I really cant decide and need help and advice

[Deadeye-Detailing]

Im in such a quandary. Let me gove you some back story.

A year ago i steched myself and baught a S350 AMG - i always wanted an S Class and searched high and low for the spec i wanted. Although i didnt get the full spcoec i got close. I got the massage and cooled seats. Within a week i had issues so much so tge dealer baught the car back from me and it really tainted my S Class experience. I looked for another, i found one test drove it and the drive was night and day (the previous car had susoension issues at the rear, ride hight was way off) but something didnt sit right with the car, i called the mercades dealer where it was meant of been for it full service history and they informed me that they had never seen the car and there was no record of it on any of the MB data bases. They told me there had been service books made avalable to buy from ebay, so i walked away.

I gave up lolking and baught a 740d - had a few issues but nothing major, untill i got car jacked!

I have for the last year owned a Jaguar XJ portfolio woth lots of options, its a fantastic car and i really do love it but the milage is getfing on a bit, 110k and i really fancy a chamge.

Now i do do alot of M Way miles, but im also a true petrol head. Ive always wanted a CL63 amg (2007 shape) or a S63 AMG. If i go this route i want big spec. It would have to have night vision (i know some see this as a gimmic but living in the country side and with oncomeing car lights getfing ever brighter i really think it advantageous) it deffinatly has to have cooled seats, once you have had them you will never drive a car without them again, and deffinafly massaging seats. Like i say i do lots of M way miles. Distronic would also be on my list.

I posted in the AMG section and was told about the head bolt issue on the engines of this year and also someone else has told me about coul packs.

Ive seen 2 S63 listed with the right options, one is private so im very reluctant to buy privately especially when they want trade money (all be it for a lesser spect car) and ine at a dealer. The one at the dealer has very scetchy history so thats put me off although its prices nicely. I just dont get why someine with a car of this nature would not keep up with service history!

There seams to be more CL63 with the spec im after, again most are Private but most also have MB history.

So should i really he worred about this head bolt issue as none ive found so far hahe had the work done. Keeo in mind the cars im looking at ar between 80k and 95k miles and when should the soark plugs of been changed? Or should i revert back to a S350 AMG?

I know things will need doing to a car of this age but i dont really want to rund the risk of the head bolt issue if i can help it. Or the coil packs at 1200 a side!

If anyone has advice it would be greatly appreciated, i just need ti get this big luxury AMG itch scratched!

Equally if anyone knows of a car fof sale or coming for sale please let me know!

I apologise in advance for soelling and typos i suffer from severe dyslexia.

John

 

[WDB124066]

Do you like the Lexus brand..? Anything there spell comfort & reliability for you...?

Here is how it is spelt in Japanese; LS 460h, or alternatively in a slightly different dialect LS 600h L UVF46.

I have no idea how to spell that in German - in fact I believe they don't even know themselves.

 

[mioba]

To the OP, be patient.
Cars are easily accessible and depreciation ia huge. So the cars get in the hands of wannbe boy racers who wet their pants at service time meaning sketchy service history or skipped items.
Do be patient for the right car.

 

[WDB124066]

There are excellent resale values for used Toyotas.

 

[MBDevotee]

I would rather buy from a GOOD private owner than a bad dealer.

You can talk to them, listen to what they say, see what their attitude is to everything. I once chatted to a guy who was trying to sell a ML500 - quite quickly I learned the following info:-

"all Oil's the same - I just put in the cheapest I can find".
2 minutes later....
"What's the point in servicing it - just wait till something goes wrong, these are really good cars they never go wrong." (But you just told me that you used the cheapest oil, so you must be A) Lying or B) Lying

So guess what - didn't buy it.

Dealers are not dumb, they won't tell you this stuff - so you'll have some patchy stamps in a book - but that doesn't tell you what was done.

I buy from people who talk about their cars like some talk about their kids - with love and affection, who you can tell have looked after them and want them to go to a good home - thats where the best cars lie.

 

[Jimbo1959]

Im in such a quandary. Let me gove you some back story.

A year ago i steched myself and baught a S350 AMG - i always wanted an S Class and searched high and low for the spec i wanted. Although i didnt get the full spcoec i got close. I got the massage and cooled seats. Within a week i had issues so much so tge dealer baught the car back from me and it really tainted my S Class experience. I looked for another, i found one test drove it and the drive was night and day (the previous car had susoension issues at the rear, ride hight was way off) but something didnt sit right with the car, i called the mercades dealer where it was meant of been for it full service history and they informed me that they had never seen the car and there was no record of it on any of the MB data bases. They told me there had been service books made avalable to buy from ebay, so i walked away.

I gave up lolking and baught a 740d - had a few issues but nothing major, untill i got car jacked!

I have for the last year owned a Jaguar XJ portfolio woth lots of options, its a fantastic car and i really do love it but the milage is getfing on a bit, 110k and i really fancy a chamge.

Now i do do alot of M Way miles, but im also a true petrol head. Ive always wanted a CL63 amg (2007 shape) or a S63 AMG. If i go this route i want big spec. It would have to have night vision (i know some see this as a gimmic but living in the country side and with oncomeing car lights getfing ever brighter i really think it advantageous) it deffinatly has to have cooled seats, once you have had them you will never drive a car without them again, and deffinafly massaging seats. Like i say i do lots of M way miles. Distronic would also be on my list.

I posted in the AMG section and was told about the head bolt issue on the engines of this year and also someone else has told me about coul packs.

Ive seen 2 S63 listed with the right options, one is private so im very reluctant to buy privately especially when they want trade money (all be it for a lesser spect car) and ine at a dealer. The one at the dealer has very scetchy history so thats put me off although its prices nicely. I just dont get why someine with a car of this nature would not keep up with service history!

There seams to be more CL63 with the spec im after, again most are Private but most also have MB history.

So should i really he worred about this head bolt issue as none ive found so far hahe had the work done. Keeo in mind the cars im looking at ar between 80k and 95k miles and when should the soark plugs of been changed? Or should i revert back to a S350 AMG?

I know things will need doing to a car of this age but i dont really want to rund the risk of the head bolt issue if i can help it. Or the coil packs at 1200 a side!

If anyone has advice it would be greatly appreciated, i just need ti get this big luxury AMG itch scratched!

Equally if anyone knows of a car fof sale or coming for sale please let me know!

I apologise in advance for soelling and typos i suffer from severe dyslexia.

John

Good effort John, still easily understood, well done for not letting the dyslexia stop you or get in your way

 

[Deadeye-Detailing]

Would you buy a car with 85k full mb history but not had the head bolts ets done?

 

[Jimbo1959]

Would you buy a car with 85k full mb history but not had the head bolts ets done?

That's a difficult one tbh, if you've read any of my posts you'll know how OCD I am, it would really depend on the vibe I got after a long chat with the vendor. You can usually tell how the car has been looked after from that and if I was in the slightest doubt I'd walk.

I've never considered the model that you're talking about but I'd research it completely to find out what I was letting myself in for if it really scratched the itch.

Alternatively, be patient, easy for me to say, lol, there are a lot of Mercs out there and I'm sure that one that meets your desires and specifications will become available in due course.

 

[DSK]

OP you're missing one vital point... YOU HAVE TO WAIT AND BE WILLING TO TRAVEL if you want the right car. Your impatience may well prove to be a downfall. Its not a Merc E350 of which there are literally thousands for sale at any point of the day. Good cars, people will hang onto, even if its an old Nissan Micra! Shag knackers will always be for sale. Personally, at this age I'd be looking to buy privately from a genuine enthusiast. PATIENCE - SOMETIMES THINGS MUST UNFOLD IN THEIR OWN TIME!

Additionally, private sellers probably use Autotrader and price their cars without much thought similar to that of a trader. I simply use the Autotrader valuation guide and identical cars to negotiate a price that I believe is both fair and respectable to both. When you're there in person ready to deal, its different to making an offer over the phone.

IIRC there was a recall for the head bolts and if you care to YouTube the issues, there's some good info on the head bolts and cams.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
May be the below will reinforce this aspect! You're looking to buy a specialist car so don't settle for less than 100%!

I've been looking for a CLS55 for the last 4 months, seeing a few doing the rounds in different hands with different prices, some chavved up and ropey ones. There's a grey one currently on that on the face of it would suit but, as the advert is so poorly written, I'm just not even going to bother. When buying specialist cars, everything has to add to add up (in my book).

I took me 3.5 yrs to find my Supra travelling the entire country every other week to check out the ones on my short list. In the end I drove upto Aberdeen and purchased the highest mileage Supra on sale from an enthusiast who was only selling as Nissan brought out the GTR 35 and below was a small part of his stable and joy that I discovered whilst there. As a noble gesture for me travelling so far, once to view and then to buy, he arranged for Toyota to put a fresh MOT and service the car and do anything else it may need with an open wallet, plus a fully paid pub lunch and a full tank of fuel on the day of collection ensuring he'd done all he can to make my 440 mile drive home as easy as possible!

 

[Deadeye-Detailing]

OP you're missing one vital point... YOU HAVE TO WAIT AND BE WILLING TO TRAVEL if you want the right car. Your impatience may well prove to be a downfall. Its not a Merc E350 of which there are literally thousands for sale at any point of the day. Good cars, people will hang onto, even if its an old Nissan Micra! Shag knackers will always be for sale. Personally, at this age I'd be looking to buy privately from a genuine enthusiast. PATIENCE - SOMETIMES THINGS MUST UNFOLD IN THEIR OWN TIME!

Additionally, private sellers probably use Autotrader and price their cars without much thought similar to that of a trader. I simply use the Autotrader valuation guide and identical cars to negotiate a price that I believe is both fair and respectable to both. When you're there in person ready to deal, its different to making an offer over the phone.

IIRC there was a recall for the head bolts and if you care to YouTube the issues, there's some good info on the head bolts and cams.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
May be the below will reinforce this aspect! You're looking to buy a specialist car so don't settle for less than 100%!

I've been looking for a CLS55 for the last 4 months, seeing a few doing the rounds in different hands with different prices, some chavved up and ropey ones. There's a grey one currently on that on the face of it would suit but, as the advert is so poorly written, I'm just not even going to bother. When buying specialist cars, everything has to add to add up (in my book).

I took me 3.5 yrs to find my Supra travelling the entire country every other week to check out the ones on my short list. In the end I drove upto Aberdeen and purchased the highest mileage Supra on sale from an enthusiast who was only selling as Nissan brought out the GTR 35 and below was a small part of his stable and joy that I discovered whilst there. As a noble gesture for me travelling so far, once to view and then to buy, he arranged for Toyota to put a fresh MOT and service the car and do anything else it may need with an open wallet, plus a fully paid pub lunch and a full tank of fuel on the day of collection ensuring he'd done all he can to make my 440 mile drive home as easy as possible!

OP you're missing one vital point... YOU HAVE TO WAIT AND BE WILLING TO TRAVEL if you want the right car. Your impatience may well prove to be a downfall. Its not a Merc E350 of which there are literally thousands for sale at any point of the day. Good cars, people will hang onto, even if its an old Nissan Micra! Shag knackers will always be for sale. Personally, at this age I'd be looking to buy privately from a genuine enthusiast. PATIENCE - SOMETIMES THINGS MUST UNFOLD IN THEIR OWN TIME!

Additionally, private sellers probably use Autotrader and price their cars without much thought similar to that of a trader. I simply use the Autotrader valuation guide and identical cars to negotiate a price that I believe is both fair and respectable to both. When you're there in person ready to deal, its different to making an offer over the phone.

IIRC there was a recall for the head bolts and if you care to YouTube the issues, there's some good info on the head bolts and cams.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
May be the below will reinforce this aspect! You're looking to buy a specialist car so don't settle for less than 100%!

I've been looking for a CLS55 for the last 4 months, seeing a few doing the rounds in different hands with different prices, some chavved up and ropey ones. There's a grey one currently on that on the face of it would suit but, as the advert is so poorly written, I'm just not even going to bother. When buying specialist cars, everything has to add to add up (in my book).

I took me 3.5 yrs to find my Supra travelling the entire country every other week to check out the ones on my short list. In the end I drove upto Aberdeen and purchased the highest mileage Supra on sale from an enthusiast who was only selling as Nissan brought out the GTR 35 and below was a small part of his stable and joy that I discovered whilst there. As a noble gesture for me travelling so far, once to view and then to buy, he arranged for Toyota to put a fresh MOT and service the car and do anything else it may need with an open wallet, plus a fully paid pub lunch and a full tank of fuel on the day of collection ensuring he'd done all he can to make my 440 mile drive home as easy as possible!

Im totally willing to travel and wait. There are 2 i currently really like however. This one really has caught my eye

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101067692312?advertising-location=at_cars&postcode=bl14rr&model=CL&page=1&aggregatedTrim=CL63&make=MERCEDES-BENZ&include-delivery-option=on

Also i do like the colour if this one.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102058730780?advertising-location=at_cars&postcode=bl14rr&model=CL&page=2&aggregatedTrim=CL63&make=MERCEDES-BENZ&include-delivery-option=on

 

[Deadeye-Detailing]

Genuinely wish i hadnt been on youtube to check out M156 engine problems!

Who is the go to specialist to to preventative measures?

 

[MBDevotee]

Whilst I prefer the lighter interior personally, that is an awesome looking beast. ( I looked at the top one ).

I don’t know your budget, but find out what the head bolt fix costs, and then find out if it’s been done.

According to Autotrader, the car is a “good” price, not great or low, so there may be some flexibility there - perhaps get half the cost of the head bolts off? But if it’s a recall, surely it’s a fre repair anyhow?

It’s highest miles for the age, but not silly - is the s/h full MB - if it is, you may get some goodwill towards head bolts if it’s not a free recall, o chance if it’s gone indie though.

 

[MBDevotee]

I like the colour of the second one too! Lighter interior as well I think.

 

[DSK]

OP apologies as it sounded like you were in a hurry to scratch the itch. But I know it’s a painful wait when you’ve set your sights on something and the right just doesn’t seem to turn up!

I personally am not a fan of black on black and black as an exterior colour. For me, as far as colour combos go the second is leagues ahead and the one I would pick to go and see of the two.

I read online whilst potentially considering a 1 owner, 07’ 43,000 mile CLS 63 on autotrader that the head bolts were a recall item. IIRC I looked at AMGmeister’s and legitstreetcars channels for info on the M156.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[MBDevotee]

Cant you check on DVLA website now for recalls?

 

[V6Matty]

The head bolts weren’t an official recall item unfortunately, to have them done with SRP bolts is about £3k if I recall correctly but could be less than that now.

 

[DSK]

The head bolts weren’t an official recall item unfortunately, to have them done with SRP bolts is about £3k if I recall correctly but could be less than that now.

Thank you for confirming!

 

[JBell]

Also i do like the colour if this one.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102058730780?advertising-location=at_cars&postcode=bl14rr&model=CL&page=2&aggregatedTrim=CL63&make=MERCEDES-BENZ&include-delivery-option=on

That is a lovely colour!!!

 

[brandwooddixon]

Didn't the head bolt issue apply to all 63 engines up to a particular engine number? So it could be an issue with an S class.
You may see the issue more in the CL as they never made diesel versions and there are fewer S class 63s or 500s.

Do you really need a CL63 though? There's not a lot of difference in real-world performance over the 4.7 CL500, yet running costs are far higher, I gather that a set of brake discs and pads will set you back about £3k.

 

[MBDevotee]

Depending on what you've owned before - I kinda agree that the 4.7 BiTurbo CL500 is probably all the performance you'll ever need. Plus prices are a lot lower and I think maintenance will be a lot less too.

Not saying you have to go that way, but worth considering - for 18k you'd get a really good CL500 with a lot lower mileage and no head bolt issue.