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[CookieJar]

Hello!

Recent convert to MB, here. I confess to coming over from the dark side, having learned the error of my ways with a BMW 3 series, a long and unpleasant relationship, (bordering on the abusive) that I'd rather not relive just yet.
I'm hoping to meet knowledgable owners who might be kind enough to guide me in the search for my perfect CL500 (I flirted briefly with the idea of a CL63 AMG, but the headbolt issue makes my posterior more than a tad squeaky). With a budget of around £15k, I'm currently, impatiently, biding my time until the right one comes along. At the moment I've pretty much decided on the 4.7 Bi-Turbo model, but I'm willing to take advice on that, having previously preferred the 5.5 NA due to the absence of turbos (a wee hint of the tortuous past I endured with the beemer there!), but I'll assume they're more bombproof than the Mitsubishi units that were bizarelly rammed into the 4 pot 3 series.
Anyway... hi!

 

[SmartAmg]

Welcome, CookieJar, good luck with ya search.

 

[steve333]

Hi,welcome to the forum

 

[Germgh0st]

Welcome

 

[Smart320]

Welcome, not an expert on any model! But there are plenty on the forum who will be happy to give you good advice about what to look for or comment on anything you find, good luck

 

[CookieJar]

Thanks for the welcome.

 

[Londonscottish]

Hi and welcome. I have the 5.5 in my E Class and it's a cracker. Pretty bombproof by all accounts.

The 4.7tt sounds like an amazing engine.

I have absolutely no idea if the 4.7 has any problems with turbos but if turbos make you nervous then the 5.5 is a decent fallback .

 

[John]

Welcome to the forum.

I've had two lots of 4.7 V8 TT-engined cars and they have been bulletproof and I'm not aware of any issues with them.

They pull amazingly well (I'm had a fairly modified M113K previously running a lot more power) and MB have done an amazing job with the 7g+ if you get a car with the 4.7TT engine.

They are a nice sweet spot in between the older NA engine and 63.

I'm not a huge fan of the MCT7 gearbox - I prefer the slushy 7G+.

You won't get the headbolt issue on the newer CL63 as they have the 5.5 but there is another potential issue with those engines which escapes me.

 

[CookieJar]

Hi and welcome. I have the 5.5 in my E Class and it's a cracker. Pretty bombproof by all accounts.

The 4.7tt sounds like an amazing engine.

I have absolutely no idea if the 4.7 has any problems with turbos but if turbos make you nervous then the 5.5 is a decent fallback .

The 5.5 does seem to be a piece of engineering genius, from all I've read.

 

[CookieJar]

Welcome to the forum.

I've had two lots of 4.7 V8 TT-engined cars and they have been bulletproof and I'm not aware of any issues with them.

They pull amazingly well (I'm had a fairly modified M113K previously running a lot more power) and MB have done an amazing job with the 7g+ if you get a car with the 4.7TT engine.

They are a nice sweet spot in between the older NA engine and 63.

I'm not a huge fan of the MCT7 gearbox - I prefer the slushy 7G+.

You won't get the headbolt issue on the newer CL63 as they have the 5.5 but there is another potential issue with those engines which escapes me.

Thanks John.

Yeah, I have to say I've read nothing about the turbos giving out on the 4.7, and I've explicitly searched for any accounts online. Nada! That's pretty impressive and does provide comfort. I believe the headbolt issue wasn't caught until very late on in the 6.2's run, but there are some pre facelift cars out there with the newer bolts factory installed. Was it mid to late 2010? ...but they'll be like hen's teeth.

 

[John]

Thanks John.

Yeah, I have to say I've read nothing about the turbos giving out on the 4.7, and I've explicitly searched for any accounts online. Nada! That's pretty impressive and does provide comfort. I believe the headbolt issue wasn't caught until very late on in the 6.2's run, but there are some pre facelift cars out there with the newer bolts factory installed. Was it mid to late 2010? ...but they'll be like hen's teeth.

Yeah, July 2010 so 10 plates onwards.

 

[CookieJar]

Interestng example here (though slightly outside my budget). How does everyone feel about aubergine leather?
2012 Mercedes-Benz CL 4.7 CL500 BlueEFFICIENCY 7G-Tronic Plus AMG V8 RS M3 Coupe | eBay

 

[John]

Just a point to note on the facelifts - don't assume a later plate guarantees one i.e. check it is a facelift from the front lights. An older car could have been facelifted but looking up the VIN will absolutely confirm. These cars are at the top end new and as such there seems to be more examples of earlier cars registered later. My CL is a late 2011 car but registered on a late 63 plate - albeit they modified it on the build sheet to bring it inline with that MY.

Interestng example here (though slightly outside my budget). How does everyone feel about aubergine leather?
2012 Mercedes-Benz CL 4.7 CL500 BlueEFFICIENCY 7G-Tronic Plus AMG V8 RS M3 Coupe | eBay

I wouldn't choose the seats new in that colour but I don't mind the seats as the colour is quite subtle. Something different.

I've seen more strongly-coloured aubergine seats in an E55K and I wasn't a huge fan but I wouldn't let something like that put me off the otherwise-right car (I would have bought that car I mention had I not already bought one prior).

That car is a good spec and whilst I prefer the standard 20" wheels given the choice, it's on the pricey side as a 12 plate and private.

My view is it is nearer £15k / £16k.