Are CL500s (W215) money pits?

[Stratman]

I'm (yet again) playing the Autotrader game. Gorgeous looking, right price range, just, and not too common. Just the job.

However, I am mindful of things like self levelling suspension, double glazed windows and the electric toys. Are these beautiful cars just waiting to empty bank accounts with a series of eye wateringly expensive problems, or are they a practical everyday prospect?

 

[corned]

To be honest, if you're asking the question in the first place, you already know the answer!

 

[Stratman]

Yeah, I know

I was clinging to the faint hope someone would come on here and tell me they're ultra reliable and practical.

 

[st4]

No, they are complete disasters waiting to happen. Corrosion on the rear posts were steel and aliminium meet, rust in the arches, electrics and a suspension system thats £1k a corner to fix.

Bar the engine and box, they are a liability. Buy a nice CLS500.

 

[WOODYTHEWISE]

Buy a 600 biturbo. Like most cars, you only hear about the times they go wrong. I get 20.5mpg out of mine, what more could you ask for?, not a speck of rust/corrosion to be seen. 500bhp & 800nm of torque. MMMMMMMM.

 

[st4]

Buy a 600 biturbo. Like most cars, you only hear about the times they go wrong. I get 20.5mpg out of mine, what more could you ask for?, not a speck of rust/corrosion to be seen. 500bhp & 800nm of torque. MMMMMMMM.

I'd like to think you've read some good stuff about my car. Not a lot, but some. Its been around a bit.....

I love your car, but I'd never have the courage to own one

 

[WOODYTHEWISE]

Hi Steve, your car should now give you years of trouble free pleasure. Each to his/her own. My intention was to perhaps keep it for 12 months with tier 1 cover then sell it. Over the past couple of months I have looked at loads of various cars with a view to changing, at each viewing I asked myself the question "Do I like this better than the 600" the answer was the same each time, No. Also this is my 60 ish car, I am now long in the tooth and I enjoy my pleasure time, driving the 600 gives me pleasure in spades. I have had 2. 4. 6. 8. and now 12 cylinder vehicles, V8s are great but the 12 is so smooth. I may well look back on these words in the next year or so and think???? The work I had done prior to purchase should see me right until the next service is due.
I know ou call your car 'The Shed' but look at the pleasure it gives you, and in turn the rest of the forum members, reading about your tours and looking at your splendid photographs.

 

[steve333]

I'm (yet again) playing the Autotrader game. Gorgeous looking, right price range, just, and not too common. Just the job.

However, I am mindful of things like self levelling suspension, double glazed windows and the electric toys. Are these beautiful cars just waiting to empty bank accounts with a series of eye wateringly expensive problems, or are they a practical everyday prospect?

They are lovely cars when all is working ok but can be money pits when things go wrong,if you do decide on one take your time finding a good one & get a good quality warranty.

 

[m2287]

Mine hasnt been too bad...

One cam position sensor - £40
one rear strut which i fixed for £250
one window control module - £300
Rust on each door, and a small spot on the bonnet - £200 (a good mate is a sprayer)

Thats it in 2 years

Not a 500 though, I got a 55amg

 

[mercedescl500]

About until 18months ago CLs were expensive to fix due to lack of second hand parts being available at a reasonable price compared to dealership. Nowadays lots of CLs are being broken for parts and the prices have dropped dramatically. If your mechanically inclined then it can be a sensible buy. Good luck. HTH

 

[WOODYTHEWISE]

There is a website somewhere that states the number of particular cars sold/still on the road (anyone know of it?) it would be interesting to know how many CL600 were sold, and how many are left.

 

[dsan]

How Many Left?

 

[dsan]

How Many Left?

MERCEDES CL 600 AUTO - How Many Left?

 

[DSLiverpool]

Strat I got the value bug in fact I stil have it and I doubt I will ever buy a new car again. The CL is amazing value compared to an S and in itself it's a great car.
My 500 a a daily driver has been mine since march, it's cost me nothing but 2 tyres so far and my indie has combed it through and found nothing to do.
All windows delaminate and I find it disgusting mb don't make a contribution as 4 new windows are £1500 - note only the pilkington ones delaminate but 90% are .
I paid £12k for a 44k mile late 2006 car with a useless warranty I mentally pay £600 a month car budget which is what say a C63 would it's to finance (I have the sl55 as well also covered in this £600 budget) so I run 2 cars for the cost of a C63 new.
My CL is black with 5 spokes, it looks lovely and 4 windows down sunroof open it's nearly a convertible lol.
I have several pals wanting o buy it for £12k and even though these are sticky cars nice ones are in demand - I know of a nice one in Liverpool 2005 lower miles just over £12k
Enjoy

 

[Palfrem]

I had a lovely CL 500 that I did some 6000 completely trouble free miles in at an average of almost 30 mpg (lots of motorways). Great car.

 

[Palfrem]

oops, sorry, selected wrong picture.

 

[st4]

CLS55AMG. God they are good.

 

[jaymanek]

I just got a CLS55 in... lurrrrvely..

 

[DSLiverpool]

CLS55AMG. God they are good.

The engines good, the engine makes a CLS55 special - the overall car flatters to deceive - my CL is a better car engine aside so I imagine a CL55 is epic.

However in 2 years of CLS55 use it didn't let me down once.

 

[st4]

Never driven a CL to be fair, but even a CLS350cdi grand edition felt awesome. The CL has is more spacious and has nicer seats etc but to drive I thought the CLS might a be a bit tighter and more involving?