W215 Cl500 2000

[SG CL500]

wouldn't get too hung up on the ABC - think it was just one of those things (and I was really pushing it !)

 

[stats007]

Looking on the american forums it seems to be a big issue so will just keep it in mind

 

[SG CL500]

didn't think they went round corners in America

 

[GrahamC230K]

The keyless go card is classic example of sounds expensive but turns out cheap - it's the those will only be a few pence ones that turn out expensive that are scarey!

as you seem genuinely intersted I will forward a PM I prepared for Greg on the +/- on ownership and why I bought one - it is 3 PM's long (thanks for limiting the length of a PM mods!!!)

The PM character lenght is plenty for you to write "What is your email address?"!!!


Anyway, love the CL.

 

[sym]

Looks very nice indeed .... almost tempted myself !!

<puts sensible head back on!>

Good luck if you get it - they are amazing cars, and seem to be becoming quite affordable.

S.

 

[C43AMG]

I can't tell you how tempted i am, it's the only car i would get rid of the C43 for. It is my favourite colour Almadine Black and a lot of goodies all the goodies you need, but i am waiting a couple of years for the 55 to become affordable.
Good luck i hope you get it, a great looking car. It will be interesting to see if it reaches it's reserve. What do you think 20k-21k ?

 

[stats007]

I imagine the reserve is £21k, nothing appears to be selling at the moment so maybe i'll get lucky!

 

[Thmsshaun]

I imagine the reserve is £21k, nothing appears to be selling at the moment so maybe i'll get lucky!

Good luck with it.

 

[stats007]

Received this email from the seller:

Here attached are more pics that are much clearer.

Its really very acceptable from my experience of these CL's, Its alot better
than an 02/02 one that i have at the moment which is going back to trade as
its corroding away and nothing electrically works!!

This one is certainly more than ok for a 6yo car, I have seen a little
better and alot worse.

There are some marks on the wheels mainly centered around the hubs/fixing
holes, some light stone chips on the leading edges - mainly the front bumper
low down, no scrapes or dents on the bodywork, a small mark about the size
of a thumb on the interior on the rear seat centre divider. No chips in the
glass or the lights. It certainly looks original, i have not found any past
evidence of repair to the paintwork anywhere.

Not got the servicing invoices, just the book, it was under MB warranty
till 2004 - It appears to have been over serviced as its normally meant to
me 2 x "A" services then a "B" service and this has been "B" serviced
throughout except for one "A" service which can't be a bad thing. I'm sure
the servicing dealers can enlighten you to its life on the road!

Its had the instrument cluster replaced with the newer style ones (very
common fault with the back lighting), its also had new heater control panel
fitted with the different layout and chrome trim (again a common fault with
these), the offside suspension turret and shock insert looks new still with
the MB stickers on it. Tyres are little more than half worn, brake pads on
the front are not far fron new at around 8mm, discs are ok, but not new,
rear pads are 4mm, and discs are again not new but still very servicable for
some time yet. No knocks or clunks from the suspension and still feels very
tight. All the features work, but not been able to try the keyless go as
i've not been passed the card.

I'm put off by the fact there's no supporting documentation for the services and also the replacement cluster! Slowly walking away...

 

[mobeyone]

I like it... a lot.

I would have it over the c32 - similar performance? and more presence on the road.

 

[Thmsshaun]

Thats a shame as it looks such a nice car.

I am a bit shocked by the number of faults he addressed. This is really poor and because it a common fault does that make it acceptable and as for the rust issue on the newer car it appalling. Makes me think of Maffs CL55 with the rust


Good luck with searching anyway.

 

[stats007]

I like it... a lot.

I would have it over the c32 - similar performance? and more presence on the road.

I like it, but not without any evidence of servicing and why a cluster was replaced etc. This is why I don't like buying cars from independents - more than likely it has come from auction or passed from trader to trader - no-one cares about it and any documentation disappears.

The C32 is a fair bit quicker - ~1s to 60 and ~2s to 100; stopping distance a lot shorter too.

 

[BTB 500]

Being a bigger & heavier car with the same engine, a CL500 would presumably be a bit slower and thirstier than your R129? Obviously more toys though, and more "adult friendly" rear seats. Wouldn't you miss having the roof down?

 

[sym]

I'm sure you could check with the dealers who have stamped the service book to obtain records of the services / work carried out. Shouldn't be a big deal if the seller is genuine.

S.

 

[stats007]

Being a bigger & heavier car with the same engine, a CL500 would presumably be a bit slower and thirstier than your R129? Obviously more toys though, and more "adult friendly" rear seats. Wouldn't you miss having the roof down?

The CL500 is almost exactly the same weight so straight line performance is virtually identical. The roof down part I can cope with as the CL is just so pretty!

I'm sure you could check with the dealers who have stamped the service book to obtain records of the services / work carried out. Shouldn't be a big deal if the seller is genuine.

Maybe I'm too fussy but at this price I feel it should come with the car, along with old MOTs, tyre receipts etc etc.

 

[aka$h]

I like it, but not without any evidence of servicing and why a cluster was replaced etc. This is why I don't like buying cars from independents - more than likely it has come from auction or passed from trader to trader - no-one cares about it and any documentation disappears.

The C32 is a fair bit quicker - ~1s to 60 and ~2s to 100; stopping distance a lot shorter too.

I bought my '01 S320 from a MB dealership and got not documentation passed on to me. I use the car for business and all my invoices are put thought as expenses, so I wouldnt have any myself either.

The dash clusters do have known issues, my CLK one was replaced under warranty, as I assume this one was. Call MB milton keynes and find out what warranty work has been carried out on the car.

Suspension is also a common problem on these, the air leaks slowly, I have had 2 new shocks fitted recently and my car has done 74k.

 

[KLP 92]

The CL500 is almost exactly the same weight so straight line performance is virtually identical. The roof down part I can cope with as the CL is just so pretty!



Maybe I'm too fussy but at this price I feel it should come with the car, along with old MOTs, tyre receipts etc etc.

Just thought you may want to know the CL500 is not as quick as the SL. I've driven both back to back and can notice the difference.

But then again the CL drives alot better.

 

[stats007]

Official figures put it 0.5s slower to 60 1s to 100 so not huge, but like you say you perceive a bigger difference because of the size and driving position of the car.

 

[SG CL500]

Personally I wouldn't have an issue with the lack of supporting info - I think these cars are still generally well looked after but by people who can afford it but don't really know too much about cars and don't bother to keep anything other than the service book (i.e purchased as senior execs company cars etc. - not yet old/cheap enough to be bought bby anybody not then able to spend £ on maintenance) Service schedule sounds odd though - i thought CL's of this age went a/b/a/b/a/b... but not had mine long enough to be sure.

As posted (somewhere) - I have had 'issues' with my instrument cluster as well, although sorted itself out.

BUT - there are more and more of these around - i think if i was buying now I would hold onto my money and wait for an ideal one, recognising i'd probably have to pay a bit more.

Performance - may be slower (quick enough for me ) - suspect they feel a lot slower as they drive so effortlessly but I have not driven an SL so a bit of a one sided comment there.

 

[stats007]

So am I being too fussy? 3 previous owners and private plates would suggest that it hasn't been a company car all of it's life.