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CL500 £3.6k

Mancstar

Active Member
Joined
Sep 18, 2019
Messages
163
Location
Manchester
Car
W212 E350 CDI
So been searching for a Sunday car, 2 door coupe with some grunt.
No chance of getting what I really want with the budget I have at the moment (CLK55 or E46 M3) so have gone down a notch and looking at the cl500. It ticks the V8 box and looks sexy at most angles.
Would appreciate the critics and non critics for opinions on this lady..

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Nice cars, but notoriously expensive to look after in terms of suspension and electronics, as well as corrosion.

In terms of grunt - the CL500 is the base model, entry level. The 5.0 M113 gives leisurely but smooth performance. They’re no sports car at all. The 55K and 600 biturbo models are what you’d be looking for if performance was a factor (or a 65 AMG if you’ve got a large budget)

Would say you’re better off with a CLK55 based on your previous posts IMHO. Cheaper to run, faster and more reliable.
 
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Nice cars, but notoriously expensive to look after in terms of suspension and electronics, as well as corrosion.

In terms of grunt - the CL500 is the base model, entry level. The 5.0 M113 gives leisurely but smooth performance. They’re no sports car at all. The 55K and 600 biturbo models are what you’d be looking for if performance was a factor (or a 65 AMG if you’ve got a large budget)

Would say you’re better off with a CLK55 based on your previous posts IMHO. Cheaper to run, faster and more reliable.
I hear you. Thanks for insight, always viewed the CL as a S class in a coupe body and it being more comfort over performance.
You a sales man? cause I'm buying whatever your selling me!
 
"Some grunt" is a vague term. What kind of car are you actually used to?

Despite rumours, a 300bhp car that does 0-62 in 6.2 seconds, is quite a perky car, if driven with a heavy foot.

But it's no M3, by any measure (And neither is the CL55, or CLK55)

But it'll only suit you if you're looking for a 2+2 limo coupe with a discreet, high comfort style. (Like a CL500 or BMW 630i)

If you're looking for something more raucous, a shorter wheelbase car will be cheaper and noisier.

And a two seater convertible cheaper and noisier still.

But benchmarking all this, let's be clear that a 2003 M3 with 100k on the clock is more than THREE times the price of this CL500 (£4k).

What do you want / need ? A 2+2, a four seater, a compact car, a small or large coupe, a convertible?

.
 
"Some grunt" is a vague term. What kind of car are you actually used to?

Despite rumours, a 300bhp car that does 0-62 in 6.2 seconds, is quite a perky car, if driven with a heavy foot.

But it's no M3, by any measure (And neither is the CL55, or CLK55)

But it'll only suit you if you're looking for a 2+2 limo coupe with a discreet, high comfort style. (Like a CL500 or BMW 630i)

If you're looking for something more raucous, a shorter wheelbase car will be cheaper and noisier.

And a two seater convertible cheaper and noisier still.

But benchmarking all this, let's be clear that a 2003 M3 with 100k on the clock is more than THREE times the price of this CL500 (£4k).

What do you want / need ? A 2+2, a four seater, a compact car, a small or large coupe, a convertible?

.
Defo need 4 seats to house the fam if required.
The CL500 ticks the grunt box as you mentioned it can pull itself to 60mph quick, I'm sure most V8s will!
I have w212 350 at the moment as my daily driver. Ultimately wanted something smaller,lighter and with more power.
Never owned an AMG and you only live once so would love to get in that club.
The CLK55 ticks all my boxes except the budget box! Same with the M3 (can't stand the convertible love the hard top).
Im a dreamer and this forum feeds my dreams even more.
Budget at the moment £4k without wife complaining, if wait until Spring/Summer 2020 £6/£7k.
 
"Some grunt" is a vague term. What kind of car are you actually used to?

Despite rumours, a 300bhp car that does 0-62 in 6.2 seconds, is quite a perky car, if driven with a heavy foot.

But it's no M3, by any measure (And neither is the CL55, or CLK55)

But it'll only suit you if you're looking for a 2+2 limo coupe with a discreet, high comfort style. (Like a CL500 or BMW 630i)

If you're looking for something more raucous, a shorter wheelbase car will be cheaper and noisier.

And a two seater convertible cheaper and noisier still.

But benchmarking all this, let's be clear that a 2003 M3 with 100k on the clock is more than THREE times the price of this CL500 (£4k).

What do you want / need ? A 2+2, a four seater, a compact car, a small or large coupe, a convertible?

.
Defo need 4 seats to house the fam if required.
The CL500 ticks the grunt box as you mentioned it can pull itself to 60mph quick, I'm sure most V8s will!
I have w212 350 at the moment as my daily driver. Ultimately wanted something smaller,lighter and with more power.
Never owned an AMG and you only live once so would love to get in that club.
The CLK55 ticks all my boxes except the budget box! Same with the M3 (can't stand the convertible love the hard top).
Im a dreamer and this forum feeds my dreams even more.
Budget at the moment £4k without wife complaining, if wait until Spring/Summer 2020 £6/£7k.
 
Reading back should just wait.
Was only thinking/dreaming to get this CL for now then in a years time cross over into my childhood dream of the M3.
1st world problems suck
 
If you’ve already got a 212 350 CDI I think you’d find an early CL500 disappointing if you’re looking for something with some grunt.

The non AMG 113 engines (ie what’s in this car) are pretty bulletproof and smooth but pretty lazy and refined.

As said, this is a 2-door S-class not really comparable to the other choices mentioned.

I’ve owned one and it was a lovely car, just don’t expect low maintenance costs or entertaining performance - broadly similar to your 3.0 turbodiesel as opposed to AMG/M3 performance.
 
If you’ve already got a 212 350 CDI I think you’d find an early CL500 disappointing if you’re looking for something with some grunt.

The non AMG 113 engines (ie what’s in this car) are pretty bulletproof and smooth but pretty lazy and refined.

As said, this is a 2-door S-class not really comparable to the other choices mentioned.

I’ve owned one and it was a lovely car, just don’t expect low maintenance costs or entertaining performance - broadly similar to your 3.0 turbodiesel as opposed to AMG/M3 performance.
That's exactly what I want Will 'entertaining performance', some days I just think get the 212 mapped, might just do that for now.
 
This car is perfect for what it was designed for which is blasting down the motorway. Even with 302 horse power, it will get you from 70mph to 120mph in no time. If it has the 7 speed, it will be pretty frugal on the motorway also.
 
I've been itching to buy a CL for years but the ABC really puts me off. The hassle of taking it to garages every time a sensor or something plays up as much as the expense.
 
I've been itching to buy a CL for years but the ABC really puts me off. The hassle of taking it to garages every time a sensor or something plays up as much as the expense.

Not necessarily the suspension (AirMATIC in this case which tends to be more reliable) but I got a bit sick of my E55K as it aged for the same reasons albeit other bits and pieces needed doing over the years.

As a second car you can sort yourself, it's probably fine or you have a very local garage...
 
Hi,
If I was in you're position, wanting to scratch an itch for a V8 and an AMG, save up a bit more money and get the CLK55 (209), very rarely anything serious to go wrong, and IMO along with the W203 C55 the cheapest proper V8 AMG car to run by quite away. IMO even ones with higher mileages and sketchy history wont be bad.
A CL of the age you are talking about will be a nightmare, worse being the suspension (all have ABC).
 
Hi,
If I was in you're position, wanting to scratch an itch for a V8 and an AMG, save up a bit more money and get the CLK55 (209), very rarely anything serious to go wrong, and IMO along with the W203 C55 the cheapest proper V8 AMG car to run by quite away. IMO even ones with higher mileages and sketchy history wont be bad.
A CL of the age you are talking about will be a nightmare, worse being the suspension (all have ABC).

I would throw the c43 w202 in the mix also.
 
Nice cars, but notoriously expensive to look after in terms of suspension and electronics, as well as corrosion.

In terms of grunt - the CL500 is the base model, entry level. The 5.0 M113 gives leisurely but smooth performance. They’re no sports car at all. The 55K and 600 biturbo models are what you’d be looking for if performance was a factor (or a 65 AMG if you’ve got a large budget)

Would say you’re better off with a CLK55 based on your previous posts IMHO. Cheaper to run, faster and more reliable.
Absolutely agree...mine has cost me nearly £500 in unexpected cost in 3.5 years!!!
 

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