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

[timskemp]

Am I missing something here? What's the difference between the 500 and the 600, other than the engine? I can't see what would be inherently unreliable about the bigger merc engine.

 

[BenzedUP]

I'd much rather have a cl600 with 360+ bhp than a cl500 with 307bhp

Personally i think they both reliable cars....

cl500 isnt really for perfomance neither is the cl600 but it sure is alot faster than the 500. if your looking for a fast car why not go for 2001-2002 AMG maybe a E or a CL55 or a C32? i'm sure you could find a really good 55 or a 32 with low milage and lots of toys for around 18-25K

 

[kbhogalW126]

Ok guys.

Thanks for all your comments so far.

I am looking deeper into this car.

My bro has said it has FMBSH and that gives me some security.

I intend, if i buy it, to get it a full w124works as well as main dealer service (to keep mobilolife) as well as purchasing an extended warranty.

Now, its about 6 years old so i cant get an extended MB warranty but does anyone know where I can get a warranty for a 600?
I've got quotes of c£500 for a CL500 for a year.

The reason I am going for the 600 over the 500 or the 55 is because thats what I have been offered.

If I do go for this car and if everything can be sorted out then I shall gladly tell you all what ive paid and then you will realise why i am / have bought it.

Thanks for all your advice/comments so far.

They are most greatly, as always, appreciated.

This thing I love about this club is the speed at which and quality of answers our members give.

Long live MBCLUB!

Regards,

KJ

 

[MBManInKen]

I'd much rather have a cl600 with 360+ bhp than a cl500 with 307bhp

bhp is only part of the story. The V12 is a lot heavier.

Look at Parker's technical detail pages:
http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/reviews/Review.aspx?model=527&page=7

So, for a Y plate, the CL500 is 0.7s slower on the 0-60. That's it. Hardly a convincing reason to prefer it over the V8 CL500 in my opinion, especially if you add to that the fact that the V12s have not the greatest reputation when it comes to reliability.

Note also that if you're into this "fastest" thing, the CL55 would outperform a Y plate CL600.

 

[BlackC55]

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

The coils are prone to cause a missfire and they are one peice items per bank at £500 a set.

They also occasionly suffer with oil leaks fromk the centre of the V. There is a plate that leaks and both heads have to be removed to fix it. 28 hours labour!!

Very very expensive car to own but brilliant to drive. So very smooth and handles well for a barge.

 

[glojo]

The reason I am going for the 600 over the 500 or the 55 is because thats what I have been offered.

If I do go for this car and if everything can be sorted out then I shall gladly tell you all what ive paid and then you will realise why i am / have bought it.

Reading between the lines here, it looks like you are negotating a deal on this car that you have figured will make it an attractive proposition. I'm a great fan of Ian's and if he can look after this type of vehicle then you will know it's in good hands.

Folks are doing an excellent job of pointing out the very relevant negatives, but at the end of the day this car has presence and is an awful lot of bang for the buck. Hopefully it will have all the service paperwork and you might know then what items have been replaced. (disc's etc)

Regards
John

 

[stats007]

I'd much rather have a cl600 with 360+ bhp than a cl500 with 307bhp

Personally i think they both reliable cars....

cl500 isnt really for perfomance neither is the cl600 but it sure is alot faster than the 500. if your looking for a fast car why not go for 2001-2002 AMG maybe a E or a CL55 or a C32? i'm sure you could find a really good 55 or a 32 with low milage and lots of toys for around 18-25K

W210s or W208s really don't come close to W215s in terms of luxury or value for money for this age period.

 

[fuzzer]

Reading between the lines here, it looks like you are negotating a deal on this car that you have figured will make it an attractive proposition. I'm a great fan of Ian's and if he can look after this type of vehicle then you will know it's in good hands.

Folks are doing an excellent job of pointing out the very relevant negatives, but at the end of the day this car has presence and is an awful lot of bang for the buck. Hopefully it will have all the service paperwork and you might know then what items have been replaced. (disc's etc)

Regards
John

I agree. Your buying the car used and its lost a lot of money. With what your saving , if it goes wrong and ends up costing 10-20k over say 3 years to keep it on the road its a lot less than the depreciation on a new one.

 

[glojo]

I understand why you want to buy this very nice car, a few of us have suggested you might want to hang on and try to get a good deal on a CL55AMG

I believe the SL has the same engine as what we are discussing, sit back, close your eyes and drool over the decibels

Envy, envy
John

 

[Ted]

Kboghal
I'm guessing you are quite young (apologies if I'm wrong here)

You are considering buying what is, IMHO one of, if not THE finest coupe in the world.

For the immediate future, you will enjoy driving this vehicle.

In the longer term, for the rest of your life, you can tell your children/grandchildren/family/drinking partners/anyone who cares to listen, that you once had the best car in the world.

Whilst you may have issues, and regret the purchase in the short term, what will be your long term regrets? - Will you tell people that you had the chance to own this car but were scared off?

I sincerely hope you make the right decision, (if you do, I'd like a ride!)

Ahhh the folly of youth and the wisdom of age.

 

[BTB 500]

In the longer term, for the rest of your life, you can tell your children/grandchildren/family/drinking partners/anyone who cares to listen, that you once had the best car in the world.

No, you can tell them that you had what was once the best car in the world (subtle difference)!

Unless you are suggesting that a 6 year old, previous model CL600 is the best car in the world now?

 

[barryj]

Kboghal
I'm guessing you are quite young (apologies if I'm wrong here)

You are considering buying what is, IMHO one of, if not THE finest coupe in the world.

For the immediate future, you will enjoy driving this vehicle.

In the longer term, for the rest of your life, you can tell your children/grandchildren/family/drinking partners/anyone who cares to listen, that you once had the best car in the world.

Whilst you may have issues, and regret the purchase in the short term, what will be your long term regrets? - Will you tell people that you had the chance to own this car but were scared off?

I sincerely hope you make the right decision, (if you do, I'd like a ride!)

Ahhh the folly of youth and the wisdom of age.

I think you are dead right, when I was 24 I bought a E36 M3 GT and everyone couldnt wait to tell me what a nightmare I was going to have with it. Well I loved every moment of owning the car, and even managed to find some pretty good ways around the cost of ownership (like getting my own steering rack re-furbed for £200 rather than spending £1000 on an exchange unit).

I still look back on the 12 months I owned that car with great pleasure, I sold it and bought a 911 Carrera 4 and got told all the nightmares all over again............................same story I am afraid loved every moment of it, and every other car afterwards until people gave up telling me not to buy them and joined in the fun.

This thread has got me thinking that I might buy one as well! been looking on Auto Trader, some lovely cars on their.

 

[jaymanek]

IVe had a CL600 @ Mercland and many will know that i had a few issues with it.
They all turned out to be minor but caused 2 weeks of sleepless nights nonetheless.

- Corrosion is a major major issue, the only car that rusts worse than a W210!
- The 600 is a beast that only a limited few techs can work on. Dare say even Ian may hold back doing anything major on this engine.. Its completely different to the V8 so dont make the mistake of thinking its just another 4 cylinders!
- Y reg was non turbo and is not quick. I think the CL500 is a better car to drive all around and there is no way anyone could practically notice the difference in power during every day use. The 600 feels a lot more lazy..
- DRINKS JUICE like no mans business... gallons to the mile..
- misfire is a common issue but on my car it was only the lambda sensor
- ensure every single button does what it should, electrical issues could end up costing £'s
- Oil getting into ECU's is common and can cost £'s as it means changing seals, looms and maybe the control units themselves.

I would give it a miss... in years to come there will be no one around that will be able to work on these engines, there simply arent many around and the monkeys at the dealers wont have a clue.

 

[Ted]

No, you can tell them that you had what was once the best car in the world (subtle difference)!

Unless you are suggesting that a 6 year old, previous model CL600 is the best car in the world now?

I once drove a (nearly new) 450SEL 6.9 -
I still tell (bore) people with the story.
For me, it was (is) the best car in the world ever. (you will find that the best car ever changes according to circumstances and how I feel - It's a bit like asking someone their favourite music track).

I once had a Laverda Jota - at the time the fastest production bike in the world - a legend. (better looking than any Hayabusa)
It was (is) the best bike I have ever ridden (and is still the fastest I have ever ridden)
But I still prefer My XVS1100

For me, logic goes out of the window. Just for a day, I wish I was wearing Kbhogals shoes.

 

[jaymanek]

I really dont agree that once you drive a CL600 you will think its the best car in the world... Drive an immaculate 560SEC and the feelings will be a lot more pure and infinitely more intense..

 

[Ted]

Drive an immaculate 560SEC and the feelings will be a lot more pure and infinitely more intense.

Point made Jaymanek. I've got a real soft spot for the 560 SEC

IMHO one of, (if not THE) best cars in the world

 

[stats007]

Hmmn - I think everyone is getting a little carried away .

 

[beacham]

go for a cl500, i have one and had a bmw e39 m5 before and to be honest there isnt much in the straight line speed, although i have lost about 90 bhp! it pulls very well as they say the v12 is very complex stick to the v8

 

[SG CL500]

sorry KJ - you have said you're only enquiring about a CL600 as it is what's been offered and we appear to have got distracted and talked about 500's and 560's - hey ho, spot the enthusiasts!

 

[MBManInKen]

Just because something is on offer, that does not mean you have to take it .

I think that it is quite appropriate for people to suggest declining such an offer and provide their opinion that perhaps a CL500 might be a better choice.