CLS55 and other AMG buying advice - car on Autotrader

[philnewmerc]

They are getting to the age where rust is getting to various places. Front upper control arm pockets suffer. We do a lot of brake lines as the routing is hidden and they don't get mentioned on MOT. I would want to be seeing underneath it, although the price is good, so you could take a chance. An unmolested (unmodified) one is always a good shout from a drivetrain reliability point of view.

The new CLS advertised I'm planning to visit has an advisory for brake lines rusty - is this a big job on these ?
Thanks!

 

[Lenny63]

I'm sure @alexanderfoti will chip in with the facts here, but I'd assume the brake lines aren't a cheap fix on these, also the SBC has to be bled properly as well.

That 8K car is an absolute steal at that mileage ! Rusty rear arches are common on these CLS or all variants, though unsure why the sills would be rusty, as the skirts as plastic? Maybe they mean the "dog leg" that meets the rear door as these can blister.

Definitely worth a look. Jump leads would point to a battery drain, again unfortunately quite common on these and other mercs of the era. All fixable but it can be difficult at times to pinpoint. I had a drain on mine and it was caused by a faulty rear nav unit and tv tuner, which had got wet due to a leak in the rear passenger side quarter vent behind the rear bumper (again, another common issue)

 

[Spider10]

I see there's no mention of the front wheel bearings being done and who in there right mind puts 2 different tyre sizes on the same axle and exspects it to pass an MOT

 

[philnewmerc]

You're right it sounds good value but having watched numerous AMGs for about a year they don't sell quick at all, in fact no large petrol engine does. There's a very nice CLK55 with very low mileage that's been on autotrader for at least 6 months advertised at 10k...

 

[ALFAitalia]

Exactly why I took the decision not to buy about this time last year.....and the way the prices are going, at last, that decision is more than justified....although I'm now going in a slightly different direction. You would think that anyone who has a car for sale for a year plus might start to realise that it's priced too high.....but apparently not! Does not help that they are trying to attract a buyer from a pretty small pool of potentials and that there are so many more to choose compared to COVID times.

 

[SL63Mark]

You're right it sounds good value but having watched numerous AMGs for about a year they don't sell quick at all, in fact no large petrol engine does. There's a very nice CLK55 with very low mileage that's been on autotrader for at least 6 months advertised at 10k...

Yes, but the CLS 55 is the supercharged version with a lot more power. The CLK is non supercharged. Same engine, but no supercharger. In round numbers from memory it's 500 vs 350 BHP, plus the 55k engine has a lot more torque, which is lovely. It can pull from low revs in any gear. Very relaxed experience. Lovely engines. It's all about the engine with these. Yes the CLS carries more weight, but the CLK is no lightweight either.

 

[philnewmerc]

Yes, but the CLS 55 is the supercharged version with a lot more power. The CLK is non supercharged. Same engine, but no supercharger. In round numbers from memory it's 500 vs 350 BHP, plus the 55k engine has a lot more torque, which is lovely. It can pull from low revs in any gear. Very relaxed experience. Lovely engines. It's all about the engine with these. Yes the CLS carries more weight, but the CLK is no lightweight either.

True. But the C55/CLK55 has less to go wrong...
My main fear is rust and abuse by previous owners, but as MBClub commentators have said the CLS/E is not the rot box my old w202 was then maybe it is worth repairing slightly bubbly examples and not a hiding to nothing it was for me (15 years ago now and still a painful memory worthy of an Alfasud owner lol!)

 

[Londonscottish]

It sounds OK but the owner says it has rusty wheel arches, sills and parking sensor don't work... Scottish back roads of mud and salt probably not ideal. Funny the photos on Autotrader are so low res you can't really tell. My experience of a rusty C Class was that there was absolutely no stopping the rust, it was rampant. However, given what folks have said about the E and CLS it sounds like these may be worth repairing? Bodywork isn't cheap though.

Apparently the air suspension works fine and "rises from cold" - are they supposed to sink overnight or stay up??

He had no idea about the SBC pump but said the brakes work fine...

For MOT checker the reg is SB55 FLP - seems to be a lot of advisories. Hmmm

MOT advisory says all brake lines are corroded, all the discs are corroded and worn and it filed 1st time through as they couldn't test the brakes because of "wrong size wheel". Hmm..

No, they shouldn't "rise from cold". That'll be a leak somewhere.

Also loads of rust.

Run

 

[Londonscottish]

True. But the C55/CLK55 has less to go wrong...
My main fear is rust and abuse by previous owners, but as MBClub commentators have said the CLS/E is not the rot box my old w202 was then maybe it is worth repairing slightly bubbly examples and not a hiding to nothing it was for me (15 years ago now and still a painful memory worthy of an Alfasud owner lol!)

In terms of complexity, he main difference between C's and E's are the air suspension and the SBC brakes. If you can find one where, say a lot of the air stuff has been replaced along with the SBC you'll pay a small premium compared to the cost of getting it done yourself.

Also, to put it into perspective, my last car was a 211 (E500) which I sold on here at 145k/12 years old. The SBC hadn't failed and all I'd done to the Airmatic was replace the pump. I've had a 212 E500 since 2017, Now 13 years old on 82k and all I've had to do was replace the rear air springs which is £600-ish.

Not bad over a 13 year period. In terms of other stuff, I've recently replaced the starter motor on this one and had to replace the boot lock and the crank pulley on the other one plus a couple of engine mounts. Most of those things I'd expect on any car, though.

The CLS55 is broadly the same tech + a supercharger. Which then, of course, creates one the most epic road car engines of all times. Plus with this gen of AMG, you get a nice supple ride and waft when you want, monster attack mode when you don't

The CLK with a 5.5 isn't a bad shout if simplicity is the driver.

Or how about a E500 coupe? They have the same (386bhp) 5.5 as mine but based on a C Class platform. No SC and no Air, just switchable dampers.

 

[Cyclone1]

I’d still recommend to stick to your original plan and wait patiently for the right CLS55 to become available. Definitely post in the wanted section on here. There are some absolute hidden gems still with owners on this forum, so you never know one of these owners may come forward. However, for a really nice example be prepared to up your budget, it’s worth it.

Whenever I am in the market for a Mercedes (any car) I always post in the forum wanted section first.

Jules

 

[Londonscottish]

I’d still recommend to stick to your original plan and wait patiently for the right CLS55 to become available. Definitely post in the wanted section on here. There are some absolute hidden gems still with owners on this forum, so you never know one of these owners may come forward. However, for a really nice example be prepared to up your budget, it’s worth it.

Whenever I am in the market for a Mercedes (any car) I always post in the forum wanted section first.

Jules

I'd agree with that - it's always good to buy and sell within the network. I bought my 2nd C43 from a member of another MB forum and also got some MB roof bars, roof box and bike rack from there.

I sold my 1st C43 to the workshop manager of the indie who looked after it and sold my E500 to someone on here. Plus I bought some 18's on here and sold my 17's the same way.

Much better than some random eBay buyer or seller.

 

[philnewmerc]

MOT advisory says all brake lines are corroded, all the discs are corroded and worn and it filed 1st time through as they couldn't test the brakes because of "wrong size wheel". Hmm..

No, they shouldn't "rise from cold". That'll be a leak somewhere.

Also loads of rust.

Run

I've just been sent a video of it. It looks like there's bubbling on lower arches and plenty of scruffs generally, hmmm, dunno, it is very low miles but bodywork can be expensive???

 

[philnewmerc]

I've just been sent a video of it. It looks like there's bubbling on lower arches and plenty of scruffs generally, hmmm, dunno, it is very low miles but bodywork can be expensive??? My neighbour's E Class sinks overnight (just the rear) and has been like that for a year or 2... is that bad??

 

[Lenny63]

@philnewmerc I think you need to decide if a CLS55 is what you  really want. Reading your posts, I'm not quite sure if it is!? They aren't a car most buy on a whim hence why they sit, as it's a relatively small clientele for what is a nearly 20 year old 5.4 v8 supercharged Panzer wagon!
Rust is common, finding one without will be one thats already seen bodywork.
Once you decide you want one, life will be easier in finding one as you'll not be tempted by other variants (like the CLK55 or C55 etc) and you will be able to do your research/concentrate your search on finding the one for you!

I live in NI and I have got flights/ boatback from England for almost all my cars over the last 15 years ...when you find the right one, and you know its the right one..travel shouldn't be a blocker to buying it

I hope I'm not sounding a tad tongue and cheek as I don't mean it to be

 

[philnewmerc]

@philnewmerc I think you need to decide if a CLS55 is what you  really want. Reading your posts, I'm not quite sure if it is!? They aren't a car most buy on a whim hence why they sit, as it's a relatively small clientele for what is a nearly 20 year old 5.4 v8 supercharged Panzer wagon!
Rust is common, finding one without will be one thats already seen bodywork.
Once you decide you want one, life will be easier in finding one as you'll not be tempted by other variants (like the CLK55 or C55 etc) and you will be able to do your research/concentrate your search on finding the one for you!

I live in NI and I have got flights/ boatback from England for almost all my cars over the last 15 years ...when you find the right one, and you know its the right one..travel shouldn't be a blocker to buying it

I hope I'm not sounding a tad tongue and cheek as I don't mean it to be

Any AMG in good condition is fine by me! M w209 2003 CLK was utterly devoid of rust but I have seen others that look terrible. I

@philnewmerc I think you need to decide if a CLS55 is what you  really want. Reading your posts, I'm not quite sure if it is!? They aren't a car most buy on a whim hence why they sit, as it's a relatively small clientele for what is a nearly 20 year old 5.4 v8 supercharged Panzer wagon!
Rust is common, finding one without will be one thats already seen bodywork.
Once you decide you want one, life will be easier in finding one as you'll not be tempted by other variants (like the CLK55 or C55 etc) and you will be able to do your research/concentrate your search on finding the one for you!

I live in NI and I have got flights/ boatback from England for almost all my cars over the last 15 years ...when you find the right one, and you know its the right one..travel shouldn't be a blocker to buying it

I hope I'm not sounding a tad tongue and cheek as I don't mean it to be

Slightly rusty, not as bad as i thought, no service history tho, but the seller a v nice bloke, very honest, did a deal, now mine Thank you all very much for the much appreciated advice, great forum!

 

[SL63Mark]

To my eye, the CLS55 is one of the best looking Mercs. Fabulous car. You will not regret it. For 8 grand, with that engine, it would be rude not to. You only live once.

 

[Spider10]

My thoughts exactly with the SLK55 AMG
Why not I need to replace the radiator now the hardest part is finding 1

 

[Londonscottish]

Any AMG in good condition is fine by me! M w209 2003 CLK was utterly devoid of rust but I have seen others that look terrible. I

Slightly rusty, not as bad as i thought, no service history tho, but the seller a v nice bloke, very honest, did a deal, now mine Thank you all very much for the much appreciated advice, great forum!

Excellent. Let us know how you get on.

 

[Londonscottish]

To my eye, the CLS55 is one of the best looking Mercs. Fabulous car. You will not regret it. For 8 grand, with that engine, it would be rude not to. You only live once.

Yeah I love them. I have an AT search set up for them and often have a look at what's out there. If I ever get something with that engine it'll be CLS-shaped.

 

[Cyclone1]

Yeah I love them. I have an AT search set up for them and often have a look at what's out there. If I ever get something with that engine it'll be CLS-shaped.

There aren’t many about now, but there will be some beauties among them. I had a black CLS55 followed by a silver CLS55, both were stunning but since selling I’ve really grown to appreciate the more rare colours they were available in. There was a stunning example on the forum in dark blue metallic with a cream interior and also a Tenorite grey example with a light grey interior, both fantastic combinations that really compliment the CLS, but very rare. If I dipped back in then that’s what I’d look for.