Models · Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz CLS C219 buying guide
The first CLS, a four-door coupé based on the E-Class of the time, on sale in the UK from 2005 and facelifted in 2008. It came with V6 petrol and diesel engines and V8 petrols, and its interior wears better than the E-Class's.
The versions
- CLS350 3.5 V6 petrol (M272), 268bhp, becoming the 288bhp CLS350 CGI after the 2008 facelift
- CLS320 CDI 3.0 V6 diesel, 221bhp, renamed CLS350 CDI in 2009 with the same power
- CLS500 5.0 V8 petrol (302bhp), replaced by a 5.5 V8 a year after launch
- Seven-speed automatic on petrol and diesel models
- The CLS55 and CLS63 AMG have their own page
What to check on a C219 CLS
3 model-specific things to look at when you view one. They're a starting point, not the full inspection.
Balancer shafts on early CLS350s
What to look for: On a CLS350 petrol, ask for the engine number before you travel and look for paperwork showing whether uprated balancer shaft parts have been fitted.
Why it matters: Early M272 V6 engines used balancer shaft gears with soft teeth that wear. Engines numbered above 30 468993 are reported as fine, and specialists advise buying an earlier one only if the uprated parts have been fitted.
Diesel swirl flap motors and oil leaks
What to look for: On a diesel, check the dashboard for warning lights and ask whether the inlet port shut-off motor has been replaced. Look around the engine for oil leaks, particularly from the oil cooler area in the middle of the V.
Why it matters: The inlet port shut-off motors control the swirl flaps in the intake manifold and sit under the turbo, so replacing one is a long job. The diesel's oil cooler seal can also leak. Specialists suggest renewing the motor if the turbo ever needs work.
Seven-speed gearbox holding gears
What to look for: On the drive, let the automatic change up and down through the gears. Note if it holds a gear when it should change, or feels stuck, and check the engine management light stays off.
Why it matters: The seven-speed gearbox's speed sensor can fail, making it hold gears and usually lighting the engine management light. A repair kit is available for later gearboxes, while older ones may need a new valve body.
Also in the full guide
- Rear light wiring and drain holes
- The cold start, test drive and paperwork checks for the exact version you're viewing
The full guide to the C219 CLS
The CrankSight guide walks you round the car on your phone at the viewing, with every check for the exact version you're looking at: what to look for, where to find it, and what anything you find is likely to cost. As you go it builds an assessment of that car, and if you view more than one, it lines them up side by side.
£29 for the model, used on as many cars as you like, delivered within 72 hours or your money back.
Other generations
General points for the model, last checked October 2026. Every car is different, so treat this as a guide to what to look at, not a verdict on any car. CrankSight is independent and has no connection with Mercedes-Benz.