the W215, 500CL
Discussion
Hello all,
New to the merc section!
I am thinking of parting with my old 911 Targa after the summer and getting something a bit more grown up!
Been looking at the 500CL, 2001 model.
I fancy a big cruiser, do lots of driving to Brussels and France.
I like the understated look.
Any tips when buying, any common faults I should look for or general comments?
Could be tempted with the CL55..
Many thanks,
New to the merc section!
I am thinking of parting with my old 911 Targa after the summer and getting something a bit more grown up!
Been looking at the 500CL, 2001 model.
I fancy a big cruiser, do lots of driving to Brussels and France.
I like the understated look.
Any tips when buying, any common faults I should look for or general comments?
Could be tempted with the CL55..
Many thanks,
I've got a CL55 AMG (Kompressor) - love it to bits most comfortable drive I've had (previous was RangeRover) but things can go wrong and if they do it's gets pricey very quickly.
It's stupidly fast in a straight line so much so when I jumped in to the Chimaera last week after 3 months of it being sorn'd I was disappointed with the TVR's performance.
Things to look for/at:
Check the air suspension works
Check the air suspension fluid, if it's not like warm honey (ie: it's dirty or sludgy) I'd suggest you walk away as the ABC system is ££££££ to repair
Vibrations or a 'lurch' when you come on/off the throttle typically indicated the engine mounts and/or gearbox mounts are shot and need to be replaced (cheap parts but lots of labour to sort)
If you go for a Kompressor - check the IC Pump isn't on the way out. Once it's warn, give it a good blast slow down, hit the throttle again, slow down and repeat over and over, if it hesitated or it seams to lose it's punch then the IC pump might be knackered. About £250 to sort out.
Check for rust on the roof near the sunroof - front pillars (at the top) and on the rear near where the roof meets the body.
Check for rust under the drivers and passenger door handles.
The nearside spring control arm wears and causes a 'grinding noise' when going between 5 and 10mph over uneven roads (sleeping policemen etc)
There have been a bunch of recalls for the ABC system and hoses - make sure they've been done.
I get about 23-25 mpg on a steady motorway run and about 12-18 round town/stop go.
If you go for the AMG version be aware there are 2 versions - the Kompressor and the non-kompressor. From memory the non-Komp is about 340 bhp (might be more) but the komp is about 500 bhp.
It's stupidly fast in a straight line so much so when I jumped in to the Chimaera last week after 3 months of it being sorn'd I was disappointed with the TVR's performance.
Things to look for/at:
Check the air suspension works
Check the air suspension fluid, if it's not like warm honey (ie: it's dirty or sludgy) I'd suggest you walk away as the ABC system is ££££££ to repair
Vibrations or a 'lurch' when you come on/off the throttle typically indicated the engine mounts and/or gearbox mounts are shot and need to be replaced (cheap parts but lots of labour to sort)
If you go for a Kompressor - check the IC Pump isn't on the way out. Once it's warn, give it a good blast slow down, hit the throttle again, slow down and repeat over and over, if it hesitated or it seams to lose it's punch then the IC pump might be knackered. About £250 to sort out.
Check for rust on the roof near the sunroof - front pillars (at the top) and on the rear near where the roof meets the body.
Check for rust under the drivers and passenger door handles.
The nearside spring control arm wears and causes a 'grinding noise' when going between 5 and 10mph over uneven roads (sleeping policemen etc)
There have been a bunch of recalls for the ABC system and hoses - make sure they've been done.
I get about 23-25 mpg on a steady motorway run and about 12-18 round town/stop go.
If you go for the AMG version be aware there are 2 versions - the Kompressor and the non-kompressor. From memory the non-Komp is about 340 bhp (might be more) but the komp is about 500 bhp.
Do a search for CL in this section - there have been quite a few previous questions raised and lots of good advice.
With regard to rust, remember that much of the corrosion could be covered by the MB warranty, as long as the car has a full MB warranty. It's expensive if not though as the panels are aluminium (with a magnesium frame in places).
With regard to rust, remember that much of the corrosion could be covered by the MB warranty, as long as the car has a full MB warranty. It's expensive if not though as the panels are aluminium (with a magnesium frame in places).
EDSEL1 said:
Thanks for all the info.
I think I will go for the non AMG version for now.
The rust problem seems to be common.
Might start test driving this weekend....
To be honest, I'd go for a N/A CL55 - basically one that was made before the end of 2002 (and the facelift). You get pretty reasonable MPG, lots of toys and they have a certain rarity factor. The CL500 is certainly more common ...I think I will go for the non AMG version for now.
The rust problem seems to be common.
Might start test driving this weekend....
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