Advice on buying a CL63

[Dave-sw]

I am looking at buying a CL, probably the 3G pre facelift CL63 AMG. I was originally looking at a CLS for the extra 2 doors but have convinced myself to go for the coupe after much reading.

I bookmarked this on auto trader a couple of weeks ago and it still hasn't sold. I think it's significantly overpriced and am considering putting an offer in on it:

Mercedes-Benz 6.2 CL 63 AMG 2dr 7G-Tronic

Opinions?

Any list of things to look out for when buying a CL?

 

[Dave-sw]

No one has an opinion?

 

[m2287]

They are pretty rare cars, not many people have them on here I don't think!

Make sure you get a good warranty is all I can think of!

 

[Alex]

It will have a hydraulic suspension which has been covered before. A few threads down someone is asking for an opinion on a CL500, older one than yours, but same applies. As above, a good warranty is a must unless you like to get your hands dirty.

 

[BernardB]

I too have been researching 216s (looking for a 600, which are rarer than hen's teeth) and I'd say that car is slightly rather than significantly overpriced. But condition and history are everything and there's no substitute for going to have a look.

The description doesn't say whether it's got keyless go. That's essential in my view. Sounds daft but once you've had it you don't want to be without.

As it's a private sale you won't get a warranty from the seller but you can buy one from someone like Warranty Direct. Expensive though - I think you can get a quote via their website.

Have you thought about a 500 or 55? Much wider choice out there.

The CL is a wonderfully elegant and powerful car. If you can find one that's reasonably trouble-free you will love it. The only downside (in my view) of the 216 is that its interior is less luxurious than the 215's.

 

[Conquistador]

I've seen better spec'd cars for better prices. That one doesn't have much in the way of options. No ventilated seats, adaptive cruise or night vision...

 

[Mr Kripling]

The only downside (in my view) of the 216 is that its interior is less luxurious than the 215's.

Strangely, that's the thing I think the 216 does better than the 215. Mind you, it's been years since I sat in the former so familiarity may have bred contempt

Harry

 

[wywywywy]

I don't think it's overpriced to be honest, providing it's in good condition and everything works.

But like others have said, this one is not fully optioned like a lot of CL63s.

 

[Dave-sw]

Thank you for your comments.

I have considered a 55 / 500 but I think I am going to wait for the right CL63. I'm not in any real hurry and I like that it is not a common car.

I am good with electronics and software but nothing that moves. Warranty Direct quote £974 pa for the CL63. It's a huge amount but I will probably give it some serious thought. I suspect that won't cover the suspension though?

It's funny you mention the interior, that's one of the things that drew me to it.

It had not escaped my attention that this particular car is not fully optioned. I'm sure that in the vast majority of cases it would not make financial sense but is it possible to retro-fit the various options such as the reverse camera / night vision?

Out of interest, when a dealer says "fully loaded" does that literally mean it has every option that was available at the time of manufacture or would they have some wriggle room if it later became clear that this was not the case?

 

[lxi]

Thank you for your comments.

Out of interest, when a dealer says "fully loaded" does that literally mean it has every option that was available at the time of manufacture or would they have some wriggle room if it later became clear that this was not the case?

Sadly no. The difference between a car salesman and a "We'll get your PPI refund" salesman is that the "We'll get your PPI refund" salesman knows when he's lying.

 

[C43AMG]

If you speak to Richard at Comand ( A Forum member and trader ) he will let you know re the retro-fits.

As far as "fully loaded " take it with a pinch of salt. Check what options are available and tick them off there interpretation of " fully loaded "

 

[Peter T]

Good looking car but why so many owners?

4 owners in 7/8 years would put me off.

 

[BernardB]

It's funny you mention the interior, that's one of the things that drew me to it.

Suggest you have a look at a top-end 215 (600 or 65) interior. Double-stitched colour-coded leather all over the top roll and console, alcantara colour-coded roof lining, Comand screen better located, much nicer steering wheel than 216 (in my opinion), etc...

The 216's interior is certainly more modern, but it's not quite as plush.

 

[wywywywy]

I am good with electronics and software but nothing that moves. Warranty Direct quote £974 pa for the CL63. It's a huge amount but I will probably give it some serious thought. I suspect that won't cover the suspension though?

Last time I looked into it, Warranty Direct doesn't cover the ABC suspension, which is the biggest worry in my opinion on the CL because it's so expensive.

And of course it doesn't cover any of the gadgets which are SOOO expensive to replace. E.g. the HK audio amp died in my 221 (which is pretty much the same as the 216) and it was around £1500 to replace. If any of the seat air bladders starts leaking, BOOM, another £2000.

It's a very complicated car with a lot of parts. And every part is expensive. The labour charge is expensive too because of the complexity.

Really you need an MB warranty which is around £2k (give or take £500) a year I think.

But I guess you know most of that already, from owning a CLS63.

 

[Dave-sw]

So I just had a call from Warranty Direct. They told me that they DO cover the air suspension as long as the car is under 60k miles and is less than 6 years old. Interestingly, he also said that this does not affect the premium. I think I am now looking for a car that is under 6yrs/60k.

BernardB: The C215 is a really nice car but I definitely prefer the look of the C216. I agree with you about the steering wheel though.

 

[BernardB]

A CL63 under 6yrs/60k will be very expensive. If you can stand that, would you consider going the whole hog and buying approved used from an MB dealer - which would then have a proper MB warranty included?

 

[Ierton]

I looked at buying a CL63 before I bought the CLS55. I decided against it as despite how good they look the engine really doesn't suit the car. Have you driven one? I got 11mpg on a spirited drive which was about the same as the Cayenne Turbo I had. I get 16 mpg from the CLS by comparison.

If you still want one then check condition of the brakes as new discs and pads are something like £3k all round.

 

[Dave-sw]

I looked at buying a CL63 before I bought the CLS55. I decided against it as despite how good they look the engine really doesn't suit the car. Have you driven one? I got 11mpg on a spirited drive which was about the same as the Cayenne Turbo I had. I get 16 mpg from the CLS by comparison.

If you still want one then check condition of the brakes as new discs and pads are something like £3k all round.

No, I haven't been for a test drive yet. I ended up going to South America for a month so I will resume my search when I get back tomorrow.

Did you test drive the CL500? What did you think?

 

[Ierton]

I didn't bother with the CL500 as I wanted an AMG. If you're not bothered about the extra performance then they're probably a great choice - especially if you can find one with the AMG bodykit which looks the part.