Potential Cl500 purchase

[magpie]

Hi All

I'm thinking of buying a cl500 to use to pile on the motorway miles I'm about to start doing with my new job.

I appreciate they are expensive cars to run (I also have an e92 M3 so I'm used to the costs) but am wondering if there is anything else specific to look out for, I've searched the forum and have found info on the 'rust' issue, is there anything else glaringly obvious to look for?

I'm looking to spend no more than 10k really and would obviously like the lowest mileage possible, no more than 65k though, as I'm going to put over 20k a year on it and am planning to keep it till it's on it's last legs!!

Any advice or info on any cars currently available would be much appreciated.

Cheers

 

[MD5]

Check out the struts, at about £1k/corner!

 

[st4]

Other points are the all the electrics etc. No doubt you know this but the 215 is a complex beast and hideously expensive to put right. £10k could put you in money pit territory with a car like that.

You obviously like your coupes (e92 is M3 coupe) but the CL is essentially a 2 door S class and for your purposes an S class saloon would be more appropriate. Your money would go further and get you

a) a newer car
b) a car in better nick

I can't help but also think you'd be better of with a diesel E class for munching motorway miles and £10k will get you a really nice one, £10k of CL might be fab value for money, or a money pit.

 

[BlackC55]

A 10k CL is going to get you a pretty well used one. The repair bills can be VERY expensive. If the ABC is problematic budget a few quid to sort.

 

[magpie]

Thanks for the replies, yeah i like my coupes, don't really need a big saloon and prefer the styling of the CL compared to the S class. This is also the reason a big V8 is in the frame rather than a diesel!

Would an S class have fewer potential things to go wrong or are there just a different host of expensive things that could have it in the garage?

I would stretch over 10k if the right one came up but there seem to be a couple of 2001 /2002 cars on autotrader with 50 - 60k on the clock that seem tempting.

 

[Seamster15]

I went down to Goodwood in a 2004 CL500 on friday - WOW! lovley car, took a while to get used to hearing the engine, sort of a wining noise as I suspected it to be whisper quiet.
Over taking power was emense, effortless and smoth.

The build quality seemed ok, the airconditioned seats were nice but I strugged with the quality of some of the plastics.

 

[bpsorrel]

The Classic Car Club has a 2000 CL500 Classic Car Club | A Worldwide Private Members Club which is off the road more than it's on! Of course it get's used (when it's on the road!) in a different way to the way you would use yours, but I think I would be very cautious of these cars...

I know it's not as big or imposing, but what about an 03 (ish) CLK 270 CDI?

 

[st4]

Thanks for the replies, yeah i like my coupes, don't really need a big saloon and prefer the styling of the CL compared to the S class. This is also the reason a big V8 is in the frame rather than a diesel!

Would an S class have fewer potential things to go wrong or are there just a different host of expensive things that could have it in the garage?

I would stretch over 10k if the right one came up but there seem to be a couple of 2001 /2002 cars on autotrader with 50 - 60k on the clock that seem tempting.

CL is a darn big car and size wise isn't much in it re S classes. You can get an S500 saloon and £ for £ it will be in better nick and a sounder buy @ your budget. S classes are steel bodied and before 2003 build not galvanised, there is no ABC to go wrong however but much of the CLs and S electrics are the same. @ Your budget I'd go for an E500 (same V8) but in a less "money pit" type car.

However if your purchase is driven around style, a CLK500 is a good option as well. I don't get coupes and don't think they are styled as well as the saloons, they don't drive any better and they cost more and you get less. - hence the reason I think an S class or E class is a better purchase.

 

[tromppost]

It's like all cars, you have to pick the right one! Look for one that has as few owners as 2 or 3 at the most and the last owner must have had the car for more than 18 months. I am sure that you will find one that has been looked after and should not be to bad to run. 20,000 miles a year on a six year old "mercedes" will always keep you one your toes.
What colour are after?

 

[Smiley]

The one thing that put me off buying one of these cars is the corrosion problems and the age car that you are looking at you will be on your own re paying for the repairs.

 

[magpie]

Thanks again

It's a heart vs head on this one.

I see exactly what you're saying re the S class but ultimately it just doesn't 'do' it for me like the CL does. However I know the sensible choice is an S or E class.

Hadn't really contemplated a CLK as already have a mid size coupe and wanted something different.

I think my problem is I really don't know what I want.
All I know is I want something big / comfortable which will swallow up miles in style for about 10k with no more than 60k on the clock. I've been looking at the big engined petrol cars as they seem good value for money considering the amount of depreciation on them.

If I was being really sensible I'd go for a vectra or something but I'd be bored senseless!!

Any other suggestions outside the MB brand are welcomed, I even test drove a 4.6 vogue RR the other day but hated it!

Thanks

 

[magpie]

What colour are after?

Anything but silver really!

 

[d w124]

If you`re looking for something big to swallow miles,how about this one? Car Detail=

 

[st4]

Thanks again

It's a heart vs head on this one.

I see exactly what you're saying re the S class but ultimately it just doesn't 'do' it for me like the CL does. However I know the sensible choice is an S or E class.

Hadn't really contemplated a CLK as already have a mid size coupe and wanted something different.

I think my problem is I really don't know what I want.
All I know is I want something big / comfortable which will swallow up miles in style for about 10k with no more than 60k on the clock. I've been looking at the big engined petrol cars as they seem good value for money considering the amount of depreciation on them.

If I was being really sensible I'd go for a vectra or something but I'd be bored senseless!!

Any other suggestions outside the MB brand are welcomed, I even test drove a 4.6 vogue RR the other day but hated it!

Thanks

A BMW 645i coupe? Know you got a BMW coupe already but this is a very different beast. More sporty than a CL but a good mile muncher nonetheless.

A R129 old shape SL500. Cracking cars but maybe a bit too old for your liking. PeterG1965 bought a CLK55amg and heard he is thinking of selling. These are good cars and are comfy and mega quick.

Audis old V8 S4 saloon/estate will give you modern car comforts and V8 performance.

 

[kwakdonut]

Any other suggestions outside the MB brand are welcomed, I even test drove a 4.6 vogue RR the other day but hated it!

 

[kwakdonut]

If you`re looking for something big to swallow miles,how about this one? Car Detail=

Not the best advert in the world!

The car drives beautifully and benefited from a new factory fitted engine just 100,000 kms ago

Hmmm, think they need to adjust that!

 

[SG CL500]

They are great cars but relatively £££ to run - as to be expected from something that cost circa £80k originally.

Rust, suspension and electrics are the key things to check and have already been pointed out. I agree with you - the S Class may be a better buy/more practical, but it isn't just about what the head says is it??? The CLK500 may be similar in theory, but when seen side by side the CL wins hands down.

I really like mine, despite having had some issues (and still have some to get sorted). They pile on the miles easily (currently at 111k) and with 400 odd miles between fills (100ltr tank) they don't have to take a little trip to the filling station every 5 mins.

Currently deciding whether or not to spend circa £2k getting it back to spec (brakes, Nav, CD, some servicing bits, tyres and tracking, respray front and refurb wheels) /running it into the ground/chainging car. If I could trust it to last for a couple of years without the further need to spend £1k every time it sneezes (over normal servicing) I'd spend the money in a heartbeat.

 

[d w124]

Not the best advert in the world!

The car drives beautifully and benefited from a new factory fitted engine just 100,000 kms ago

Hmmm, think they need to adjust that!

At least hi is honest.It does not mention the mileage though

 

[Smiley]

A BMW 645i coupe? Know you got a BMW coupe already but this is a very different beast. More sporty than a CL but a good mile muncher nonetheless.

A R129 old shape SL500. Cracking cars but maybe a bit too old for your liking. PeterG1965 bought a CLK55amg and heard he is thinking of selling. These are good cars and are comfy and mega quick.

Audis old V8 S4 saloon/estate will give you modern car comforts and V8 performance.

You could do an awful lot worse than Peters CLK55 - it looks like a well sorted low mileage stylish non money pit mile muncher to me - and all for a lot less than your budget.

 

[Chattonmill]

Any other suggestions outside the MB brand are welcomed, I even test drove a 4.6 vogue RR the other day but hated it!

Thanks

That 4.6 is now way out of date, the New model 4.4 came out in 2002 and was far superior (I had both) and would match most Mercs for comfort and toys! (Please dont ban me, I do have two Mercs at the Moment)