The joys of owning an older Mercedes

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JohnCL63

Member
Joined
Mar 31, 2021
Messages
50
Location
Manchester
Car
CL63 AMG
Myself and Mercedes seemingly don't get on!

I bought an S350 that just had issue after issue, full Mercedes history too. So that just went back to the dealer. As many of you know I searched high and low for a CL63 AMG and I think I looked at every single one for sale, finally going to the one at Romans of St Albans.

Since leaving the forecourt it just had issue after issue, so far ive done the following.
3x coil packs New plugs
2x intake gaskets
Oil breather
Abs sensor
Center bearing in the prop
Gearbox service
2x new rear tyres
Relay inside the pre fuse box that Mercedes doesn't sell or even list despite it having a part number (got one from a breaker, then got a standard one same spec from amazon thanks to my brother who was director of electronics at TVR, it cost £6.58 compared to Merc who wanted 695 + vat for the full unit!)
Air con re gas

To be done the week after next

2x engine mounts
AUX belt
Ambient air temp sensor
Fit new amp
New discs and pads
Cure an annoying rattle inside the steering wheel

Jobs to investigate

1- Why the rear camera sometimes works and sometimes it doesn't! Driving me mad that one!

2- find someone who can repair or replace bolster air bags (does anyone know anyone?)

3- get prices for head bolt replacement

4 get prices for SLS black series lifters and new cams.


The engine light came on again today!

Scanned it and it said something along the lines of " formulation for left cylinder bank out of parameters and "formulation for right cylinder bank out of parameter" (i cant remaner the exact wording, I have zero idea what that means so simply deleted them as I can't see how both could be out at the same time.

But for all its faults I absolutely love it its a great drive, great to look at, great on the motorway, although I hate the fact the distronic etc auto shuts off whenever it feels like it!

Even though I have many other cars at my disposal, including a Gallardo and a brand new 992 C4s this is the one I go to! Work that one out!

I have some questions as well. The ambient air temp sensor is way out. At 7.15 this evening apparently it was 32 deg! I'm seeing conflicting evidence whether or not this has any part to play in the engine performance? Some say it does, some say it simply shows you the outside temp on the dash. Re the rear camera, ive heard of people saying there is a dody wire somewhere in there that can make bad contact, this makes sense as I give it a bang and it sometimes comes on, does anyone know where I should be looking.

I know this seems excessive for what was already an expensive used car I have no doubt in my mind the dealer Romans of St Albans would of sorted it for me, however, I only trust a very few people to work on my cars so simply paid for it myself. Yes, I could of probably got the newer 5.5 turbo d model cor the money I have in it now, but the 6.2 V8 is the one ive always wanted.

I think the moral of the story is if you want a car like this then you have to be prepared to have big money in it, if your strea hing yourself to buy ot simply dont. Id also reccomend one from a true enthusiast who has never had it serced by a main dealer rather a specialist for the AMG cars.

Once ive compleated the above its off for a Audo build, nothing drastic, just a nice upgrade cor cleaner crisp audio.

I ggenuinely hamd on heart think cars such as this should be kept in tip top condition. Yes you ould buy a much newer less miles performance car cor the type of money i now/will have in it but where is the fun in that. There are only 12 CL63 AMG for sale i the UK right now. And soon all big engined cars will be history. We need to keep the vibe alive people.

If i ever see a CL65 at the right money and spec cor sale ill probaly buy that too to add to my mysery! Also on the look out for a nice s63 ang in the next few months.

If anyone does know anything re the air temp sensor and also tve seat bolster fix it would be greatly appreciated ( i cant believe know one has experience of fixing these seats)

All i can off you is a tip of my hat or a discount on my Detailing company or even detailing advice in return!
 
Fact
Over here AMG means to most All Money Gone!
I owned an AMG S 600 which was part of a restaurant hospitality business . It went with that business sale & with it the Roller Ghost stablemate, so glad!
Good tax right off though.
I feel your pain .
Tuercas viejas
 
Feel your pain, my baby AMG ate half it’s purchase price again in the first year just sorting out and making it right. Having said that, since then it has only been service items. AND it never fails to send a smile.
 
Myself and Mercedes seemingly don't get on!

I bought an S350 that just had issue after issue, full Mercedes history too. So that just went back to the dealer. As many of you know I searched high and low for a CL63 AMG and I think I looked at every single one for sale, finally going to the one at Romans of St Albans.

Since leaving the forecourt it just had issue after issue, so far ive done the following.
3x coil packs New plugs
2x intake gaskets
Oil breather
Abs sensor
Center bearing in the prop
Gearbox service
2x new rear tyres
Relay inside the pre fuse box that Mercedes doesn't sell or even list despite it having a part number (got one from a breaker, then got a standard one same spec from amazon thanks to my brother who was director of electronics at TVR, it cost £6.58 compared to Merc who wanted 695 + vat for the full unit!)
Air con re gas

To be done the week after next

2x engine mounts
AUX belt
Ambient air temp sensor
Fit new amp
New discs and pads
Cure an annoying rattle inside the steering wheel

Jobs to investigate

1- Why the rear camera sometimes works and sometimes it doesn't! Driving me mad that one!

2- find someone who can repair or replace bolster air bags (does anyone know anyone?)

3- get prices for head bolt replacement

4 get prices for SLS black series lifters and new cams.


The engine light came on again today!

Scanned it and it said something along the lines of " formulation for left cylinder bank out of parameters and "formulation for right cylinder bank out of parameter" (i cant remaner the exact wording, I have zero idea what that means so simply deleted them as I can't see how both could be out at the same time.

But for all its faults I absolutely love it its a great drive, great to look at, great on the motorway, although I hate the fact the distronic etc auto shuts off whenever it feels like it!

Even though I have many other cars at my disposal, including a Gallardo and a brand new 992 C4s this is the one I go to! Work that one out!

I have some questions as well. The ambient air temp sensor is way out. At 7.15 this evening apparently it was 32 deg! I'm seeing conflicting evidence whether or not this has any part to play in the engine performance? Some say it does, some say it simply shows you the outside temp on the dash. Re the rear camera, ive heard of people saying there is a dody wire somewhere in there that can make bad contact, this makes sense as I give it a bang and it sometimes comes on, does anyone know where I should be looking.

I know this seems excessive for what was already an expensive used car I have no doubt in my mind the dealer Romans of St Albans would of sorted it for me, however, I only trust a very few people to work on my cars so simply paid for it myself. Yes, I could of probably got the newer 5.5 turbo d model cor the money I have in it now, but the 6.2 V8 is the one ive always wanted.

I think the moral of the story is if you want a car like this then you have to be prepared to have big money in it, if your strea hing yourself to buy ot simply dont. Id also reccomend one from a true enthusiast who has never had it serced by a main dealer rather a specialist for the AMG cars.

Once ive compleated the above its off for a Audo build, nothing drastic, just a nice upgrade cor cleaner crisp audio.

I ggenuinely hamd on heart think cars such as this should be kept in tip top condition. Yes you ould buy a much newer less miles performance car cor the type of money i now/will have in it but where is the fun in that. There are only 12 CL63 AMG for sale i the UK right now. And soon all big engined cars will be history. We need to keep the vibe alive people.

If i ever see a CL65 at the right money and spec cor sale ill probaly buy that too to add to my mysery! Also on the look out for a nice s63 ang in the next few months.

If anyone does know anything re the air temp sensor and also tve seat bolster fix it would be greatly appreciated ( i cant believe know one has experience of fixing these seats)

All i can off you is a tip of my hat or a discount on my Detailing company or even detailing advice in return!
Just on the subject of the 216 CL65, have you seen the one on Ebay currently. One owner and £22k. Seems too good to be true, so possibly is. May just be a genuine bargain though - who knows?
 
Just on the subject of the 216 CL65, have you seen the one on Ebay currently. One owner and £22k. Seems too good to be true, so possibly is. May just be a genuine bargain though - who knows?
Ive 9nly seen one at 50 odd ?
 
I may be doing the OP a disservice, but there's a strong smell of cattle about that first post...

"Scanned it and it said something along the lines of " formulation for left cylinder bank out of parameters and "formulation for right cylinder bank out of parameter" (i cant remaner the exact wording, I have zero idea what that means so simply deleted them as I can't see how both could be out at the same time."

You have to be joking...
 
Last edited:
I may be doing the OP a disservice, but there's a strong smell of cattle about that first post...

"Scanned it and it said something along the lines of " formulation for left cylinder bank out of parameters and "formulation for right cylinder bank out of parameter" (i cant remaner the exact wording, I have zero idea what that means so simply deleted them as I can't see how both could be out at the same time."

You have to be joking...
Why would i be joking?

I find it hard to believe that both banks would go at the same time, i personally didnt scan it, my pal did and i dint have time to read it before he deleted it, the car has a history of chucking up ghost codes, and given the work that was done over the weekend he put it down to that. Tbe car was running nust as normal with no issues at all. All temps fine and MPG same as normal. I drove the car for another hour or so and it didnt come back on.

Here is the engine light and a date and tome stamp of when i took the photo 20210418_170738.jpg


Screenshot_20210419-083945_Gallery.jpg
 
Nowadays MB mostly makes crappy cars.
At the dealership, cars are not even worth the price tag written on the windshield.👎
 
......................

I ggenuinely hamd on heart think cars such as this should be kept in tip top condition. Yes you ould buy a much newer less miles performance car cor the type of money i now/will have in it but where is the fun in that. There are only 12 CL63 AMG for sale i the UK right now. And soon all big engined cars will be history. We need to keep the vibe alive people.

............................

89,000 mile AMG......? Probably been properly thrashed in it's lifetime by every owner and test driver between owners. I don't think people buy AMGs to quietly burble down the road!

However you seem well off (judging by your planned purchases and other vehicles that you already own) so why not send it to an AMG specialist and let them give it a full make over. Save you a lot of hassle.
 
I've run 6-10 year old MB V8's for two decades now - easily a quarter of a million miles driven on cars between 20-60k miles. The only non-routine repair I've had is a seized handbrake (in the off position) which was given to me by the previous owner.

I get the point about AMG cars not being used just to go to church on Sunday, but the roads don't exist in the UK to rag AMG's beyond their capabilities. Many of the points here aren't anything to do with it being an AMG: faulty cameras, airbag bolsters etc. While some are just routine maintenance: coil packs at 90k, plugs and discs.

This feels like a bit of a lemon. Has it had too many owners and "MB Servicing" on a budget: oil changes instead of full service, longer gaps, instructions not to spend money on marginal faults.

Has it really been serviced every year with the right number of major services?

As for why you use it rather than the Gallardo and your new 992 C4S: no-one uses these regularly. Autotrader shows they're high days and holiday cars that are a pain to commute or buzz around town. They're there to be admired and to have "ticked the box."

.
 
................

I get the point about AMG cars not being used just to go to church on Sunday, but the roads don't exist in the UK to rag AMG's beyond their capabilities. Many of the points here aren't anything to do with it being an AMG: faulty cameras, airbag bolsters etc. While some are just routine maintenance: coil packs at 90k, plugs and discs.

..............

.
My point is that many different owners not looking after a car properly adds up to all sorts of issues. Saying that we don't have the roads to rag an AMG is simply not true and disingenuous. I can think of several ways to beat up an AMG, on UK roads & who says it was never used at trackdays etc.
 
In all honesty, I’ve bought an awful lot of cars in my existence, both trade and private. Maybe in all that time I’ve bought a lemon or two. I guess it’s the name of the game ..
you can’t win’m all. AMG’s in my honest opinion are no different to any other vehicle, only that if/when they go wrong, they definitely are not cheap to repair, but then surely we all know that, and in honesty again, I can’t afford one for that reason.
Maybe you were just plain unlucky this time. Next time i hope you have better luck. 😎
 
89,000 mile AMG......? Probably been properly thrashed in it's lifetime by every owner and test driver between owners. I don't think people buy AMGs to quietly burble down the road!

However you seem well off (judging by your planned purchases and other vehicles that you already own) so why not send it to an AMG specialist and let them give it a full make over. Save you a lot of hassle.
That is at a AMG specialist! I dint do any of it myself!
 
I've run 6-10 year old MB V8's for two decades now - easily a quarter of a million miles driven on cars between 20-60k miles. The only non-routine repair I've had is a seized handbrake (in the off position) which was given to me by the previous owner.

I get the point about AMG cars not being used just to go to church on Sunday, but the roads don't exist in the UK to rag AMG's beyond their capabilities. Many of the points here aren't anything to do with it being an AMG: faulty cameras, airbag bolsters etc. While some are just routine maintenance: coil packs at 90k, plugs and discs.

This feels like a bit of a lemon. Has it had too many owners and "MB Servicing" on a budget: oil changes instead of full service, longer gaps, instructions not to spend money on marginal faults.

Has it really been serviced every year with the right number of major services?

As for why you use it rather than the Gallardo and your new 992 C4S: no-one uses these regularly. Autotrader shows they're high days and holiday cars that are a pain to commute or buzz around town. They're there to be admired and to have "ticked the box."

.
Yes its got a full MB history woth lots of recipts etc!

Plugs
Injectors
Intake gasketsthey were all done as a matter of cause and preventive measures.

Im not slagging the car off i love it!
 
Hahha just at the trakker place havung one fitted. When i baught it i asked if there was one on it and was told no! So far they have found 2! 🙈
 
Nowadays MB mostly makes crappy cars.
At the dealership, cars are not even worth the price tag written on the windshield.👎
Yes and after 5 years over here they have depreciated to between 60 to 80%. of new price paid .
Tuercas Viejas
 
My point is that many different owners not looking after a car properly adds up to all sorts of issues. Saying that we don't have the roads to rag an AMG is simply not true and disingenuous. I can think of several ways to beat up an AMG, on UK roads & who says it was never used at trackdays etc.
You’re lucky to live in Yorkshire. Here in the South East we don’t have any that can stress a 540bhp vehicle capable of 0-60 in 4 and a bit, apart from a bit of clutch wear and tear in slow-moving traffic

As I said, it’s lack of proper maintenance that results in a backlog of things to be done from cameras that don’t work ( which smells of cowboy electrician) to squeaky steering wheel.

Its not about whether it’s been serviced, it’s whether the right services have been done at the right point with any minor extras as required. If they had there would have been a big list of things needing to be done.

Discs, plugs and coil packs aren’t bad luck, they’re routine maintenance.
 
When i baught the car i knew what i was getting into. As i said earlier the intake gaskets, injectors, plugs were changed more as a preventative measure. The rest is mostly service items. The sterring wheel is me being picky, most people cant even hear it! As for the reverse camera i am told its quite common as the fiber optic cable goes brittle.

At the end of the day its nothing that cant be fixed or made good and to be honest other than the discks and pads the cost hasnt been out of the ordinary
 
You’re lucky to live in Yorkshire. Here in the South East we don’t have any that can stress a 540bhp vehicle capable of 0-60 in 4 and a bit, apart from a bit of clutch wear and tear in slow-moving traffic

As I said, it’s lack of proper maintenance that results in a backlog of things to be done from cameras that don’t work ( which smells of cowboy electrician) to squeaky steering wheel.

Its not about whether it’s been serviced, it’s whether the right services have been done at the right point with any minor extras as required. If they had there would have been a big list of things needing to be done.

Discs, plugs and coil packs aren’t bad luck, they’re routine maintenance.
Besides driving....... freezing winters morning and drive the $h1t out of it before it has warmed up ....Not sure why you are so adamant that there are no suitable roads for a 540hp car to be "tested" I lived in Hampshire for 5 years - many placed to drive a car hard...
 

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