Buying a 2001 ish CL500, need pointers

The German Flower Pot

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Hello all, ive decided that ive had enough of the two w124 coupes and have my heart set on a CL500 2001/2002/2003 years

im going to see a CL500 on monday and wanted to know what to look out for

the car had a complete bare shell re-spray by mercedes in 2010 as it had a spot of rust on the rear wheel arch so under warranty the whole car was re-sprayed, is this a lie or a slight exaggeration as why would they do the whole care back to the shell?

anywhoo, he wants £5,300 for it, one owner from new 102,000 miles, he bought it here in 2001 and took it to germany as he is in the forces and then gave it to his son to sell in mid 2010 wanting £6,500

its dark blue with black leather and apparently massaging seats which i though was CL55 & CL600 only

im good friends with a friend of his son and thats how i heard about the car

he lives 5 miles from me and has not tried to sell it as he likes it (he is in his 30's and his dad who owns it is late 50's and still in germany)

ive also found this little beauty and really like it - http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...postcode/pe292eg/radius/1500/page/1?logcode=p

so im now selling both my 1994 w124 e320 coupes, both are blue black and both around 110,000 but one has a full factory AMG kit so if anyone wants a well loved w124 or two!
 

jibcl500

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Nice to hear from you again Danny, Cl500 dont do it.

jib
 

toby1

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Plenty covered on these beasts. Have a search, you'll find loads. Good luck
 

television

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Nice cars but can be painful on the pocket, biggest problem so many out there to choose from
 

toby1

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One shouldn't rush these things.
 

jibcl500

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cheers jib

i know theres lots said but i just wanted a few main points as reading through lots of posts will take ages

jib, why not guv?

Fire, rust, suspension, electrics, part costs, they dont look that good, and some others but cant remember.

jib
 

television

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The struts can leak
The ABC pump can fail
The wires break in the doors
ECU's can go down draining the battery
Rust can be bad on the rear end, if its been painted very hard to know how well its been done without picture back up
 

television

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They are very nice cars, but parts are expensive, I have almost bought one many a time. you do need a reserve just in case
 

Stuart27

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Hi...I just bought a year 2000 CL500 just before Christmas. It has 85k miles and full MB service history and 1 owner since new.

I think I got a good one. I called the dealership who did the servicing to get a rundown on the cars history, so was reassured as a lot of money had been spent on the car....ABC pump replaced a couple of years ago and it seems no expense spared in looking after the car.

In the end it shows....the car looks practically new. Of course it's not perfect, a few bonnet stone chips and a very small pinhole sized rust buble just below the passenger side window.....but the car cost just over 5k so I'm happy.

I think you can tell a lot just looking at the car...especially the interior. If it looks well cared for internally, then there is a good chance it's been looked after mechanically. Also, take time to check the functionality of all the electrics...seats, windows etc. etc.

I really would avoid a multi owner vehicle. Like a lot of high end cars, people buy them thinking that a 70k car (new) can be run on a shoe string and end up selling on as they don't have the wallet for proper maintenance. As long as you go in with your eyes open, and have the wallet for potential bills, then I think the CL500 is a hard car to beat for the money.

I had a Jaguar XJR (2005 model) before this and in many ways, I prefer the CL500.....not as quick, but a much more accomplished car overall.

I can't believe mine is nearly 12 years old, it drives beautifully and looks stunning. Buy carefully and you won't be disappointed.

sbb
 

Stuart27

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Oh...I meant to add, mine has the massaging seats as well. I thought it was a bit ott...but I really like it;) and use it a lot.

I think you could pretty much spec these cars with anything you wanted, so most cars you see are different to some extent, in terms of equipment.

One think to check specifically are the rear window mechanisms....they are quite complex and costly to replace. They do tend to stick on older cars.

sbb
 

television

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That is a very fair post by Stuart above, and sums it up well :D
 
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The German Flower Pot

The German Flower Pot

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superb stuart

i was aware of the old abc pump

how much does it raise & lower the car as being a fat lump the deal clincher will be getting in and out from my chair as some cars are too low/high and i get stuck half way across
 

television

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The cars are quite low anyway,, the raising of the car is not for normal driving as you have a set normal position, you raise the car to clear water of if you need to through some other reason, you drive on the highest setting the ride is very choppy.

The doors are very wide, and they open on a cantilever type hinge, fine for getting out of, but not easy in some car parks owing to the room needed. It helps to have the seat as high as possible for getting in and out.
 

fast28

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I've had my CL500 (2000) for just over a year now, apart from it's service, tyres and bulbs it's just required a new set of plug leads and front pads.

On the list of things to do are:

Get the aircon diagnosed as it has lost refriderant pressure (again).
Get the engine mounts replaced as engine vibration can be felt in the cabin.
Driver's door keyless closure button needs replacing.
The exhaust needs new rear supports welding back on.
 

DSB SL AMG

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had mine nearly 12mths....lots of ppl want these due to the really low prices....sale of the century. All has been covered on previous threads, make sure your tyres are good replaced all on mine with kumho tyres.....good to get a geometry check aswell....remember they cost circa £80K new so parts will never be cheap....great drive :)

Good luck!
 
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The German Flower Pot

The German Flower Pot

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thanks again people

being in a chair i need a big car to get the chair in the boot and get my large carcus in and out and a bit of style

i had a '88 bmw 320 coupe then an '88 audi coupe then the 4 mercs so thats the size car i need and my current 2 need a bit of work and id like a change

stuart, what cars on ebay/autotrader did you go see that were dogs so i know what to avoid

car msut be black with black leather and dark walnut wood bits
 

television

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You should look on piston heads, also Exchange and Mart plus Top Marques , sadly it can take a lot of looking and going to see some as they are not all what they they say. You will work it out in the end, ask them for the VIN number and we can give you the full specs.
 

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