600 BiTurbo, owner's views?

[malc350]

As my intended purchase of a CL looms, I have noticed that the 600, especially the "rather exciting" V12 BiTurbo cars are available for now what looks like "silly money".

E.G. (all on Autotrader website at present).

2003 03 Chalcedony Blue (OK not my favourite) 66k for £22,500.
2003 52 silver 60k for £22,995
2003 silver 46k for £25,995

I am just wondering how a £100k+ car loses nearly 80% of its value in 4 or 5 years? Is there an issue with the BiTurbo as examples of this model are a little less expensive than the asking prices of a CL55 and in fact only slightly higher than a regular CL500.

I do like a mad car, my last car was a Callaway Corvette 5.7 Twin Turbo which was pretty reliable given its 15 year age and a pretty reckless purchase given that spares availability was spotty at best on such a long-discontinued car.

I fancy another twin turbo....any owners have any experiences to share? I imagine it's the same engine whether it's in a CL, SL, or S...

Malc

 

[Dieselman]

They are fantastic cars..when running, and that's the problem, they seem to have more than their fair share of expensive problems.

Mainly suspension or turbo related.

Maff on here had one, what a car....

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

The V12 Bi-turbo is certainly more complex than the 500, and so much of the premium when new is erroded by the fear of something going wrong out of warranty later in life.

The AMG derivates probably hold their value better as they have a certain image that some buyers want to buy into when they're spending significant amounts of money.

Do a search for issues - as I far as I can remember none spring to mind that are specific to the 600 - just issues associated with the whole CL range, eg glass delamination, and rust I believe. Do a search to find out specifics though.

My thoughts anyway.

 

[jaymanek]

The early 600's had a few common issues:

- Electronic Speed Plate in Gearbox (Was a recall)
- Seem to eat 02 sensors
- Oil gets into ECU issue

Im not sure if they were all still issues on the later cars...


The reason they drop so much is that there is not much of a market for big expensive and very complex Mercedes anymore. These do around 10-15mpg at best and getting someone to look after one is not cheap either..

Most specialists will run a mile at the sight of a CL600 if there is anything more than an oil change to do...

 

[Mudster]

Effectively you get Ferrari running costs without the badge. There's no better way to describe it.

If I was seriously considering one of these I'd probably go for an early Ferrari 456GTA instead, it's likely to cost around the same to run. (see recent thread on the 456).

Which would you rather drive if they cost the same?

I love Mercs, I quite like the CL's of the age you're looking for I think it was only second in design to the W126 SEC, but I'd buy a Ferrari 456GTA over one without question.

There is no better sounding engine ever produced than a Ferrari V12....(Well ok there's a Supercharged Merlin but that's a different conversation)

 

[jaymanek]

The issue with a Ferrari is you get looked at everywhere you go... it gets too much after a while..

Also they are no where near as practical..

A CL is an understated car with fantastic luxury and refinement.. The ferrari is a toy..

 

[malc350]

Personally I prefer the looks of a CL

over a 456GT. And I couldn't entertain a car as unpleasant looking (my opinion only) as a 456 with the running costs of a 550 (which I love the looks of).

I guess the 456 has its place as it is a 4 seater which can be useful.

P.S. I always thought the SEC model was the most handsome of all MB coupes and even has plenty of presence today.

I get your point though and am even thinking that maybe a BiTurbo may have a very small market as the CL55 has a more overtly muscular image that potential owners of AMG models may prefer.

If I'm honest I'm probably one of them. Maybe I should be looking up to the CL55...

 

[AFCNEAL]

It depemds how much power you want and how much you want to pay. I've the earlier non-turbo CL600 with 'only' 367 bhp and it's enough for all but the most hard-core use. 15-16 mpg around town and c25 on a run. If you get a good one the servicing is negligible (£230 for 'A' and £400 for 'B' if you stay away from the franchised dealers). Beacuse there's a lot of kit there's a lot to go wrong and that's the risk, but again non-OEM parts (where possible) and specialist servicing keep the costs down. A good 01 CL600 can be had for £16-18k no problem as most folk can't/don't want the running costs. The electrics seem to be the most prone to failure (I knew a guy whose CL55 actually caught fire and was written off) and the turbo version comes with the usual problems ralting to turbos (bearings, particularly). If you use your head, you'd go for non-turbo, but your heart says different...........

 

[malc350]

Get one with an MB warranty

and there would be nothing to worry about!

 

[PAPA]

A 456 for £22.000 ?

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

A 456 for £22.000 ?

You can pretty much take your pick of 456 hovering around £30k - many of which hae been for sale for ages. I doubt it would be difficult for a serious potential buyer to negotiate a worthwhile discount.

Not quite £22k though.

 

[Mudster]

over a 456GT. And I couldn't entertain a car as unpleasant looking (my opinion only) as a 456 with the running costs of a 550 (which I love the looks of).

What different tastes we all have, and that's a good thing, wouldn't life be boring if we all like the same thing.

I think the 456 was one of the prettiest Ferraris ever designed, especially in a dark colour. I also think it's one of the most subtle.

Ferrari have lost their way lately in the design department, their cars are without doubt incredible pieces of engineering and a lot of the fragility they were renowned for has now gone.....but with it has gone some of the sparkle that made them so special.

I would never buy a mid engined one, I love the front engined rear drive GT cars they produced.....before I bought my SEC I was very very close to buying a 412i which I still like but are considered non Ferraris by aficionados for some reason.