W221 S600 vs W216 CL600 vs W230 SL55

[alec.e]

Looking into my next car, decided it probably will be a powerful Mercedes, looking for something luxurious, very fast and good presence.
I have a modified Jaguar Super V8 currently, so what ever I get will not remain stock, thinking remaps, exhausts, ect... Ideally something that can be made run low 11s 1/4 mile.

My thoughts are:
S600: Very luxurious, can buy newer car for the same price compared to the rest, maybe too barge like?
CL600: Much the same as above, possibly 'sportier'
SL55: Very easy to tune, best to drive, much older...

Bit of a strange comparison I know, ideally would like a SL with the Suhorovsky Design v2 bodykit and CL600 interior....

[sshenton1975]

HI chap

I like your taste in cars!

I have the 216 CL600 with AMG kit. I've had it for a year now, having previously had a E60 M5 and a 215 CL600

The engine is an absolute powerhouse - 512 HP, huge amounts of torque and remaps to 600 HP pretty easily. Mine has been slightly modified - lower suspension using the shortened sensor kit, CKS twin exhausts with smaller back boxes and remap

Be warned - these cars although amazing value for money are expensive when they go wrong. The V12 biturbo in both the S600 and CL600 WILL need new coil packs at some point - there are two of them - one per bank - and they cost £1200 just for the part!

I've been a little unlucky as my ECU just went bang and I've just spent £3000k getting it fixed.

Bit of a hard pill to swallow but there is nothing like it for the money - an AMAZING car. This was over £120K new 9 years ago!

Kit on these cars is mega - cooled, heated, massaging seats, radar controlled cruise, nav, digital tv, parking assist etc etc etc

I was looking originally at the CL63 as I prefered the looks. However I was lucky to find a CL600 with the AMG kit - much prefer the engine

You can use the paddles on the steering wheel but its a bit ponderous - nothing like a modern DSG box - to be honest, with the torque available, you dont need to bother!

The E60 M5 was much more engaging to drive when you were "on it", but I still love the CL......

I mean, just look at it!

20161006_172812 by sshenton1975, on Flickr

20161006_172754 by sshenton1975, on Flickr

Get one whilst you can!

[pancholi]

having had both a CL600, SL55, both very different cars and the S600 will be closer to the CL the then the SL.
as has been mentioned the 600’s are expensive to maintain : coil packs and ABC ( pump + struts),
the SL55 main issue is the ABC and water ingress.
good luck

[alec.e]

Thanks both for the replies.

sshenton1975, that car looks like a beast, if I did get a CL, I probably want the AMG kit on it. I have looked at the CL63s and S63, the interiors don't really do it for me as much as the V12s. Thanks for the heads up regarding coil packs, apparently you can DIY rebuild them... Sorry to hear about your ECU, any ideas what caused it?

[sshenton1975]

DIY rebuilt.of the coils looks a bit of a headache....i did consider it but decided against it! There is a US firm which refurbs them

ECU - looks like owner before me had the ecu remapped but whoever did it did not reinstall the heat protection inside and it overheated, cracking a piece of circuit board......

[pancholi]

i have yet to hear anyone do a successful rebuild of the coil packs.
a forum member purchased the US repair kit.....useless.
i have kept mine which started to misfire and were replaced in the loft in the hope that in the future they may be a reliable way of repair.
even though i don’t have a 600!!.