CL 500, a good buy?

drunkmonkey

I keep getting drawn to this car, the money seems very good, what do you think, good car / bad car?

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Mercedes-Benz/CL-Class/500-KILM/200902191450756/advert

i've a subaru sti at the moment so mpg i'm guessing there around the same, I'm just really worried about servicing and reliability...

If someone knows of a chaper one or nicer colour let me know...tks dm

Anan1

I'd be worried about the reliability of a 2001 CL at the best of times, and that particular one looks quite rough.

Mr.David

Its a lovely car alright....but......

What is the story with the purple leather?!!!!:eek:

Ferris

drunkmonkey wrote: »

I keep getting drawn to this car, the money seems very good, what do you think, good car / bad car?

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Mercedes-Benz/CL-Class/500-KILM/200902191450756/advert

i've a subaru sti at the moment so mpg i'm guessing there around the same, I'm just really worried about servicing and reliability...

If someone knows of a chaper one or nicer colour let me know...tks dm

You won't know yourself out of a scooby into one of these. The only problem is that they are super insulated from the road so there is less sensation of speed than in other cars.

Apart from that take your time and get one you like and with less miles. Also you'll struggle to sell these types of cars on.

drunkmonkey

Anan1 wrote: »

I'd be worried about the reliability of a 2001 CL at the best of times, and that particular one looks quite rough.

Looks like it's missing a button near the radio, no big deal, are they very unreliable, have you had much experience with them...

purple leather....mmm...thought it was black...

drunkmonkey

Ferris wrote: »

You won't know yourself out of a scooby into one of these. The only problem is that they are super insulated from the road so there is less sensation of speed than in other cars.

Apart from that take your time and get one you like and with less miles. Also you'll struggle to sell these types of cars on.

That's what i'm after, a powerfull cruiser, I can live without the bumps...scooby has made me immune to speed sensation....

if it was a relaible car i'd keep it for 3 years or so...I just don't want to brake down crossing europe in it...

mickdw

Why sell a car without sticking tyres on it and carry out a service. If a garage are afraid of the service cost, its time to watch out.
Ive a feeling if ya went to see this car, you might find a few things that need doing.

Anan1

drunkmonkey wrote: »

Looks like it's missing a button near the radio, no big deal, are they very unreliable, have you had much experience with them...

purple leather....mmm...thought it was black...

I think the broken trim (it's not a button), added to 'the needs tyres & a service' are indicative of the way the previous owner treated the car. I've never owned one, but I have seen a few rusty ones around. The leather's black-ish with blue inserts. With a car of that type, it's always cheaper to pay for the best - a ratty car will invariably cost you more in the long run, and will be near-impossible to sell on.

RobAMerc

I'd agree with sentiments here - this is defo a buy the best you can afford sort of motor - age and milage are alot less important than FSH and condition - I'd be weary of this car from that advert.

drunkmonkey

there goes the dream....

here's another one €6k more expensive...

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Mercedes-Benz/CL-Class/CL500-NE/200903191525103/advert

coud the other one really be that bad...

Anan1

Hang tight, i'd say a bit of patience will net you a pristine 40,000-miler with FSH before long.:)

Voodoomelon

mickdw wrote: »

Why sell a car without sticking tyres on it and carry out a service. If a garage are afraid of the service cost, its time to watch out.
Ive a feeling if ya went to see this car, you might find a few things that need doing.

That was my thought, tyres might be understandable, but why not service it?

Zube

drunkmonkey wrote: »

coud the other one really be that bad...

Yes.

This has been another edition of Quick Answers to Simple Questions.

moleyC

Anan1 wrote: »

I think the broken trim (it's not a button), added to 'the needs tyres & a service' are indicative of the way the previous owner treated the car. I've never owned one, but I have seen a few rusty ones around. The leather's black-ish with blue inserts. With a car of that type, it's always cheaper to pay for the best - a ratty car will invariably cost you more in the long run, and will be near-impossible to sell on.

Looks like some sort of aftermarket jack to me, but I'm probably wrong. I would agree with what has been said, in the long run you are better paying a bit more for one thats a bit tidier with a good service history. Also I don't like reading that the car needs 4 new tyres and a service on a dealers ad.

biko

For some reason both show the door gadgets

conlonbmw

I have an 05 (black) on UK plates if you fancy paying VRT yourself.

MercMad

I reckon its worth a look at that price. You only need to get it checked by someone who knows them. All parts are available spurious.

I dont see that it looks rough from those photos, and surely the best way to buy a car is when it needs servicing and tyres !

I reckon he sounds a touch desperate to sell so I'd take a punt, go have a look and bring a wad of reddies !

One thing as Anan said, some of these cars do rust, check whatever seams you can, probe the normally hidden areas, and ensure the exhaust is rattle free. Cats can go and cost €2000 though cheaper spurious ( and you can cut two Cats out as they have 4 !)

Ensure all electric work !

VolvoMan

Mr.David wrote: »

What is the story with the purple leather?!!!!:eek:

That is 'Designo' specified leather. Its a personalistion programme that you can order a Mercedes through, sort of similar to BMW's 'Individual'.

Zube

VolvoMan wrote: »

That is 'Designo' specified leather. Its a personalistion programme that you can order a Mercedes through, sort of similar to BMW's 'Individual'.

Or 'Puke', in layman's terms.

L-M

I've driven one of those around the lot a good few times. Went for a spin (not driving), the driver put the foot down coming off a roundabout about and the back wasn't long kicking out. TC brought it back quickly though.

Fantastic car, great sound of it, huge lumps of power. And it's cheap. I'd get a cost of service first, and cost of tyres. Depending on what needed price could bump up a good bit lol.

Remember, they are a 150k new + car, but unlike a car depriciating, service costs don't. You have to realise that if you buy this very premiuim car, changing a bulb will come at a very premium price.

unkel

I'm with MercMad on this one. I'd be very careful buying and would check ALL electrics and have it checked over by an indy before parting with my cash. But it is very cheap!

Barr

WOW I had to look twice at the price - I say bring a mechanic or take it to one in the know . Its alot of car for that money.

Juan Pablo

VolvoMan wrote: »

That is 'Designo' specified leather. Its a personalistion programme that you can order a Mercedes through, sort of similar to BMW's 'Individual'.

And that option probably came at an extra cost of about £8k at the time. Someone must have really liked purple!

drunkmonkey

Barr wrote: »

Its alot of car for that money.

that's what i'm thinking...if the engine is trouble free as long as it's serviced that will do me...fixing the sunroof can wait:)

shabbyalonso

Certainly alot of car for the money however as mentioned earlier, service costs etc MUST be factored in. The fact that the car once cost a vast amount of money, unlike the car itself, service costs don't go down. Relatively new model and only replaced by a newer CL recently but the danger in a country like ours (sorry if this causes offence and correct me of course) is that when trying to get it serviced, alot of people may not know how to!
I bought a BMW 8 series last year and like the CL, once cost alot of money. I was tempted initially by buying one for relatively cheap but after careful consideration and much advice, paid a good bit more but for the likes of FHS, frequent servicing, getting to know the owner (strange but it really helped) etc etc. Your ad shows a good looking car for quite cheap but it can mean bad things down the line if it hasn't been looked after. I would be more inclined to spend a bit extra, ensure that it's in v. good condition and go with something like that.
Also, (not to dampen the mood of course) but a 5 litre engine will be a burden on the bank balance, new tyres and everything else will be pricey. Tax in excess of EUR1500 etc etc. My 8 series is a 4.4 litre - I don't use it that much to be honest (as I started to get the bus when I bought it!!!) so it's not much of a drain but tax and insurance renewal is tough!!!!
Anyway, if you do get your hands on a CL, please come back and post up pics and details - sweet sweet motor - a big luxury cruiser...........however, that blue insert into the leather is a bit naf in my opinion!!!

Lastly - a trip to the UK to purchase might be worth a punt; generally better priced when looking at this type of car (i.e. not very common and large!) and very well looked after. Selling in the future will be tough but hey, ya only live once and it's well worth it...........not that I'm considering it just yet but I'm sure when I go to sell my own 8 series down the line, it may take some time!!!!

P.S. Please note that I didn't write this up to confirm the fact that I have an 8 series in case anyone is thinking, what sort of a plonker is this guy!!! Just from the point of view of a large car being a costly exercise if it goes wrong! I'm not a poser or otherwise!!!

Anan1

drunkmonkey wrote: »

that's what i'm thinking...if the engine is trouble free as long as it's serviced that will do me...fixing the sunroof can wait:)

Does the sunroof not work either?

farva

If you're considering a big V8 Merc would you consider an S500? This one has been for sale in that garage for about 3 years (maybe more), so the milage is definatly genuine and it was previously owned by a local company CEO so I doubt that it's been ragged! If I were in the market for a €15k CL500 I'd definately look at this;

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Mercedes-Benz/S-Class/500-REDU/200836189891925/advert

Ok it's not the CL that you were looking for but for that money I'd way rather buy an S-Class with half the milage! You should be able to knock a bit off the €18k asking price too!

drunkmonkey

farva wrote: »

If you're considering a big V8 Merc would you consider an S500? !

Nope but i'd love an SL just a little out of budget just yet.......

i'd be going for this before the S500 http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/7-Series/3.6-KILM/200905191684267/advert

unkel

drunkmonkey wrote: »

I'd be going for this before the S500 http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/7-Series/3.6-KILM/200905191684267/advert

Now that's a bargain. That's less than half the price they probably would have been looking for it just a year ago. And at that, there really is not much further depreciation to worry about

Voodoomelon

A 2002 E65? Stay the hell away unless you get a warranty that covers everything, those models are notoriously quirky and costs major money to fix.

I love everything about the 2001 S-class, but there's something about the front seats that freak me out, they remind me of aliens or something! They have a bizzare human quality to them...