Mercedes CL500
Discussion
As some of you know, I've owned an S Class Merc for a couple of years now and overall it's been awesome. It's not been cheap to run but far from cripplingly bad, it's one of the nicest driving experiences I've had covering long drives amazingly well.
Sadly the proposed ULEZ means my S isn't compliant, so I'm moving that car on and went on the hunt for a compliant car. I didn't want to lose the comfort of my S but don't quite need it's practicality anyway.
I went on the hunt for a CL, basically a two door S Class. It's a funny market with these cars, early C216 models (07) are quite cheap, even with low mileage but most of the ones I'd seen didn't really have many options. Later models (09/10) are more expensive regardless of more miles and then there's a fairly big jump for super low mileage or facelifted models.
In short(ish), I settled on this. It's a 2010 CL500 with 93k on the clock, a full service history and a number of rather nice options, including AMG styling. It has a 5.5 V8 and makes just over 380bhp, not huge power but it goes well for it's size.
I haven't got the car yet but the deal is done as I managed to get a gearbox service and free delivery included in the price.
It's got some lovely features as well. A light grey leather interior and heated/cooled seats and dark wood trim including on the steering wheel. It has soft close doors and boot and night view assist which is novel if not a bit unnecessary.
Must say it feels like quite a special car, my S is lovely but despite not being a full bore AMG, feels very much like my CLS63. Roll on next week!
Sadly the proposed ULEZ means my S isn't compliant, so I'm moving that car on and went on the hunt for a compliant car. I didn't want to lose the comfort of my S but don't quite need it's practicality anyway.
I went on the hunt for a CL, basically a two door S Class. It's a funny market with these cars, early C216 models (07) are quite cheap, even with low mileage but most of the ones I'd seen didn't really have many options. Later models (09/10) are more expensive regardless of more miles and then there's a fairly big jump for super low mileage or facelifted models.
In short(ish), I settled on this. It's a 2010 CL500 with 93k on the clock, a full service history and a number of rather nice options, including AMG styling. It has a 5.5 V8 and makes just over 380bhp, not huge power but it goes well for it's size.
I haven't got the car yet but the deal is done as I managed to get a gearbox service and free delivery included in the price.
It's got some lovely features as well. A light grey leather interior and heated/cooled seats and dark wood trim including on the steering wheel. It has soft close doors and boot and night view assist which is novel if not a bit unnecessary.
Must say it feels like quite a special car, my S is lovely but despite not being a full bore AMG, feels very much like my CLS63. Roll on next week!
Thank you.
Yes it should be interesting. Fuel wise more obviously but as far as the engine goes there’s no DPF or EGR valve for sorry about. ABC suspension can be expensive though so we’ll see.
It’s not averaged huge mileage at 7-8k a year but it has been used and I hope in turn issues ironed out as it’s gone along. By contrast my S Class had done 900 miles in the previous year, I did that in about 5-6 weeks and exposed a few faults that were covered by the warranty.
The one thing about this over my particular S is that by being a V8 and if I’m honest a slightly more special car, it’ll be even more worth maintaining.
Yes it should be interesting. Fuel wise more obviously but as far as the engine goes there’s no DPF or EGR valve for sorry about. ABC suspension can be expensive though so we’ll see.
It’s not averaged huge mileage at 7-8k a year but it has been used and I hope in turn issues ironed out as it’s gone along. By contrast my S Class had done 900 miles in the previous year, I did that in about 5-6 weeks and exposed a few faults that were covered by the warranty.
The one thing about this over my particular S is that by being a V8 and if I’m honest a slightly more special car, it’ll be even more worth maintaining.
Thanks all.
Considering this is the, 'baby' engined version of the car it still feels very special. From the test drive, it certainly felt like a very comfortable, quiet and as refined as my S Class. The seating position and the styling feels like my CLS63 so it's a really nice combination.
I'm hoping for no ruinous bills but then again it was what, £80 or £90k? Anything that needs fixing will be expensive as it was on my S Class but for what I paid for it, I still consider the running costs being a bargain.
Hopefully it should be dropped off to me on Thursday.
Considering this is the, 'baby' engined version of the car it still feels very special. From the test drive, it certainly felt like a very comfortable, quiet and as refined as my S Class. The seating position and the styling feels like my CLS63 so it's a really nice combination.
I'm hoping for no ruinous bills but then again it was what, £80 or £90k? Anything that needs fixing will be expensive as it was on my S Class but for what I paid for it, I still consider the running costs being a bargain.
Hopefully it should be dropped off to me on Thursday.
salmanorguk said:
Really nice - hope it treats you well.
I considered one in 2020 but found the same issue as you where early models had higher mileage and later ones were quite expensive. Perhaps the thinking is the 4l is cheaper to run than the 5.5?
Re air suspension, hopefully it doesn’t break, but if it does, a lot of the BMW crew swear by this company:
https://nagengast.pl/en/about/?wmc-currency=EUR
It's definitely a different market to what I've been used to with cars. Older or higher mileage cheaper but with these it seems you'll get older/low mileage for less than a slightly older higher mileage. Then super low miles jumps up but a lot and then you're in the realms of the 4.7 turbos. I considered one in 2020 but found the same issue as you where early models had higher mileage and later ones were quite expensive. Perhaps the thinking is the 4l is cheaper to run than the 5.5?
Re air suspension, hopefully it doesn’t break, but if it does, a lot of the BMW crew swear by this company:
https://nagengast.pl/en/about/?wmc-currency=EUR
I think the newer 4.7 is better on fuel and I suspect with the extra power and a turbo, has a lot more punch so probably feels and is a lot quicker.
That's a really helpful link mate, I've added that to my favourites just in case haha. Thank you.
Harry H said:
I've been running a later 4.7tt for the last 3 years and still love it. A special car and very refined. Bang for buck they're a bargain at the moment. 95% of a Bentley Continental/ DB9 for 30% of the outlay and running costs. I even get low 30's MPG if gentle.
Mines had a few little age/mileage related issues but you get that with any car and so far none of the bills have been eye watering. Luckily found myself a great little independent Mercedes garage for the messy stuff.
I have a nose round Autotrader occasionally and nothing comes close that isn't 3 times the price so it's a keeper for a while yet as I still get that buzz every time I use it. Shades on, get those pillar less side windows down so you can hear the V8 and you feel like a king.
They do seem to be somewhat of a bargain, they suffer from that thing all big Mercs do and that's vast depreciation. But if you're prepared to run one, they can be very much worth it. You're still getting that driving experience.Mines had a few little age/mileage related issues but you get that with any car and so far none of the bills have been eye watering. Luckily found myself a great little independent Mercedes garage for the messy stuff.
I have a nose round Autotrader occasionally and nothing comes close that isn't 3 times the price so it's a keeper for a while yet as I still get that buzz every time I use it. Shades on, get those pillar less side windows down so you can hear the V8 and you feel like a king.
The thing I've found with a lot of cars is that you either spend a fair chunk on something with very low miles or get something closer to 'average' mileage and bag a bargain. There was about a £4k jump going from this model to the 4.7 or if you happened to find a CL with exceptionally low miles.
J4CKO said:
Lovely, same engine as my CLS500, never found that short of poke, suppose the CL is a bit heavier but should be plenty and S class rather than E based so next level refinement.
Oddly despite being the same power and the CL I would imagine heavier the 0-60 times are almost the same. Can't help thinking a re-map may make them that bit more potent. Penguinracer said:
I'm running a 2007 51,000 mile CL600 with a Kleemann remap (650 bhp / 750 lb/ft) & a Quaife diff.
Just had to put in a new Ignition voltage transformer & coil pack - but it's an occasional use car.
They are magnificent & elegant - and rarer than Bentley Continental GT's.
I did look at the 600s but as this is a half daily car I couldn't really warrant it. They do look good I must admit, there was an early one for about £13k which seems insane for what they offer. That said I still have my CLS63 tucked away so that can remain the minter and I'm not as OCD with this. Which means I still am haha Just had to put in a new Ignition voltage transformer & coil pack - but it's an occasional use car.
They are magnificent & elegant - and rarer than Bentley Continental GT's.
Penguinracer said:
I'd be loath to daily or half daily the 600 - as with all complex cars, you've got to stay on top them & fix small things as they break, do preventative maintenance & change the fluids more often than the the rather lax factory recommendation (they're trying to use low maintenance as a selling point at the expense of ultimate longevity).
I think staying on top of stuff is key with many cars, all the more so with older highly complex cars. Sadly I think many a high end car falls into the 'cheap' bracket and finds it's way into the hands of people who want to run them on the cheap. MarkJS said:
I’ve always had a soft spot for these and that looks lovely. Look forward to further reports (and pictures).
Thank you, I'm hoping the car will be with me tomorrow or Friday so I can do some updates then. Well the car arrived today and very pleased with it I am too.
First stop was to brim the tank with some V-Power, despite having about a third of a tank it still took £140 worth.
I've not had a lot of chance to attack the car in the detailing sense but that didn't stop me spending an hour or so giving the leather a good clean. Some Dodo Juice Supernatural Leather Cleaner and a Colourlock Leather Brush to get the grime out. Considering the leather actually looked clean, I managed to lift a hell of a lot off the seats and door cards.
I hit all the plastics with Chemical Guys Inner Clean
With the seats being perforated it's hard to capture the surface but the seats came up brilliantly. Bit of stretch on the leather but excellent condition!
Aircooled seats are very nice I must admit.
The Night View Assist is novel, not sure it's necessary but it's quite cool.
Dying to clean up the outside but one step at a time haha
As the car comes with the AMG package, it appears to have come with the badge to match. I'm a bit of a stickler for AMG badges on non-AMGs so I'm in two minds as to take it off or not! haha
Already been in touch with my leather repair guy. I want the centre arm rest and the palm rest repainted. The arm rest is ok but even after a good clean it's not as tidy as the seats. The palm rest, dial pad cover thingy has clearly had a sweaty palm rest on it as it really looks crap and it's the surface that's lost it's coating. Those two bits will get the interior pretty mint though.
Wheel refurb later in the year should set it off nicely, so just detail it and drive it. Oh and fuel it! haha
First stop was to brim the tank with some V-Power, despite having about a third of a tank it still took £140 worth.
I've not had a lot of chance to attack the car in the detailing sense but that didn't stop me spending an hour or so giving the leather a good clean. Some Dodo Juice Supernatural Leather Cleaner and a Colourlock Leather Brush to get the grime out. Considering the leather actually looked clean, I managed to lift a hell of a lot off the seats and door cards.
I hit all the plastics with Chemical Guys Inner Clean
With the seats being perforated it's hard to capture the surface but the seats came up brilliantly. Bit of stretch on the leather but excellent condition!
Aircooled seats are very nice I must admit.
The Night View Assist is novel, not sure it's necessary but it's quite cool.
Dying to clean up the outside but one step at a time haha
As the car comes with the AMG package, it appears to have come with the badge to match. I'm a bit of a stickler for AMG badges on non-AMGs so I'm in two minds as to take it off or not! haha
Already been in touch with my leather repair guy. I want the centre arm rest and the palm rest repainted. The arm rest is ok but even after a good clean it's not as tidy as the seats. The palm rest, dial pad cover thingy has clearly had a sweaty palm rest on it as it really looks crap and it's the surface that's lost it's coating. Those two bits will get the interior pretty mint though.
Wheel refurb later in the year should set it off nicely, so just detail it and drive it. Oh and fuel it! haha
milu said:
This was mine in 2018
Paid £12k for it with 60k miles on. 59 reg.
I think they’re still worth that now.
I do miss it. But it had a recurring problem with the hifi amp( common fault). I had it repaired twice.
A couple of other bits and somehow it took the shine off.
Fancy another though.
Yours looks lovely in silver
I had the amp on my S Class repaired by a guy I found on Facebook who gives a 2 year warranty on them so if needs be I know a good place but seems amps on these and the S Class of the same era were a bit crap. Positioned badly apparently.
I hadn't realise that the boot and footwells were near identical on the S and CL so bootliner swapped over!
Swapped my rubber mats over as well. Ok so not as aesthetically pleasing but very practical and I'm going to bung the OEM mats in the washing machine haha
As sad as it is, I'd actually booked a day off to give the CL a proper clean. Ok, so yes it was clean already but I always say you don't know your car until you've detailed it and been over it thoroughly.
Gave the engine a clean up first, Chemical Guys Nonsense, followed by New Look Trim Gel.
The 5.5ltr V8 comes up rather nicely. I noticed the Mercedes star has a bit of damage so I ordered a replacement from eBay in between jobs!
Had a little go at the pedals as well. Oddly it has no heel rest so there's a metal one to match the pedals en route!
Noticed the double glazing on the windows too.
Then gave the outside a thorough wash, Meguiars Wash+ to remove any old polish/wax before applying my own. Can't knock a soapy AMG badge.
Paintwork is actually in pretty good shape from a detailing perspective, so a simply once over with some Lime Prime. Nice and easy to use.
Britemax Extreme Elements for protection. For this hot weather, I've not used anything more forgiving and easy to apply and buff.
Here's the result.
There we have my first start at making the car mine and also super clean. Car goes to the leather specialist on Thursday evening to have a few bits repainted.
Gave the engine a clean up first, Chemical Guys Nonsense, followed by New Look Trim Gel.
The 5.5ltr V8 comes up rather nicely. I noticed the Mercedes star has a bit of damage so I ordered a replacement from eBay in between jobs!
Had a little go at the pedals as well. Oddly it has no heel rest so there's a metal one to match the pedals en route!
Noticed the double glazing on the windows too.
Then gave the outside a thorough wash, Meguiars Wash+ to remove any old polish/wax before applying my own. Can't knock a soapy AMG badge.
Paintwork is actually in pretty good shape from a detailing perspective, so a simply once over with some Lime Prime. Nice and easy to use.
Britemax Extreme Elements for protection. For this hot weather, I've not used anything more forgiving and easy to apply and buff.
Here's the result.
There we have my first start at making the car mine and also super clean. Car goes to the leather specialist on Thursday evening to have a few bits repainted.
milu said:
Good enough reason for a day off I reckon. Looks to have been worth it
Thanks mate, I think so. Despite getting sun burn hahaTR4man said:
Fantastic job - how I long to buy a car of an owner as fastidious as yourself!
I’d imagine you have no problems in selling yours cars.
Generally speaking no. I mean once you have someone looking at them I'm hopeful they appreciate how well they're kept. It certainly makes it easier to sell the car once it's in front of a potential buyer. I’d imagine you have no problems in selling yours cars.
I have managed to buy cars kept by people like me. My 2nd RS Megane was bought from a friend who's very particular. My CLS63 I have now was owned by my friends father in law, my friend being a professional detailer so it was incredibly well kept.
Bit of an update on the CL, had some bits and pieces touched up on the interior. I booked the car in with my usual interior repair guy, just to do some small bits that were annoying me. First up was the dial pad cover, clearly someone has really use that palm rest!
Nice turn around.
Not sure what this is but wouldn't clean up.
Entire arm rest was repainted to match up with rest of the interior.
Annoyingly someone has clearly had a smoke in the car and put a burn mark in the rear fabric.
Unfortunately there was no stretch on the material to enable stitching so the hole was was filled with matching fibres. Not a perfect fix but certainly better. Looks like a bit of wear rather than a hole at least.
Now, I never smelled any smoke residue in the car but I've obviously scrubbed the interior down pretty thoroughly anyway. Just for good measure I did some reading up and turns out odour eliminators are really good.
You mix two powders, some water and give it a shake. It's a bit unnerving that it basically lets off chlorine gas! Leave it in the car for 8 hours with 30 minutes of recirculating the fans in that time.
Certainly leaves a fresh, albeit chemically smell in the car but bit of peace of mind.
Found it odd that there's not proper foot rest, well not foot plate anyway.
It's not an exact match but for £10 from eBay it looks pretty good.
Had more of an opportunity to drive it as well. I must say it's quicker than I realised and it sounds great. Exactly as I felt it would be, a more subtle version of my CLS63. It cruises exceptionally well on the motorway and it pics up speed really well. In my head it was going to feel less perky than the S as it's down on torque but it definitely doesn't! haha
Nice turn around.
Not sure what this is but wouldn't clean up.
Entire arm rest was repainted to match up with rest of the interior.
Annoyingly someone has clearly had a smoke in the car and put a burn mark in the rear fabric.
Unfortunately there was no stretch on the material to enable stitching so the hole was was filled with matching fibres. Not a perfect fix but certainly better. Looks like a bit of wear rather than a hole at least.
Now, I never smelled any smoke residue in the car but I've obviously scrubbed the interior down pretty thoroughly anyway. Just for good measure I did some reading up and turns out odour eliminators are really good.
You mix two powders, some water and give it a shake. It's a bit unnerving that it basically lets off chlorine gas! Leave it in the car for 8 hours with 30 minutes of recirculating the fans in that time.
Certainly leaves a fresh, albeit chemically smell in the car but bit of peace of mind.
Found it odd that there's not proper foot rest, well not foot plate anyway.
It's not an exact match but for £10 from eBay it looks pretty good.
Had more of an opportunity to drive it as well. I must say it's quicker than I realised and it sounds great. Exactly as I felt it would be, a more subtle version of my CLS63. It cruises exceptionally well on the motorway and it pics up speed really well. In my head it was going to feel less perky than the S as it's down on torque but it definitely doesn't! haha
Another riveting update on the CL! 
Obviously it got a clean, that's a default on a sunny weekend.
Number plate is assigned and on the car now which is nice. Got some new frames for the plate as well, I think they look good but they make fitting plates so much easier.
Now here's the most important bit, the PH sticker.
I'm torn with keeping the AMG badge on it, I think it's original and it does have all the AMG kit but it's not strictly a full bore AMG so we'll see on that!
Obviously it got a clean, that's a default on a sunny weekend.
Number plate is assigned and on the car now which is nice. Got some new frames for the plate as well, I think they look good but they make fitting plates so much easier.
Now here's the most important bit, the PH sticker.
I'm torn with keeping the AMG badge on it, I think it's original and it does have all the AMG kit but it's not strictly a full bore AMG so we'll see on that!
Mezzanine said:
What a replacement
Thank you. It's strangely familiar to my S having the same dash layout and it's equally as comfortable as well. Seats looks sportier with the curved sides but equally adjustable and even for someone of 6'1 they can be adjusted for someone much taller. It's as quiet as well, eerily quiet yet when you accelerate, you can hear that V8. I would imagine from the outside it sounds good.The S has presence because it's big and quite imposing, this is similarly in size but lower and looks that bit more sporty. Much closer side profile to my CLS63 than the S and you can see they're both from that same era.
Mezzanine said:
Something about the rear screen shape, the C-pillar intersection and the wheel arches just hits the spot for me with the CL500. It’s a very attractive car.
I'm with you on it. The curves on the rear windscreen are quite distinctive and characteristic on the previous shape as well. The rear arches are very similar to the S Class of this era too but that huge rear quarter panel kind of shows off that it's a bit of a silly car. Silly in a fun way but that quarter panel is about 6ft long!! haha dxbtiger said:
I quite regularly browse exactly this model, there is something so right about the design.
Quite a few get imported here from Japan, I'm off for another browse!
Not entirely surprised some get imported. There aren't all that many around, well depending on your price point. I had a quick look the other day as I keep eying the previous model as well (not that I could afford one) and the list available within the price range hasn't changed much. I was quite lucky finding this spec I think. Quite a few get imported here from Japan, I'm off for another browse!
I guess the car is even more niche than an S Class, massive but impractical and expensive to run.
With the help of the Detailing World forum, I came across Autostyle and their mats. I contacted them about colours as couldn't quite tell from their sit what would work. Ended up going for 'Supreme Light Grey' with silver edging. Can't quite see it in the pics but they're a nice blend of grey and silver. Lovely thick quality too, I'll just use the rubber mats as over mats now, especially as we're approaching Autumn!
Gave the CL a clean over the weekend, not that it's doing tonnes of miles but it's just nice haha
Few random pics just because.
Gave the tail pipes a polish, not perfect but shinier until I can attack them more!
Interior smells nice now, this stuff is great.
Also weirdly the mats look beige due to the lighting in the car, someone mentioned it on a FB post but they're as grey as me! haha
Few random pics just because.
Gave the tail pipes a polish, not perfect but shinier until I can attack them more!
Interior smells nice now, this stuff is great.
Also weirdly the mats look beige due to the lighting in the car, someone mentioned it on a FB post but they're as grey as me! haha
Tom4398cc said:
Lovely, lovely car OP. And great that you look after it so well.
Do give us all a road trip report when the chance presents itself.
Thanks Tom, I'm still over the moon with it. It's similar but a different beast to an S Class. Do give us all a road trip report when the chance presents itself.
I have had a couple of long drives in it. The alternator belt went on my old Shogun just as I was about to set off for a 240 miles round trip so luckily only a mile or so from home. I came back and picked up the CL instead.
It's easily as comfortable and refined as the S Class was. Also I think because the seat belt is fixed to the seat, they feel incredibly sturdy but equally comfortable. The ride is firmer overall but weirdly just as smooth. I know the ABC suspension was available on the S Class where mine just had Airmatic so maybe they'd feel the same otherwise. The handling is impressive though, feels light and really nimble. Which is quite something considering it's actual size.
Managed a respectable 29/30mpg on a run too.
Gave the CL it's bi-weekly clean. I do love keeping my car clean and trying out all sorts of products but I absolutely love this Turtlewax Seal n Shine. I've probably said it in other threads but it's excellent. Can apply it to a wet car, it allows water to sheet so well it almost self cleans in heavy rain. It's also removes water marks and you can use it on glass. Turtewax have done well to bring out a range of new products and hit the detailing game hard!
Gave the engine bay a quick tidy as well.
Gave the engine bay a quick tidy as well.
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