W215 or W216 CL?
Discussion
Both are excellent, underrated and elegant cars.
Both versions are capable of wallet-emptying bills too, and many have fallen foul of skimped maintenance; as the value drops they do fall into the hands of those who can’t afford the upkeep.
I prefer the look of the 215, I’ve got my eye on a local-to-me 2005 car at the moment, but feel the 216 ABC May be more robust from what I’ve read.
My son recently sold a 215 CL600, which was hugely impressive.
Try both, but buy on condition alone I think.
I’ve just realised that this is probably of no use to you at all!
Both versions are capable of wallet-emptying bills too, and many have fallen foul of skimped maintenance; as the value drops they do fall into the hands of those who can’t afford the upkeep.
I prefer the look of the 215, I’ve got my eye on a local-to-me 2005 car at the moment, but feel the 216 ABC May be more robust from what I’ve read.
My son recently sold a 215 CL600, which was hugely impressive.
Try both, but buy on condition alone I think.
I’ve just realised that this is probably of no use to you at all!
Thanks for your thoughts.
For me the W215 is already heading towards modern classic while the W216 isn't there yet.
I know that both are complicated and can be expensive to maintain, but I'm trying to decide between the two taking account of those factors ie do I buy more modern which may be the more complicated car, or do I go with the older one with more classic looks.
Also standard 500, 55, or 600 depending on which model?
For me the W215 is already heading towards modern classic while the W216 isn't there yet.
I know that both are complicated and can be expensive to maintain, but I'm trying to decide between the two taking account of those factors ie do I buy more modern which may be the more complicated car, or do I go with the older one with more classic looks.
Also standard 500, 55, or 600 depending on which model?
This is something I wrote before I acquired my two C215 CL600s (both have the M275 mapped to 650 bhp / 1014 Nm with Quaife diffs, as does my C216).
I'd look for a C215 for a more sporting drive & a C216 if luxury & refinement are the priority. Objectively the C216 is the better car...the question is though...is it the more fun car?
I'd look for a C215 for a more sporting drive & a C216 if luxury & refinement are the priority. Objectively the C216 is the better car...the question is though...is it the more fun car?
Penguinracer said:
Boring history lesson alert - but this explains why to be cautious of the C215 / W220.
The C215 was arguably an over-reaction to the C140 / W140 cars.
The W140 was late to market (1991 rather than 1989 as planned, due to a 2-year delay to develop the M120 V12 motor to counter the BMW E32's M70 V12).
Being launched into a recession, it was consequently perceived as being too large, too heavy and too aggressive in its styling.
The W140 was built virtually without consequence to cost & ran way over budget. Given that it sold in about half the numbers of the preceding W126 the push was on to replace it with a smaller, lighter, lower cost model - the W220.
Corners were cut on quality of steel, plastic, electronics etc. The legislated move to water-based paints in 1996 caused rust problems for M-B & they didn't really get to grips with it until 2006.
The first generation ABC had its problems too.
Witness the M137 motor - the 5.8 litre V12 introduced with the C215/W220 - it was a single cam per bank, 3 valves per cylinder, cheapened motor (Chrysler was on a cost-cutting drive with M-B by this time) which suffered from bore ovality, head gasket issues and excessive oil consumption.
Its replacement the Biturbo M275 V12 was strengthened considerably & in heavily revised AMG tune is in the Pagani Huayra.
The M137's no-expense spared predecessor was the magnificent quad-cam, 48-valve, 6 litre, M120 which evolved into the M297 for the Pagani Zonda.
Having suffered repetitional damage with rust issues over the period 1996 - 2005, with the C216/W221 M-B had return to the size and quality of former years.
The C215 was arguably an over-reaction to the C140 / W140 cars.
The W140 was late to market (1991 rather than 1989 as planned, due to a 2-year delay to develop the M120 V12 motor to counter the BMW E32's M70 V12).
Being launched into a recession, it was consequently perceived as being too large, too heavy and too aggressive in its styling.
The W140 was built virtually without consequence to cost & ran way over budget. Given that it sold in about half the numbers of the preceding W126 the push was on to replace it with a smaller, lighter, lower cost model - the W220.
Corners were cut on quality of steel, plastic, electronics etc. The legislated move to water-based paints in 1996 caused rust problems for M-B & they didn't really get to grips with it until 2006.
The first generation ABC had its problems too.
Witness the M137 motor - the 5.8 litre V12 introduced with the C215/W220 - it was a single cam per bank, 3 valves per cylinder, cheapened motor (Chrysler was on a cost-cutting drive with M-B by this time) which suffered from bore ovality, head gasket issues and excessive oil consumption.
Its replacement the Biturbo M275 V12 was strengthened considerably & in heavily revised AMG tune is in the Pagani Huayra.
The M137's no-expense spared predecessor was the magnificent quad-cam, 48-valve, 6 litre, M120 which evolved into the M297 for the Pagani Zonda.
Having suffered repetitional damage with rust issues over the period 1996 - 2005, with the C216/W221 M-B had return to the size and quality of former years.
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