CL500 Reliability

[toddy]

Hi folks,

Can someone who has experience with the CL500 tell me just how reliable it is? I am looking at a 2000 model for 20k with 80,000 miles and full service history. Just how likely am I to face problems with the car and what sort of problems should I expect? Anything to specifically to look for when buying this type? I currently have an Audi and it has never had more than a light blub changed.

Thanks
Toddy

 

[television]

The CL is no more of a problem than anything else. most MB's go trouble free for the best part. Many of the postings here are about the poor service from some dealer's, where do you intend to buy it.

Malcolm

 

[Brett]

Reliability is less likely to be an issue than running costs.

 

[guydewdney]

high mileage cars are often much LESS of a problem than low mileage cars - they have basically been driven on motorways all their life, and as such have suffered very little wear and tear.

the low mileage ones are round - towners - and are generally knackered. imho..

says the owner of a 178,000 mile CL420...

 

[OlafMaxwell]

Maybe it was the dealer service, but anyone I knew with a new CL ended up giving it back!!! The advice is very very right, one with higher mileage is one to go for because at least you also know it has been driving and not been sitting for months while someone tried to sort out problems.

 

[toddy]

Yes, but if it's reliable, say buying a 60k mileage car, I don't see why running costs are going to be too expensive:

Insurance 3,000 EUR
Mileage 10k p.a. = 4,800 EUR fuel
Servicing = 400 EUR
Tyres = 400 EURs (replacement every 20k miles @ 800 EURs)
Road Tax 1,300 EUR

9,900 EUR Total. Sounds reasonable? What am I missing?

Toddy

 

[flagstaff]

those figures have me foxed, slightly; where do you live ... monaco?

 

[toddy]

No...somewhere more expensive...Dublin...

Toddy

 

[toddy]

Given the insurance and road tax are sure to be correct, what am I missing?

The reason I ask is that insurance / road tax cost is faily standard for a car with an engine >3litres for a driver under 30...so I want to see what costs I'm missing.

Toddy

 

[jberks]

A service could cost what you say, but only if its a basic oil change and at an indie. Service charges on C classes can run to £1k if you need the odd ball joint, brake pad, sensor or other nasty item. Factor in the extra cost of it being a CL500 and it could go way beyond. So, yes a 400EUR bill is possible but so is 2000EUR.

The insurance and road tax are a bit mad but I guess thats Ireland for you.

 

[OlafMaxwell]

Well, everyone will say the CL is much more expensive to service. In 2004 my bills ended up totalling over €8000 when all routine and non routine service and repair work was included. This did include a lot of items that Mb should have repaired properly under warranty. Things like air con, expect at least €1000 if it goes wrong and Mercs air con does go wrong. The CL exhaust in city driving will not last, its expensive. Spark plugs, not in mine being diesel but for CL are you looking at 10 of them? there are posts about the cost of these.

Insurance probaly ok, city rates, tax ok, fuel calculation ok but service no.

Tyres, budget at least €1,000 for a set, give 20k, thats €500 a year alone.
services at under €1000 just will not happen. Reckon one a year and add for the usual list of items that will inevitably go wrong. At this stage I reckon two services a year for about 20k miles are costing €3,000 not including things like tyres etc. Over the years I reckon €4-5000

 

[cordha]

You never walk out of a MB garage for less than 1K at each service. My CL has 63K and I have has the followign problems, SRS control module replaced, rust spots around wheel arches even though the car is not exactly all aluminium. I think its a fibreglass or plastic shell, so that was on warrantee, the electric fan has just been replaced at 600 pounds. 16 spark plugs is 2 hours labour, 180 pounds and 16 pounds per plug!!! It aint cheap but its a class car in all respects. go for it.