Cheap Merc CL vs SL
Discussion
I'm fairly determined to buy myself a toy in the new year, and I'm homing in on Mercs, preferably with a V8 and at the top end of the range originally... and the bottom end of the range now 
I have regular motorway trips to do now, and I fancy burbling along in massive comfort... but my total mileage is still low, so who cares about mpg
Budget is £3k or so - I could go higher, but this is the sort of money I could afford to lose it if everything borks massively.
And it seems like bork is pretty much a given for these cars! However, it will be a second car for me and I'm handy with spanners and a multimeter, so I'm not entirely afraid of doing some work and I'm unlikely to have to pay a garage, which makes things less worrying.
With the CL, I'd get the 500 engine and ABC suspension... all the very cheap ones are "very cheap due to ABC fault" and sitting on their bump stops.
I assume the CL is more quiet luxury GT cruiser than the SL? CL has the advantage of the tiny back seats which means the dog could come with me and my wife, but that would be a rare thing as my wife's car has a yearly car park permit where we usually go for long dog walks.
With the SL, I get the extra bork of the folding top... but then, you get a folding top
And if the folding top stops folding, how does the SL compare to the CL as a fixed-head coupe?
Also there's the option of the 350, more choice available and cheaper in general, and which it seems may well have similar real-world performance to the 500, it's about 50bhp down but a bit lighter... and normal suspension, not the ABC... but then does that affect the cruising comfort? And would I forever miss the extra 2 cylinders??
So can anyone with experience of some/all of these models give me some reviews and comparisons?
(I don't need links to adverts... I've probably already got it saved if it's on AT/Gumtree/ebay/FB!)
I have regular motorway trips to do now, and I fancy burbling along in massive comfort... but my total mileage is still low, so who cares about mpg
Budget is £3k or so - I could go higher, but this is the sort of money I could afford to lose it if everything borks massively.
And it seems like bork is pretty much a given for these cars! However, it will be a second car for me and I'm handy with spanners and a multimeter, so I'm not entirely afraid of doing some work and I'm unlikely to have to pay a garage, which makes things less worrying.
With the CL, I'd get the 500 engine and ABC suspension... all the very cheap ones are "very cheap due to ABC fault" and sitting on their bump stops.
I assume the CL is more quiet luxury GT cruiser than the SL? CL has the advantage of the tiny back seats which means the dog could come with me and my wife, but that would be a rare thing as my wife's car has a yearly car park permit where we usually go for long dog walks.
With the SL, I get the extra bork of the folding top... but then, you get a folding top
And if the folding top stops folding, how does the SL compare to the CL as a fixed-head coupe?
Also there's the option of the 350, more choice available and cheaper in general, and which it seems may well have similar real-world performance to the 500, it's about 50bhp down but a bit lighter... and normal suspension, not the ABC... but then does that affect the cruising comfort? And would I forever miss the extra 2 cylinders??
So can anyone with experience of some/all of these models give me some reviews and comparisons?
(I don't need links to adverts... I've probably already got it saved if it's on AT/Gumtree/ebay/FB!)
Based on my driving experiences over the years…
C215 CL vs R230 SL: CL definitely more refined, quieter. Not that much in it for handling, at least as far as I can remember, maybe the SL was a tiny bit more agile (? it was a long time ago).
SL 350 vs 500: I much preferred the V8. I’ve tried two 350s, one pre facelift and one post facelift. Both are good cruisers, and the later ones are very close (the same?) to an early 500 for pace, but you really have to get them up in the revs, whereas somehow the 500 feels a bit more effortless. The later V6 sounded good to my ears, but a V8 is a V8. Can’t remember differences on the suspension, but after more recent experiences in a C216 CL vs my W220, the ABC is always awe inspiring, but the non-ABC feels more natural to me.
In all honesty though, there are no bad choices here, apart from the engine issues with the early facelift 350. You will find bork whichever way you go.
C215 CL vs R230 SL: CL definitely more refined, quieter. Not that much in it for handling, at least as far as I can remember, maybe the SL was a tiny bit more agile (? it was a long time ago).
SL 350 vs 500: I much preferred the V8. I’ve tried two 350s, one pre facelift and one post facelift. Both are good cruisers, and the later ones are very close (the same?) to an early 500 for pace, but you really have to get them up in the revs, whereas somehow the 500 feels a bit more effortless. The later V6 sounded good to my ears, but a V8 is a V8. Can’t remember differences on the suspension, but after more recent experiences in a C216 CL vs my W220, the ABC is always awe inspiring, but the non-ABC feels more natural to me.
In all honesty though, there are no bad choices here, apart from the engine issues with the early facelift 350. You will find bork whichever way you go.
It's definitely an R230 I'd be looking at.
I've got a nasty feeling that I'd run a CL for 6 months to a year as per the plan (done this before alongside my normal boring car, last one was a cheap E46 vert)... but an SL I might want to keep
Sadly, I'm tucked away in west Wales, and there are basically none around here for me to go and try.
CLK500 convertibles are also vaguely on the radar...
I've got a nasty feeling that I'd run a CL for 6 months to a year as per the plan (done this before alongside my normal boring car, last one was a cheap E46 vert)... but an SL I might want to keep
Sadly, I'm tucked away in west Wales, and there are basically none around here for me to go and try.
CLK500 convertibles are also vaguely on the radar...
defblade said:
It's definitely an R230 I'd be looking at.
I've got a nasty feeling that I'd run a CL for 6 months to a year as per the plan (done this before alongside my normal boring car, last one was a cheap E46 vert)... but an SL I might want to keep
Sadly, I'm tucked away in west Wales, and there are basically none around here for me to go and try.
CLK500 convertibles are also vaguely on the radar...
Stretch the budget & buy this CLK55 AMG it's a very rare facelift model so it gets all the CLK63 AMG setup/interior & unless there is something savagely wrong with it, then it's a bargain & you won't be losing money for a while.I've got a nasty feeling that I'd run a CL for 6 months to a year as per the plan (done this before alongside my normal boring car, last one was a cheap E46 vert)... but an SL I might want to keep
Sadly, I'm tucked away in west Wales, and there are basically none around here for me to go and try.
CLK500 convertibles are also vaguely on the radar...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405019...
500:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411226...
These make more sense than the CL/SL.
With the SL you have to remember that they'll leak & when they do it's all over the electronics, the first sign is the central locking starts to play up & if you don't catch it early enough it gets worse from there.
Ask me how I know??
The CL is the slightly more wallet friendly option of the two, it's also imo the more ugly one out of the two,
Personally I'd take (yes I'm slightly bias) CLK over both.
CL500:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407272...
ZX10R NIN said:
Stretch the budget & buy this CLK55 AMG it's a very rare facelift model so it gets all the CLK63 AMG setup/interior & unless there is something savagely wrong with it, then it's a bargain & you won't be losing money for a while.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405019...
500:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411226...
These make more sense than the CL/SL.
With the SL you have to remember that they'll leak & when they do it's all over the electronics, the first sign is the central locking starts to play up & if you don't catch it early enough it gets worse from there.
Ask me how I know??
The CL is the slightly more wallet friendly option of the two, it's also imo the more ugly one out of the two,
Personally I'd take (yes I'm slightly bias) CLK over both.
CL500:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407272...
The 55 looks good, but bloody hell they've had to drop the price!https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405019...
500:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411226...
These make more sense than the CL/SL.
With the SL you have to remember that they'll leak & when they do it's all over the electronics, the first sign is the central locking starts to play up & if you don't catch it early enough it gets worse from there.
Ask me how I know??
The CL is the slightly more wallet friendly option of the two, it's also imo the more ugly one out of the two,
Personally I'd take (yes I'm slightly bias) CLK over both.
CL500:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407272...
That CLK 500 is what put them on the list.
And a slightly pricey CL given the "lost" service history, but what a colour!
Still keen on the SLs though...
Defblade
My dear chap the phrase 'Cheap CL' is a never going to happen.
I speak from experience having run a C215 for 7 years & C216 for a similar time and I still own.
You will find on here gentlemen who also run C140s.
These cars are enormously complicated with multiple circulatory systems e.g. compressed air, ABC Pentosin, as well as a myriad of electronics.
Regardless of age budget on £2500 p.a just to keep them straight... I shudder to think how any £3k CL's for sale would have had various service items skimped and bodged.
However.. I would suggest looking for a decent R129, V8s will always be more pricey... but you might catch one before prices start going north... Simpler mechanics for home fetlling... Have a look on You Tube High Peak Autos.. he did a great review/ fix a upper.
My dear chap the phrase 'Cheap CL' is a never going to happen.
I speak from experience having run a C215 for 7 years & C216 for a similar time and I still own.
You will find on here gentlemen who also run C140s.
These cars are enormously complicated with multiple circulatory systems e.g. compressed air, ABC Pentosin, as well as a myriad of electronics.
Regardless of age budget on £2500 p.a just to keep them straight... I shudder to think how any £3k CL's for sale would have had various service items skimped and bodged.
However.. I would suggest looking for a decent R129, V8s will always be more pricey... but you might catch one before prices start going north... Simpler mechanics for home fetlling... Have a look on You Tube High Peak Autos.. he did a great review/ fix a upper.
Personally I think that budget is only going to buy problems.
I ran an R129 500 for 5 years and currently have a late 2012 R230 500 but paid upper range for both which has (thus far) worked out. Once they're on the slide to neglect rectifying a complex car will be painful. The cash you save on entry will be overtaken by repairs.
Which one you prefer is personal choice but for me the R230 is significantly better car which if looked after and the boot kept dry will be fine. The two caveats are early ABC cars and 3.7 v6's which suffer balancer shaft issues, the rest you need to buy on condition.
ETA at 3k the CLK's are a better bet but not as special imo.
I ran an R129 500 for 5 years and currently have a late 2012 R230 500 but paid upper range for both which has (thus far) worked out. Once they're on the slide to neglect rectifying a complex car will be painful. The cash you save on entry will be overtaken by repairs.
Which one you prefer is personal choice but for me the R230 is significantly better car which if looked after and the boot kept dry will be fine. The two caveats are early ABC cars and 3.7 v6's which suffer balancer shaft issues, the rest you need to buy on condition.
ETA at 3k the CLK's are a better bet but not as special imo.
Edited by Venisonpie on Saturday 28th December 05:18
defblade said:
The 55 looks good, but bloody hell they've had to drop the price!
That CLK 500 is what put them on the list.
And a slightly pricey CL given the "lost" service history, but what a colour!
Still keen on the SLs though...
Look at all the others & they nearly double & none are the facelift model, that car is a bit of a (as long as everything checks out) & imo will be less problematic & more special than a 350/500 R230.That CLK 500 is what put them on the list.
And a slightly pricey CL given the "lost" service history, but what a colour!
Still keen on the SLs though...
Don't get me wrong I loved my SL55 so much I bought it back 3 times but boy did it cost a bit to maintain.
Seals lubed every 4 months drainange channels every 6 numerous modules (some of these were because the other owners hadn't maintained the roof) ABC pump x2 SBC pump x 1 all the struts over my ownerships & the list goes on.
My CLK's just run whilst at the same time putting a smile on my face.
I'm not discounting the R230 but at your price point you're really looking at a 3.7 350 which does cancel any potential ABC issues but doesn't imo get you a special car:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407242...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411256...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404309...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410295...
For similar money you could potentially have a full fat AMG, having had both the AMG V8 trumps the v6.
AndrewCrown said:
Defblade
My dear chap the phrase 'Cheap CL' is a never going to happen.
I speak from experience having run a C215 for 7 years & C216 for a similar time and I still own.
You will find on here gentlemen who also run C140s.
These cars are enormously complicated with multiple circulatory systems e.g. compressed air, ABC Pentosin, as well as a myriad of electronics.
Regardless of age budget on £2500 p.a just to keep them straight... I shudder to think how any £3k CL's for sale would have had various service items skimped and bodged.
However.. I would suggest looking for a decent R129, V8s will always be more pricey... but you might catch one before prices start going north... Simpler mechanics for home fetlling... Have a look on You Tube High Peak Autos.. he did a great review/ fix a upper.
In my experience cheap R129s drive like a bag of spanners. By the time you've spent money on catching up with the last 10yrs maintenance you may as well have bought a decent one and saved the trouble. My dear chap the phrase 'Cheap CL' is a never going to happen.
I speak from experience having run a C215 for 7 years & C216 for a similar time and I still own.
You will find on here gentlemen who also run C140s.
These cars are enormously complicated with multiple circulatory systems e.g. compressed air, ABC Pentosin, as well as a myriad of electronics.
Regardless of age budget on £2500 p.a just to keep them straight... I shudder to think how any £3k CL's for sale would have had various service items skimped and bodged.
However.. I would suggest looking for a decent R129, V8s will always be more pricey... but you might catch one before prices start going north... Simpler mechanics for home fetlling... Have a look on You Tube High Peak Autos.. he did a great review/ fix a upper.
ZX10R NIN said:
Look at all the others & they nearly double & none are the facelift model, that car is a bit of a (as long as everything checks out) & imo will be less problematic & more special than a 350/500 R230.
Don't get me wrong I loved my SL55 so much I bought it back 3 times but boy did it cost a bit to maintain.
Seals lubed every 4 months drainange channels every 6 numerous modules (some of these were because the other owners hadn't maintained the roof) ABC pump x2 SBC pump x 1 all the struts over my ownerships & the list goes on.
My CLK's just run whilst at the same time putting a smile on my face.
I'm not discounting the R230 but at your price point you're really looking at a 3.7 350 which does cancel any potential ABC issues but doesn't imo get you a special car:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407242...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411256...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404309...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410295...
For similar money you could potentially have a full fat AMG, having had both the AMG V8 trumps the v6.
Just watched this video which echoes a lot of the comments above.Don't get me wrong I loved my SL55 so much I bought it back 3 times but boy did it cost a bit to maintain.
Seals lubed every 4 months drainange channels every 6 numerous modules (some of these were because the other owners hadn't maintained the roof) ABC pump x2 SBC pump x 1 all the struts over my ownerships & the list goes on.
My CLK's just run whilst at the same time putting a smile on my face.
I'm not discounting the R230 but at your price point you're really looking at a 3.7 350 which does cancel any potential ABC issues but doesn't imo get you a special car:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407242...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411256...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404309...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410295...
For similar money you could potentially have a full fat AMG, having had both the AMG V8 trumps the v6.
But damn it's a pretty car!
I just never saw myself in one of these, and I still really like the idea that I could be. Might be worth saving up a few months, extending the budget to 5 or 6 and being picky about finding a good one.
Or going CLK.
Happily, there's no rush
On the links in the quoted post, the first 3 were already favourited; the last one I was discounting due to the odd wire in the boot:
Which I now guess is running between the battery and the control module, but bloody hell that's bodgy - at the very least make it loose enough to follow the contours, preferably tuck it under the trim. Unless there are connectors for a battery conditioner on the end, in which case, maybe it's a well looked after one??? Ach, I'll stick it on favourites anyway for now
None of the (several/many) R230 videos I've watched has mentioned any engine balancer problems with the V6 though?
defblade said:
ZX10R NIN said:
Look at all the others & they nearly double & none are the facelift model, that car is a bit of a (as long as everything checks out) & imo will be less problematic & more special than a 350/500 R230.
Don't get me wrong I loved my SL55 so much I bought it back 3 times but boy did it cost a bit to maintain.
Seals lubed every 4 months drainange channels every 6 numerous modules (some of these were because the other owners hadn't maintained the roof) ABC pump x2 SBC pump x 1 all the struts over my ownerships & the list goes on.
My CLK's just run whilst at the same time putting a smile on my face.
I'm not discounting the R230 but at your price point you're really looking at a 3.7 350 which does cancel any potential ABC issues but doesn't imo get you a special car:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407242...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411256...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404309...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410295...
For similar money you could potentially have a full fat AMG, having had both the AMG V8 trumps the v6.
Just watched this video which echoes a lot of the comments above.Don't get me wrong I loved my SL55 so much I bought it back 3 times but boy did it cost a bit to maintain.
Seals lubed every 4 months drainange channels every 6 numerous modules (some of these were because the other owners hadn't maintained the roof) ABC pump x2 SBC pump x 1 all the struts over my ownerships & the list goes on.
My CLK's just run whilst at the same time putting a smile on my face.
I'm not discounting the R230 but at your price point you're really looking at a 3.7 350 which does cancel any potential ABC issues but doesn't imo get you a special car:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407242...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411256...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404309...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410295...
For similar money you could potentially have a full fat AMG, having had both the AMG V8 trumps the v6.
But damn it's a pretty car!
I just never saw myself in one of these, and I still really like the idea that I could be. Might be worth saving up a few months, extending the budget to 5 or 6 and being picky about finding a good one.
Or going CLK.
Happily, there's no rush
On the links in the quoted post, the first 3 were already favourited; the last one I was discounting due to the odd wire in the boot:
Which I now guess is running between the battery and the control module, but bloody hell that's bodgy - at the very least make it loose enough to follow the contours, preferably tuck it under the trim. Unless there are connectors for a battery conditioner on the end, in which case, maybe it's a well looked after one??? Ach, I'll stick it on favourites anyway for now
None of the (several/many) R230 videos I've watched has mentioned any engine balancer problems with the V6 though?
I would definitely try and buy the best you can within your budget. These are complex cars and unless you are handy with spanner’s will need a reserve fund for the unexpected. I have just bought one a 2011 r230 350sl and I found the SPR Autos videos very useful. Sorry not sure how to post links to other YouTube videos.
Edited by PhilkSVR on Saturday 28th December 11:42
trevalvole said:
Venisonpie said:
The two caveats are early ABC cars and 3.7 v6's which suffer balancer shaft issues, the rest you need to buy on condition.
The 3.7 V6 M112 does not suffer balancer shaft issues; it is the early 3.5 V6 M272 that does.I used to have a CL (W215) and prefer them lookswise over the 216 personally - and would say they're definitely a different character from a CLK. I took mine to about 120k miles but finally had to call time on the adventure when the about half the electronics gave up - CD player, radio, satnav, SRS system, windows - all decided to retire from active service between 100k and 120k miles. Mercedes quoted about £7k to fix it all (in fact I told them to stop when they got to 7k, they may not even have got to the end of the list). The ABC system, door locks, MAF (in France on the way back from Le Mans), coilpacks (I think) and rear 3/4 panels had all been replaced by that point.
Car I'd love to have back, if I had enough funds to completely ignore the economics of keeping it on the road, even if everything is pretty old tech now.
Car I'd love to have back, if I had enough funds to completely ignore the economics of keeping it on the road, even if everything is pretty old tech now.
defblade said:
Just watched this video which echoes a lot of the comments above.
But damn it's a pretty car!
I just never saw myself in one of these, and I still really like the idea that I could be. Might be worth saving up a few months, extending the budget to 5 or 6 and being picky about finding a good one.
Or going CLK.
Happily, there's no rush
On the links in the quoted post, the first 3 were already favourited; the last one I was discounting due to the odd wire in the boot:
Which I now guess is running between the battery and the control module, but bloody hell that's bodgy - at the very least make it loose enough to follow the contours, preferably tuck it under the trim. Unless there are connectors for a battery conditioner on the end, in which case, maybe it's a well looked after one??? Ach, I'll stick it on favourites anyway for now
None of the (several/many) R230 videos I've watched has mentioned any engine balancer problems with the V6 though?
Balancer shaft issues only affected early 3.5's upto 2009 the 3.7 really didn't have issues.But damn it's a pretty car!
I just never saw myself in one of these, and I still really like the idea that I could be. Might be worth saving up a few months, extending the budget to 5 or 6 and being picky about finding a good one.
Or going CLK.
Happily, there's no rush
On the links in the quoted post, the first 3 were already favourited; the last one I was discounting due to the odd wire in the boot:
Which I now guess is running between the battery and the control module, but bloody hell that's bodgy - at the very least make it loose enough to follow the contours, preferably tuck it under the trim. Unless there are connectors for a battery conditioner on the end, in which case, maybe it's a well looked after one??? Ach, I'll stick it on favourites anyway for now
None of the (several/many) R230 videos I've watched has mentioned any engine balancer problems with the V6 though?
ZX10R NIN said:
Stretch the budget & buy this CLK55 AMG it's a very rare facelift model so it gets all the CLK63 AMG setup/interior & unless there is something savagely wrong with it, then it's a bargain & you won't be losing money for a while.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405019...
500:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411226...
These make more sense than the CL/SL.
With the SL you have to remember that they'll leak & when they do it's all over the electronics, the first sign is the central locking starts to play up & if you don't catch it early enough it gets worse from there.
Ask me how I know??
The CL is the slightly more wallet friendly option of the two, it's also imo the more ugly one out of the two,
Personally I'd take (yes I'm slightly bias) CLK over both.
CL500:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407272...
Sorry to join and potentially divert this thread but I hadn't realised V8 CLKs had dropped to this level. This CLK55 is taunting me because it seems so cheap for a reasonably well regarded V8 AMG and it's not too far from me, but it seems to have been advertised since April, I can't work out the reg plate to check the MOT history, and it looks like the SRS light is on. Doom?https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405019...
500:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411226...
These make more sense than the CL/SL.
With the SL you have to remember that they'll leak & when they do it's all over the electronics, the first sign is the central locking starts to play up & if you don't catch it early enough it gets worse from there.
Ask me how I know??
The CL is the slightly more wallet friendly option of the two, it's also imo the more ugly one out of the two,
Personally I'd take (yes I'm slightly bias) CLK over both.
CL500:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407272...
TVR Sagaris said:
Sorry to join and potentially divert this thread but I hadn't realised V8 CLKs had dropped to this level.
No diversion, it's all good 
I started off a while ago saying "I want a V8 while I still can", that morphed into a £6-8k-ish v8 estate to make it a useful thing in my life, but then I realised how much I don't want to part with my boring car (Skoda Rapid), because it does most stuff so well, and pretty comfortably, and .... boringly. I've had well over 5 years now... I did run an E46 vert for 6 months alongside as a change, but that's 3 years ago now, I'm bored again. Hence looking at disposable toy level cars.
The CLK convertible, even in a 500, is possibly a bit too close in nature to the E46 vert to really call to me... the CL and SL are both something I've never had. In fact, never had a Merc; talking similar cars, other possibles to scratch this itch include the A8, but I've had 2 A6s and they just don't seem that different; or maybe a 6 or 7 series BM - I've had several BMWs, I'd be hapy with another - but the V8s in budget are also known to be bork-fests. Hence the Merc focus.
I know the SL350 is only a V6, but I'd put up with that for the rest of the car! It balances out against ABC problems.
I was just watching a video talking about the '06 facelift, how the newer V6s have more power bringing them close to the V8 performance; and another about how the water sealing and electrics were improved at the same time, thought OK, maybe an '06-'08 350 would be the one to go for, again balancing the extra VED against lower bork... then I come back on here to see these are the balancer problem engines... there's no winning!
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