Merc E350 CLS Shooting Brake

I tow with that engine in my ML350 & it's more than capable, I'd imagine  a CLS350 would fly. I'd really fancied one myself but just felt they weren't quite heavy enough for my twin axle Coachman.

Not too familiar with that car but looking at some images are you sure the boot is big enough for the daft Choc Lab and awning?

They're not the biggest of 'estates' ..... more form than function, but a lovely looking car none the less.

Dont disagree with you there.

I have recently changed from an E Class estate 350D 4matic to a Range Rover Sport 3.0 sdv6.

Please check your nose weight  as it was only 84 kgs on the Merc - the RR is 150.  To compensate - plenty of heavier stuff had to go into the rear washroom.

Yes the Merc had plenty of grunt and nothing really phased it - up hill or down dale it just trundled along happily and in Europe the 60 mph limit was effortlessly passed.  The boot was like a tardis, able to handle all we had and with half the back seat up for the dog.

Reliability was a challenge with it to be honest - often twice a year at the local dealership having things mended.  The other challenge was fuel .... it was thirsty with a 1550 kgs van -.22 to 23 mpg was the norm, much less on windy days.

The Range Rover Sport has a much greater nose weight so more can go into the caravan.  The boot does not hold as much though.  We also changed the caravan a few weeks back and with a heavier one hooked up, our recent outing of 250 miles each way saw a fuel consumption of 30.5 mpg which was more than pleasing.

Will I ever return to Mercedes?  Unlikely.  But only my view and I know many who will never leave the three pointed star.

Hope this helps

 

Two things to check on the Merc. Has it got air suspension at least on the rear wheels as a friend complained he found his outfit pitched about on poor road surfaces. Also check the tow ball hitch height. His was too low making his caravan tow nose down and he had some grounding issues with the jockey wheel catching speed humps found on many caravan sites.

According to Top Gear they have air as standard at the back with convention steel springs at the front .... 

The user and all related content has been Deleted User

From what I have been able to establish, the Shooting Brake version is type approved to tow up to 2100kg. All other versions aren't.