Used 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Sedan Consumer Reviews
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CLS 550 4 Matic AMG
Claude O'Connor, 02/24/2016
updated 02/27/2017
2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class CLS550 4dr Sedan (4.7L 8cyl Turbo 7A)
12 of 12 people found this review helpful
Styling is superb. Car does not get dated with age. Performance is fantastic for a 4 door sedan! Update after 5 years of ownership...car still turns heads but some quirky electronics issues with various programs are starting to lessen my experience with the CLS.
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New level Benzing
clsowner, 11/10/2011
2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class CLS550 4dr Sedan (4.7L 8cyl Turbo 7A)
21 of 23 people found this review helpful
I came out of an E500 and got into the 2012 CLS 550 and there is no comparison from the power to the technology I'm very impressed. I temporarily flirted with leaving mercedes and going with the maserati, or porsche panamera, but am thoroughly glad I saved the money (funny saying that about a mercedes) and went with the CLS. My only drawback is I have a newborn and didn't fully consider the crampness of the backseat especially with the rear entertainment system, which makes it very difficult to put her huge car seat in and out of the car, but that's my problem. Overall in comparison to my e500 there is none, this is new level Benzing at it's finest from bumper to bumper
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Fun, Spirited and Sexy with Raw Emotional Driving
CLS550 , 12/22/2019
2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class CLS550 4dr Sedan (4.7L 8cyl Turbo 7A)
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
The CLS550 has great, wonderful, excellent power, and in sport mode provides excellent handling. Economy mode is for a lack of a better word "boring" to drive, with poor feedback and loose steering, for the added benefit of fuel economy. Speaking of fuel economy, it was easy to obtain high 20s low 30s on the highway in economy or sport, however I could easily see low teens or less for spirited town driving in sport mode. Like 6-9 MPG, as monitored by the cars fuel consumption, for stop and go. Happily traded the poor fuel for the fun factor. Probably getting around 14 MPG average around town driving, but I mash the peddle a lot. It is.. a twin turbo V8! Quite easy, to hit 80's 90's and 100's with a simple mash on the peddle. However it never feels quite so fast, so an unexpected ticket is very possible. 85 MPH feels like 50-55 MPH for reference. The air suspension is wonderful, and provides an excellent ride on all road surfaces. The body is beautiful, and cabin materials are excellent. Excellent sound dampening glass and other materials make the cabin a wonderful, and quiet place to be. Power and acceleration is smooth and quiet or ferocious and muscle car like if needed. Your choice at the press of a button. The acceleration comes on very controlled and increases quickly as a refined experience vs head and neck slap acceleration in other sports cars. The ceramic breaks are great for stopping, but always left the rims dirty even after a few miles. A constant battle to keep the front rims clean, from the ceramic dust. Breaking could be improved upon, with the available power and torque, and weight of the car. 4150 lbs to bring to a standstill is no easy task for any engineer, and MB does a good job here. The active bolstering in the drivers seat took a few days to get use to, however it has become one of my favorite features. I would highly recommend this feature. Excellent traction in the 2 wheel drive for the most part considering the HP, its impressive, however probably would have preferred the 4matic with all of the ponies. Have only lost traction a few times and I drive it hard most of the time, as its exhilarating. On as side note, I test drove a CLS450 and the fun factor was completely absent. DO NOT GET A CLS450 VS 550. Honestly I still get excited every time I get behind the wheel of the 550, the fun factor is always present. The sound system Harman Kardon is good for a factory system, however the base was not as strong as preferred, and a after market sub and amp was required. H.K. reproduces music with excellent high end fidelity, but the low end was missing the needed punch. The active adaptive headlamps are amazing. Bright, clean light better than any vehicle I've owned. A real treat. Seating is comfortable and supportive, and the drivers seat has the add on active bolstering, extra positioning, and massage. The massage function is weak, but will stimulate on a longer drive. Like a massage chair, not excellent, but better than nothing. Excellent heating, and average cooling for the seats with optioned add on. I wish the cooling seats function was better. Our 2012 KIA optima was better. All materials are otherwise excellent. Great leather, wood, aluminum. All balanced and fitted well with no poor craftsmanship or rattles or squeaks even after 50k and 8 years. Only complaints; on the early models the cruise control arm is above the turn signal arm position. This was addressed a few year after 2012, but it still throws me as the driver. Both arms are similar in position and location and it is easy to mistake one for the other. Also the backup camera and screen color is less than desirable for the quality of car with a 90's yellow feel that was replaced in the 2014 model infotainment upgrade. I switched mine to night mode to avoid seeing it. Cant stand the yellow hue. Its probably my biggest complaint, along with the side mirrors do not fold in. For a $85,000 car the mirrors should power fold and the display should be more realistic. I've seen better in most every other 2012 vehicle including a KIA optima. Trunk space is tight. Not quite as much room as one would think looking at the vehicle size. A few suitcases, but not much more. Overall a beautiful fun vehicle to drive. Always, fun. Sporty but classy too. Built well with excellent materials, fits and finishes. Room for improvement on the 2012 model; power folding mirrors, back up display color, more power and base with the factory stereo, and change the positioning of the turn and cruise arms. Otherwise an outstanding vehicle, with most issues addressed in future models. I would highly recommend this vehicle, and really enjoy seeing the 2015/2016 model with some body style upgrades and problem solving for original areas of improvement. Great quality and reliability after 8 years with zero repairs and only factory scheduled maintenance. I love my CLS550.
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Love this car
allan, 10/26/2018
2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class CLS550 4dr Sedan (4.7L 8cyl Turbo 7A)
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
I bought this car from the original owner, it is the limited launch edition with some extras that make it stand out. Other that servicing there have been no other cost. I have had Sl's and Sclass, but this car combines both the sports car and the sedan together in one. It is super fast and nimble. I think it is the best value in the Mercedes lineup
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CLS 550s
aradeff, 12/30/2011
2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class CLS550 4MATIC 4dr Sedan AWD (4.7L 8cyl Turbo 7A)
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
I have owned Jags,Cadillacs and MB's. The last three 2005 Clk 550' 2008 Cls 500'20011Cls 550 and now 2012 Cls 550 after hitting a deer. This is the best car I have ever driven.Power is incredible and it draws people wherever we go. I may never change. Averaged 22.7 on a trip to NYC.