Mercedes CL55 vs BMW 645i
Discussion
The time has come for me to start thinking about getting a decent motor in particular for summer, looking to spend around 13k.
Ive noticed a few Mercedes CL55's notably the supercharged model which i would prefer listed at circa 13k, this is very very tempting, however the reliability on these machines i have gathered going off information on some individuals is absolutely ridiculous (are they really that bad??). I would tend to use the car for mainly weekend driving and the occasional drive during the week due to me having a vehicle for work.
On the other hand a BMW 645 looks to be an attractive option not as desirable and nowhere near as quick as the Mercedes but looks just as good even the rear of the car is unusual but i like it and i presume it would be a lot more reliable than the Mercedes (however i could be wrong).
Just after some input or experiences from anyone who has owned or has knowledge of any of these two vehicles good or bad. Things to look out for etc... Dont want to increase my budget i know a BMW M6 would be a more appropriate comparison but i cant stretch that far im afraid
Ive noticed a few Mercedes CL55's notably the supercharged model which i would prefer listed at circa 13k, this is very very tempting, however the reliability on these machines i have gathered going off information on some individuals is absolutely ridiculous (are they really that bad??). I would tend to use the car for mainly weekend driving and the occasional drive during the week due to me having a vehicle for work.
On the other hand a BMW 645 looks to be an attractive option not as desirable and nowhere near as quick as the Mercedes but looks just as good even the rear of the car is unusual but i like it and i presume it would be a lot more reliable than the Mercedes (however i could be wrong).
Just after some input or experiences from anyone who has owned or has knowledge of any of these two vehicles good or bad. Things to look out for etc... Dont want to increase my budget i know a BMW M6 would be a more appropriate comparison but i cant stretch that far im afraid
No personal experience with either but my gut feeling is that a 13k AMG CL is probably a little bit too cheap. Obviously I have no idea about your financial situation and if you're the sort of chap who always has cash tucked away to deal with a big bill then you only live once and all that, and the CL is the much nicer car....
Owned both.
Loved both.
W215 CL (500, 600, 55 AMG & 65 AMG) running costs are not for those with chump change. Like anything if you've got something that was once worth up to or above 100k new, then don't expect to run them like they are repmobile Audis. It tends not to be the strategy for anything at that level anyway.
I'll easily do 400 miles in a day in mine, and jump out feeling like I'm walking into Mahiki with my friends waiting for me on my 21st birthday. It's designed for it. Looks-wise, for summer, I thoroughly enjoy the pillarless looks and it's not a common sight, which I prefer. The engine is unburstable and little beats it with the windows and the gas pedal firmly pressed down.
Normally very highly specced with things like Keyless Go and massaging seats if that sort of thing interests you.
E63 645ci. Does everything really well. It's fast, comfortable and yes, to some eyes has a very contemporary look. I personally think that the new F12/13 is rather bland, and too E-Class coupe at the rear wheel arch for it to be a real looker. The E63 polarises in looks like very few other cars and for me that's something to be appreciated. If I had my time again though, like I've stated on PH a few times, I would have a convertible. And it would be an M6....
Running costs are reasonable for a premium GT, but slightly less than our E46 M3 (for example).
The 4.4 in the E63 is one of the great engines in my opinion, with answers for most situations. It's not that vocal, but as I say, does everything well.
I'm weighing up a Continental GT or a Vanquish next however, and my thinking around these things is always to have a two car strategy. Big GTs are to be appreciated for high days and holidays with the odd intercity dash, so would always partner with something else for day to day stuff, but both above options are very practical.
Loved both.
W215 CL (500, 600, 55 AMG & 65 AMG) running costs are not for those with chump change. Like anything if you've got something that was once worth up to or above 100k new, then don't expect to run them like they are repmobile Audis. It tends not to be the strategy for anything at that level anyway.
I'll easily do 400 miles in a day in mine, and jump out feeling like I'm walking into Mahiki with my friends waiting for me on my 21st birthday. It's designed for it. Looks-wise, for summer, I thoroughly enjoy the pillarless looks and it's not a common sight, which I prefer. The engine is unburstable and little beats it with the windows and the gas pedal firmly pressed down.
Normally very highly specced with things like Keyless Go and massaging seats if that sort of thing interests you.
E63 645ci. Does everything really well. It's fast, comfortable and yes, to some eyes has a very contemporary look. I personally think that the new F12/13 is rather bland, and too E-Class coupe at the rear wheel arch for it to be a real looker. The E63 polarises in looks like very few other cars and for me that's something to be appreciated. If I had my time again though, like I've stated on PH a few times, I would have a convertible. And it would be an M6....
Running costs are reasonable for a premium GT, but slightly less than our E46 M3 (for example).
The 4.4 in the E63 is one of the great engines in my opinion, with answers for most situations. It's not that vocal, but as I say, does everything well.
I'm weighing up a Continental GT or a Vanquish next however, and my thinking around these things is always to have a two car strategy. Big GTs are to be appreciated for high days and holidays with the odd intercity dash, so would always partner with something else for day to day stuff, but both above options are very practical.
Thanks for the information in particular tigerkoi.
I think if i did opt for the BMW i would always be thinking to myself maybe i should of gone for the Mercedes instead. I don't think this would be the case if i bought the Mercedes especially with it being more superior, however ask me the same question after 2 months of ownership of the CL (i.e reliability).
I think if i did opt for the BMW i would always be thinking to myself maybe i should of gone for the Mercedes instead. I don't think this would be the case if i bought the Mercedes especially with it being more superior, however ask me the same question after 2 months of ownership of the CL (i.e reliability).
blitzed007 said:
The time has come for me to start thinking about getting a decent motor in particular for summer, looking to spend around 13k.
Ive noticed a few Mercedes CL55's notably the supercharged model which i would prefer listed at circa 13k, this is very very tempting, however the reliability on these machines i have gathered going off information on some individuals is absolutely ridiculous (are they really that bad??). I would tend to use the car for mainly weekend driving and the occasional drive during the week due to me having a vehicle for work.
On the other hand a BMW 645 looks to be an attractive option not as desirable and nowhere near as quick as the Mercedes but looks just as good even the rear of the car is unusual but i like it and i presume it would be a lot more reliable than the Mercedes (however i could be wrong).
Just after some input or experiences from anyone who has owned or has knowledge of any of these two vehicles good or bad. Things to look out for etc... Dont want to increase my budget i know a BMW M6 would be a more appropriate comparison but i cant stretch that far im afraid
Nice cars, but aren't they, well, a bit too normal and dare I say it boring (Ive noticed a few Mercedes CL55's notably the supercharged model which i would prefer listed at circa 13k, this is very very tempting, however the reliability on these machines i have gathered going off information on some individuals is absolutely ridiculous (are they really that bad??). I would tend to use the car for mainly weekend driving and the occasional drive during the week due to me having a vehicle for work.
On the other hand a BMW 645 looks to be an attractive option not as desirable and nowhere near as quick as the Mercedes but looks just as good even the rear of the car is unusual but i like it and i presume it would be a lot more reliable than the Mercedes (however i could be wrong).
Just after some input or experiences from anyone who has owned or has knowledge of any of these two vehicles good or bad. Things to look out for etc... Dont want to increase my budget i know a BMW M6 would be a more appropriate comparison but i cant stretch that far im afraid
) for a weekend car?Just shy of 500 brake, in the flagship Benz, isn't for those who want to be bored. Or be normal.
You'll count it a rare day to drive past another one (even in London) and is special enough for those who like premium GT/Coupe's.
I won't lie. Costs could be epic. But they always are when rolling the dice playing with something mechanical. The stakes just go up in relation to the original purchase price.
I'm waiting for it to be confirmed, but you only live once. Like stated, I've had both, and when driving past a 6 in the CL, you won't feel any uncertainty. Enjoy it.
Let us know how you get on.
You'll count it a rare day to drive past another one (even in London) and is special enough for those who like premium GT/Coupe's.
I won't lie. Costs could be epic. But they always are when rolling the dice playing with something mechanical. The stakes just go up in relation to the original purchase price.
I'm waiting for it to be confirmed, but you only live once. Like stated, I've had both, and when driving past a 6 in the CL, you won't feel any uncertainty. Enjoy it.
Let us know how you get on.
blitzed007 said:
I wouldn't class 500bhp as boring, don't really want to stretch the budget over 13k really, i need to keep a few grand in the bank for repairs and maintenance. Plus it ticks all the boxes, classy, good looking, loads of toys, practical ish for a coupe i.e can seat 4 and fast
Just curious, but again as a weekend toy does it really need toys, be practical and seat 4? Maybe it does though. 300bhp/ton said:
blitzed007 said:
I wouldn't class 500bhp as boring, don't really want to stretch the budget over 13k really, i need to keep a few grand in the bank for repairs and maintenance. Plus it ticks all the boxes, classy, good looking, loads of toys, practical ish for a coupe i.e can seat 4 and fast
Just curious, but again as a weekend toy does it really need toys, be practical and seat 4? Maybe it does though. blitzed007 said:
I wouldn't class 500bhp as boring, don't really want to stretch the budget over 13k really, i need to keep a few grand in the bank for repairs and maintenance. Plus it ticks all the boxes, classy, good looking, loads of toys, practical ish for a coupe i.e can seat 4 and fast
Personally if you're considering a CL55 on a limited budget I'd say you're mad. You could quite easily spend you're purchase price in servicing/repairs over the course of a couple of years, remember they were a 100k car to buy and despite the values now are still a 100k car to run.v1paul said:
My Dad owns a 2003 cl500 and that is pretty expensive to run. He's owned it since it was 6 months old and he really likes it, but he's going to get rid of it in a couple of months due to the running costs. The last service was so expensive that he didn't want to tell me how much it cost, and for him to not want to tell me, I would guess that it was at least a couple of grand. He might just be unlucky though, might be worth asking on owners clubs about running costs.
Don't know anything about the 6 series so I can't really help you there.
Really? I own a CLK500, which has the same engine & servicing has never been any more expensive than our other cars. I can only guess that at that service he got plugs (there are 16 of them), disks & pads, gearbox oil etc changed.Don't know anything about the 6 series so I can't really help you there.
excel monkey said:
OK 300bhp/ton, you're clearly itching to make some non-German recommendations, what would you suggest the OP buys instead?
My first thought would be a TVR if I'm honest. Maybe a M Roadster or Coupe, 996 C2 or even a sorted 928 with a supercharger. Also can you get an NSX in budget?I know these don't really seat 4 and don't have toys. But they'd be fun.
I admit 500hp does sound appealing in the Merc though.
300bhp/ton said:
excel monkey said:
OK 300bhp/ton, you're clearly itching to make some non-German recommendations, what would you suggest the OP buys instead?
My first thought would be a TVR if I'm honest. Maybe a M Roadster or Coupe, 996 C2 or even a sorted 928 with a supercharger. Also can you get an NSX in budget?I know these don't really seat 4 and don't have toys. But they'd be fun.
I admit 500hp does sound appealing in the Merc though.
OP - why are you even considering the 645i over the AMG??? Merc all they way.
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