How does the Merc V8 compare ?

[bbg1400]

I sold my Monaro two years ago and used the money to buy a truck that I need. I miss having a V8 and was wondering about buying a 2002-2004 CLK500 or CL500/600/55. How do they comapare as weekend cars.

[Phillphill]

I owned a C43 AMG and also a CL500, played around in a CLK55 for a while too

To be honest, id avoid them like the plague, especially the CL series. The air ride suspension had so many faults and all the parts are astronomical to buy, always electrical control units that fail and are atleast four digits to replace.
I have owned a W126 500SEC & 300se also, the 500SEC was crippled with electrical problems too.
There is a reason most CLs are cheap

I love big mercs but they really arent any good until the C63 age (and that would be the only one I would look at!)
The auto box is comfortable certainly not quick, yes they are refined but by no means engaging.
If your looking for a decent mid size quick car and can shy away from the V8 buy an M3, more then likely make money on a E46 M3 at the moment too

[preciousmetal]

Phillphill said:

I owned a C43 AMG and also a CL500, played around in a CLK55 for a while too

To be honest, id avoid them like the plague, especially the CL series. The air ride suspension had so many faults and all the parts are astronomical to buy, always electrical control units that fail and are atleast four digits to replace.
I have owned a W126 500SEC & 300se also, the 500SEC was crippled with electrical problems too.
There is a reason most CLs are cheap

I love big mercs but they really arent any good until the C63 age (and that would be the only one I would look at!)
The auto box is comfortable certainly not quick, yes they are refined but by no means engaging.
If your looking for a decent mid size quick car and can shy away from the V8 buy an M3, more then likely make money on a E46 M3 at the moment too

Oh dear. Didn't think they were that bad. New shape CL500s 2007 onwards are okay

[rev-erend]

Beemer E46 M3's are great but all will suffer with chassis cracks under the subframe at some point ..

[Aitch 'H']

rev-erend said:

Beemer E46 M3's are great but all will suffer with chassis cracks under the subframe at some point ..

And everyone's got one. Why not buy another Monaro/VXR8? Mercs are boring, thoroughly unengaging and common as muck, not to mention astronomically expensive to buy parts for

[ArnieVXR]

My Mercedes S600 (okay a V12) was the most unreliable and expense to run car I've ever owned.

Mercs of the age mentioned have a habit of rotting to bits due to a switch to water based paint.


Avoid!

[ARAF]

ArnieVXR said:

My Mercedes S600 (okay a V12) was the most unreliable and expense to run car I've ever owned.....

Most expensive? Fook, that's saying something.

[Fuelish]

you would be a burk in a merc

Ian

[jet_noise]

I went from a 'ro to a CLS63 (AMG innit!).

An all round better (different kind of) car but somewhat soulless. Think leery Aussie mate who leads you astray and chats up the Mrs vs your German work colleague who reorganizes your finances. Still very, very quick but less of an event. As yet no big bills - 18months/5000miles, 1 minor indie service.

The C63 might be more outgoing but they're £££,

regards,
Jet