Hi everyone, I’m 20 years old and I’ve always wanted to buy a C215 CL500 preferably a 2003 or 04 an 05

[N444BYL]

Hi everyone, I’m 20 years old and I’ve always wanted to buy a C215 CL500 preferably a 2003 or 04 an 05.
Do you think the car is great to work on, I’ve got the funds for it and I’m ready to keep one as my pops had one when I was born. To keep it in his honour

 

[Blobcat]

Hello and welcome,

It wouldn’t be my first choice for a vehicle to work on

 

[mioba]

@Blobcat - spoilsport

OP, invest in tools and a diags kit. Keep the dream alive.

 

[SL63 Mark]

Do you think the car is great to work on.

No, lots of complex systems to go wrong, e.g. ABC and SBC these cars are getting old now, so parts availability is becoming problematic. Not to mention inevitable corrosion problems. OK if you have deep pockets, and are a competent mechanic, otherwise I would avoid.

 

[SmartAmg]

Ambitious car, for a 20 year old, but Why the hell not! Good luck with it.

 

[Wearsafoxhat]

Good morning and welcome, sure beats driving around in a Corsa or similar for style and elegance. Why not eh…

 

[rifiki]

Welcome, C215, I believe even professional mechanics have problems in fixing them, that's why they are so cheap second hand.
Have a look at CLK 208 or 209.
Remember big road tax increase on cars registered after April 06.

 

[Wighty]

If you have at least £6000 as spare money for repairs/parts for the first couple of years then maybe buy one .
Personally I think you would be mad , it’s going to be a costly nightmare.
But if you do get one , good luck and start a big new Thread on your car work

 

[DSK]

I’m sure you’ve done some research into insurance etc but, I would not be surprised if it’s cheaper to insure than all the usual modern plastic crap.

As mentioned above they are complex and rust can be an issue. I would say there will be some good ones about, so easy to walk away from one that’s not worth a purchase. They are not the sort of cars purchased by the sort of person who buy a c class and then abuses it and thinks 150/20k oil changes are still too frequent. So finding a low owner car with a strong history is likely to just be a matter of time.

With the forum supported independents and your will, I think you are easily capable of finding the right example and then, simply staying on top of it. Perhaps even a nice naturally aspirated CL55 Amg could be the ticket.

The only thing I would say is, whilst they would make a good daily and weekend car in one, I wouldn’t daily one now, simply due to idiots who see an old car and think it’s rubbish and therefore tailgate you etc increasing the risk of them crashing into you. Then there’s all the idiots who can’t park in a public car park etc.


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[Woodleigh]

Gorgeous cars... Back in the day when you could get brochures and booklets on specific models from your main dealer.
I nearly bought one when I sold my C107.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

Hi everyone, I’m 20 years old and I’ve always wanted to buy a C215 CL500 preferably a 2003 or 04 an 05.
Do you think the car is great to work on, I’ve got the funds for it and I’m ready to keep one as my pops had one when I was born. To keep it in his honour

I can see the attraction they are/were fine cars… but running one might not be so attractive they are very complex even seasoned mechanics struggle at times to resolve faults as these cars age

 

[Richard Moakes]

Take your time finding a good one and be sure to have it inspected by a specialist or someone who knows these cars before you purchase.

Do you have the tools and experience to maintain the vehicle? I would suggest that if you intend having someone else service and maintain it, then it’s not really a sensible choice unless you don’t mind spending a lot of money keeping it in the road.

 

[00slk]

Hello and welcome
Good for you, go for it

 

[JohnOS]

It is an M113 V8, so gonna be a lot simpler than the subsequent biturbo V8s like M157/M278 and M177...

 

[harrye500]

A very handsome car, beautiful lines and design. Complex and expensive to maintain but many here own and run them. My advice maybe is to start with a simpler MB and work up to a C215 but it is down to you - you know what you want. Owning a car like a CL will be expensive, but owning any MB is and we have to accept that. If you do go for it, as others have said find the best one you can afford and keep a good budget in reserve for initial repairs and work. Best of luck!

 

[Wighty]

Not feeling hopeful for the op’s reappearance.

 

[00slk]

Not feeling hopeful for the op’s reappearance.

I'd be scared off to with the responses, poor lad, only wanted to spend money on a nice C215.
I can point him in my direction for a nice C215 2003 CL600

 

[Rob7seven]

The OP looks like yet another OPW, a One Post Wonder.

 

[brandwooddixon]

I'm surprised at the negative response to the OPs question.
I don't see an issue if the OP finds a well looked after car. As with any car condition is key - my first indicator to walk away is cheap brand tyres or mixed tyres on the same axle.
Admittedly work on ABC can be expensive, but the C215 version is more reliable than that found on the R230. We've seen from one of our own members what a little initiative can do with regard obtaining pipework from sources other than MB. In 120,000 miles I replaced 1 pump (remanufactured), pulsation dampener and one rear hydraulic pipe.

Rust? Most of the body is either aluminium or GRP. Rear subframe may be an issue, but that applies to any 20 year old car.
Sourcing electronic parts is going to be problematic for any car of that age. In all of the years that I owned one I only had issues with the parking sensors, never with the distronic radar nor with the command unit.

Yes involvement of a specialist with an MB database link is required for some parts as they are coded to the vehicle e.g., gearbox ecu, but if you are mechanically competent and have the time I don't see an issue with owning one.

Something for the OP to consider is running costs.
If you find fuel consumption of 18mpg around town or maximum 30mpg motorway giving around 25mpg average or a tyres costing nigh on £200 each expensive then its not for you.

 

[SmartAmg]

I'm surprised at the negative response to the OPs question.

Really? I'm suprised, your suprised.
Hope he does get one, would be interesting to follow a thread about it.
If indeed he posts, again.