2004 cl500 abc

[MIKENWATSON]

I know this has been done to death but I just would like someone's opinion.

I have been pining for a CL500 for a few years now. Recently I have been considering E46 M3's, E39 M5's, 540i's, B10 Alpina's, SL500's, S55's and so on.

I keep coming back to the CL500.

I have found a 2004 CL500 with 159k on the clock and I've offerd him 5k. I haven't been to see the car because I live in Bermuda but its a two owner Full MBSH car and is immaculate. Everything works even the rear blind. It's in lovely silver with light blue leather. From the pictures (lol) the car looks to be sitting very evenly.

My question is this:

Given that it has done 160k is it less likely the ABC will fail? Shouldn't it have failed already?

Many many thanks,

Mike

 

[MIKENWATSON]

I should just add that my budget was much more but i want plenty of cash for repairs etc.

 

[s88]

Obviously you wont be driving it in Bermuda? or will you.

So how long are you in UK to drive it?

not sure this stacks up.

 

[MIKENWATSON]

lol definately will not be taking it to Bermuda!

Im repatriating to UK in August....

 

[diggerfil]

I have been mulling over this exact same Model!!!!

E39 M5 is arguably the best car you could wish for but i have had my fill of E39's and the CL500 is one very attractive proposition at the crazy low prices that what seem to be very good examples are going for!.....I have done some extensive research on these cars and in simplistic terms, if the suspension and electrical issues have not been attended to in recent times it will be just pot luck whether you will cop for the hefty repairs while in your possession!....You do right keeping a reserve of money just in case and you could argue that they represent such a bargain at the moment that it is worth the risk!!

Having said all this, i have been leaning away from the CL because i just don't think it is acceptable to be driving such a car that could let you down at any time, i just don't want that in my mind when i am out & about with the family!

To that end, i am now looking at the steal of the century in the previous W140 CL500 (or 420)....a far more certain proposition that can be turned into a 'looker' with some nice wheels and subtle suspension lowering

Trouble is, i am having difficulty finding a nice '97-on model.

Good luck

 

[diggerfil]

Just noticed, what's this doing in the wheels & Tyres section

 

[John]

Just noticed, what's this doing in the wheels & Tyres section

The OP's original query was about suspension of the CL500...

I sometimes see a W140 coupe AMG thing in silver. It stinks (runs really rich) but looks alright.

 

[MIKENWATSON]

I have looked at the W140 - its a handsome car but the interior is just too dated for my taste now. I guess the pay off is the peace of mind with the ABC.

 

[John]

I guess you could try and find one where you know it has had work done - but there is never a guarantee it wont fail again.

I think if you have a large enough reserve of money and barter hard on the buying price, that's the best you can do to mitigate.

You could go down the warranty route but this can be more hassle than it is worth it seems.

If it were me, I would ensure any prospective car is checked out thoroughly by a good independent - which is what I did with mine.

I don't know what a typical price is for a CL500 at the age you are looking at but I would guess in the £5000 area. So your absolute worst liability is £5000, and there will always be value in what is left should you be really unlucky.

 

[MIKENWATSON]

yeh im giving him 5300 for it plus a tank of fuel and hes driving it down from leicester. cant lose really. will upload some pics

 

[John]

I sometimes see a W140 coupe AMG thing in silver. It stinks (runs really rich) but looks alright.

Not really relevant now but strangely, the car I see is this one:

Mercedes CL500 Auto (ONLY 51 000 MILES) MASSIVE SPEC! 5.0 2dr 1996

 

[MIKENWATSON]

only 51,000 miles!

If you get that for 2500 that has to be the best car you can buy for that money anywhere

 

[MIKENWATSON]

I was very tempted by the E55 you have. Stunning cars and you can pick them up now for 10k. The fuel consumption on those is truly terrifying though for a daily driver lol

 

[John]

only 51,000 miles!

If you get that for 2500 that has to be the best car you can buy for that money anywhere

Driven carefully too when I've seen it (half a dozen times - I suspect I know where the car has come from given where I see it and I recognise the 'PIG'6 RBK no. plate).

I was very tempted by the E55 you have. Stunning cars and you can pick them up now for 10k. The fuel consumption on those is truly terrifying though for a daily driver lol

Yes, I was looking today (hence seeing the W140) and the 2002/2003 models are there now. Later ones are up a bit and then there are some stupidly-priced ones with an E63 in the latter of those examples.

I get a reported 20mpg and an actual 18mpg. I do combined and spirited mainly.

I got 21mpg reported from my previous V8 - which was a 2001 Alpina B10 V8.

I reckon most V8s in this weight ballpark are around there - and will be (read are!) shocking but I only do 8000 miles per year - so I spend a lot less than a guy at work who commutes much further with a 1.2 Polo...

:bannana:

 

[diggerfil]

only 51,000 miles!

If you get that for 2500 that has to be the best car you can buy for that money anywhere

Well ...

I have bought this W140 CL500 (not quite for £2500 but still seems an absolute bargain!!) although if it is running as rich as johneboy says, maybe it could get expensive !

If it is running rich, that can be soon sorted with a good tune-up... worth noting that this particular CL500 has been pootled around in for years and cosseted all its life, it needs a damn good thrashing on a long journey, which it will get when i pick it up in the morning

Really looking forward to it guys (been looking for weeks, wanted Black but this was far to good to pass up!)

 

[John]

Now that is weird that you mention you are looking for / at a particular car and in the very next post I highlight one I've seen a few times.

I'm not sure if it is a genuine AMG model but I quite like it.

Whoever drove it was certainly not in a hurry - ever!

 

[diggerfil]

Indeed!...very ironic you should happen to see the car and be astute enough to remember the details of the car.

The previous owner had it for 3 yrs and part-ex'd it for the later model CL500, also in silver that was at the dealer, apparently he has spent a lot of money on it in recent times, just keeping it up to the high standard at which it has been kept at......I will be sniffing around the exhaust tomorrow and having a good listen to the engine, just to be sure its running in an acceptable manner (at these mpg figures it would be a shame to have un-used petroleum disappearing into the ozone layer !)

The mileage of 51K is quite remarkable (substantiated by all the MOT's and history...only averaged around 3,200 miles per year!) i havn't seen a W140 with less than around 90K miles on it!

Will start a new thread on it when i have learn't how to operate all the functions...the bonus is it's the '97 model, so all the previous gremlins should hopefully be sorted !

 

[MIKENWATSON]

This is whats being delivered for me on tuesday. 5k cant wait!

 

[John]

Looks in good shape - nice one!

I remember a petrol head director I used to know who bought an X plate in 2005.

They are great cars.