I REALLY fancy one of these
Discussion
Hello All
AS usual I am getting bored with my fleet and have put the Cerbera up for sale.
At the same time, I have now had my daily E39 M5 for nearly a year and am beginning to hanker after a bit of a change - something a bit newer??
So, I;'m thinking of chopping both cars in for a 2004/5 Mercedes CL - either the CL55AMG or CL600 bi turbo
Something like this:
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/3973087.htm
There is something just so classy about it - plus the 500HP sounds fun!
Anyone had any experiences of these???
AS usual I am getting bored with my fleet and have put the Cerbera up for sale.
At the same time, I have now had my daily E39 M5 for nearly a year and am beginning to hanker after a bit of a change - something a bit newer??
So, I;'m thinking of chopping both cars in for a 2004/5 Mercedes CL - either the CL55AMG or CL600 bi turbo
Something like this:
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/3973087.htm
There is something just so classy about it - plus the 500HP sounds fun!
Anyone had any experiences of these???
I've always fancied one of these too, the price/performance/luxury ratio is fantastic, assuming nothing goes wrong. I did some research and beyond the obvious service history, you should be careful of electronic glitches, the (active?) suspension and rusting around the doors. They were made at the height of Mercedes' "dodgy quality" period and apparently they used two different grades of metal in the body and doors, and where they touch, rust occurs due to electrolysis (or something - I forget my schoolboy chemistry). Having said that, most have been owned by wealthy elderly gents and have been well maintained, have low mileage and if you choose a goodie you could have a brilliant car.
There are a few LPG conversions floating about too which will bring running costs down, also some are old enough to qualify under the pre-2001 tax banding!
There are a few LPG conversions floating about too which will bring running costs down, also some are old enough to qualify under the pre-2001 tax banding!
I've always loved them and twice I've almost bought one but just didn't have the bottle when it came to the crunch.
As says before, they are £100k+ cars so have the running cost but buy right and you could get an 04/54 much cheaper than you think. They're big thirsty barges so won't even reach their bottom book prices. I watched many, 600s, 500s and 55s all going for silly, silly money - the best was a 54 plate CL55 with 75k that went for £6700 which was about the time I bought my ML55 (about a year ago).
When you look at the CL compared to the rest of the MB range, from that time, they have made more of an effort with the quality and the finish but they're still not up to the standard of older or newer ranges.
As says before, they are £100k+ cars so have the running cost but buy right and you could get an 04/54 much cheaper than you think. They're big thirsty barges so won't even reach their bottom book prices. I watched many, 600s, 500s and 55s all going for silly, silly money - the best was a 54 plate CL55 with 75k that went for £6700 which was about the time I bought my ML55 (about a year ago).
When you look at the CL compared to the rest of the MB range, from that time, they have made more of an effort with the quality and the finish but they're still not up to the standard of older or newer ranges.
sshenton1975 said:
Yep, Cerbie has had its day. been lots of fun bit I'm getting too old for no traction, no abs. To be honest once I got the e39 M5 I lost some interest in the Tvr.......;(
Bu99er me grandad! Your user name suggests you were born in 1975 - which makes you 36 or 37 and the same age as me! Grow up! (Umm, that came out a bit wrong. But you know what I mean!)
Oli.
Amazing how many of us have had M5s and Cerbies. Must be a rite of passage or something. Guilty. And yes, I also used to have the AMG. Nice and fast. Very thirsty though, if you drive it like you want to. I live in the US. I think, with UK petrol prices, you would need to have your own oil well. Also, it's a big car, as far as parking is concerned, but drives and handles like an M3. Point it where you want, squeeze past whatever you want, go go go. Lots of fun, though shifting can be jerky when driven in anger. Nothing breaks or anything, legendary Merc build quality (at least, in their more expensive cars). We also have a C-class, everything feels cheap and breakable, though it has held up remarkably well. But then, it's driven gently by the other half.
Edited by just me on Friday 15th June 10:08
ukwill said:
I cant see why you'd chop an M5 in for a Merc CL AMG?
Indeed my Stepdad has a CL 600 Biturbo and yes it bloody quick but Is numb and in inspiring to drive. Keep the M5
O yeah if something goes wrong it's M5 reaps ur costs and half again...... Hence why they're so cheap.
Average about 16mpg.
I coudn't agree more. I've driven several, CL500, CL600 and CL55 AMG, as well as being a passenger in a DMS tuned CL65 AMG (which remains the fastest car I've ever been in!).
I think that the rules regarding initial purchase cost vs. on-going costs is fair, both the CL and S-Class of this vintage are famous for consuming ABC (Active Body Control) components and there is a known rust problem on the doors and C-pillar (though most will have been rectified under the mobilio life warranty).
AMG brake components are also significantly more expensive than the equivanlent CL500/600 items.
But if you go into ownership after buying on condition, can find a decent Mercedes indy with access to the correct version of STAR Diagnose, and can stomach the fuel costs, then in IMHO there is really very little out there that compares in the luxury GT segment.
I think that the rules regarding initial purchase cost vs. on-going costs is fair, both the CL and S-Class of this vintage are famous for consuming ABC (Active Body Control) components and there is a known rust problem on the doors and C-pillar (though most will have been rectified under the mobilio life warranty).
AMG brake components are also significantly more expensive than the equivanlent CL500/600 items.
But if you go into ownership after buying on condition, can find a decent Mercedes indy with access to the correct version of STAR Diagnose, and can stomach the fuel costs, then in IMHO there is really very little out there that compares in the luxury GT segment.
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