Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake (2012 - 2018) CLS 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY AMG Sport 5d Tip Auto Owner Review

2 years ago, I saw an CLS AMG 63 Shooting Brake in Newcastle. It was the first time I'd seen a shooting brake and both my wife and I loved it. There isn't a car like it on the road at the moment. It actually reminds me of my very first car back in 1982. That was a Lancia HPE 2000, that was a super car nicknamed "the jet" by my friends. Fast forward to 2017 and as my trusty Clk was giving up the ghost I decided to buy a new car. I really wanted a Shooting Brake, but my budget didn't stretch to it. I'd found a CLS 250 CDI Coupe AMG Sport on a 13 plate but as I mentioned earlier, someone beat me to it. However, as amazing luck would have it a Brake on a 14 plate (WEBSITE WON'T ALLOW ME TO SELECT 2014 ON A 14 PLATE). I emailed late on the Sunday and offered to put a deposit then and there. There was no photo and no other details. However, it was providence! I picked the car up from the Merc Dealer 9 days later. Merc return their approved used cars to showroom condition, alloys are refurbed, paint blemishes and dents are repaired and the car has a full Mercedes service done. My car had £1k worth of tyres put on it, there was no argybargying on price, they were fitted after the sale was agreed. I got a full unlimited 12 months guarantee with roadside and accident recovery, free key insurance and free courtesy car too. I wouldn't go near a back street dealer when paying £20k plus for a car. If you decide to buy one buy an approved used Merc, the ticket price is lower and the service is far beyond what any second hand dealer will offer. On top of that, Mercedes were a lot cheaper than the back street traders. The car itself is amazing. It's not as quiet as I'd expected due to the elastic bands masquerading as tyres (19" 255/35 front, 285/30 rear) unless it's perfect tar. Let's face it, since our government prefers to spend £246billion on Trident missiles that don't work rather than building hospitals, roads don't have a chance and I'm not going to be cocooned in silence. I discovered if you leave it in Eco drive program the car feels quick, but castrated. Then I discovered the Sport drive program. Pressing the 1.5cm square button marked E-S-M released the 201 horses and copious amounts of twisting force. The steering tightened up and the engine felt like someone had added another 4 cylinders. The car rockets forward and is composed and level when taking bends at speed. The only problem then is that the economy starts to suffer, but at least when you fill up you've hit a grin on your face! The seats are comfortable and the cabin is an amazing place to be, if you like bring in a coal hole. It amazes me that there are people out there when faced with free leather in 5 colours they pick charcoal black in a car interior devoid of light. The grey, beige or saddle brown are the obvious choices, but not for some people! However, the contrasting double leather stitching adds a slight cheer to a dreary coloured interior. It's still luxurious and expensive looking (and feeling) but it's a little suicidal! The Command system is extremely easy to use and the level of equipment is superb. The car is amazing in the metal. Photos don't do it justice. My neighbour is in love and is trying to get his wife to let him buy one too. I have a long commute every day. Now I look forward to it. I've averaged 45mpg, but if London and motorway traffic were better that could easily hit the 50mpg plus. I've taken the Mercedes service plan which is very reasonable to maintain the car properly. In my case £38 a month. That's the sort of costs you associate with a bread and butter car like a Ford. It also means accident and recovery are fully covered for 12 months after every service. If you want practicality but stunning looks get yourself a Shooting Brake from a Frachised dealer!