CL 500 or not..... the mental torture !

[wrightkarl]

Hi folks. I'm really struggling to find a reason not to indulge myself with a CL 500 (circa 2005 vintage) I've got a E320 cdi which is brilliant in every way but I've always loved the CL in all its grandeur, my problem is justifying the costs. I know that MPG should take a back seat when talking about a car like this BUT given ever increasing fuel costs it cant be ignored either. Most of my driving is motorway and mid week short commutes so not massive, maybe 220 motorway and 80 urban. Anyone got any ideas on the real running costs of these models ?? it may well help to swing the decision !! Karl

[mdowning]

Mpg is probably better than you'd think. I have a CL500 with the 7G autobox. Cruising between 75-85mph on the motorway should return c 30mpg. Around town, it's obviously less.

My mileage mix is similar to yours and I'm averaging about 26mpg, and that's without really trying to be overly economical.

[Lost soul]

[tigerkoi]

Watching the fuel gauge in one of these things ain't a serious endeavour. Just deal with it.
Anything over four litres for me, and I feel when I put my foot down, that I'm sucking dry the earth's resources like collapsing scenery in a chase scene from 'Inception'. I felt less conflicted in a Flying Spur Speed.

I cannot comment on what I get to the gallon; I just enjoy getting from A to B. Paradoxically, when I have a diesel hire car, I do nothing else but - I want to see where those pennies go, what the fuss is.

A couple of thoughts from me:

- if possible stretch to an AMG model. Bills on any CL don't suit those fitted with pacemakers, so you might as well indulge in the extra styling accoutrements
- when on song, the car transports you, on long trips, effortlessly. On arrival, I feel like I've bedded two Miss Worlds, have 'We've Only Just Begun' playing wherever I walk........and just won the Pools. It's that good
- thoroughly play with all the electrics, ride height settings, windows, parking sensors, seats.....everything

They aren't 'head' buys. But it would take a hard heart to walk past one. You'd enjoy.

[wrightkarl]

This is sounding good gents and in fact more encouraging than I'd expected. There is a dealer close to me got a 05 plated CL500 with 30k on the clock, problem is there is already a small amount of corrosion where roof meets rear panel, not uncommon and he wants £17k !! too much me thinks...... is corrosion a problem I should be loking for ??

[mdowning]

I'd thought the corrosion issue was sorted out from middle of 2003 onwards, when all chassis were galvanised. If the car has a full and up-to-date MB dealer SH, then the rust should be covered under warranty. Obviously something you'd want to check out with your local MB dealer before buying though.

With CLs, it's definitely a buyer's market. So you can afford to be choosey. I wouldn't just jump for the first one you see at a local garage.

[wrightkarl]

Oh beleive me I'll not be buying that at £17k !! There are a few around, it was the black colour and low milage that appealed...... I understand the corrosion is due Bi-Metal reaction ? if thats the case then all of that series will suffer ?
I'll keep looking but if anyone knows of a nice one in the 05 era I'm looking !

[steve_amv8]

When my '03 CL went in to have corrosion remedied (it's the last of the non-K's), they did major work on the base of both rear pillars, as well as corrosion in the middle of the door panels, bonnet leading edge (mainly between lights) and leading edge of both rear arches - all of which are (according to the repair guy) very common. Thankfully mine is always dealer-serviced so the whole lot was done for free under the anti-corrosion warranty ... particularly since it had to go to a specialist, due the aluminium panels.

If you see a car on which it isn't fixed, walk away (IMHO) unless it has a full dealer service history and you fancy taking a chance of MB fixing it for free!

Edited by steve_amv8 on Friday 29th April 12:54