Considering W215 CL600 AMG - am I insane
Discussion
Hi
I have a 600 having owned a number of fast cars can give you a view. Probably best to compare with 911 turbo, which if you have not had yet get one before CL .
CLs may seem cheep to buy but they can be really expensive to keep always always buy with warranty even 3 month will give you time in real world to check everything out. Usual advice full main dealer service history ect.
So what's it like absolutely brilliant very fast great comfort all the bells and whistles and of course that V12 which is a work of art handling ok but ensure wheels are straight before you press the loud pedal the orange triangle is always on if a spirited drive if wet drive slowly or leave at home mpg average around 15 .
Another positive is that it's understated not flash no main drainage exhaust pipes good for putting people in their place which you can with most cars on the road just gently press the accelerated and you are very quickly at warp speed more stable than 911 at 150 and more which it will do all day no histrionics just massive power and great comfort and will run around at normal speed all day with no problems just a brilliant brilliant car if you've got the other must haves out of your system go for it where do you live I'm near Northampton happy to show you my 600 and talk more about it . Good luck enjoy
Cheers
Steve
I have a 600 having owned a number of fast cars can give you a view. Probably best to compare with 911 turbo, which if you have not had yet get one before CL .
CLs may seem cheep to buy but they can be really expensive to keep always always buy with warranty even 3 month will give you time in real world to check everything out. Usual advice full main dealer service history ect.
So what's it like absolutely brilliant very fast great comfort all the bells and whistles and of course that V12 which is a work of art handling ok but ensure wheels are straight before you press the loud pedal the orange triangle is always on if a spirited drive if wet drive slowly or leave at home mpg average around 15 .
Another positive is that it's understated not flash no main drainage exhaust pipes good for putting people in their place which you can with most cars on the road just gently press the accelerated and you are very quickly at warp speed more stable than 911 at 150 and more which it will do all day no histrionics just massive power and great comfort and will run around at normal speed all day with no problems just a brilliant brilliant car if you've got the other must haves out of your system go for it where do you live I'm near Northampton happy to show you my 600 and talk more about it . Good luck enjoy
Cheers
Steve
I have had some quick cars, notably Porsche 928S4, Porsche 911 (964) Carrera 2, Boxster Spyder, AMV8 Vantage but nothing like this.
There is an Almandine Black one on eBay which I am going to look at tomorrow. I just love the colour combo. I understand they are not cheap to maintain and am going in with my eyes open. Always wanted a 55 but figure a V12 would be even better. Will be checking the service history very carefully.
Thanks for your views - they look like the German equivalent of a Bentley Continental R... can't really think of anything else that would compete with it?
Joel
There is an Almandine Black one on eBay which I am going to look at tomorrow. I just love the colour combo. I understand they are not cheap to maintain and am going in with my eyes open. Always wanted a 55 but figure a V12 would be even better. Will be checking the service history very carefully.
Thanks for your views - they look like the German equivalent of a Bentley Continental R... can't really think of anything else that would compete with it?
Joel
I use my CL600 TT as an everyday car - its great!
Things to look out for:
Go for post 2003 car - this gives you twin turbos and 500bhp. Dont be fooled by an earlier car. They are troublesome and only 360 hp
ABC suspension - all the CL have pnematic suspension and they are VERY expensive when they go wrong. The pump usually gives up at 50k miles and when it does it will be 1500£ to fix. Make sure your car has already been done
Coil packs - one per bank and again are £1000 plus , fitted. When they go, you will get misfires. Again, id check to see if done
Front disks are huge and very expensive. Inspect carefully!
Things to look out for:
Go for post 2003 car - this gives you twin turbos and 500bhp. Dont be fooled by an earlier car. They are troublesome and only 360 hp
ABC suspension - all the CL have pnematic suspension and they are VERY expensive when they go wrong. The pump usually gives up at 50k miles and when it does it will be 1500£ to fix. Make sure your car has already been done
Coil packs - one per bank and again are £1000 plus , fitted. When they go, you will get misfires. Again, id check to see if done
Front disks are huge and very expensive. Inspect carefully!
I use my CL600 TT as an everyday car - its great!
Things to look out for:
Go for post 2003 car - this gives you twin turbos and 500bhp. Dont be fooled by an earlier car. They are troublesome and only 360 hp
ABC suspension - all the CL have pnematic suspension and they are VERY expensive when they go wrong. The pump usually gives up at 50k miles and when it does it will be 1500£ to fix. Make sure your car has already been done
Coil packs - one per bank and again are £1000 plus , fitted. When they go, you will get misfires. Again, id check to see if done
Front disks are huge and very expensive. Inspect carefully!
Things to look out for:
Go for post 2003 car - this gives you twin turbos and 500bhp. Dont be fooled by an earlier car. They are troublesome and only 360 hp
ABC suspension - all the CL have pnematic suspension and they are VERY expensive when they go wrong. The pump usually gives up at 50k miles and when it does it will be 1500£ to fix. Make sure your car has already been done
Coil packs - one per bank and again are £1000 plus , fitted. When they go, you will get misfires. Again, id check to see if done
Front disks are huge and very expensive. Inspect carefully!
You will be left in no doubt! 
Engine bay will look like this...
As compared to my old n/a car
As mentioned above, check everything...twice! all electrics, air-con etc and make sure ABC suspension goes up and down as it should and check for leaks around dampers.
Also check bodywork closely for bodged repairs to rotten arches or accident damage, there are some real shockers out there.
Good Luck
As compared to my old n/a car
As mentioned above, check everything...twice! all electrics, air-con etc and make sure ABC suspension goes up and down as it should and check for leaks around dampers.
Also check bodywork closely for bodged repairs to rotten arches or accident damage, there are some real shockers out there.
Good Luck
barchetta_boy said:
slippery said:
No there wasn't. The V12 AMG was the CL65.
So the CL600 bi-turbo V12 is not AMG? Not that it matters, with 540PS and 590ft-lb it is surely quicker than most things!
Joel
barchetta_boy said:
What's the procedure for testing the ABC suspension is working correctly?
Starting to feel a bit insane for even considering it!
Use switch on dashboard to cycle through the 3 different height levels, do this several times and ensure all four corners are the same height at each setting. It's also worth having a look at all four corners before car is started and pump is running to see if it looks like it's sagging anywhere. Starting to feel a bit insane for even considering it!
OK here are my impressions of the car.
- Looks great from 6ft, there are marks to the paintwork as you would expect from close up on a 133k mile car. Some bad scratching on boot
- New/recent tyres all round, not matching though: Kumho on rear, Hankook Ventus on front
- wheels could do with a refurb
- rear discs need changing, fronts will soon as well
- engine seems fine. Smooth as silk and an incredibly refined sound
- the thrust is unbelievable
- consistently pulls to the right slightly
- there is a slight drone at speed, comes and goes - wheel bearing?
- all the electrics work (including heated/cooled massaging seats) that I could see except engine start-stop on gear lever
- ABC appears to work perfectly
- SH is 100% Merc main dealer up to 80k miles, then an 18 month gap, a couple of indies, then a MB Canary Wharf stamp but no details filled in. Last service before that was Feb 2013.
- there is a lot of water and condensation under the boot floor - blocked drain channel? Doesn't seem to have damaged anything (battery is clean and dry) but the tools are all wet.
I didn't buy but am still considering. All thoughts welcome. It struck me that it might be better to buy a genuine enthusiast's car for a few k more. What I am really in love with is the colour combo, which looked sensational, and the combination of refinement and guts from the blown '12.
Joel
- Looks great from 6ft, there are marks to the paintwork as you would expect from close up on a 133k mile car. Some bad scratching on boot
- New/recent tyres all round, not matching though: Kumho on rear, Hankook Ventus on front
- wheels could do with a refurb
- rear discs need changing, fronts will soon as well
- engine seems fine. Smooth as silk and an incredibly refined sound
- the thrust is unbelievable
- consistently pulls to the right slightly
- there is a slight drone at speed, comes and goes - wheel bearing?
- all the electrics work (including heated/cooled massaging seats) that I could see except engine start-stop on gear lever
- ABC appears to work perfectly
- SH is 100% Merc main dealer up to 80k miles, then an 18 month gap, a couple of indies, then a MB Canary Wharf stamp but no details filled in. Last service before that was Feb 2013.
- there is a lot of water and condensation under the boot floor - blocked drain channel? Doesn't seem to have damaged anything (battery is clean and dry) but the tools are all wet.
I didn't buy but am still considering. All thoughts welcome. It struck me that it might be better to buy a genuine enthusiast's car for a few k more. What I am really in love with is the colour combo, which looked sensational, and the combination of refinement and guts from the blown '12.
Joel
I suppose the question is, if it was a few grand more, would you have been looking at it in the first place? The asking price is probably what attracted your attention. Sounds like there's a bit of work to be done, but nothing to ruinous. I've bought less than perfect examples of stuff in the past and ended up getting bitten, so I understand your reluctance, particularly an XJR that I tried unsuccessfully to turn from a sow's ear to a silk purse! 
If it's a good car deep down (my XJR wasn't), that just needs a bit of pulling together, then I would probably make an offer based on the remedial work that's needed. What I have learnt, is that if you get the feeling it's a wrong 'un, you're better off walking away.
If it's a good car deep down (my XJR wasn't), that just needs a bit of pulling together, then I would probably make an offer based on the remedial work that's needed. What I have learnt, is that if you get the feeling it's a wrong 'un, you're better off walking away.
Hi again
Just my thoughts but steer clear like the plague that millage is high just ready for some major bills only go with full service history that is detailed, people buy these and cannot afford upkeep and scrimp it's not the sort of car that you can do that with needs service and care. Water in boot probably drain holes at the side by boot springs then water washes in . Mine cost 16k from main dealer in MK but only 42k miles and one owner perfect but will still cost me money it's that sort of car.
Please do not be put off get the right one and you will love it I've been out in mine today and every time it feels special.
Yes the best comparison is probably a Bentley but the CL IMO is better car .
Cheers
Steve
Just my thoughts but steer clear like the plague that millage is high just ready for some major bills only go with full service history that is detailed, people buy these and cannot afford upkeep and scrimp it's not the sort of car that you can do that with needs service and care. Water in boot probably drain holes at the side by boot springs then water washes in . Mine cost 16k from main dealer in MK but only 42k miles and one owner perfect but will still cost me money it's that sort of car.
Please do not be put off get the right one and you will love it I've been out in mine today and every time it feels special.
Yes the best comparison is probably a Bentley but the CL IMO is better car .
Cheers
Steve
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