mercboiuk
MB Enthusiast
I've never posted pictures of my parents' CL420 on here before, so I thought this would be a good opportunity.
Unfortunately, I don't have anything to show you at the moment, as I'm yet to upload any photos to a host website.
So I thought I would begin with a little information on the car.
It is a 1997 R-registered CL420, presented in Blue-Black, with a mushroom Nappa leather interior.
My Mum is only the second owner of the car, and she has owned it since December 2000.
The first owner was a lady who owned it as a company car, having paid £78,000 for it in 1997! She drove it only 20,000 miles, before part exchanging it at Lancaster Mercedes in Ipswich.
My Dad wanted to buy Mum a car, so phoned up Lancaster on the off chance, asking if they had anything a "little special".
The salesman told him about the CL420, and he did a deal right then and there.
Dad then hunted for a "GEE" personal registration, finding "C11 GEE", which was a good price, and it went with the car very nicely - "CL1 1GEE", for those who can't quite see it
A couple of weeks later, Mum went down to Lancaster to pick up her new car.
She got home and announced to my brother and I that Dad had her bought her a CLK
I told her it's not, pointing at the "CL" badge on the back and showing her a model of a CLK which I had in my bedroom! No comment
The period between 2000 and 2003, the car was stored outside - at the time we only had one garage before we moved and built an extension.
The car was used regularly, and maintained well at Lancaster during the warranty period. After this time, we entrusted our local Mercedes Specialist to look after her.
Obviously, we've kept every receipt and invoice, but the car hasn't given us any major problems.
It has required costly window seals, a windscreen and a couple of switches have packed up, and both bumper lights have been replaced thanks to a couple of stones! But that's been about it, other than the standard servicing.
In 2001, the car was lightly hit by a dump-truck, a new front o/s wing being required. The repair was untaken by Robinsons Mercedes-Benz Norwich. The building contractor's insurance company took care of it, but the car had to return to Robinsons twice, due to colour matching imperfections!
In 2003, it finally got it's garage! The car was then used sparingly for three years, in which time it covered less than 4,000 miles!
Dad began to question the point of having it, as it wasn't getting used.
It was then decided that their Range Rover would be put away for the summer months, and the CL would be bought into more regular use. For 6 months of year, it's used in all weathers, just as it was intended!
The vehicle now has 68,000 miles on the clock, and while it was still looking good, it could be improved upon!
There was some rust bubbling through at the bottom of the bonnet, just below the grill. Also, a grill slat was dented and the front bumper was suffering from over 12 year's worth of chips - having said that, it wasn't too bad.
The wheels, although powder coated by us a few years ago, were now starting to show their age. I suggested to Dad that we refurb them back to their original finish - powder coated face, with diamond cut, polished edge.
The car's paint work was also looking a bit tired, having picked up many a swirl mark and micro scratch.
So, we booked the car into a local bodyshop for the rust repair and front bumper respray.
They are also in the process of machine polishing the bodywork, to remove the swirl marks.
We use Stratton Motor Company in Norfolk. Despite being an Aston Martin dealership, their bodywork rates are on par with any other place that I have tried, and their level of service is supreme! When visiting, you can also gaurantee you'll be subject to some amazing eye candy!
I sourced a new grill, as I was unable to attain a single slat.
This was £215 from ebay for a new item from a CL600.
Many thanks to member vincenz, who helped me with a query on the item.
It's an expensive solution to a minor problem, however Dad wants it looking just right, and it's still cheaper than the £600+ Mercedes wanted!
Unfortunately, no-one cold help in the quest for refurbishing the current wheels. Any quote was either far too much, or they just didn't want to undertake the work.
However, our very aka$h came to the rescue here. He had a set of refurbished wheels, with an OEM finish. He did a blinding deal for me, on a part exchange basis.
I popped down to London, and swapped the wheels.
These have been fitted with a lovely new set of Falken rubber, too.
I also purchased some new centre caps from ebay, to compliment the new wheels.
As I said this is just setting up the story, and photos will follow when we get the car back.
Darren
Unfortunately, I don't have anything to show you at the moment, as I'm yet to upload any photos to a host website.
So I thought I would begin with a little information on the car.
It is a 1997 R-registered CL420, presented in Blue-Black, with a mushroom Nappa leather interior.
My Mum is only the second owner of the car, and she has owned it since December 2000.
The first owner was a lady who owned it as a company car, having paid £78,000 for it in 1997! She drove it only 20,000 miles, before part exchanging it at Lancaster Mercedes in Ipswich.
My Dad wanted to buy Mum a car, so phoned up Lancaster on the off chance, asking if they had anything a "little special".
The salesman told him about the CL420, and he did a deal right then and there.
Dad then hunted for a "GEE" personal registration, finding "C11 GEE", which was a good price, and it went with the car very nicely - "CL1 1GEE", for those who can't quite see it
A couple of weeks later, Mum went down to Lancaster to pick up her new car.
She got home and announced to my brother and I that Dad had her bought her a CLK
I told her it's not, pointing at the "CL" badge on the back and showing her a model of a CLK which I had in my bedroom! No comment
The period between 2000 and 2003, the car was stored outside - at the time we only had one garage before we moved and built an extension.
The car was used regularly, and maintained well at Lancaster during the warranty period. After this time, we entrusted our local Mercedes Specialist to look after her.
Obviously, we've kept every receipt and invoice, but the car hasn't given us any major problems.
It has required costly window seals, a windscreen and a couple of switches have packed up, and both bumper lights have been replaced thanks to a couple of stones! But that's been about it, other than the standard servicing.
In 2001, the car was lightly hit by a dump-truck, a new front o/s wing being required. The repair was untaken by Robinsons Mercedes-Benz Norwich. The building contractor's insurance company took care of it, but the car had to return to Robinsons twice, due to colour matching imperfections!
In 2003, it finally got it's garage! The car was then used sparingly for three years, in which time it covered less than 4,000 miles!
Dad began to question the point of having it, as it wasn't getting used.
It was then decided that their Range Rover would be put away for the summer months, and the CL would be bought into more regular use. For 6 months of year, it's used in all weathers, just as it was intended!
The vehicle now has 68,000 miles on the clock, and while it was still looking good, it could be improved upon!
There was some rust bubbling through at the bottom of the bonnet, just below the grill. Also, a grill slat was dented and the front bumper was suffering from over 12 year's worth of chips - having said that, it wasn't too bad.
The wheels, although powder coated by us a few years ago, were now starting to show their age. I suggested to Dad that we refurb them back to their original finish - powder coated face, with diamond cut, polished edge.
The car's paint work was also looking a bit tired, having picked up many a swirl mark and micro scratch.
So, we booked the car into a local bodyshop for the rust repair and front bumper respray.
They are also in the process of machine polishing the bodywork, to remove the swirl marks.
We use Stratton Motor Company in Norfolk. Despite being an Aston Martin dealership, their bodywork rates are on par with any other place that I have tried, and their level of service is supreme! When visiting, you can also gaurantee you'll be subject to some amazing eye candy!
I sourced a new grill, as I was unable to attain a single slat.
This was £215 from ebay for a new item from a CL600.
Many thanks to member vincenz, who helped me with a query on the item.
It's an expensive solution to a minor problem, however Dad wants it looking just right, and it's still cheaper than the £600+ Mercedes wanted!
Unfortunately, no-one cold help in the quest for refurbishing the current wheels. Any quote was either far too much, or they just didn't want to undertake the work.
However, our very aka$h came to the rescue here. He had a set of refurbished wheels, with an OEM finish. He did a blinding deal for me, on a part exchange basis.
I popped down to London, and swapped the wheels.
These have been fitted with a lovely new set of Falken rubber, too.
I also purchased some new centre caps from ebay, to compliment the new wheels.
As I said this is just setting up the story, and photos will follow when we get the car back.
Darren
Last edited:
Sorry for the poor photos, but they were taken inside the dealership's workshop (the car cover belongs to them).
