It's been a long time coming...

[Lazarus]

Hi All,

Sorry I've not been on the forum for a while, I've been working out in Zurich for most of this year, and well time has flown by.

Anyhow, I'm now looking at finally changing my C-Class to something with a bit longer legs, and I've come across a CL420 coupe with low mileage (65K) and full history...

Firstly, what are the major gotchas to look out for when buying one of these?
I know that the W140 is a reliable old stick, so as long as the powerplant and transmission have been properly maintained, then the old girl should have plenty of life left in her... I'm more worried about electronics and the like.

Secondly, I seem to remember a site where you could find out the exact spec of a car, I've got the number plate of the car, but not the chassis number. Can anyone point me in the right direction.

Lastly, what are the tuning options - if I wanted to get some more gee gee's from the old girl?

It's good to be back!

Laz.
--

 

[GrahamC230K]

You need a chat with Guy Dewdney.

 

[grober]

You need the chassis number to get the detailed ex factory spec. You should worry about the electronics since altho they are reliable I imagine VERY expensive to replace from MB and probably no alternative source. Second hand parts might be difficult due to the sheer rarity of the model. I would reccomend these sites.
http://www.baxnet.net/merc/
and
http://pages.prodigy.net/jforgione/MB_S500.html
and
http://v12uberalles.com/index.html

 

[sportyreptile]

Hi Lazarus, long time no see.

Don't want to p*ss on your chips but I was advised to avoid any Merc with a 4 in the name, so C240, CL420, E430 etc etc.....the 4 is an unlucky number for Merc apparantly.....spells trouble. Don't know if that's true, I expect to get shot by C240 owners but that's what I've been told. oopps, you have a C240.....;-)

If your looking at a CL go for a 500, they'll be better spec'd and as the 420 is a v8 anyway running costs are the same, the 500 is a much stronger engine though. 420's were the "cheap" CL's so tended not to have so much kit on them. If you have money to burn at the petrol pumps a CL600 would be the daddy.

Have a look at this thread.....I went a bit mad and listed everything I could think of on a W140(as per CL)

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=28933&highlight=w140