Advice on C216 CL500 vs CL600

makeshiftUK

New Member
Joined
May 4, 2019
Messages
5
Reaction score
1
Location
Redhill, Surrey
Your Mercedes
‘02 XK8 4.2L Coupe / ‘52 530i Sport Touring
Good evening all,

First post on these forums, forgive me if I’m starting this thread in the wrong place.

I have an ‘02 Jaguar XK8; a beautiful car which I’ve enjoyed these last 4 years but I’m ready to move on - and have always fancied a CL, and I can’t believe how affordable the C216 (2007+) models are now... if we're talking purely in terms up front purchase costs of course!!

My budget is up to £12k, and on Autotrader UK right now I can see plenty of CL500s with less than 100k mileage, and a single CL600 with 170k ish on the clock. The prospect of a V12 is intoxicating, and as a Jag owner already the prospect of high maintenance costs doesn’t put me off (up to £4k a year on the Jag). I’d be driving up to 9-10k miles a year, and 95% of those will be motorway miles on long trips - and not a daily driver.

-Am I crazy to consider a high mileage V12? My other car is a BMW 530i on 207k... but that’s not a V12!
-Can I get my 5 year old/car seat in the back of a C216 CL?
-Is there a buyers guide/anything specific I need to look out for?
-Has anyone driven both 500/600 and able to share their experiences?

Thanks for your thoughts and opinions in advance.

Dan
 

Blobcat

Moderator
Joined
Feb 8, 2006
Messages
38,785
Reaction score
27,420
Location
Grange Moor
Your Mercedes
R171 SLK280, Smart R451, Land Rover 110 County SW, 997 C2S, R1250 GSA TE 40th, CBR600FP
Hello and welcome

No issue with the car seat, back seats are full size in a CL
 

Craiglxviii

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 6, 2015
Messages
17,781
Reaction score
7,426
Location
Cambs UK
Your Mercedes
970 Panamera Turbo; W221 S500L AMG Line, C215 CL500, W251 R350L AMG Line, plus several more now gone
Just be aware that the main cost on the V12 are it’s coil packs, 2 at £1k each should one fail.

The main cost of a CL is its suspension system, although as of last week with the supplier I’ve just found that’s now dropped significantly.

Versus some bit of Solihull tat, you can’t go wrong with an S Class coupe;)
 

ajlsl600

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 18, 2013
Messages
9,031
Reaction score
6,029
Location
france
Your Mercedes
clk3202001,sl6002003 with everything regrettably sold ,A class 170cdi auto. NG/TF1800 ML250
cant beat the vdoz ,but i would not take a risk on the high miles myself .mechanically bullet proof, but electrical/electronics have the potential to ruin ur wallet and yr relationship with yr bank . i just sold a 39k mile one at 18.5 k so i guess there should be some 50/60 k mile cars around for sub 14 k . i have no v8 experience . for me condition is EVERYTHING so i am always prepared to pay a premiun for a mint version of what i want..
 

peterws1957

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 3, 2016
Messages
1,822
Reaction score
1,323
Location
Lancashire
Your Mercedes
sl350 /2004/3.7 and CL65/2009/6.0
Hello and welcome

No issue with the car seat, back seats are full size in a CL
Although access to the back seats is a bit of a 'mare for taking a car seat in and out and for strapping in a 5 year old. (low roof and large front seats) A passenger would find it difficult to reach the child for anything when the car is being driven as well. You'd have to check to see if you could manage.
 

Blobcat

Moderator
Joined
Feb 8, 2006
Messages
38,785
Reaction score
27,420
Location
Grange Moor
Your Mercedes
R171 SLK280, Smart R451, Land Rover 110 County SW, 997 C2S, R1250 GSA TE 40th, CBR600FP
Although access to the back seats is a bit of a 'mare for taking a car seat in and out and for strapping in a 5 year old. (low roof and large front seats) A passenger would find it difficult to reach the child for anything when the car is being driven as well. You'd have to check to see if you could manage.
From an XK8 where only double amputee’s may apply for rear seat occupancy. A CL is palatial in comparison. A 911 has more rear seat space than an XK8!
 
OP
M

makeshiftUK

New Member
Joined
May 4, 2019
Messages
5
Reaction score
1
Location
Redhill, Surrey
Your Mercedes
‘02 XK8 4.2L Coupe / ‘52 530i Sport Touring
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #7
I’ll post a snap of my daughter in our XK8 later... got away with it for years but slightly comical now!! But of course, I’ll be checking the car seat fit/access with the replacement.

Thanks for all the thoughts and opinions. If the theatre of a lower mileage V12 CL600 is in the realms of £15-16k, then if I’m going to stretch to that price wouldn’t it warrant considering a sub 100k mileage CL63?

You can’t hear the XK8 at tickover, and I quite like the idea of V8 that you can actually hear.
 
Last edited:

alexanderfoti

MBO Forum Supporter
Authorised Forum Supporter
Joined
Mar 25, 2010
Messages
15,091
Reaction score
6,247
Location
Tonbridge
Your Mercedes
W221 S65 AMG - W204 C63 AMG + Various other MB's
I would try and stretch for a lower mileage 600 if you really want the V12. Gearbox will be wanting attention at that mileage, if it has been driven hard at all in its life.

Also, rubber components and anything in the cooling system takes quite a beating on these, as well as drive train mounting (engine mounts, gearbox mounts, Diff mounts etc). I suspect you will be doing lots of age/mileage related things on a car like that, that a lower mileage one would not need.

I had a customer sent the link for that 12k one to me, and I steering him away. Your budgeting is about right 4-5k for the first few years to put bits right, a bit more if you are not doing the labour yourself.
 

the director

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 17, 2005
Messages
302
Reaction score
23
Location
Bristolshire
Your Mercedes
2010 R 350 Grand Edition; 2015 S 350
Had car seats in the back of my 216. Absolutely no problem.
 

LostKiwi

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 25, 2006
Messages
31,326
Reaction score
21,574
Location
Midlands / Charente-Maritime
Your Mercedes
'93 500SL-32, '01 W210 Estate E240 (RIP), 02 R230 SL500, 04 Smart Roadster Coupe, 11 R350CDi
You'd struggle to hear the V8 or V12 in a CL too. They're sporty gentleman's carriages for crosing continents effortlessly.
 

alexanderfoti

MBO Forum Supporter
Authorised Forum Supporter
Joined
Mar 25, 2010
Messages
15,091
Reaction score
6,247
Location
Tonbridge
Your Mercedes
W221 S65 AMG - W204 C63 AMG + Various other MB's
You'd struggle to hear the V8 or V12 in a CL too. They're sporty gentleman's carriages for crosing continents effortlessly.

100% a V12 CL accelerating is an odd place to be. The feeling of acceleration but without any noise or vibrations to go with it. It's like an electric motor.
 

peterws1957

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 3, 2016
Messages
1,822
Reaction score
1,323
Location
Lancashire
Your Mercedes
sl350 /2004/3.7 and CL65/2009/6.0
You'd struggle to hear the V8 or V12 in a CL too. They're sporty gentleman's carriages for crosing continents effortlessly.
The only time you'll hear the motors is on startup.
 

peterws1957

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 3, 2016
Messages
1,822
Reaction score
1,323
Location
Lancashire
Your Mercedes
sl350 /2004/3.7 and CL65/2009/6.0
100% a V12 CL accelerating is an odd place to be. The feeling of acceleration but without any noise or vibrations to go with it. It's like an electric motor.
Plus of course the noise of the tyres failing to keep up.
 
OP
M

makeshiftUK

New Member
Joined
May 4, 2019
Messages
5
Reaction score
1
Location
Redhill, Surrey
Your Mercedes
‘02 XK8 4.2L Coupe / ‘52 530i Sport Touring
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #16
I'm working towards the gentleman/inter-continental stereotype ;)

After going back and forward for most of today I'm settling towards a CL500 without starship mileage - black or grey exterior with AMG styling, not too fussy on the interior.

Are any of the below known to the forums/any thoughts on these?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classi...onesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=New&page=4 (this one is literally a walk from my office)

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classi...onesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=New&page=4

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classi...de=rh16dn&advertising-location=at_cars&page=3

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classi...de=rh16dn&advertising-location=at_cars&page=3

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classi...tising-location=at_cars&year-from=2006&page=2
 

peterws1957

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 3, 2016
Messages
1,822
Reaction score
1,323
Location
Lancashire
Your Mercedes
sl350 /2004/3.7 and CL65/2009/6.0
The last one looks good in terms of spec(if that's important) and mileage. Worth putting them all into a VIN finder and getting the full spec. Personally I would avoid those approaching nearly 100k but that's probably just me. Otherwise it's a case of doing the usual checks and going to see the cars, and to some extent "buying the seller".
 

LostKiwi

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 25, 2006
Messages
31,326
Reaction score
21,574
Location
Midlands / Charente-Maritime
Your Mercedes
'93 500SL-32, '01 W210 Estate E240 (RIP), 02 R230 SL500, 04 Smart Roadster Coupe, 11 R350CDi
My money would go to either the second one (with the later 4.7 twin turbo engine) or one of the last two, probably the second from last for the panoramic roof).
As always buy on condition and confidence in the seller.
 

Capra

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 27, 2018
Messages
3,320
Reaction score
1,197
Location
Gloucestershire
Your Mercedes
W204 2013 C350 CDI Pan roof
I'm really liking the CL500, I'm sure running costs are more than a W204, but the are very nice.
 
OP
M

makeshiftUK

New Member
Joined
May 4, 2019
Messages
5
Reaction score
1
Location
Redhill, Surrey
Your Mercedes
‘02 XK8 4.2L Coupe / ‘52 530i Sport Touring
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #20
Thanks gents. The last one in Germanite Grey looks fantastic although 5+ owners and I’d prefer trade to PX my current car. Any specific reason/faults that manifest around 100k @Peter?

I didn’t realise the newer 4.7 was that much more powerful and torquey. At 13k it’s much cheaper than other 4.7s, and it doesn’t talk about FSH so perhaps that’s why.

Are there any recommended MB specialists that will undertake a full inspection and create a report?
 
Last edited:

Comand Online Ltd is a specialist supplier of Mercedes Navigation Disks, Phone & Bluetooth, iPod, DAB, CD and other COMAND retrofit parts to enhance your vehicle.www.comandonline.co.uk
Top Bottom