CL 600 2001 "Y" Plate. Things to look out for and advice.

[kbhogalW126]

Guys,

My little brother has come across a CL600 on a Y plate that his mate is selling.

Now, I trust the source (my bro) but I want more info about the car.

Its got about 50k on the clock and is a "minter" as described by my bro.

I'm looking to replace the CLK270 and this seems like a good propostion as the price is very, very good!

I can't tell you all yet but will say how much if I buy it!

I don't do much mileage at all so i'm not bothered about the economy (21mpg) and a 100litre tank!

Only give about 450miles on a tank.

Bearing in mind i've only done literally 40 miles a week since i bought the CLK it should in theory last 2 months!

Anyways, I would like to know from any of you who have one to see how you find dealing with it on a day to day basis (i'm going to use it as a day to day runner). Also, what should I look out for?

It will, of course, make a visit to Monsieur Walker for a full service and his obligatory test drive

Btw, the CLK will be for sale very soon as i hardly use it now. Ive not done 3000 miles in her since bought! (only do 8 miles return a day but have taken it up to glasgow and down to west london a couple of times).

More details to follow on that.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,

KJ

 

[gaz_l]

Can't help with the owner's experience, I'd love one but it would never fit in my garage! (the C only just fits) It seems prices for a CL of that vintage are in bargain basement territory now (bearing in mind what they cost new) as everyone is wary of the possible repair bills if something major breaks...

Good luck if you go for it..

Cheers,

Gaz

 

[BenzedUP]

6L Mercedes V12
362bhp @ 5500 rpm
390ft lbs @ 4100 rpm
0-60 in 5.9sec
EPA City / motorway 16 / 23 mpg

Its a beast i say go for it!

is it by any chance this one?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/168847.htm

 

[television]

The worst aspect is the very wide doors, as an everyday car, but this may not worry you

 

[kbhogalW126]

Thing is that the CLK is parked up in a parking lot during the day (i get in early enough to get the biggest widest space) so the doors arent an issue.

Also, I've found a wee useful trick that helps me park her in tight spaces!

It goes like this:

1. open both windows on the drivers side.
2. slip out the car keeping the key in position "1" in the ignition.
3. shut the rear window (key still in the ignition).
4. hit the button to close the drivers window then twist and pull out the key as the window is closing.
5. lock the car and bingo! you can walk away without having the indignity of struggling to get out of Mercedes Benz' finest coupe!

You cant lock the keys in the car using this method as if it goes wrong you can leave your arm in the window and it will stop if it feels resistance (the anti trap action).

Hope this is useful for someone!

Regards,

KJ

 

[recycled]

Things to look out for?
A big V12 engine and even bigger repair bills.

 

[MBManInKen]

The extra cost of the CL600 is not just in the fuel bills. Coming from a CLK270, I think you might get a nasty shock in terms of the price of maintenance but even more importantly repair costs should problems occur.

Personally, I would not touch it with a barge pole without a proper, detailed inspection and a decent warranty.

Without a warranty, you could end up paying many thousands of pounds in repair bills for things like the cats, suspension problems or climate control woes.

 

[mark.t]

hi what a dilemma when I get the pangs for a newer car I try to think long and hard about owning it ...also am I really that unhappy with the one I have .....mileage issue is a + for the cl600..8 miles per day ,but economy must come in somewhere. if I can think of any 1 reason to get rid of my car I can think of 2 reasons not to ...ask your self what dose the cl600 do that the clk doesn't in terms for driver joy ... comfort (long journeys) and aesthetics.... then think about the advice above they can come with huge wallet busting bills, if moneys no object then away you go

but i know what i would do ..

 

[kbhogalW126]

Thanks for everyone's comments so far.

Economy isnt an issue as we have a C270cdi for our long journeys.

Also, i've been after something large engined since i was a young teen!
at
I've always wanted a C126 but now they are too old and too costly to bring up to the standard that members like our KLP92 have got theirs to look like.

The CL is the CLK's "daddy" so to speak.

I just want the larger size and all that it brings with it and the offer is really too good to turn down.

So, has anyone driven a car with the 5.8 V12 and what is it like?

regards,

KJ

 

[MBManInKen]

Also, i've been after something large engined since i was a young teen!

Ah, but that I understand! That's why I drive the S500 rather than the more sensible S320

I just want the larger size and all that it brings with it and the offer is really too good to turn down.

I'd still go for the CL500, all the big engine feeling to it, even a better sound if you ask me, but less daunting than the 600.

So, has anyone driven a car with the 5.8 V12 and what is it like?

Just a detail, but I believe the CL600 is actually a 5.5L bi-turbo V12.

 

[stats007]

The newer CL600 is a bi-turbo - a Y plate isn't. It does have cylinder shut-off to run on 6 for economy - even so I wouldn't go near a V12 Merc.

ABC suspension has issues, obvious corrosion problems - electrics very complicated on the 600.

 

[MBManInKen]

even so I wouldn't go near a V12 Merc.

I have heard this before and read it before and it has certainly made me steer clear from the V12s, also because I see little benefit over my S500 (which is the LWB version and comes with all the toys anyway).

Is it just a bridge too far in terms of complexity, these V12s?

 

[stats007]

Obviously a few people buy them - but personally even with the extra power, the huge weight up front and extra complexity and potential costs outweigh any benefit in my mind.

 

[recycled]

Just a detail, but I believe the CL600 is actually a 5.5L bi-turbo V12.

Only from 2003.
The cl55 amg in 2001 had no superchargers either. and they only had two tail pipes .From 2003 they stuck in a supercharger and four pipes

 

[timskemp]

Are they twin spark, and if so do you get a discount buying 24 at a time?

 

[BTB 500]

As others have said, as a private sale I wouldn't personally touch it with a barge pole. Hugely complex car, hugely expensive to fix if/when there are problems.

 

[SG CL500]

Not had any experience with a 600 - but I still love my 500 despite recent isssues. Main concerns are rust on rear wheel arches and ABC suspension (i've had 2 issues on mine in as many years).

When I bought my car I knew the running costs were going to be high so despite having spent £2k on it within the last month (all 4 corner brake pads, ABC suspension pipe bursting and breakdown while in France which seems to have been the crank position sensor) I'm still not bitter...(just!)

If you're buying it because it's cheap and you intend to run it on a shoestring then it is absolutely the wrong vehicle. As long as you're buying it with the running costs fully in mind, and able to keep a few £k away for a rainy day, then it's worth considering.

500/600 is up to you. From a performance perspective the 600 is obviously faster, but if it's the extra speed you're after you're much better going for the 55. Private sale is a concern and the price difference would have to be worth it. This is a cruiser/GT - not sure it goes well with the idea of limited mileage - but that's your call.

21mpg would be good - I get 18 around town, 20 on my commute (mixed) and 25 at absolute most (in moving traffic on a motorway). 400 miles to a tank as long as you have some long runs.

Put simply - it's a circa £100k car new - it looks like one, drives like one and costs like one.

Good luck!

 

[glojo]

I can't recall any members owning a similar vehicle so I fear your question might not get answered in the way your seeking. If patience is not an issue I would personally give the 600 a miss and go for the 55 instead.

If you do go for this specific vehicle, then good luck and best wishes.

John

 

[pineer35]

if you want to drive the Ark Royal, join the Navy ??

 

[fuzzer]

I can only add the views of everyone else about not going near the V12.

V8 is fine , look for a nice CL500 There was a cylinder shut-off option for that too.

I can't help thinking about how high your running costs are going to go moving from the CLK270 thats a very resalable car to a larger coupe with a big petrol engine in it which might take a tad longer to convince someone to buy.