Cl 420 - w140

[barry]

Hi

New to this so here goes.

I am trying to locate any information on a CL 420(W140) - vintage 1998-1999.

I intend to buy one in the UK in 2006 and import to Ireland. This in itself will be fun!!
Anyway,I am therefore looking for any information on this or even a 500 model.
Does anyone know for exmple where I could perhaps pick up a brochure or manual? Are there any specialists in the UK that have serviced this model that could give me pointers on finding a good one?

As you can see any information would be appreciated.

Thanks
Barry - [email protected]

 

[guydewdney]

um - i have one...

1) check air con works - with a thermometer - not just your hand.

2) check door seals are all good (go for a drive at - um - higer speeds)

3) power steering pumps leak (obv)

4) check / test gear box thouroughly

5) DO NOT BUY A pre-1996 one - the looms on the engine deteriotate - they are organic. unless its been replaced. check by beding some wires in the engine bay - if the insulation cracks / is brittle - walk. pre 1996 do not have side air bags and have different coloured lower side panels and no parking sensors (just the air operated mini aerial things) - (i know u are looking at 98/99)

6) check all the air operated doors work - do each door 3 - 5 times - inc the boot. check the 'clean hand system boot lid handle' works nicely. (you have to do each several times to make sure that there isnt a leak which can be disguised by pulling a fuse)

7) check rear headrests go up and down properly (mine are electric up and down - some are leccy down only)

8) check lumbar support goes up and down - and memorises to the right setting (mine occasionally even when set on 1 or 0.5 go to about 3 or 4) ditto memory seats - press all three buttons - do any settings go to full extreme on any setting - shows that there MAy be a problem with it / the car (i.e why has it lost the setting - unless it has never ever been used - unlikely)

they eat tyres for breakfast. tyres are 255/45/18 as std - which are about 180 quid each. they do 20 - 23mpg but are surprisingly quick. extremely comfortable and quiet. they are not cheap to run but you do feel like the king of the road and all those peasants in e classes should just get out of your way (tongue in cheek)

oh - and get a black one with tinted windows

 

[LazyBob]

I've got the same engine but a fatter body (the car not me... it's a S420L) although CLs are huge for only two doors.

Enjoys plenty of petrol, eats rear tyres, wears fronts on the outer edges.
Enjoys plenty of petrol, doesn't like snow.
Enjoys plenty of petrol, the engine has an occaisional murmor when idle and sometimes when going uphill (it's getting that looked at on Monday)
Enjoys plenty of petrol, has a minor problem with the fancy boot closing device but it's been too cold to look at properly.
Enjoys plenty of petrol, doesn't fit in the garage properly.
Enjoys plenty of petrol, doesn't fit into 'modern' parking spaces.
Enjoys plenty of petrol, goes really quite quickly especially in the 80-130 area.
Enjoys plenty of petrol, a hint of rust around the wing repeaters but it's not rotten - I think the little 'rubbers' on the repeaters hold on to the water (and salt)

Did I mention it enjoys plenty of petrol?
But then to be fair you'd have to have to be intellectually inferior to an amoeba if you think 4.2 litres of engine and two tons of car is going to be frugal. (moderators please note I am not being anti-amoeba)

Go the whole hog and get the 600 V12, then you can pass Guy and say "Morning Peasant"

 

[stwat]

I've got the same engine but a fatter body (the car not me... it's a S420L) although CLs are huge for only two doors.

Enjoys plenty of petrol, eats rear tyres, wears fronts on the outer edges.
Enjoys plenty of petrol, doesn't like snow.
Enjoys plenty of petrol, the engine has an occaisional murmor when idle and sometimes when going uphill (it's getting that looked at on Monday)
Enjoys plenty of petrol, has a minor problem with the fancy boot closing device but it's been too cold to look at properly.
Enjoys plenty of petrol, doesn't fit in the garage properly.
Enjoys plenty of petrol, doesn't fit into 'modern' parking spaces.
Enjoys plenty of petrol, goes really quite quickly especially in the 80-130 area.
Enjoys plenty of petrol, a hint of rust around the wing repeaters but it's not rotten - I think the little 'rubbers' on the repeaters hold on to the water (and salt)

Did I mention it enjoys plenty of petrol?
But then to be fair you'd have to have to be intellectually inferior to an amoeba if you think 4.2 litres of engine and two tons of car is going to be frugal. (moderators please note I am not being anti-amoeba)

Go the whole hog and get the 600 V12, then you can pass Guy and say "Morning Peasant"

Thats all well and good.

But is it good on petrol????


Stu

 

[guydewdney]

lazybob - interestingly - i have just noticed 1 tiny bubble on my o/s wing repeater.. a rusty s class.

is yours a pre-'96? the boot thing can be cured - does it pull closed then do the handle or handle then close thing? if its the latter then theres two pipes that can be swapped (known cure / fix)

 

[V12]

They all rust round the repeator lamps...VERY common!

 

[V12]

Obviously ours doesnt have any there though

 

[LazyBob]

lazybob - interestingly - i have just noticed 1 tiny bubble on my o/s wing repeater.. a rusty s class.

is yours a pre-'96? the boot thing can be cured - does it pull closed then do the handle or handle then close thing? if its the latter then theres two pipes that can be swapped (known cure / fix)

It's an early 98. It might be worth getting the repeaters out and having a good look. The little rubbers will be perished, new repeaters (with rubbery/foam bits) are about 15 quid (ish) a pair.

The boot thing is cured at the moment by two rather cunning methods.
a) don't open the boot - the rear passenger footwell is bigger than the boot.
b) if I accidentally open the boot, leaning on it until the whirring, clicking, scrunching and wheezing noises stop prevents the little chrome handle from coming back out.

When the weather permits I'll climb in the boot and sort it out.