CL600 - thinking of buying

[Bieldside]

Good evening
I am not an MB "expert" but having owned a 2001 SL I admire the quality
So I am seeking some help please
I have come across a 2002 one owner 19000 mile CL600
Black and cream interior
Full MB history with a new service and warranty to go with the car
CL600 - mad idea ??
Or great idea ??
Thoughts welcomed please
Thanks

 

[Howard]

As long as you have very deep pockets it's a great idea

 

[Bieldside]

Cl600

Deep pockets ?
Are they renowned for problems?
Petrol costs are not an issue
If it comes fresh from an A service and an MB health check + warranty and say 3000 miles pa what's the issue
Please advise

 

[Mr Kripling]

I totted up all the invoices that came with my CL55 when I bought it last October and put them in a spreadsheet. It has a full MB service history, not that makes much difference to the reliability.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1aLxy3zQ3ykpwaansoMm_N-OiN_QsgtlNB08CtwW9--M/edit

It's worth noting that I didn't have an invoice for the replacement of a rear ABC strut but the quote from MB (it failed its MOT) was £2,300 or something. Mine also has a worn ABC pump which will need to be replaced at some point - £1,500 at a high-quality independent *cough* PCS *cough

 

[MercedesDriver]

Quite possible failure of some of ABC elements: pump, valve block, struts. Instrument cluster and wiring under front seats are prone to failing too. Parts costs are tremendous. Check for corrosion on back panels, C pillar area and under the bonnet in engine area. Side windows can laminate too. Tyres, full set once a year.
But, it's a great car and will make you smile whenever you drive it.
Edit: I was typing and haven't seen Mr Kriplings thread. You got an idea of maintenance costs involved.

 

[m2287]

Coil packs go on the the v12 engines too...

 

[BernardB]

You have to really want a CL to put up with its likely costs and issues. If you're thinking "I quite like the idea" you'd be better off with something else.

If you're sure, than go for a post-facelift car (2003 on - you can easily tell by the widescreen Comand screen on the later cars). Facelift cars had many of the earlier problems sorted.

The mileage on the car you're looking at is far too low, indicating it's been laid up for long periods. These cars need to be driven to keep everything working.

There are a fair few late-model W215 CL600s for sale. I'd suggest going for the latest you can afford.

 

[abecketts]

I totted up all the invoices that came with my CL55 when I bought it last October and put them in a spreadsheet. It has a full MB service history, not that makes much difference to the reliability. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1aLxy3zQ3ykpwaansoMm_N-OiN_QsgtlNB08CtwW9--M/edit It's worth noting that I didn't have an invoice for the replacement of a rear ABC strut but the quote from MB (it failed its MOT) was £2,300 or something. Mine also has a worn ABC pump which will need to be replaced at some point - £1,500 at a high-quality independent *cough* PCS *cough

Makes interesting reading, including the strut and abc pump that's almost £11k over 8 years and 80,000 miles, the fact that the previous owner had good use from the car and roughly had to budget for £1500 per annum on costs means it's not as bad as it could have been. The rates were MB for labour a decent Indy would be a little more cost effective.

 

[noy91]

I totted up all the invoices that came with my CL55 when I bought it last October and put them in a spreadsheet. It has a full MB service history, not that makes much difference to the reliability.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1aLxy3zQ3ykpwaansoMm_N-OiN_QsgtlNB08CtwW9--M/edit

It's worth noting that I didn't have an invoice for the replacement of a rear ABC strut but the quote from MB (it failed its MOT) was £2,300 or something. Mine also has a worn ABC pump which will need to be replaced at some point - £1,500 at a high-quality independent *cough* PCS *cough

As above - interesting reading. If I get a chance will try and add up everything for mine.

 

[Mr Kripling]

If you're sure, than go for a post-facelift car (2003 on - you can easily tell by the widescreen Comand screen on the later cars). Facelift cars had many of the earlier problems sorted.

It's also worth noting that the MY03 CLs had a CD-based DX navigation system while the MY04 have the DVD-based system. The quickest way of telling is that the CD-based systems have a visible disc slot above the screen.

 

[DSB SL AMG]

Quite a few instances on the MB forums were cars have had clean MB 'health check' only for issues to be detected after sale...you also need to carefully check what's covered in the warranty...

For piece of mind I would recommend you get an independent check by a local recommended MB indy....best to ask for recommendations.

Good luck...

Deep pockets ?
Are they renowned for problems?
Petrol costs are not an issue
If it comes fresh from an A service and an MB health check + warranty and say 3000 miles pa what's the issue
Please advise

 

[Milton7]

Great idea If you're lucky and it doesn't cost a fortune in maintenance.
Mad idea if you're unlucky.
I'm not sure if the low mileage is a plus point of not, I'd prefer around 5k a year as cars like to be used.
I bought a similar age 320CLK last year one owner FSH always properly garaged but with 68k and I was lucky however I bought it knowing that they were relatively easy to fix; the complexity of the possible problems of the 600 would frighten me to death.

 

[John]

I totted up all the invoices that came with my CL55 when I bought it last October and put them in a spreadsheet. It has a full MB service history, not that makes much difference to the reliability.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1aLxy3zQ3ykpwaansoMm_N-OiN_QsgtlNB08CtwW9--M/edit

It's worth noting that I didn't have an invoice for the replacement of a rear ABC strut but the quote from MB (it failed its MOT) was £2,300 or something. Mine also has a worn ABC pump which will need to be replaced at some point - £1,500 at a high-quality independent *cough* PCS *cough

I don't think that is too bad at all actually. You could lose more than that replacing your car every 3 years if you chose a car heading towards £20k upwards each time.

 

[noy91]

Have gone through the paperwork that came with mine. It starts with the second owner at 30,000 miles, so the below is Nov 2008 to date:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/j5gw9868jie99e2/CL55-costs.PNG?dl=0

I have divided it into parts, labour and accessories. The former two are services and the rectifying of any mechanical issues, split between parts and labour where possible, and accessories includes other additions and 'nice to haves' such as wheel alignments and refurbs, any paint work. I also included tyres in this latter section as I only had details from the third owner and myself - 15,000 miles seems to be about standard for rears, with the fronts lasting about 18,000. Also surprisingly, the big costs seem to have been belt and brake related rather than ABC.

Edit: all prices are ex. VAT

 

[MercedesDriver]

Have gone through the paperwork that came with mine. It starts with the second owner at 30,000 miles, so the below is Nov 2008 to date:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/j5gw9868jie99e2/CL55-costs.PNG?dl=0

I have divided it into parts, labour and accessories. The former two are services and the rectifying of any mechanical issues, split between parts and labour where possible, and accessories includes other additions and 'nice to haves' such as wheel alignments and refurbs, any paint work. I also included tyres in this latter section as I only had details from the third owner and myself - 15,000 miles seems to be about standard for rears, with the fronts lasting about 18,000. Also surprisingly, the big costs seem to have been belt and brake related rather than ABC.

Edit: all prices are ex. VAT

Great post, but why Lambswool rug??

 

[noy91]

Great post, but why Lambswool rug??

View attachment 48526

They are literally like that, except black and shaped to the footwell. I keep the drivers one in the garage as it just soaks up mud and water in winter and shows pale dust in the summer, but the passenger one gets a lot of nice comments and admiring strokes. Women with slip on shoes often take the opportunity to go bear foot on it.

If I'd paid as much as he did for them however, I wouldn't have let them go with the car. I also got two spare alloys and the AMG steering wheel which he could have got decent money for separately.