CL63 AMG owners opinions

[BIRMA]

In the event of my Phaeton going tits up I've been looking at potential replacements. I know and love the N/A V8 that was in my SL63 but the MCT gearbox didn't come into the CL63 until later, I have a budget of £30K max so what I'd like to know is have any owners found any negative points about the auto-box fitted to the N/A engined CL63?

[Viperzs]

Have you considered the CLS63 as an alternative? Granted it's not got an N/A like you mention, but the 5.5 is fantastic and the CLS is a perfect executive cruiser like the CL.

[BIRMA]

Viperzs said:

Have you considered the CLS63 as an alternative? Granted it's not got an N/A like you mention, but the 5.5 is fantastic and the CLS is a perfect executive cruiser like the CL.

Yes I did look at one ages ago and it is a nice car but I like the larger interior of the CL and on a long distance run I expect the CL is a little more comfortable.
I was going to buy a 2014 Nissan GTr but feel for the amount of use it would get £58K was too much to spend whereas £30 for a CL will allow me to keep my little track prepared VX220 too for the odd blast along my favourite A roads.
I've looked at the Audi W12 and the M5 but that Mercedes V8 N/A engine seems to stamp something in the back of your mind that makes other engines somewhat lacking in the natural sound department. I'm just not sure after the MCT auto-box that I really liked the one in the CL will suit but having said that it would be used comfortable cruising and the odd Jekyll and Hyde moment.

[Greenmantle]

I was in the same boat. The M156 was part of my day dreaming ritual. Unfortunately as time has moved on I have had to re-evaluate this since the gearbox in my mind now plays an equal part in the driving experience. N/A plus MCT are like hens teeth so for me the twin turbo route is my only option whether that be in a CL, CLS or E-class variety.

John

[ZX10R NIN]

I drove my dad's N/A CL63 & I never felt the gearbox hindered the car in anyway, it always responded well enough, it's not as quick to react as a MCT/DSG style box but it's a GT, also if you want a more responsive box then send your gearbox ECU to Weistec (I've done this & am very pleased with the results) should you wish.

As a package I actually prefer it to my dad's newer CL63, which as an overall package isn't quite as good as the original.

[PurpleAki]

Is the issue just about responsiveness? There's no problems with the gearbox is there? It's not a weak point? I've often thought about one of these for a daily. At £30k they are a lot of car for the money. Still look like £70k cars.

[BIRMA]

ZX10R NIN said:

I drove my dad's N/A CL63 & I never felt the gearbox hindered the car in anyway, it always responded well enough, it's not as quick to react as a MCT/DSG style box but it's a GT, also if you want a more responsive box then send your gearbox ECU to Weistec (I've done this & am very pleased with the results) should you wish.

As a package I actually prefer it to my dad's newer CL63, which as an overall package isn't quite as good as the original.

Yes I had more or less come to that conclusion too, as nice as the later engine and the MCT box is I think overall the gearbox suits the car for what it is. Plus from an initial purchase point of view the later 5.5 cars are a bit more than I want to spend.

[BIRMA]

PurpleAki said:

Is the issue just about responsiveness? There's no problems with the gearbox is there? It's not a weak point? I've often thought about one of these for a daily. At £30k they are a lot of car for the money. Still look like £70k cars.

There is nothing wrong with the standard auto-box it was just me being far too picky to be perfectly honest. I agree for £30K if you get one with night vision along with the active cooled seats it must surely be a keeper.

[Bit of a Unit]

I've just bought 2007 6.3 had it for a few months. For less than 30k it's an absurd amount of car and I am over the moon. They are bloody rare. I've just had mine in for an MOT and major service at Mercedes Manchester. Clean bill of health, no advisories and change out of £500.

Fuel is expensive in 1800 miles so I'm averaging 16.3 mpg. But that is mainly because the noise it makes and the shear pace of acceleration is so good I've developed a very heavy right foot.

[BIRMA]

Bit of a Unit said:

I've just bought 2007 6.3 had it for a few months. For less than 30k it's an absurd amount of car and I am over the moon. They are bloody rare. I've just had mine in for an MOT and major service at Mercedes Manchester. Clean bill of health, no advisories and change out of £500.

Fuel is expensive in 1800 miles so I'm averaging 16.3 mpg. But that is mainly because the noise it makes and the shear pace of acceleration is so good I've developed a very heavy right foot.

Thanks most helpful, not surprised by the fuel consumption though I could get nearly 29 on a long run in my SL so I guess the CL is a fair bit heavier so I'd expect less. Although my average was 18 MPG after I'd got over the early 'hooligan phase' that both the engine and it's exhaust force you into being so.
I've read up a bit more about the 7G auto-box and it's not as dumb as I originally thought it was. Plus my inclination to go for the N/A rather than the twin turbo power plant means the MCT is not available.

[Bit of a Unit]

BIRMA said:

Bit of a Unit said:

I've just bought 2007 6.3 had it for a few months. For less than 30k it's an absurd amount of car and I am over the moon. They are bloody rare. I've just had mine in for an MOT and major service at Mercedes Manchester. Clean bill of health, no advisories and change out of £500.

Fuel is expensive in 1800 miles so I'm averaging 16.3 mpg. But that is mainly because the noise it makes and the shear pace of acceleration is so good I've developed a very heavy right foot.

Thanks most helpful, not surprised by the fuel consumption though I could get nearly 29 on a long run in my SL so I guess the CL is a fair bit heavier so I'd expect less. Although my average was 18 MPG after I'd got over the early 'hooligan phase' that both the engine and it's exhaust force you into being so.
I've read up a bit more about the 7G auto-box and it's not as dumb as I originally thought it was. Plus my inclination to go for the N/A rather than the twin turbo power plant means the MCT is not available.

It's a pleasure it really is!

I've done two proper cross country trips so far and even on occasion making serious progress it still only nudged 20 mpg. Drive like a nun, well that's just not realistic.

The market is pretty slow so I've enquired on a few that are currently for sale prior to buying mine let me know if you want a steer save wasting time.

And I had a must have spec list but ultimately your buying the engine and therefore good history trumped big alloys and night vision for me.

Edited by Bit of a Unit on Wednesday 29th March 19:33

[N2HSV]

I bought a 2007 CLS 63 nearly 4 years ago with 34k miles. Currently 65k.
It's been faultless. In that time it has cost 3 services, 4 tyres and 1 wheel (pot-hole damage).
Autobox was serviced at 50k miles with new discs and pads all round at 60k miles.
Fuel consumption is around 22mpg. No complaints. Its comfortable and still makes me smile every drive!

[BIRMA]

Thanks for the replies all very helpful. I've decided (big bork factor excepted) that I'll keep my present car another two years. This will enable me to save a bit more money and go for a 2012 spec car. As much as I love the 6.2 N/A I really do like the MCT auto-box plus I'm really warming to the looks of the facelift car details.