Hi, I too was smitten by the looks of the CL500 and finally decided to make the plunge, I read as much as I could on the model, and then started to hunt one down.
There are quite a few out there, so you can afford to be picky.
I found one which was sold out from under my nose, (annoying) rejected a few due to them looking neglected, and finally found one I loved.
low miles, full service history, all the books, all the tools, immaculate interior, and only 2 small scratches on the body, showed it had led a cosetted life.
(and its new AMG wheels and new tyres - bonus!)
It doesn't have "all the options" but at this age that is maybe less important than how it's been looked after (and less to go wrong)
I've had it 4 months, and it's my daily driver, and it is a wonderful place to be!
The only hiccup I've had was last week - now fixed, transmission speed sensor failed, so had to get conductor plate changed, back to smooth as silk.
There are dire warnings re the ABC, but I think that bi annual hydraulic fluid changes help keep the system in good working order, and it is starting to look like rebuilt pumps and valve blocks are bringing repair prices down to merely painful.
Buy the nicest you can find, one which has had regular use, rather than one which has had long periods of inactivity may well be a better bet in the long run.
Watch out for electrics on door switches not working, wiring by the door hinges can break, fairly easy to fix.
Water staining on interior a pillar will be from blocked sunroof drains.
Look for paintwork bubbling on C pillar, caused by dissimilar metals corrosion where the aluminium roof meets steel body, same bottom of doors. Try to look under around rear axle/floor pan area, as this can corrode.
Check suspension can raise up n down on the switch, do it a few times.
Look at the damper units to see if they are showing moisture/ leaking.
Hopefully you find a nice one, they are lovely to drive, cosseting, but sure can hitch up her skirts and go if you give it the beans!
I've seen 29 mpg on a long steady run which surprised the heck out of me, around town it's more like 19/20mpg....later ones will fall into the £490 tax band, but mine is a late 2001, so cheaper tax
Happy hunting.
