Might soon be a Mercedes owner - CL600

Might soon be a Mercedes owner - CL600

Author
Discussion

Animal

Original Poster:

5,249 posts

268 months

Monday 25th January 2016
quotequote all
Hi all,

Giving some serious thought to buying this after having been for a quick look and brief test drive on Friday.

Anything in particular I need to pay attention to other than coil packs and ABC? Much lip-biting and wringing of hands going on at the minute because I'm fearful of buying a nail! I've spoken to an independent Merc specialist in Princes Risborough, which is only a few miles away, and they'll do an inspection for me for a few quid.

Opinions/encouragement/horror stories all gratefully received!

hilly10

7,127 posts

228 months

Monday 25th January 2016
quotequote all
It ain't been getting around much 52k. Nice spec looks tidy, as you have said getting an expert to take look should give a piece of mind

KungFuPanda

4,333 posts

170 months

Monday 25th January 2016
quotequote all
Go for it. Anyone who boys a daft big engined car gets my respect. I'm growing old. Went from a 5.2 Audi S6 V10 to a Merc S320 CDI...

BIRMA

3,808 posts

194 months

Tuesday 26th January 2016
quotequote all
As with all these bargain Power Luxo Barges they are ridiculously good value for money if you buy right and find a decent independent to look after it.
It's stating the obvious but you are doing it right by getting it inspected and if the seller objected that's grounds for running a mile. As long as you have a decent wedge as a contingency fund which lets face it the money you save buying these usually assures that you have.

55palfers

5,910 posts

164 months

Tuesday 26th January 2016
quotequote all
These are still a great looking car.

I had a CL500 a few years back and loved every moment.

Get it checked by an expert and put some money aside for repairs.

Petrol now less than a £ a litre......

Animal

Original Poster:

5,249 posts

268 months

Tuesday 26th January 2016
quotequote all
BIRMA said:
As with all these bargain Power Luxo Barges they are ridiculously good value for money if you buy right and find a decent independent to look after it.
It's stating the obvious but you are doing it right by getting it inspected and if the seller objected that's grounds for running a mile. As long as you have a decent wedge as a contingency fund which lets face it the money you save buying these usually assures that you have.
This is my thinking! I do 7-8,000 miles a year, so even in 2 years it'll be a low-mileage car. Besides, I want to own a V12 before they're made illegal...

BIRMA

3,808 posts

194 months

Tuesday 26th January 2016
quotequote all
Animal said:
BIRMA said:
As with all these bargain Power Luxo Barges they are ridiculously good value for money if you buy right and find a decent independent to look after it.
It's stating the obvious but you are doing it right by getting it inspected and if the seller objected that's grounds for running a mile. As long as you have a decent wedge as a contingency fund which lets face it the money you save buying these usually assures that you have.
This is my thinking! I do 7-8,000 miles a year, so even in 2 years it'll be a low-mileage car. Besides, I want to own a V12 before they're made illegal...
I agree and to keep the Yin and Yang balance of the universe correct people have to buy and run these sort of cars to counter all the tree huggers buying whatever it is they choose to buy.
So far my contingency fund is £800 down (on a different make of Luxo Barge) for the supply and fitting of a couple of corroded PAS pipes but that's been over a year.

Animal

Original Poster:

5,249 posts

268 months

Tuesday 26th January 2016
quotequote all
I could live with a thousand a year!

86DA

225 posts

127 months

Wednesday 27th January 2016
quotequote all
Lots of information on ABC System here

http://mercedes-abc-drive-carefully.blogspot.co.uk...

Dont let it put you off.

BIRMA

3,808 posts

194 months

Wednesday 27th January 2016
quotequote all
86DA said:
Lots of information on ABC System here

http://mercedes-abc-drive-carefully.blogspot.co.uk...

Dont let it put you off.
Hopefully the inspection will reveal if there is any seepage from the struts, I know several years ago I looked at an SL55 with that problem and it was noticeable when looking in the wheel arch with a torch. Even with an independent it's quite an expensive job but what are the chances of them all giving up at once?

86DA

225 posts

127 months

Wednesday 27th January 2016
quotequote all
Four accumulators as well, can't tell from visual inspection what shape there in. The front one hums, when it shot.

£150 each approx from Mercedes plus fitting, its a twelve year old car.

My CL500 had the original ABC & PAS filters, which were over 10 years old.


ZX10R NIN

27,606 posts

125 months

Wednesday 27th January 2016
quotequote all
Get it checked out & as others have said put a bit aside to run it then go & buy it.

Cambio

84 posts

204 months

Thursday 28th January 2016
quotequote all
I bought my CL500 a bit less than a year ago. It has been an absolute joy. What has gone wrong in that time? The indicator repeater in the NS door mirror. Was surprised how cheap the insurance is. There will never be a better time to own one of these. Get it checked and if it's OK, get it bought!

Animal

Original Poster:

5,249 posts

268 months

Friday 29th January 2016
quotequote all
It's not going well!

Just went back to the traders to have another look and got the keys to take it for a test drive. Told them I was keen but wanted to have an inspection done first and had found somewhere in Princes Risborough (13 miles away) who would do it in an hour or so. Was told that they couldn't agree this because they were understaffed. They were OK for me to have an inspection done on their premises - but didn't have a ramp/pit to look underneath.

I gave them back the keys and walked away. Not much point wasting any more time if they're not going to put the effort in!

Krikkit

26,527 posts

181 months

Friday 29th January 2016
quotequote all
I think you did the right thing, at 9.5k it's worth being thorough.

Max M4X WW

4,799 posts

182 months

Friday 29th January 2016
quotequote all
Did you have a look round this as well at all? Looks good in the pics but has possibly had paint (corrosion?)

http://www.motorstoreltd.co.uk/used-cars/mercedes-...

Animal

Original Poster:

5,249 posts

268 months

Friday 29th January 2016
quotequote all
Didn't look at any others. They've got a few I might consider but a lot of stock (something like 160 cars), so I wasn't going to trawl through the lot. Besides, I've been kind of put off by this afternoon!

BIRMA

3,808 posts

194 months

Friday 29th January 2016
quotequote all
Animal said:
It's not going well!

Just went back to the traders to have another look and got the keys to take it for a test drive. Told them I was keen but wanted to have an inspection done first and had found somewhere in Princes Risborough (13 miles away) who would do it in an hour or so. Was told that they couldn't agree this because they were understaffed. They were OK for me to have an inspection done on their premises - but didn't have a ramp/pit to look underneath.

I gave them back the keys and walked away. Not much point wasting any more time if they're not going to put the effort in!
Silly buggers, a bit short sighted and have lost a sale as a consequence. A bit too much at stake to buy without as has been said.

Animal

Original Poster:

5,249 posts

268 months

Saturday 30th January 2016
quotequote all
Thought I'd give it another try this morning so called to speak to the guy I'd originally met last weekend: he wasn't around but I left my number and was told he'd call me back.

Three hours later he hadn't bothered and so I tried again. Apparently he had popped out for ten minutes. I've given up waiting!

PositronicRay

27,019 posts

183 months

Saturday 30th January 2016
quotequote all
Sounds like a lazy sod.

If the car is of interest try to speak to the boss. If no dice then you have your answer.