A Mercedes CL500 (C140)?
Discussion
Hi,
I wanted to ask the combined PH wisdom here for your thoughts. At long last, I think it's time for the old XJ to go. My conundrum has always been what to replace it with. It has always been phenomenally reliable, very comfortable, surprisingly able on the twisty bits and capable (just) of fitting four adults on the rare occasion I need to. I have an S2K for fun, so this is the motorway muncher, or the car I use if I need to move objects bigger than a rucksack (though the X300 boot isn't exactly capacious either).
I'm happy to spend money on maintaining the car to a high standard, so long as that isn't ruinously expensive to do, but I'm less than keen to fork out a lot of money on buying something I'll use once or twice a week (I walk to work) and will then fill with crap from the garden centre. So I don't intend to spend more than about £4,000. For that, I need:
- A decent amount of reliability (a car which is "temperamental" would royally piss me off)
- The ability to fit four adults on occasion (i.e. three passengers)
- The ability to fit suitcases / other crap (I can borrow a friend's van or employ someone if I need to move furniture)
- Reasonably fun to drive - I like a barge, but I don't want to get seasick when I drive "energetically".
- A good looking car (the debate about whether the C140 is good looking will never be settled - I like it).
So I'm looking at a late C140 CL 500 from the very end of the production run in (what appears to be) very good condition. For the money I could get an early W215 at the bottom of the price range, but I understand that they are prone to problems, rust, and general headaches.
What I need to know is:
- Are there any specific problems I should be looking out for when I go to view?
- Will it meet my requirements?
If no, what else do you suggest?
Thanks for your help!!
I wanted to ask the combined PH wisdom here for your thoughts. At long last, I think it's time for the old XJ to go. My conundrum has always been what to replace it with. It has always been phenomenally reliable, very comfortable, surprisingly able on the twisty bits and capable (just) of fitting four adults on the rare occasion I need to. I have an S2K for fun, so this is the motorway muncher, or the car I use if I need to move objects bigger than a rucksack (though the X300 boot isn't exactly capacious either).
I'm happy to spend money on maintaining the car to a high standard, so long as that isn't ruinously expensive to do, but I'm less than keen to fork out a lot of money on buying something I'll use once or twice a week (I walk to work) and will then fill with crap from the garden centre. So I don't intend to spend more than about £4,000. For that, I need:
- A decent amount of reliability (a car which is "temperamental" would royally piss me off)
- The ability to fit four adults on occasion (i.e. three passengers)
- The ability to fit suitcases / other crap (I can borrow a friend's van or employ someone if I need to move furniture)
- Reasonably fun to drive - I like a barge, but I don't want to get seasick when I drive "energetically".
- A good looking car (the debate about whether the C140 is good looking will never be settled - I like it).
So I'm looking at a late C140 CL 500 from the very end of the production run in (what appears to be) very good condition. For the money I could get an early W215 at the bottom of the price range, but I understand that they are prone to problems, rust, and general headaches.
What I need to know is:
- Are there any specific problems I should be looking out for when I go to view?
- Will it meet my requirements?
If no, what else do you suggest?
Thanks for your help!!
I have recently been keen on getting one of these myself. I know it's a cliche, but the W140 definitely was one of the last of the "proper" over-engineered Mercedes. However, they are an old car now so you would want to check that all the electric gizmos (soft close doors, rear park assist post thingies) are working. I'm sure someone more knowledgable than me will be able to give you better advice. Otherwise perhaps a Lexus LS 430?
MarsellusWallace said:
There was quite a lengthy thread on this subject in the Mercedes Benz section a few weeks back.
Sorry - I had read the thread when I was looking into them, but it had gone way OT, and doesn't address the specific questions I raised (or reach the audience of this forum!!)Haggleburyfinius said:
I think cars like this are such a gamble that you may as well get an early next gen car...they look so much prettier!
I think that is terrible advice, the next gen is famous for rust and breaking down a lot. Although I do agree they are prettier.Late W140s are a pretty good bet IMO, I have run mind for two years now with no issues and every toy on it still works.
Ben
BigBen said:
Haggleburyfinius said:
I think cars like this are such a gamble that you may as well get an early next gen car...they look so much prettier!
I think that is terrible advice, the next gen is famous for rust and breaking down a lot. Although I do agree they are prettier.Late W140s are a pretty good bet IMO, I have run mind for two years now with no issues and every toy on it still works.
Ben
Your car could land you a huge bill tomorrow, no?
Mine was a CL420. I had it for almost two years. It was a 1997 which I had bought in 2003 with 30000 miles on the clock and six MB service stamps.
This is what I spent on it:
£3k servicing and repairs (including rear view mirror had a lose pin so it shook slightly, whole unit had to be changed £420 due to auto dimmer and rain sensor on the unit, windscreen wiper change £100, new tyres £720, aircon condensor £700 (mainly labour charge to take the dash out to replace done by MB specialist while MB Dealer quoted me £1500 because there are two condensor units but specialist said latter one was ok)).
I enjoyed the luxury it offered but looking back, I would say I got a duff one even though it was fully MB stamped. The kick-down on the automatic gearbox was a bit erratic. Some times a small touch and it would kick down, some times you stamp on the gas and it doesn't kick down. Stability control jerked the car side to side when going slightly fast on a tight roundabout (I'm not talking really fast). So I would say electrics were playing up on my car.
CL420 is too slow and too little power anyway so yes definitely go for CL500 if you are getting one.
My advice is to see the invoice/receipts for the service history. Walk away if there is none and only service stamps. But then I use this rule for any car I buy now.
This is what I spent on it:
£3k servicing and repairs (including rear view mirror had a lose pin so it shook slightly, whole unit had to be changed £420 due to auto dimmer and rain sensor on the unit, windscreen wiper change £100, new tyres £720, aircon condensor £700 (mainly labour charge to take the dash out to replace done by MB specialist while MB Dealer quoted me £1500 because there are two condensor units but specialist said latter one was ok)).
I enjoyed the luxury it offered but looking back, I would say I got a duff one even though it was fully MB stamped. The kick-down on the automatic gearbox was a bit erratic. Some times a small touch and it would kick down, some times you stamp on the gas and it doesn't kick down. Stability control jerked the car side to side when going slightly fast on a tight roundabout (I'm not talking really fast). So I would say electrics were playing up on my car.
CL420 is too slow and too little power anyway so yes definitely go for CL500 if you are getting one.
My advice is to see the invoice/receipts for the service history. Walk away if there is none and only service stamps. But then I use this rule for any car I buy now.
leef44 said:
Stability control jerked the car side to side when going slightly fast on a tight roundabout (I'm not talking really fast). So I would say electrics were playing up on my car.
I had this problem on my SL500 after I changed the rear tyres. I had all the wheel alignment checked, there were no fault codes showing. I finally got rid of it by changing the front tyres as well. From my experience the ESP is very sensitive to the tyres on the car.Haggleburyfinius said:
BigBen said:
Haggleburyfinius said:
I think cars like this are such a gamble that you may as well get an early next gen car...they look so much prettier!
I think that is terrible advice, the next gen is famous for rust and breaking down a lot. Although I do agree they are prettier.Late W140s are a pretty good bet IMO, I have run mind for two years now with no issues and every toy on it still works.
Ben
Your car could land you a huge bill tomorrow, no?
The W140 is not a model I have any experience of BUT it doesn't tend to work this way with old Benz's. A 20 year old W124 was one of the most reliable cars I've ever had, it would run up and down the country every day and not make one mutter or groan. A 5 year E-class CDI though, I would be worried. The older the better!
Why not a good W126?
Edited by SuperHangOn on Sunday 8th April 16:38
SuperHangOn said:
Any used car is a gamble somewhat, I've just spent over £600 repairing my Mondeo and that was mates rates.
The W140 is not a model I have any experience of BUT it doesn't tend to work this way with old Benz's. A 20 year old W124 was one of the most reliable cars I've ever had, it would run up and down the country every day and not make one mutter or groan. A 5 year E-class CDI though, I would be worried. The older the better!
Why not a good W126?
The W140 is not a model I have any experience of BUT it doesn't tend to work this way with old Benz's. A 20 year old W124 was one of the most reliable cars I've ever had, it would run up and down the country every day and not make one mutter or groan. A 5 year E-class CDI though, I would be worried. The older the better!
Why not a good W126?
Edited by SuperHangOn on Sunday 8th April 16:38
126 is a bit too "gangland boss" for me!
Haggleburyfinius said:
BigBen said:
Haggleburyfinius said:
I think cars like this are such a gamble that you may as well get an early next gen car...they look so much prettier!
I think that is terrible advice, the next gen is famous for rust and breaking down a lot. Although I do agree they are prettier.Late W140s are a pretty good bet IMO, I have run mind for two years now with no issues and every toy on it still works.
Ben
Your car could land you a huge bill tomorrow, no?
The suspension and some parts on the C/W140 are complicated but most of it is very old tech on the electronics. It is 1980's stuff and a lot of things can be fixed with a multimeter rather than a diagnostic machine.
The aforementioned aircon evap is a common and expensive failure and wobbles through the suspension can be an expensive and time consuming issue. The basic drievtrain is shared with any other Merc from the same era.
Pre 1996 models have wiring loom issues, later ones do not, but they rust so it is horses for courses. If you find a 1996-1999 one with history and no rust which drives OK and the aircon is cold buy it.
I've just disposed of a S500 I've run for 8 months and not had to spend a penny apart from fuel. Sailed through its MOT but the most I could get for it was £1000 and it had almost full Merc history. Mind you, I only paid £800.
Don't over pay for one - there is virtually no demand and most are being bought to be broken and spares sold in Eastern Europe.
The aforementioned aircon evap is a common and expensive failure and wobbles through the suspension can be an expensive and time consuming issue. The basic drievtrain is shared with any other Merc from the same era.
Pre 1996 models have wiring loom issues, later ones do not, but they rust so it is horses for courses. If you find a 1996-1999 one with history and no rust which drives OK and the aircon is cold buy it.
I've just disposed of a S500 I've run for 8 months and not had to spend a penny apart from fuel. Sailed through its MOT but the most I could get for it was £1000 and it had almost full Merc history. Mind you, I only paid £800.
Don't over pay for one - there is virtually no demand and most are being bought to be broken and spares sold in Eastern Europe.
confused_buyer said:
Lots of useful things......
Thanks, that's really helpful - I'll bear that in mind. It's a post facelift I'm after - from what I hear, rust can still be a problem, but the 215s seem to eat themselves with rust and there's no comparison.I'm amazed at the variation in prices - it seems that if a garage has a big enough working capital, they can leave these sitting on the forecourt with a £10k price tag, and simply wait 18 months until some sucker is prepared to fork the money out!
leef44: thanks for the advice - it does sound as though you were unlucky with the timing of all the problems hitting the fan!! TBH, if it averages out at £1.5k per annum for servicing and maintenance, so long as it never leaves me in a cloud of steam at the side of the road, I can probably be quite happy given what I'm intending to pay for one!
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