Thinking of buying an 02/03 CL500 - Advice please!!!

[John_H]

Hi all,

I'm thinking of buying an 02 or 03 CL500 with 45k miles as a replacement for my 3 series coupe.
As a former BMW owner my knowledge of Mercs is pretty limited so I'd appreciate any advice on what to look for on these and what I should pay - I'm in Ireland but would happily buy in the UK or the North.

So far I've heard that they chew rear tyres, can suffer alternator failure and car rust at the base of the C pillar. Is there anything else I should look for?

What are servicing costs like? I'm not expecting it to be too cheap but how bad is it? Also, what mods (if any) are good to make?

TIA
John

 

[jibcl500]

Your in the same boat as me, very very cheap to buy and there are plently about for sale, The research Ive found is that for some reason they tend to catch fire. The bodies at Aluminium and tend to rot that way. other than that ok.

jib

 

[television]

Hello john, its worth getting the face lift 03 car, the most expensive thing is the struts, so do check that none of the 4 are leaking, the 03 does not really have any rust problems. Re the rear tyres it depends on how fast you drive,if you belt it around then it will eat them, but like the SL, driven with care and no wheel spins on take off there is no problem, not unlike the SL , so do get one with all of the toys and a high spec

 

[A210AMG]

Hello,


Lovely looking cars and a lot of car for the money, my dads SL500 is regularly getting 28mpg so would think similar which is great. Rear tyres can be worn down quick on almost any rear wheel drive car depending on your style so doubt thats an issue? 17" or 18" they will not be 'that' expensive.

I guess servicing will be pricey? but are you going to use an independant? then it should be reasonable.


Post some pics when you get one.

 

[John_H]

@jib: Not sure I love the sound of them catching fire! I'll watch for that!

 

[John_H]

Hello john, its worth getting the face lift 03 car, the most expensive thing is the struts, so do check that none of the 4 are leaking, the 03 does not really have any rust problems. Re the rear tyres it depends on how fast you drive,if you belt it around then it will eat them, but like the SL, driven with care and no wheel spins on take off there is no problem, not unlike the SL , so do get one with all of the toys and a high spec

Hi Malcolm,
Thanks for your reply. The facelift cars certainly do sound more attractive if they had sorted the rust issue by then. By any chance, do you know if the facelift was for early or late 03 cars and what was changed?

Thanks for the tip on the struts - before I buy I will make sure to get the car professionally checked out, sounds like it might be the best couple of hundred euro I ever spend!
I'm glad to hear tyre wear isn't too bad if sense prevails, that sounds fine and as I had pretty much expected.

I'm looking forward to finding out more and buying the right car - I'm in no hurry and I want to get the right car with the right spec (keyless entry, tv, sat nav are my initial must haves!).
Thanks
John

 

[A210AMG]

Hello,

I was also suprised to hear that...so a CL500 currently..

1) Sets itself on fire
2) Rusts
3) Eats Tyres
4) Alternator dies
5) Costs a lot to service



gulp, not selling itself to me yet, and I love them.

Maybe they are cheap for a reason...

 

[John_H]

Hello,
Lovely looking cars and a lot of car for the money, my dads SL500 is regularly getting 28mpg so would think similar which is great. Rear tyres can be worn down quick on almost any rear wheel drive car depending on your style so doubt thats an issue? 17" or 18" they will not be 'that' expensive.

I guess servicing will be pricey? but are you going to use an independant? then it should be reasonable.

Post some pics when you get one.

Hi A210AMG,
I don't think tyres will be too dear, especially if I go for 18"s - they seem comparable to my old car. I will probably use and independent and the main dealer - I just have to find good indie in Dublin beforehand.

I will indeed post some pics once i get it, but it'll be a few months yet till I know enough and buy the right one!
Thanks
John

 

[television]

With the 215, the face lift was 03 with headlamps bumpers and rear lights changed, also the inside was up dated.

If you look in top Marques you will see the differences, I will try and find the month of the face lift

 

[John_H]

Thanks Malcolm, I'll check Top Marques

 

[jibcl500]

checkout www.pistonheads.com plenty on there. Obsidian black was the colour I prefer as it hides the scorching marks better.

jib

 

[Speedmaster]

Is it correct to say that the facelift can be identified by a widescreen command monitor rather than the older square one?

 

[television]

Is it correct to say that the facelift can be identified by a widescreen command monitor rather than the older square one?

This could be the case though I am not sure ,the SL's did not get wide screen till 04.

 

[M6AJJ]

Yes, as with the S Class, wide screen from 2003 onwards, but the easiest way to tell the facelift was the clear headlights, redesigned rear lights and clear indicators in the mirrors.

Good Luck, great car.

 

[television]

Yes, as with the S Class, wide screen from 2003 onwards, but the easiest way to tell the facelift was the clear headlights, redesigned rear lights and clear indicators in the mirrors.

Good Luck, great car.

Thank you for that,I tried to think of how to put it but I could not this morning:grin::grin:

 

[John_H]

Thanks to eveyone for the info - I'll definitely go for a facelifted version.

 

[television]

Thanks to eveyone for the info - I'll definitely go for a facelifted version.

Hi John, if you did not,you would always hate your self or the car, not sure which is worse

 

[Mr Teddy Bear]

Why ?
sometimes facelift=change.
But is it always for the better, saw a facelifted w208 yesterday..........big deal
TB

 

[television]

Why ?
sometimes facelift=change.
But is it always for the better, saw a facelifted w208 yesterday..........big deal
TB

I agree with what you are saying, and do on many cars, with the CL the face lift is nicer in my eyes, with the SL it is not, and the same as with the SLK's.

I dont know if I will ever adapt to the latest fashion

 

[John_H]

Hi John, if you did not,you would always hate your self or the car, not sure which is worse

I think I'd be annoyed that I'd settled, rather than holding on for exactly what I want. I drove an 02 one yesterday and though I loved it, I felt the interior was a tad dated, the screen just brings it more up to date - and I prefer the minor exterior tweeks!