2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Consumer Reviews

Skin deep beauty

Written by: jp_BucksCo_pa on 05/25/2009

Vehicle

2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class CLS500 4dr Sedan (5.0L 8cyl 7A)

Review

Facts: Shop service average is every six weeks since purchase. Repeat problems = air bag, trunk open/close harness, radio, suspension, wheels & tires, pressure sensor, brake pad sensor, windows. While many under warranty, the fun this car is to drive has been ruined by poor construction, unreliability, giving up almost a day a month to repairs. Dealer offers no solution despite complaints, though loaner (other make) is always available. After only 4 years, window seals and interior chrome are failing. My 7 YO F-150 has held up better. Too bad. Car looks and drives great, but car is a family joke. We leave it home for long trips never knowing when "Drive To Shop" light will come on mid-trip.

Favorite Features

Distinctive look. Everything about driving - handling, acceleration, comfort - even for 6'-2" frame. Trunk space is excellent. Added all-season tires and now it has some drivability in light snow with no noticeable loss of handling on dry roads. When working properly, driver alerts are useful.

Suggested Improvements

All minor, but suitable for the brand: Front driver and passenger windows should go all the way down - stop with an inch exposed. Electronics are simply awful. Need redesign or a way to fully diagnose source issue. So many false warnings, it's the car that cried wolf. Who knows what is real? Sad.

8 out 8 people found this review helpful

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Great 2nd owner car

Written by: J Hood on 05/05/2009

Vehicle

2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class CLS500 4dr Sedan (5.0L 8cyl 7A)

Review

I purchased this car as a certified preowned car with 24000 miles on it. I have read other owners concerns which I assume have all been addressed during the initial ownership. I have had a fantastic experience with an essentially brand new car for the past 4 mos. Definitely a driver's dream but a pleasure to travel in for 3 other passengers. Slightly challenging to get in and out of but a pleasure to own.

Favorite Features

The sound of the engine and the feel of being pushed into the back of the seat when you leave the stop light. Scheduled maintenance every 15000 miles.

Suggested Improvements

2 out 3 people found this review helpful

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3 Irritating Things, but I Love the Car

Written by: Hoot on 02/15/2009

Vehicle

2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class CLS500 4dr Sedan (5.0L 8cyl 7A)

Review

Side mirrors are tiny- very difficult to see. Ride is too mushy even on sport mode setting. Glare on interior windshield on passenger side from wood trim is distracting. I plan to keep the car for 5 years. Found out that I cannot obtain an extended warranty since i am not the original owner. So now AAA gets my business and I can take it to the M-B dealer. Wake up Daimler! If you're over 6' you sit in the front seats- in the rear seat your head touches the roof- believe me. The 2010 version looks more aggressive so after 5 years I'll get one at less than half cost. This car depreciates 50% in less than 3 years!

Favorite Features

Exterior styling

Suggested Improvements

Side mirrors- make them bigger. Increase headroom in rear

7 out 8 people found this review helpful

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Owner CLS 500

Written by: Mike on 01/19/2009

Vehicle

2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class CLS500 4dr Sedan (5.0L 8cyl 7A)

Review

Great car fun to drive, eats mountain roads. This is one of kind car that must be driven. Long trips are not a problem, it is easy to drive and plenty of truck space for those long weekends.

Favorite Features

Stand on the gas and off you go

Suggested Improvements

Air shocks might need a metal spring coil for back up if the air shock fails.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Nice at first, but...

Written by: BP on 11/04/2008

Vehicle

2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class CLS500 4dr Sedan (5.0L 8cyl 7A)

Review

Bought this car new in 2006. Was torn between the 650 BMW and the CLS500. Both seemed to purr but thought I would go for the lesser horsepower but try for the Mercedes badge. Test drove each for a weekend, and found the BMW to be more appealing, faster, and over all a better head turner, but thought the MB was a better buy. Let's just say I had the Mercedes for 2 months and traded it for the BMW 650. The MB sqeaked, knobs cracked, just poor quaility I missed all this at the begining during my test drives. I guess if I wanted a Chrysler product, I should have bought a Chrysler. Never again. I learned my lesson on this one. Maybe once they stop sharing parts on $20,000 Crossfires, I may be back

Favorite Features

Design was nice, easy to get in and out. Appealing to the eye.

Suggested Improvements

Stop being a grown up Chrysler. Add bumper to bumper for everything like BMW. I expected better quality from a MB.

15 out 16 people found this review helpful

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Nice looking but mechanical issues

Written by: Don Bowzer on 10/12/2008

Vehicle

2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class CLS500 4dr Sedan (5.0L 8cyl 7A)

Review

This car looks great and is fun to drive, but spends way too much time in the shop. Had several major mechanical problems including complete transmission replacement and complete cooling system replacement, plus many ongoing and nagging electronic problems. Love car but can't afford repairs.

Favorite Features

Looks great and drives nice.

Suggested Improvements

Mechanical disaster

7 out 7 people found this review helpful

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So Disappointed

Written by: C Kelly on 08/07/2008

Vehicle

2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class CLS500 4dr Sedan (5.0L 8cyl 7A)

Review

I fell in love with this car the minute I walked into the Mercedes showroom. I was planning on purchasing a BMW 6 series, but was persuaded by the sheer breathtaking beauty of the CLS. Worst decision of my life. The wheels have had to be repaired 6 times due to "potholes" per Mercedes. The problem is in the suspension, which cannot even handle a small bump in the road. I have had to replace the tires at 7000 miles due to "potholes" per Mercedes. Purchasing this car is like dating the prom queen, which is exhilirating in the beginning, but soon you realize she will only drain your pocketbook. Do not buy this car.

Favorite Features

The body style of this vehicle is sheer beauty.

Suggested Improvements

Mercedes needs to review the suspension of this vehicle. It is a money pit!

15 out 15 people found this review helpful

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3 and a half years later

Written by: joesander on 02/27/2008

Vehicle

2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class CLS500 4dr Sedan (5.0L 8cyl 7A)

Review

I bought this car just after the announcement of the new CLS series and the day it hit the showroom floor. I had my heart set on a BMW 600 series and switched at the last minute. It was love at first sight. Now the lease is expiring and I have to decide what to do. After lots of research I have concluded there is no better car in the market than the one I have in my driveway right now. I would love to trade for something new but for now I am sticking with my still showroom new looking CLS500.

Favorite Features

Appearance, ride and handling.

Suggested Improvements

The plastic chrome on the cupholders and steering wheel MB emblem. They have both peeled and been replaced under warranty multiple times. For a car in this price range... Unacceptable!

12 out 12 people found this review helpful

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Very satisfied

Written by: nmotb on 02/23/2008

Vehicle

2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class CLS500 4dr Sedan (5.0L 8cyl 7A)

Review

I am just weeks ahead of my 2nd year of ownership and this has been a great car, and I have not had any troubles with it that required a dealer visit. It's my first Mercedes Benz and I am impressed with how solid the car feels, it feels as though it will feel new and perfect for a long time.

Favorite Features

I bought it because I was overwhelmed by the over-the-top styling and its impact, along with the very sumptuous interior and I take delight in the luxury of the interior every time I get in it.

Suggested Improvements

I would like to see some slight change to the front end styling, I liked Mercedes more rounded headlight styling than the blown back tear-drop look it favors now.

7 out 7 people found this review helpful

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Beauty is only skin deep. Prototype woes

Written by: JP on 02/12/2008

Vehicle

2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class CLS500 4dr Sedan (5.0L 8cyl 7A)

Review

Very disappointed with quality and road reliability. Has me seriously questioning ever owning a Mercedes again. True, looks and sumptuous cabin turn heads. Very comfortable on long cruises, even in back seat. Exceptional responsiveness. A blast to drive, but many miles have been logged going back 20+ times for maintenance, electronics, accessories, suspension and wheel repair in 36 months. Ball joints should outlast 70000 miles. Brake pad sensors disconnected to keep static off the radio when braking. Dry and wet road handling is fabulous, but just a dusting of snow incapacitates it. Simple items like cup holders failed and finishes are peeling. Sadly, like the Mona Lisa with big red zit.

Favorite Features

Incredible integration of eye-catching looks, handling, acceleration and cabin comfort exceed expectations. The car responds like its an extension of your thoughts. The exterior styling is nothing short of breathtaking and always elicits street comments. Interior lighting creates warm atmosphere.

Suggested Improvements

With so many squirrely glitches in sensors and electronics, it's hard tell what's real and what's just another bad circuit. Suspension has zero durability and can't handle even small highway bumps or holes. Though driving it elicits excitement, much of it is wasted worrying what will fail next.

16 out 17 people found this review helpful

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