SL55_Forever

What has been your experience with your W215 when it comes to reliability?

Is it true that driving it often makes it less susceptible to breakdowns or vice versa putting on less miles?

What about city driving versus highway driving it would seem I was driving would make the car more reliable less prone to different car components breaking.

I'm talking about ABC suspension, motor, electronics, etc.

BlownV8

See above.

SL55_Forever

Can you explain more about your ownership?

1st or 2nd owner?

How many miles until you experienced issues?

Did you carry extended or were in factory warranty?

I noticed you had Renntech Ecu, did that have any ill affects on the reliability?

Welwynnick

These cars definitely like to be driven. I hear this all the time from other people. I've done a lot of work on mine, and whenever it goes back on the road after a long lay-up for repairs, something else always goes wrong.

I won't pretend to know why. Maybe it stops the seals drying out, maybe it stops joints seizing, maybe it keeps the fluids circulating, may it keeps the battery charged. I think the best explanation is that it helps to keep the car warm and dry, and avoid condensation getting everywhere.

Nick

Blkvip

2nd or 3rd owner cat remember. 104k miles, i daily it.

besides the normal maintenance plugs, random gaskets, brakes, and the MB recommend Tranny service. i haven't had any problems thank who ever up their lol. granted just a week ago the gear selector broke, ****ing $500 later to install a $100 part. but ABC been great, the pump was done before i bought so that was nice.

Dr Matt

I've had mine for a year and have put 8,000 miles on it, bought it at 41,000. Other than mods, maintenance, & problems it came with due to idiots who worked on the car before I got it, I've had to:

Repair the drivers door wiring
Replaced warped rear rotors that were new when I got the car
Replaced the passenger seat occupancy sensor
Replaced the serpentine belt and an idler pulley when the pulley failed
Replaced one of the horns
Replaced the battery

I still need to figure out how to aim the drivers headlight which has a broken adjuster
and still need to replace the air bag control module.

When I got he car, one coil had already been replaced. I drove my car with an ECU tune for about 6 months and over 3,000 miles on the original drivers side coil. I replaced that original coil before my first track day even though it was working fine because I figured it would fail there if I didn't.

I also drive mine almost every day, even in winter. My car has been driven in sub zero weather a lot last winter, blizzards, sloppy melting slush/ice, rain, over 60 passes at the track this summer, etc. It does get to sleep in my heated garage every night though.

Reliable, uh.... no. The car had a lot of repairs before I got it so IMO that is a lot of stuff to go wrong with a car in under 50,000 miles. Heck, it has had a lot more repairs than I'd expect in a modern car at 150,000 miles. But I love driving it so..... time to get off the internet and go drive to another city for a friends birthday party now.

Dr Matt

Update;

Went to leave last night but it was freezing rain so I let the car warm up for a while. When I headed out to get in it I smelled something burning. Got in the car and ABC warning was on. Pulled it in the garage and shut it off and it left a big puddle of hydraulic fluid on the driveway and a trail of it going in to the garage.

BlownV8

Least reliable car I've ever owned. It was fun but was about to bankrupt me. I definitely would not recommend as a daily driver like I was using the car.

SL55_Forever

I see you're quite modded on your CL, might as well do a coil-over conversion now with your ABC issue

Dr Matt

Not considering coil overs. The ride quality of the ABC is one of the things I really like about the car. I'd get rid of the car before keeping the car and giving up the ABC. I knew the day would come that I'd have to work on the suspension so not surprised, just wish it was not during such a busy time as I will probably not have time to fix it until January.

principledchiro

It's almost two months with my 06 CL55. Prior to purchase understood the ABC could be problematic. Every two days it sags on the drivers rear. Ordered the ABC filter, o-rings, and Pentocin ABC oil. When addressing the rear ABC valve block; will also vacate then fill blower with Mobil Jet II. The message screen says the left mirror signal is faulty. There's condensation on the inside of the lens. Will pop off lens and dry it up.... The low washer fluid message is there so suspect leaking tank. The trunk never opened automatically; suspect vacuum pucks or whatever.... After all repaired: Eurocharged Stage 1 kit (smaller blower pulley, ECU tune, I/C pump, I/C, and belt wrap). Otherwise, a car with sexy muscular looks, power, and ride.

tusabes

the fluids circulating , the voltage staying up and the car staying warm and dry are key . That's why daily or at least weekly use and garaging is so important

kamilclk430

Like a Champ

My car sits most of the time, and I have no issues. I had the coils replaced but thats a given with a car like this

SL55_Forever

For daily driving/long distance drives, do you guys set your transmission to C (comfort) or S (sport)? I know the C (comfort) mode forces the transmission to start from 2nd gear but wouldn't that put stress on the transmission especially if you're modded?

kamilclk430

I stay in S only all the time.

SL55_Forever

I know a friend of mine with a heavily modified M156 E63 and he keeps C for daily driving and S for drag racing since it saves your shiftpoints/speed.

dtohio

I've had my 05, cl 65 for 4 years, bought with 6k mi and now 25k. Only one problem, a weeping suspension hose, dealer replaced along with all the flushing etc. Last spring replaced the original tires (guess I'm not driving it hard enough). Changed out a still functioning original battery 2 years ago. I did spark plugs and oil changes, other periodic service was by dealer. Preceding the 65 I had a 04,cl 500 for 5 years with only a trans connector plate fault. Guess I've been a bit lucky.

XZACM102

Just to give you an idea, these are all my repair invoices after 5 years of ownership. Daily driver 100k miles now.

principledchiro

Aside from the repairs, have you modded?

Exotic-metal55

Dependable cars in my opinion.

leodangelo

I've had my 05 cl65 for three and a half years... Here are the repairs I have had:

Ball Joints
Radiator (sprung a leak at the neck)
Suspension Dampers
Motor Mounts
Intercooler Pump

Plus normal maintenance and tires... All in all for a 9 year old car I don't consider this unreliable... The repair costs are crazy but I knew that going in. I love this car and have no idea what I would/could get to replace it when the time comes.

driveability

rbreaks

I've had my CL55 for about 4 years, I'm the second owner. Currently has only 36,500 miles.

When I first got the car I put a lot of work into it:

Replaced 2 struts and boots
02 sensor
spark plugs
brakes
Battery
Fix trunk (wouldn't open remotely)
Service at Dealership

After the above, I made a lot of performance and cosmetic changes. I only put about 5000 miles on the car since I bought it and the only problem I have had since my initial repairs has been the battery because I don't drive that often. I also have brought in for regular servicing but no problems.

Blkvip

i must be one of the lucky ones. haven't had any abc issues...granted im trying to get rid of the car now so i don't have to deal with it...gotta do belts soon now that i think of it

SL55_Forever

Any close-ups of the 19" AMGs??