Just purchased a used CL500 Blue Efficiency

[K2MDL]

Hello chaps (and Lasses), I have just purchased a used CL500 after admiring the shape from the very first moment I saw it.

my first Mercedes 500 was many years ago in the form of a 500 SEC two-door Coupe. It wasn't the most glamorous of looking vehicles but was beautifully built and probably still going well 20 years plus after I owned it.

I then progressed to a used CL 600 V12 and then the same series CL 55 AMG.

A long gap followed ( Bentley GT's) until my latest purchase a couple of days ago.

Is there a thread specifically for CL owners, or have I posted in the right section? Apologies if I haven't. Looking forward to any response and any assistance on ownership, this particular example is only covered 14,000 miles from new and will be four years old in December this year.

 

[television]

Hello and welcome quite a few members with a 216 on here including me, so far it has been my best car ever, and I have had it for 4 years. I may get the newer version after I move house.

Just ask away at what ever you wish to.

 

[John Laidlaw]

Welcome and the expert ^ has just welcomed you, not much he won't know...

 

[K2MDL]

Thank you for the fast response. Nice to know there are other drivers of the CL that are actual "enthusiasts" rather than just owners of cars.

When the CL first appeared I went down to Mercedes Brooklands just a few miles away and spent a good hour just looking around the exterior and inside.

The first observation was the ease to gain access to the rear seating. The speed in which the front seats moved too was in stark contrast to the 3rd Bentley I had at the time. The latter was so slow that if it was raining or very windy you would find yourself (or your passenger usually), cursing because of the time taken for the seat to move and the small amount of room you were given to actually get in and out.

The ride too is vastly superior to any Conti-GT I have owned and whilst the interior of them looks a lot more inviting, the thought gone into the design and build is way behind the CL.

Why did I miss out on the 216 when new and buy another GT? Image and prestige, which, I have to admit, when spending £100k plus on any car is important to me. Indeed the retained value is very much better on the Bentley too, provided you buy a few years old and choose carefully.

What I had forgotten however is the fit and finish of the CL - quite peerless, the ride is so much better, (not having to drag a 4-wheel drive system must help) and of course thirst - the GT really was an incredibly thirsty beast, certainly in W12 format.

So glad to be back behind MB's flagship, albeit a deleted model. Having paid just £37k for a car with only 14k on the clock (even if it is lightly spec'ed). The new S-Coupe looks stunning and much admired but at almost £200k for a loaded 6.3AMG, they really are going to struggle with sales. Still, give it 3 or 4 years...

Any one have any thoughts on adding factory options? I had a quote to supply and fit factory DAB - £1500!!

Enjoy the images - don't know how to include them in the main text? First shown, current CL-500BE, CL-55 AMG, CL600, SEC500

 

[television]

You can add a DAB, I have, mine is fully loaded other than DAB and a rear blind. The antenna is the hard bit, and I am working on getting the antenna from the rear to the front.

 

[K2MDL]

May I ask what the total cost of the parts were including the antenna please? And who do you use for supply?

 

[television]

The easiest one is the one that works in the USB, it displays in MP# format and cost just over £100 plus easy to install and you tune from the existing control knob. It will need a antenna splitter, this is what I am working on shortly and the hard bit, but any DAB requires a antenna.

 

[K2MDL]

That is very clever. If you come across the type you use, please let me know. A lot cheaper than the Mercedes offer!

 

[television]

That is very clever. If you come across the type you use, please let me know. A lot cheaper than the Mercedes offer!

I may change my CL in the summer to a 2010 on to get the twin turbo version like yours. These take the USB add on socket. I just need to do something on the antenna when the weather gets a little better.

 

[S500al]

I too am a CL person but I guess mine is an old one now (A W215) I still love it tho, had a w140 CL500 previously and that too was just exellent.

 

[S500al]

I guess its all about being a true enthuiast and what you can afford though.