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First year of V12 AMG ownership (Don't panic Mr Mainwaring)

BIRMA

MB Enthusiast
Joined
Jan 21, 2013
Messages
1,241
Location
Lovedean
Car
Lexus RCF
First of all this is a departure from the norm for me as by now I have sold my current car and probably be extoling the virtues of my Porsche 911 Turbo S on a different forum, having driven one it is still on my list.

Before buying the car I did a fair bit of research on the V12 engined cars and was very nearly put off. In particular a lot of American based forums almost bordered on hysteria about the running costs and over here the various forums did not paint a very positive picture either so it was with a bit of trepidation I ventured on.

Even recently the V12 that was for sale in the form of a CL600 had been subject to coil pack failure and ABC problems that appeared to be a fairly common failure.

So why did I buy one? First of all as my wife constantly reminds me more money than sense, secondly I drove one.

Although I’ve only done about 2800 miles in this year due to being a bit busier than normal work wise. I signed up for the excellent service plan run by Mercedes and it seems to be a good deal for V12 owners plus you have a decent history on the car when you sell it on.

I’ve averaged 18 MPG over the 2800 miles according to the onboard computer and I have no reason to doubt that. I did have this ‘Sword of Damecles’ feeling hanging over me during the first six months but as time has passed I calmed down.

So far the car has been an absolute pleasure to own and on the odd occasion when the road is a bit damp scared me a bit but the electronics seem to be up to the job, I do love the sound of the rear tyres ‘chirping away’ when you’re too heavy on the throttle.

I don’t like the £500 plus road tax but there’s nothing you can do about that (it’s a personal bee I have in my bonnet so to speak) everything else has been fine.

I have been running a thread on Pistonheads readers cars under the title of ‘CL65 a fast barge’ my thinking behind that was to at least present an accurate experience of ownership rather than the third hand pub talk about how these cars are all money pits.

Long term plans are to have the car re-mapped, possibly resonators removed and some rather fancy Vossen forged wheels have been ordered to bling it up a bit. Apart from that just keep it properly serviced and hope for the best.
 
:ttiuwp
 
I've just realised I haven't taken any photos of the car but I'll put that right when the new wheels arrive, meantime here's one I took when I had the wheels re-coloured to match the car.
After.jpg
 
I've just realised I haven't taken any photos of the car but I'll put that right when the new wheels arrive, meantime here's one I took when I had the wheels re-coloured to match the car.
After.jpg

I love it!! Silver is the best colour IMO but I may be biased :oops::D
 
If you also take into account the duty on fuel too this and all past governments are really screwing the motorist.

Isn’t it 70p per litre or something?
 
Damocles not Damacles as I spelt it but I'm sure you know what I meant.
 
Very nice car. Just maybe you have finally found a car that would be difficult to replace with anything that would provide the same degree of enjoyment and satisfaction.

I will have owned my CL four years this summer. I have never, ever, kept a car for so long but I really have no idea what alternative would give me more pleasure to own. I'll keep it a while longer :cool:
 
Very nice car. Just maybe you have finally found a car that would be difficult to replace with anything that would provide the same degree of enjoyment and satisfaction.

I will have owned my CL four years this summer. I have never, ever, kept a car for so long but I really have no idea what alternative would give me more pleasure to own. I'll keep it a while longer :cool:

I think you're right there, far too many cars these days seem to have a negative image whereas the CL is just a large elegant coupe. When you look back at the previous generations of these pillar-less coupes there is no doubt they are big but have a certain air of elegance about them which I hope the 216 series will carry forth.
Who knows if i'll keep mine as long as you have but you never know.
I'll probably replace mine with one of the new Bentley Continentals in the dim distant future as I like the rear end now and really disliked the rear of outgoing car, but the car will have to have depreciated an awful lot before I'll consider it.
 
I've just realised I haven't taken any photos of the car but I'll put that right when the new wheels arrive, meantime here's one I took when I had the wheels re-coloured to match the car.
After.jpg

Is that your own personal petrol pump in the background? Knew these were thirsty but not that bad haha.
We're those wheels black before? Nothing worse than black wheels on a silver car so I applaud your taste there. Lovely car.
 
Is that your own personal petrol pump in the background? Knew these were thirsty but not that bad haha.
We're those wheels black before? Nothing worse than black wheels on a silver car so I applaud your taste there. Lovely car.

No they were what they call dark chrome I think which is still quite light but there were a couple of areas where the diamond cut surface of the wheel had started to look a bit white. So I decided to have them refurbished and the Wheel Specialist I took them to had a colour very similar to the car so I chose that. The new Vossens I've bought for the car are gloss silver so should blend in nicely.
 
I've just realised I haven't taken any photos of the car but I'll put that right when the new wheels arrive, meantime here's one I took when I had the wheels re-coloured to match the car.
After.jpg
I know you will hate me for this.....but those wheels and colour are perfect on that car imo....
 
I know you will hate me for this.....but those wheels and colour are perfect on that car imo....

Not at all, I quite like them as well. It's just time for a change, hopefully by not going too bling and keeping to standard sizes should the next owner not like my personal choice of wheel design I can sell them on .
Having spent way too many hours on the Vossen site I think the new wheels will improve the looks of the car.
 
Does the 65 have a LSD ?

I had a Quaife fitted to the 63 and what a difference it make's, not only does it stop that Yellow Triangle Flashing it makes the car feel so much more planted, especially after Acid had wave his Magic Wand :eek: I also had one fitted to my old CL55, with the same result. One of the best modifications you can have :)
 
Does the 65 have a LSD ?

I had a Quaife fitted to the 63 and what a difference it make's, not only does it stop that Yellow Triangle Flashing it makes the car feel so much more planted, especially after Acid had wave his Magic Wand :eek: I also had one fitted to my old CL55, with the same result. One of the best modifications you can have :)
Yes the previous owner had Birds for a Quaiffe some time ago.
 
Bloody spellcheckers might as well turn them off. Birds fitted a Quaiffe
 
I've just realised I haven't taken any photos of the car but I'll put that right when the new wheels arrive, meantime here's one I took when I had the wheels re-coloured to match the car.
After.jpg

Lovely looking car and I think it looks much better with the wheels re-coloured. At the risk of offending people, IMO dark coloured wheels only work in a very limited number of circumstances, most of the time the car would look better with the right shade of silver wheel.
 
Spoke too soon on this one, that'll teach me. Took the car out yesterday to get some fuel, just about at the petrol station and the car felt a little less smooth than normal. Arrived at the petrol station turned the engine off filled up with fuel and the orange EML came on, car did not want to accelerate like normal took it up the A3M and it was in what must be limp mode so I didn't push it.
Typical I was just about to book it into MB Brooklands for it's A service but I think I'll pop it into PCS and get it diagnosed rather than drive all the way to MB Brooklands and risk further damage.
 

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