Mercedes-Benz CL500

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Discussion

AndrewCrown

Original Poster:

2,320 posts

121 months

Tuesday 6th February 2018
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May I introduce my latest Mercedes.....
I’m no stranger to CL500’s having run the C215 as my daily driver for several years. I managed to make the man maths work, despite ABC struts and valve block issues.

This C216 (Facelift) Blue Efficiency replaces a very reliable W221

I took a few months thinking about what to get next… and considered the W221 S63 or S65, C216 CL63 or CL600. I also looked at BMW F12 650i, Audi S8 even a Panamera 4S.

My style of car buying is 5-6 years in, past peak depreciation and privately owned from new.

I had my heart set on the rather unusual Cornetite blue, but they seem to be particularly rare.

This is Magnetite black, which is quite different to Obsidian black and is a dark slate grey metallic. The interior is sahara beige/black… I think its passion leather.

It is in immaculate condition and the previous owner rather helpfully had the entire ABC system overhauled at the same specialist who used to look after my previous one.

The engine displaces 4,663 cc, V8 twin-turbo within output of 435hp and 700nm / 1800-3500rpm. This is by far the fastest car I’ve ever owned… It is in my view sublime.

Tales on PH, of these big old barges, often describe ruinous maintenance, I plan to document my ownership on here periodically over the next few years....let's see what happens...

Croutons

10,772 posts

173 months

Tuesday 6th February 2018
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Love it.

Interior pics please!

Mr E

22,124 posts

266 months

Tuesday 6th February 2018
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smile

My 500 has just spat me a £1300 bill for a B service when nothing (that wasn’t a consumables) was actually wrong.
It wants tyres too.

Enjoy!

TR4man

5,319 posts

181 months

Tuesday 6th February 2018
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Fabulous looking cars (as were the earlier models) and I was amazed to see that you can get one for £10k with a paltry 100k miles.

Tax seems a bit of a killer though.

Looking forward to your updates and photos.

AndStilliRise

2,295 posts

123 months

Tuesday 6th February 2018
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Love these.

AndrewCrown

Original Poster:

2,320 posts

121 months

Wednesday 7th February 2018
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[


Couple more photos...bit miserable out there today....this is mid-detailing...I sent the chap home...

tobinen

9,491 posts

152 months

Wednesday 7th February 2018
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Nice car Mister. I like these.

BIRMA

3,863 posts

201 months

Wednesday 7th February 2018
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They are lovely cars, the cooled seats actually work in hot weather.
I agree with your philosophy about buying, with a bit of research and a lot of luck you can still get a gem that won't cost too much to buy, that said I am sure you know these cars do require certain maintenance items that can't be ignored. MB have been making these large elegant coupe's from quite some time and it shows.

Alex_225

6,678 posts

208 months

Wednesday 7th February 2018
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Lovely looking car you have there OP. Sounds like a great cruising car and plenty of power on tap as well.

Rare beasts as well the CL. Even as a Merc owner I remember seeing one the first time and wondering what it was.

That interior looks like a great place to be. smile


gf15

1,004 posts

273 months

Wednesday 7th February 2018
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I have a very similar buying logic with a good sprinkling of man maths.
I look forward to the updates, as it is a rather splendid automobile!

AndrewCrown

Original Poster:

2,320 posts

121 months

Thursday 8th February 2018
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Gentlemen

Thank you for your posts...

The car is undergoing a very deep clean... wheels were off yesterday, arches done, calipers polished, wheels waxed inside and out... the wheels are factory fit 20' AMGs part paint, part diamond cut.. they had some horrible non standard AMG centre caps... temporarily replaced... will go back to stock caps.
Engine bay sterilised and dressed... I will post a photograph...

Steering wheel had an AMG badge adhered over the star..yuk... . that has been removed... I also removed the CL500 badge.. simply because it spoilt the symmetry of the rear end.. it is still obviously a 500. The doors have mini projector down-lights with the AMG logo...a little tacky... they will also be removed.

I have been playing with the multimedia system, it has a factory fit 14 speaker Harman Kardon Logic 7 surround sound system...with a 13 channel DSP amplifier... it is rather good... and has passed the 'She sells Sanctuary' at full volume test...with astonishment... this will be fun to load the hard drive..

Only addition has been a GRRC 2018 Members window sticker.




AndrewCrown

Original Poster:

2,320 posts

121 months

Wednesday 14th February 2018
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Chaps...
Enclosed, more updated photos....the CL is now immaculate, following a two day detail....
It is looking better than in the photos...miserable grey days in Kent.

Over the weekend it had a run up to Derbyshire...I am learning how to use the distronic, makes stop start traffic a breeze...had a few energetic foot down moments on a clear M40...this is going to be very good to live with!...reasonable mpg...300 miles or so over the weekend returned 27mpg...






Boozy

2,389 posts

226 months

Wednesday 14th February 2018
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I put those night AMG door shine things on my car lol! Each to their own I guess. Nice motor nearly bought one of these in this color when I was deciding about my car.

AndrewCrown

Original Poster:

2,320 posts

121 months

Thursday 24th May 2018
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First Quarter Report

It’s holding up...no warning lights...all behaving as it should..
I did fit, an oem cup holder into the centre console...

MPG and I say this as if I care ..is quite predictable...it uses between a lot and an awful lot of super unleaded for general tootling...long drives still returning ~ 28mpg.

I have kept my W221 as I’m lending it to my friend for a month. Bust a/c condenser and ‘b’ service still managed to spit a £1200 bill at me... ouch...the next owner will be getting a bargain..

Photo of the two together....an old one...March ish...

Veeayt

3,139 posts

212 months

Friday 25th May 2018
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Amazing car, and kudos to you buying it, admiring and aiming at servicing it properly. The car I would enjoy myself.
Would you want to release a bit more out of that engine? From my understanding the extra 80-100 remapped horses would do it no harm.

toby-w8jtf

113 posts

99 months

Friday 25th May 2018
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Beautiful and elegant looking machine, so much car for the money.

The 27mpg is truly amazing really, my old 2005 CL500 averaged around 9mpg and the best I ever saw was 18mpg on a long run, not good when I was doing 500+ miles per week

I can image this torque and straight line speed is sublime.

Enjoy!

tobinen

9,491 posts

152 months

Friday 25th May 2018
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I like these too. Slowly coming down in to my budget, now the first ones are just over 10 years old.

J4CKO

42,809 posts

207 months

Friday 25th May 2018
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Lovely,

But could be lovelier,

https://www.quantumtuning.co.uk/car-remap-tuning-r...

510 bhp...

LetsTryAgain

2,904 posts

80 months

Friday 25th May 2018
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Both of those cars are really nice.
I have liked the C215 for a long time, but as good looking as they are, the design is clearly showing its' age now.
If you prefer a more modern looking car, this does look a decent choice.

AndrewCrown

Original Poster:

2,320 posts

121 months

Friday 25th May 2018
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J4CKO said:
Lovely,

But could be lovelier,

https://www.quantumtuning.co.uk/car-remap-tuning-r...

510 bhp...
Thanks J4CKO
Ooh...that’s quite a difference...I guess one’s first 500+ BHP car is a significant milestone...will consider.