Merc E350 CLS Shooting Brake
Hi everyone.
After getting rid of the very capable Audi SQ5 in Jan, Im finally back in a position to get a new towcar (The Wifes Abarth just wont pull the van).
So after 2 months of going round and round what I wanted, narrowed it down to a Range Rover Sport (which Ive had before and loved) or a Land Rover Disco 4 (which Ive really liked for a while). So Autotrader has been absolutely rinsed and I just can not find either that ticks all the boxes.
While searching, a local dealer advert popped up with a Merc CLS 350D Shooting Brake, absolute perfect spec, right colour combo and low milage. Never ever would have looked at one but this ticks all the boxes. More than powerfull to pull my van and family all over Europe and still return good MPG, with a boot big enough for the daft Choc Lab and awning.
Witter do a removable towbar and the weights for towing all balance perfect.
Is there anyone on here that tows with one of these, or has in the past that could give some advise and feedback before I test drive tomorrow without the van).
I know where I am with a Range. Im not with this Merc.
Thanks everyone, stay safe.
CURLY
Comments
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Not too familiar with that car but looking at some images are you sure the boot is big enough for the daft Choc Lab and awning?
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I have recently changed from an E Class estate 350D 4matic to a Range Rover Sport 3.0 sdv6.
Please check your nose weight as it was only 84 kgs on the Merc - the RR is 150. To compensate - plenty of heavier stuff had to go into the rear washroom.
Yes the Merc had plenty of grunt and nothing really phased it - up hill or down dale it just trundled along happily and in Europe the 60 mph limit was effortlessly passed. The boot was like a tardis, able to handle all we had and with half the back seat up for the dog.
Reliability was a challenge with it to be honest - often twice a year at the local dealership having things mended. The other challenge was fuel .... it was thirsty with a 1550 kgs van -.22 to 23 mpg was the norm, much less on windy days.
The Range Rover Sport has a much greater nose weight so more can go into the caravan. The boot does not hold as much though. We also changed the caravan a few weeks back and with a heavier one hooked up, our recent outing of 250 miles each way saw a fuel consumption of 30.5 mpg which was more than pleasing.
Will I ever return to Mercedes? Unlikely. But only my view and I know many who will never leave the three pointed star.
Hope this helps
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Two things to check on the Merc. Has it got air suspension at least on the rear wheels as a friend complained he found his outfit pitched about on poor road surfaces. Also check the tow ball hitch height. His was too low making his caravan tow nose down and he had some grounding issues with the jockey wheel catching speed humps found on many caravan sites.
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