CL55 AMG (2003) - classy GT or money pit?
Discussion
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...
As per another thread I'm looking at getting a 2+2 that can fit my daughter (4yo) in the back. Saw the above ad, looks very nice, but as I recall the mercd from this era don't have the best reliability.
Any thoughts on how much of a bargain/money pit this would be?
Thanks
As per another thread I'm looking at getting a 2+2 that can fit my daughter (4yo) in the back. Saw the above ad, looks very nice, but as I recall the mercd from this era don't have the best reliability.
Any thoughts on how much of a bargain/money pit this would be?
Thanks
I've had mine since last October and apart from one or two issues it's been fairly reliable. I can also attest that a child seat in the back is very possible since the wide doors and large rear seats mean that it's fairly easy to get access to.
The facelifted CLs are apparently better built than the original (1999-2002) versions although I couldn't point to any concrete examples of what was improved. The one in the advert you posted was one of the first facelift ones and as such still has the CD-based navigation whereas models from late 2003 onwards have the DVD system in the boot.
In terms of reliability, the engine and transmission are pretty much bullet-proof (although the former usually needs to have the rocker cover seals replaced). Almost all the expensive problems centre around the Active Body Control since it's a 2000psi hydraulic system. If you look at at car, check the dipstick for the ABC fluid and the colour of the fluid. It should be green and if it's black and whiffy, run away. Also check all of the suspension struts to ensure there are no leaks or dampness on them.
The only other congenital issues I can think of are galvanic corrosion on the base of the c-pillar and malfunctioning door controls which result from broken wires in the door hinges (the double hinges seem to put a lot of strain on them).
They're amazing cars, though. I don't think I've been in anything that offers the same combination of effortless long-distance wafting and bonkers performance when you want it!
The facelifted CLs are apparently better built than the original (1999-2002) versions although I couldn't point to any concrete examples of what was improved. The one in the advert you posted was one of the first facelift ones and as such still has the CD-based navigation whereas models from late 2003 onwards have the DVD system in the boot.
In terms of reliability, the engine and transmission are pretty much bullet-proof (although the former usually needs to have the rocker cover seals replaced). Almost all the expensive problems centre around the Active Body Control since it's a 2000psi hydraulic system. If you look at at car, check the dipstick for the ABC fluid and the colour of the fluid. It should be green and if it's black and whiffy, run away. Also check all of the suspension struts to ensure there are no leaks or dampness on them.
The only other congenital issues I can think of are galvanic corrosion on the base of the c-pillar and malfunctioning door controls which result from broken wires in the door hinges (the double hinges seem to put a lot of strain on them).
They're amazing cars, though. I don't think I've been in anything that offers the same combination of effortless long-distance wafting and bonkers performance when you want it!
Great cars I've had mine for nearly 8 years.
As mentioned ABC can be a problem if it's not been looked after.
I've had a couple of faults on mine - the supercharger coolant pump had to be replaced (opted for an upgraded version)
The throttle body (well the actuator) went duff and had to be replaced
Galvanic rust on the rear arches and c pilar
It's important to note it's the v8 supercharged (compressor) version has 16 spark plugs which will bump up your servicing costs.
I see the abc fluid as something that should be replaced often.
Rear tyres even with a light foot can be consumed at an alarming rate.
I find the fronts wear very badly if the alignment is even a little out so generally get it checked quite often (especially given the state of the roads)
It's a great sleeper car; near on 500BHP and bags of torque. Most people have no idea what it's capable of and if you want to pottle about it's as accessible and easy to drive as anything else in the merc range.
Generally I've found the the abc does a good job of hiding the cars weight in the corners; but it can only do so much. Get it on a straight and push the throttle to the floor and it'll try and head butt the horizon.
My only criticism (other than the shoddy dealer network!) is the noise. It doesn't really sound like an amg, but, that might be the double glazed front and rear windows!
What's going on with the grill on the one in the OPs post? Doesn't look like mine - looks aftermarket?
ETA: The thing about that one's grill.
As mentioned ABC can be a problem if it's not been looked after.
I've had a couple of faults on mine - the supercharger coolant pump had to be replaced (opted for an upgraded version)
The throttle body (well the actuator) went duff and had to be replaced
Galvanic rust on the rear arches and c pilar
It's important to note it's the v8 supercharged (compressor) version has 16 spark plugs which will bump up your servicing costs.
I see the abc fluid as something that should be replaced often.
Rear tyres even with a light foot can be consumed at an alarming rate.
I find the fronts wear very badly if the alignment is even a little out so generally get it checked quite often (especially given the state of the roads)
It's a great sleeper car; near on 500BHP and bags of torque. Most people have no idea what it's capable of and if you want to pottle about it's as accessible and easy to drive as anything else in the merc range.
Generally I've found the the abc does a good job of hiding the cars weight in the corners; but it can only do so much. Get it on a straight and push the throttle to the floor and it'll try and head butt the horizon.
My only criticism (other than the shoddy dealer network!) is the noise. It doesn't really sound like an amg, but, that might be the double glazed front and rear windows!
What's going on with the grill on the one in the OPs post? Doesn't look like mine - looks aftermarket?
ETA: The thing about that one's grill.
ZX10R NIN said:
Apart from the ABC the other thing is to look out for the bushes on the lags if these are worn you're looking at a cost of £1000 same with the ABC
On the C215 the bushes at the bottom of the suspension struts are replaceable and are held on with some grub screws - strangely they're not on the R230 although apparently the ball joints can be refinished.W8aMinute said:
On the C215 the bushes at the bottom of the suspension struts are replaceable and are held on with some grub screws - strangely they're not on the R230 although apparently the ball joints can be refinished.
If you're talking about the centre ball joint on the control arm that the strut sits on and then has 2 grub screws to clamp it on, this ball joint is part of the control arm and not replaceable.The inner bush that goes to the chassis is replaceable, so is the outer ball joint in the stub axle.
Thanks for all the replies - seems like a budget/low cost alternative to an M6...;)
Will definitely go on the list - hopefully can find a reasonable near me to look at.
I would love to pair it with an e55 AMG or e63 estate, but I may be sensible and at least keep the estate to be a bargain barge
Will definitely go on the list - hopefully can find a reasonable near me to look at.
I would love to pair it with an e55 AMG or e63 estate, but I may be sensible and at least keep the estate to be a bargain barge
V12 AMG said:
CLS is a safer bet but the CL is just so much more car.
+1As has been said above just remember what these wonderful cars cost new and looking after them properly can cost but when you can buy a car like this for £10K you have to be sensible about proper maintenance and just hope the previous owners were too.
86DA said:
Lush no other word for it, I'm going to have to check these out when my V10 Phaeton is up for replacement BIRMA said:
What's going on with the grill on the one in the OPs post? Doesn't look like mine - looks aftermarket?
You're right it looks like the grill pattern on my SL63
I fancied one of these when I had my CL. Did some digging at the time and found them called a 'sports grille':You're right it looks like the grill pattern on my SL63
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-W215-C215-CL-Si...
I think they are off the SL, but not sure.
In regards to the cars (I had a 500 not a 55 so I'll stick to the bits I have first hand experience of), they are glorious machines. Looking at the the pictures of the CL600 someone has linked gives me the horn. In my opinion, Mercedes best design in recent years. In black especially. After the full clay bar, polish and wax treament. Looks every inch the £100k car it was at new.
Anyway, as already talked about at length, the ABC is the big worry. The pump is a grand plus. If it hasn't been changed, walk away or budget for it. Not a deal breaker, but chances are it will need doing at some point. Personally, I had mine looked at by a specialist before buying. Once he confirmed that everything was as it should be then I went for it.
One thing that isn't mentioned much, but actually happened to me, is a problem in the ESM (Electronic Shift Module). There is a little plastic lever in there that lets you move the car from Park when you put your foot on the brake. At some point in the cars life, it will brake. Once this happens, you are not getting it out of park! The exact same problem with S and SL classes of the same age. Luckily for me, it happened on my drive way. God knows why Mercedes thought it appropriate for such a crucial component to be made out of plastic is beyond me, but there you go.
After some research (it is a common problem), I found a thread on a Merc forum where someone had described how they fixed it, using loads of photos. They just took the box out and removed the broken lever. This allowed the car to change from Park to anything else without putting your foot on the brake pedal. Not ideal if there are kids in the car and you pop out to the shop for a moment.
Unfortuantely, Mercedes don't replace the lever on its own, just the whole ESM. Which was somewhere in the £700 region. I found a replacement lever on Amazon, all the way in California. About £50, and they also do an aluminium one for about £125 (as it should have come with originally of course). I used a mobile mechanic to replace it after improting that part. The DIY job was beyond my meagre skills!
I'd love to own another one some day. If I do, that job is getting done straight off, factored into the purchase price.
Here's a link to the costs associated with my CL: https://goo.gl/8sGV5l
I acquired the car in October last year. The previous owner had kept the car since 2006 and had all the work done at a Mercedes main dealer. Since I've owned it, I've had it serviced at a main dealer but all other work has been done by an independent.
Hopefully most of the issues have now been sorted but with a CL you can never quite be sure...
I acquired the car in October last year. The previous owner had kept the car since 2006 and had all the work done at a Mercedes main dealer. Since I've owned it, I've had it serviced at a main dealer but all other work has been done by an independent.
Hopefully most of the issues have now been sorted but with a CL you can never quite be sure...
W8aMinute said:
Here's a link to the costs associated with my CL: https://goo.gl/8sGV5l
I acquired the car in October last year. The previous owner had kept the car since 2006 and had all the work done at a Mercedes main dealer. Since I've owned it, I've had it serviced at a main dealer but all other work has been done by an independent.
Hopefully most of the issues have now been sorted but with a CL you can never quite be sure...
I don't even know where to start with that spreadsheet!I acquired the car in October last year. The previous owner had kept the car since 2006 and had all the work done at a Mercedes main dealer. Since I've owned it, I've had it serviced at a main dealer but all other work has been done by an independent.
Hopefully most of the issues have now been sorted but with a CL you can never quite be sure...
£1090.80 to replace the EIS?!? It's £500 of parts and 1 hour labour. How did they come to that price?
£1391.70 to replace some brake lines and an abs sensor?!?!
£1875 for an A service?!?!
I'm giving up there, just too much craziness for a Thursday morning.
V12 AMG said:
£1090.80 to replace the EIS?!? It's £500 of parts and 1 hour labour. How did they come to that price?
It's three hours on the CL at main dealer prices...V12 AMG said:
£1391.70 to replace some brake lines and an abs sensor?!?!
Plus front brakes & pads, a rear suspension bushing and installing dashcam & iPod interface.V12 AMG said:
£1875 for an A service?!?!
It wasn't one of mine so I can't remember what else was included on that bill.Gassing Station | Mercedes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff