not mean anything has been done to the engine, but it has their alloy wheels and exhaust pipes.
The exterior colour scheme is continued inside, with piano black trim, rather than the typical Mercedes wood veneer that is not to everyone’s taste.
I have the memory of some long, comfortable drives made easy with the Airmatic suspension, also the powerful engine. This has plenty of oomph, with the V8 growl when you need to push on. Changes in the 7-speed gearbox, you hardly notice.
A local Mercedes specialist last October replaced the gear selector and attended to an oil leak that had developed.
It’s more than 15 years old, so there are one or two issues; that same specialist had a look at the parking sensors, which are still temperamental. The audio works, but the satnav has given up; I never used it much, so did not get round to replacing it with something modern. All the electricals are fine. No problems with the frameless electric windows. The seats are unripped and still have the new leather smell.
Bodywork – no problems or rust. However, I did have the bonnet machine-polished in January and was warned that the paint there was becoming thin. It has now begun to dull again and having it washed for the photos produced a few white flecks. The lacquer on a couple of the alloys is beginning to lift around the valves.
The service history is not complete - I have all my bills plus those from the previous owner and a couple of others. MOT runs to 30 November 2021.
You see “future classic” in so many adverts, but this car, I have no doubt, will fall into that category. I thought its looks were stunning when it came out, and still do. There are plenty of first-gen CLSs around – but you wouldn’t really want a diesel if you didn’t have to, the 350 petrol is the entry-level and (be honest) you are unlikely to use all the power that the 5. 5 offers. That’s why this is the best one to have.
It really has been a great car, but it’s time to move on to something new. Test drives welcome on production of fully comp insurance, payment by bank transfer only, please don’t ask what’s the least I’ll take or how much for cash this week.
The car is at my home in Watton, Norfolk.
