Mid 90's CL-Any good? What to look for?
Discussion
An elderly lady in the apartment block where my mum lives lost her husband some years ago and has stored his Mid 90's CL 420 since his demise.
The time has now come to get rid of the car and as she knows through my mum that I am a car fanatic,she has asked for me to give her a price for it.
The timing is actually quite good as I have just sold my immaculate W126 300 SE and always like to have an old merc about me.The only problem is that as I understand it the CL of this era is generally unloved,but judging by similar examples for sale this car is probably only worth a grand or so once the recommissioning costs are taken into account.
Is it worth getting or should I hold out for a more well regarded model???
I should add that the apartment block has a bone dry underground car park and this is where the car has been stored for many years.
The time has now come to get rid of the car and as she knows through my mum that I am a car fanatic,she has asked for me to give her a price for it.
The timing is actually quite good as I have just sold my immaculate W126 300 SE and always like to have an old merc about me.The only problem is that as I understand it the CL of this era is generally unloved,but judging by similar examples for sale this car is probably only worth a grand or so once the recommissioning costs are taken into account.
Is it worth getting or should I hold out for a more well regarded model???
I should add that the apartment block has a bone dry underground car park and this is where the car has been stored for many years.
They are about the most underrated car of all time. I can't see them becoming fashionable anytime soon. Personally I think time has been very kind to the looks and to my eye they are rather handsome, but taste is a matter of taste. For quality and heft they are pretty much unbeatable. You get modern suspension and refinement but old world build quality and comfort. The 420 is not fast but it is lovely and smooth. The recommissioning might worry me: there is a lot to go wrong. I suspect that were you to buy it you will find yourself wondering why everbody doesn't have one.
Good evening Marsellus ,
As coincidence would have it , I saw a C140 this very afternoon , and it got me thinking .
A chap local to me displays his CL500 at summer car shows , and other than being a huge motor car in every respect , it's rather fantastic . They are slightly unfashionable in terms of their bulk , but in terms of longevity , they appear to be superior to the later C216 models as they age .
I suspect they will , at some time , be sougt after for their true 'bank vault' build quality and imperious bulk !
As coincidence would have it , I saw a C140 this very afternoon , and it got me thinking .
A chap local to me displays his CL500 at summer car shows , and other than being a huge motor car in every respect , it's rather fantastic . They are slightly unfashionable in terms of their bulk , but in terms of longevity , they appear to be superior to the later C216 models as they age .
I suspect they will , at some time , be sougt after for their true 'bank vault' build quality and imperious bulk !
I'm a huge fan of these cars but the prospect of a 500 that had seen regular use with an up to date service history would be my punt. Cars that have been standing around for years are always a gamble, but something as complex as this is even more so. You might get lucky, or you might end up with constant hassle. I guess the question is 'Are you feeling lucky?'. 
It goes without saying, if you take the plunge, we will all want pics and stories!
It goes without saying, if you take the plunge, we will all want pics and stories!
Im going to see the car in the morning so will try and assess its condition as best I can then.The hardest part will be telling the old dear its current worth-I bet they paid a fortune for it years ago!
I suppose at a grand if it became problematic then you could just sell it for spares or break it up as a last resort.The place it has been stored is very kind to old cars-there was an 1989 F 320i E30 down there that had been there from new which I was looking at a few weeks back.Its done 50k miles and looks pristine,no paint fading,rust etc.A real'timewarp' car.
I suppose at a grand if it became problematic then you could just sell it for spares or break it up as a last resort.The place it has been stored is very kind to old cars-there was an 1989 F 320i E30 down there that had been there from new which I was looking at a few weeks back.Its done 50k miles and looks pristine,no paint fading,rust etc.A real'timewarp' car.
I went to see the car on Wednesday morning.
The lady could not find the key for it!(shes in her late 80's),but I had the chance to look around it and there is no rust anywhere,but there are a few marks-door edge chips and evidence of the odd poor repair to bumper corners etc.Interior looked okay from looking through the windows,and no fluid leaks underneath etc.The front bumper is slightly misaligned as can be seen in the pictures but no obvious damage to it or behind it.
I will report back once the key is found and I have powered it up with my snap on jump pack.
The lady could not find the key for it!(shes in her late 80's),but I had the chance to look around it and there is no rust anywhere,but there are a few marks-door edge chips and evidence of the odd poor repair to bumper corners etc.Interior looked okay from looking through the windows,and no fluid leaks underneath etc.The front bumper is slightly misaligned as can be seen in the pictures but no obvious damage to it or behind it.
I will report back once the key is found and I have powered it up with my snap on jump pack.
My parents have run a CL420 for just over 11 years now, and it's been a dream, covering nearly 60,000 miles in that time.
They purchased it from an MB Main Dealer, although have it serviced at our local Indy.
Touch wood, nothing serious as broken. From memory, the most serious thing to be replaced was a blocked injector, causing a lumpy idle which cured itself on the move.
During the first 3 years of ownership, she was stored outside, naked to the elements, and so all the window seals have had to be replaced - they aren't cheap! Also had a couple of fog lights cracked and the front bumper was painted due to stone chips. The wheels have been refurbed a couple of times, too. As you can see, none of this is essential mechanical work.
Only her regular servicing has ensured she has been a faithful companion.
More recently, I've had the opportunity to drive her a few times.
It is rather slow off the mark and wallows about in the corners, but I would be missing the point if I viewed these as negatives. It will cruise well in to naughty speeds without breaking a sweat; the seats are comfortable and supportive; the cabin is quiet thanks to the double glazing; the suspension has a "magic carpet ride" quality. For me, nothing really matters when I drive my parents' CL.
It can't "do" fast, so I don't bother trying. This results in a lovely, stress free driving experience.
And finally, if you ever run the fuel tank to empty, expect to have a hefty bill after the many hours you've stood at the pump filling it up!
IMHO, I think you should save her and enjoy C140 ownership
Darren
They purchased it from an MB Main Dealer, although have it serviced at our local Indy.
Touch wood, nothing serious as broken. From memory, the most serious thing to be replaced was a blocked injector, causing a lumpy idle which cured itself on the move.
During the first 3 years of ownership, she was stored outside, naked to the elements, and so all the window seals have had to be replaced - they aren't cheap! Also had a couple of fog lights cracked and the front bumper was painted due to stone chips. The wheels have been refurbed a couple of times, too. As you can see, none of this is essential mechanical work.
Only her regular servicing has ensured she has been a faithful companion.
More recently, I've had the opportunity to drive her a few times.
It is rather slow off the mark and wallows about in the corners, but I would be missing the point if I viewed these as negatives. It will cruise well in to naughty speeds without breaking a sweat; the seats are comfortable and supportive; the cabin is quiet thanks to the double glazing; the suspension has a "magic carpet ride" quality. For me, nothing really matters when I drive my parents' CL.
It can't "do" fast, so I don't bother trying. This results in a lovely, stress free driving experience.
And finally, if you ever run the fuel tank to empty, expect to have a hefty bill after the many hours you've stood at the pump filling it up!
IMHO, I think you should save her and enjoy C140 ownership
Darren
Edited by iluvmercs on Friday 2nd March 07:07
MarsellusWallace said:
I cant believe how little love there is for this model,looking around at what else is for sale and how much they go for.
It seems there were only a thousand or so sold in the UK during its production run across all the models in the range so it is a rare model by Mercedes standards.
You've got me looking again now! There really can't be many finer ways of travelling if my old W140 S500L was anything to go by. I even like the gargantuan appearance which is probably what is driving the prices down. Yes, to keep one fastidiously (which is what I would do) is always going to cost a pretty penny, but these have got to have reached the bottom of their depreciation curve now. They come from an era of build quality that we will never see again and one day will surely be an appreciating classic. It seems there were only a thousand or so sold in the UK during its production run across all the models in the range so it is a rare model by Mercedes standards.
slippery said:
You've got me looking again now! There really can't be many finer ways of travelling if my old W140 S500L was anything to go by. I even like the gargantuan appearance which is probably what is driving the prices down. Yes, to keep one fastidiously (which is what I would do) is always going to cost a pretty penny, but these have got to have reached the bottom of their depreciation curve now. They come from an era of build quality that we will never see again and one day will surely be an appreciating classic.
To be honest I'd never paid much attention to this model at all until this particular car came on to my radar.I think if this one doesnt come off for any reason I might even actively seek another one out-preferably a 600!
MarsellusWallace said:
slippery said:
You've got me looking again now! There really can't be many finer ways of travelling if my old W140 S500L was anything to go by. I even like the gargantuan appearance which is probably what is driving the prices down. Yes, to keep one fastidiously (which is what I would do) is always going to cost a pretty penny, but these have got to have reached the bottom of their depreciation curve now. They come from an era of build quality that we will never see again and one day will surely be an appreciating classic.
To be honest I'd never paid much attention to this model at all until this particular car came on to my radar.I think if this one doesnt come off for any reason I might even actively seek another one out-preferably a 600!
Looks nice. Can understanding wanting it - do update this thread if you do.
I was never into CLs, but I just moved to London and you see a lot of nice condition ones which really make you think - especially when you know what you can get them for. My first day in London I parked in an NCP (young street) and there's a ~2003 CL55 AMG kompressor there, with its tax about 5 months out of date. It looked brilliant under the fluorescent lighting and made me rethink my ignoring of CLs.
Only problem is, a friend has one that's been reliable up to ~170k, BUT he then had problems with ABC suspension and this is proving expensive and problematic. But I hasten to add this is the newer model than is being discussed in this thread.
I was never into CLs, but I just moved to London and you see a lot of nice condition ones which really make you think - especially when you know what you can get them for. My first day in London I parked in an NCP (young street) and there's a ~2003 CL55 AMG kompressor there, with its tax about 5 months out of date. It looked brilliant under the fluorescent lighting and made me rethink my ignoring of CLs.
Only problem is, a friend has one that's been reliable up to ~170k, BUT he then had problems with ABC suspension and this is proving expensive and problematic. But I hasten to add this is the newer model than is being discussed in this thread.
Pentoman said:
Looks nice. Can understanding wanting it - do update this thread if you do.
I was never into CLs, but I just moved to London and you see a lot of nice condition ones which really make you think - especially when you know what you can get them for. My first day in London I parked in an NCP (young street) and there's a ~2003 CL55 AMG kompressor there, with its tax about 5 months out of date. It looked brilliant under the fluorescent lighting and made me rethink my ignoring of CLs.
Only problem is, a friend has one that's been reliable up to ~170k, BUT he then had problems with ABC suspension and this is proving expensive and problematic. But I hasten to add this is the newer model than is being discussed in this thread.
I was never into CLs, but I just moved to London and you see a lot of nice condition ones which really make you think - especially when you know what you can get them for. My first day in London I parked in an NCP (young street) and there's a ~2003 CL55 AMG kompressor there, with its tax about 5 months out of date. It looked brilliant under the fluorescent lighting and made me rethink my ignoring of CLs.
Only problem is, a friend has one that's been reliable up to ~170k, BUT he then had problems with ABC suspension and this is proving expensive and problematic. But I hasten to add this is the newer model than is being discussed in this thread.
The model you are referring to is indeed the one that took a step backwards in quality. Even the top models of that era were subject to the cost cutting.....such a shame 
Back on topic, if this CL420 doesn't work out, I agree with slippery. A 500 would probably be the best of the bunch. Those M120 V12s can cost ALOT if they go wrong.
Not sure if it's really feasible, but I'll just put it out there - a Merc Specialist has a fine example of a 500 for sale: CLICKY HERE
And purely for the sake of it, this is the aforementioned parents' car.
Whatever happens with this silver car, or whatever you decide on, please keep us updated
Darren
Back on topic, if this CL420 doesn't work out, I agree with slippery. A 500 would probably be the best of the bunch. Those M120 V12s can cost ALOT if they go wrong.
Not sure if it's really feasible, but I'll just put it out there - a Merc Specialist has a fine example of a 500 for sale: CLICKY HERE
And purely for the sake of it, this is the aforementioned parents' car.
Whatever happens with this silver car, or whatever you decide on, please keep us updated
Darren
That's a fabulous example Darren, but even with the provenance and the miles, I don't think I could part with that kind of money for it. It kind of defeats the object of having one in the first place, ie lots of car for a little cash. I bet there are many lovley examples with a few more miles and a couple of owners for half that price, but if money was no object you won't find a better one.
Gassing Station | Mercedes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff