What model are you looking at? Do your homework before hand and be aware of any possible faults with that model.
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Just try to drive it on a route and in a way that will be closest to your most common journeys to see if it suits you.
If it's a used car, just find a nice straight piece of road with little traffic, and then accelerate briskly a few times, brake sharply a few times, and wobble the steering, to feel if the car behaves as expected, without any loose or vague feeling in the steering, and to make sure it drives and stops in a straight line without pulling to the side, listening for strange noises as you do it. Find a rough piece of road and drive through some potholes, and again feel for looseness and listen for unwanted noises.
If you have to think too hard, then it's not the car for you.
If it's a used car, just find a nice straight piece of road with little traffic, and then accelerate briskly a few times, brake sharply a few times, and wobble the steering, to feel if the car behaves as expected, without any loose or vague feeling in the steering, and to make sure it drives and stops in a straight line without pulling to the side, listening for strange noises as you do it. Find a rough piece of road and drive through some potholes, and again feel for looseness and listen for unwanted noises.
If you have to think too hard, then it's not the car for you.
mattc43
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Don't be afraid to literally play with EVERYTHING!
Find some bumpy roads, but make sure you try smooth ones too. Bumps, whilst highlighting suspension knocks etc., can also mask things such as wandering under braking, tracking being out, wheel wobbles, wheel bearings etc.
Try and ensure you start it from cold, get it properly up to temperature whilst driving and leaving it idling for sometime so that it can get hot so the fans etc kick in.
Agree with the acceleration and braking tests too. Anyone who says you can't do this is trying to hide something...
Find some bumpy roads, but make sure you try smooth ones too. Bumps, whilst highlighting suspension knocks etc., can also mask things such as wandering under braking, tracking being out, wheel wobbles, wheel bearings etc.
Try and ensure you start it from cold, get it properly up to temperature whilst driving and leaving it idling for sometime so that it can get hot so the fans etc kick in.
Agree with the acceleration and braking tests too. Anyone who says you can't do this is trying to hide something...
Thanks that is very interesting. Here is what I can see so far to sum up.
A/ Start up the engine and let it warm up.
Play with all electrical items
B/ Drive on bumpy road, listen to suspension, wheels, etc.
C/ Drive on smooth roads and accelerate, brake.
D/ Let it cool and listen.
A/ Start up the engine and let it warm up.
Play with all electrical items
B/ Drive on bumpy road, listen to suspension, wheels, etc.
C/ Drive on smooth roads and accelerate, brake.
D/ Let it cool and listen.
A 2002 CL500 is a potential money pit. If you don't know a lot about them (& even if you do) it would be wise to take it to an MB indy for a good look over.
It was an expensive & complicated car when new & can be even more so now if things start going wrong.
It was an expensive & complicated car when new & can be even more so now if things start going wrong.
I was thinking of doing this in fact... Is there a way to hire a pro for a test drive and check ? Anyone to recommend around London ? May be that sounds stupid but asking.
grober
MB Master
The other thing to look at when buying a car is the seller. Has he owned the car a long time? Why is he selling it? What is its full service history-these high end cars usually start out with an examplary service record for the first few years but can lapse as they change hands to impecunious owners. The point being they require regular servicing and unless a cl500 comes with a wodge of consective service invoices and MOT's ------which extend to the present I would be extremely wary.
Basically you are looking for evidence of " money spent"-- if its not there rest assured you as the proud new owner will be spending it!
Basically you are looking for evidence of " money spent"-- if its not there rest assured you as the proud new owner will be spending it!
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That is where I am a bit wary. It is from a dealer. 5 previous owners as can be seen on official paper. I have asked for full service history and if I do not get it, it would be a deal breaker.
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kid-jensen
MB Enthusiast
Write down the tips above on a bit of paper to make sure you don't forget do/ask them....it's easy to forget when you get a brief demonstration of the performance and see yourself reflected in the shiny bodywork...
Insist on a second key, they are expensive, and if the mileage is low, make the dealer prover it.
If the mileage is coming up against a known service item (cambelt/chain/torque conveter/anything expensive) ask about them, it may be the reason that the PO is selling it.
Insist on a second key, they are expensive, and if the mileage is low, make the dealer prover it.
If the mileage is coming up against a known service item (cambelt/chain/torque conveter/anything expensive) ask about them, it may be the reason that the PO is selling it.
Mike Walker
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Over and above the good advice you have received have a look at Honest John's website. He lists Makers/ models and Good / bad points for numerous cars there. Good luck.
John Jones Jr
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Two things I'll mention. Firstly, I'd only consider buying a CL from an owner, preferably a member of one of the M-B clubs. Two, I'd allow a large contingency fund e.g. car £5k, fund £2.5k. That's my take on something like a CL. Hope I'm not putting you off as they're an awesome car & awesome value too. Good luck.
John Jones Jr
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How much support & warranty you'd get from a dealer for say a theoretically five grand CL would be limited I'd expect, consumer laws or not.
Paddcomp
Active Member
Dealers like to sell warranties so could be an option to purchase with the car if sensible money and not too many exclusions.
John Jones Jr
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A 13 year old CL with a third party warranty? I could be wrong but my expectations would be many exclusions. At this age and price bracket it's good car that's required rather than a car with a third party warranty imo.
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I actually took a leaflet offered by some of these car dealers. I will look especially for the Suspension ABC item in it. Not sure it is covered as it is quite specific.
