Purchasing a CL600 Bi-Turbo or SL500

[Alex]

Was your front hose that was weeping at the front under the radiator as mine has started to weep getting changed asap?

That's the one. They tend to leak around the connections, where rubber hose meets the metal sleeving. The hose is the bottom one in the picture below (picture borrowed from MBWorld website):

It is available from the main dealer for about £150. Alternatively, the rubber section can be cut and compression fitting can be fitted to both ends (shown in the picture). It will cost much cheaper this way (about £30-40).

You can be fine for a while but the leak will only get worse with time. I've heard from a local mechanic that he had a car in once. The hose burst, the fluid ran out and killed the ABC pump as a result (it cannot run on air, sadly). Happened quickly and was on a motorway so not much could have been done. Wouldn't have happened if the hose was replaced on time.

So yeah, I would suggest you change it, fluid and the filter while at it

 

[bennybelmont]

Yep thats the one with the U-bend, it's right near the radiator too so must also get some heat abuse from that area, brilliant idea re compression fitting, yes going to get fixed asap as as you say wil only get worse just want to try and stay on top of things, well as much as possible!

 

[Alex]

Yep thats the one with the U-bend, it's right near the radiator too so must also get some heat abuse from that area, brilliant idea re compression fitting, yes going to get fixed asap as as you say wil only get worse just want to try and stay on top of things, well as much as possible!

The U-shaped hose is a pulsation damper. I believe it is only found on V12TT cars. Should be cheaper than the long hose too.

 

[C43AMG]

As Alex has said it took me eighteen months to find mine, mainly because I didn't want it in Silver or Black and it was going to be a keeper.

It wasn't in the greatest of shape when I bought it. After Olly had gone over it, it needed a New ABC Pump, O/S Rear ABC Strut and a few other things which the dealer paid for.

Last year it needed a new N/S Rear Strut. The car is nearly there, we love it.

Truly a Grand Tourer

 

[martyp87]

The car I was going to look at was only £9k so I would have £3k to fix it but I just can't justify purchasing a car and spending money myself on fixing it - the dealer should do that and they were unwilling to or drop the cost to repair off.

I'd love one but I'd be scared to drive it and be worrying about corrosion setting in... Lust has been overruled with common sense on this one sadly.


Looks like I will be a BMW 650Ci owner on Friday. Sorry guys, I really do appreciate the time you guys have taken to help me out on looking at CLs...

 

[Alex]

The car I was going to look at was only £9k so I would have £3k to fix it but I just can't justify purchasing a car and spending money myself on fixing it - the dealer should do that and they were unwilling to or drop the cost to repair off.

I'd love one but I'd be scared to drive it and be worrying about corrosion setting in... Lust has been overruled with common sense on this one sadly.


Looks like I will be a BMW 650Ci owner on Friday. Sorry guys, I really do appreciate the time you guys have taken to help me out on looking at CLs...

It's all fine mate, no worries. For the record though, £9k for a car that 10 years ago cost £100K+ you set your expectations a bit too high. Given that ABC repairs are costly no dealer wouldn't want a hassle of touching the suspension as they just don't make that kind of money on a car to justify the expense. Your demands are not completely unreasonable but fixing the ABC is part of buying experience unless you get a fully sorted example, which would always cost more.

Good luck with 6-series. They look great, post some pictures and a short review when you get yours.

 

[martyp87]

Know what you mean mate, problem is they were dishonest on the phone which really wound me up.

I'll post back when I get some mileage on her and post some pics.

 

[DSB SL AMG]

Noooooooooooooooooo, dont so it not a BMW lol

Seriously why not consider a W215 CL500? mine was superb, fully spec'd, loved it, great V8...loads for sale!

Had the car about 18mths never had an issue with ABC...i would reconsider mate, the W215 is really a fab car, i always felt superior to others cars whilst driving it...especially BMW drivers

The car I was going to look at was only £9k so I would have £3k to fix it but I just can't justify purchasing a car and spending money myself on fixing it - the dealer should do that and they were unwilling to or drop the cost to repair off.

I'd love one but I'd be scared to drive it and be worrying about corrosion setting in... Lust has been overruled with common sense on this one sadly.


Looks like I will be a BMW 650Ci owner on Friday. Sorry guys, I really do appreciate the time you guys have taken to help me out on looking at CLs...

 

[martyp87]

Hahaha, I know, BMWs aren't my favourite cars if I am utterly honest. The 6 series is an exception for me as it is totally different to the run of the mill 3 and 5's.

The only thing I don't really like is the interiors, they are so damn drab!

I looked at CL500's but they are 300hp compared to the 370hp from the 650. There is a really nice looking one for £11k on a 05 with just 43k and a new ABC pump but I'd rather have a bit more go...

 

[martyp87]

EDIT: Right what do you guys think of this. FMBSH, 88k though (hmmm.), black on black, fully loaded, CL55K...

Linky

 

[m2287]

In all honesty I think that's expensive. There's afew up for around £8/9k, why is that one £4k more?

 

[m2287]

Mercedes-Benz CL CL55K 2dr Auto 5.4

 

[martyp87]

Mercedes-Benz CL CL55K 2dr Auto 5.4

You sir, are a legend!!

What is the V8 Kompressor like. I know it has tonnes of power, getting it to 600hp will be more expensive than the V12TT but coilpacks are separate, no oil cooler in the middle of the engine etc...

Please convince me, a late '06 650Ci w/52k or a 03ish CL55K AMG...

 

[m2287]

Well mine is a non supercharged and with the resonators and secondary cats deleted..... OMG the noise! A 6series doesn't come close, put the two next to each other and the cl wins twice over on looks. People think mine is 5 years old max and a £30k car.

Oh and google BMWs of that era getting stolen without the keys ... Even better, look on YouTube!!!!!

 

[V12]

Go and test drive the 2, they are worlds apart.

 

[martyp87]

Guys thank you. Honestly... I'm sorry if I am being a PITA, I want a Merc I think I can justify it I just need to know what to do here...

2003 MB CL55K - 78k, FSH, loads of extras etc. £9k.

2006 MB CL500 - 60k, FMBSH, loads of extras too incl. AMG kit... £10k

I have deliberated this and have decided I would rather have the CL500 and extreme luxury and the georgous body than the 650Ci.

I'm literally torn, I will be doing 4k p/a mileage tops so mileage isn't that bad in the grand scheme of things.

Do I go for the newer car for a tad extra or the CL55k that has 200HP on top of it. I'd like to go on the odd trip to the 1/4 mile track but in all honesty, I'd imagine 300HP would be more than enough to have some fun on the road which is where it would spend its time...

So undecided...

 

[500E]

Get the CL55K. The difference in power between that and the 500 is immense as so is the driving experience.

Much better than the 600 IMO

 

[skyline pete]

Guys thank you. Honestly... I'm sorry if I am being a PITA, I want a Merc I think I can justify it I just need to know what to do here...

2003 MB CL55K - 78k, FSH, loads of extras etc. £9k.

2006 MB CL500 - 60k, FMBSH, loads of extras too incl. AMG kit... £10k

I have deliberated this and have decided I would rather have the CL500 and extreme luxury and the georgous body than the 650Ci.

I'm literally torn, I will be doing 4k p/a mileage tops so mileage isn't that bad in the grand scheme of things.

Do I go for the newer car for a tad extra or the CL55k that has 200HP on top of it. I'd like to go on the odd trip to the 1/4 mile track but in all honesty, I'd imagine 300HP would be more than enough to have some fun on the road which is where it would spend its time...

So undecided...

blimey matey im confused now .....im in same boat looking for a cl or newer cls 500 or simliar...

 

[martyp87]

Worth the 3yr age difference then?

 

[Alex]

Guys thank you. Honestly... I'm sorry if I am being a PITA, I want a Merc I think I can justify it I just need to know what to do here...

2003 MB CL55K - 78k, FSH, loads of extras etc. £9k.

2006 MB CL500 - 60k, FMBSH, loads of extras too incl. AMG kit... £10k

I have deliberated this and have decided I would rather have the CL500 and extreme luxury and the georgous body than the 650Ci.

I'm literally torn, I will be doing 4k p/a mileage tops so mileage isn't that bad in the grand scheme of things.

Do I go for the newer car for a tad extra or the CL55k that has 200HP on top of it. I'd like to go on the odd trip to the 1/4 mile track but in all honesty, I'd imagine 300HP would be more than enough to have some fun on the road which is where it would spend its time...

So undecided...

That 500 is a really nice car but there's no comparison between the two. NONE. Get the 55 and get it detailed. It has better leather and will feel much nice inside than the 500.