My Time with the CLS 350 (2012)
Alright, let’s talk about this 2012 CLS 350 I’ve been running for a while. It wasn’t exactly brand new when I got my hands on it, had a few miles, but felt pretty solid. First thing I always do with a car, especially one that’s not fresh off the line, is give it a good once-over myself. Not talking about a full mechanic inspection right away, just the basics you know?
So, popped the hood. That V6 looks pretty packed in there, typical German engineering I guess. Everything looked generally clean, no obvious leaks jumping out at me, which is always a good start. First up, engine oil.
- Pulled the dipstick out. Wiped it clean with an old rag I keep in the garage.
- Put it back in all the way.
- Pulled it out again to check the level.
- Looked okay, maybe a touch below the max line, but the color was still decent, not black sludge. Decided to leave it for now, but made a mental note to check again soon.
Next, coolant. Found the reservoir tank, it’s usually pretty obvious, often has bright colored liquid inside. This one did. Level looked right between the min and max marks. Good. Didn’t have to mess with that.
Then, the brake fluid. Found that reservoir. The fluid looked clear, not dark or murky, which is what you want. Level was fine too. Didn’t touch it.
Checking Other Stuff
Walked around the car. Checked the tires. Gave them a kick, the old school way, then actually checked the pressure with a gauge later. They needed a bit of air, pretty standard stuff. Topped them up at the gas station down the road.
Inside, everything felt pretty well put together. The leather seats had some wear, expected for its age, but no major rips or tears. Fired up the engine. Started smooth, no weird noises or rattles right away. Let it idle for a bit while I played with the buttons. The COMAND system, yeah, it’s dated compared to new cars, but it worked. Radio, navigation, all that stuff seemed functional.
Took it for a short drive around the block. Transmission shifted smooth, brakes felt strong. The ride is comfortable, definitely more of a cruiser, which is what I expected. It handles okay for a big car, feels planted.
So, overall first impressions after getting it and doing my initial checks? Pretty decent. It’s a comfortable car, looks good even now. Sure, it’s getting older, things will probably need attention down the line. That’s just how it is with cars, especially European ones sometimes. But for now, just doing the basic checks, making sure fluids are good, tires are aired up, it felt ready to go. Just been driving it since, keeping an eye on those fluid levels like I said. So far, so good.
