Hello.

I'm curious to learn of what you all would do in my situation. I'm in the market for a CL. I am trying to decide between an '01 CL500 and an '02 CL600.

Here's some background on both vehicles:

2001 CL500
appx 43k miles
Artic White
Black Interior
Lorinser Edition (Authentic full body kit w/ Lorinser roof spoiler & vented fenders)
20" Klass wheels (staggered)
Electronically Lowered
$58k

2001 CL600
appx 33k miles
Black ext/ tan int
Partial Lorinser kit (side skirts, rear apron, but front appears standard CL and no roof spoiler)
20" Lowenhart wheels (staggered??)
Stock suspension (appears lowered in pics, probably just lower elect susp setting)
$57,975.00 (Seller seems more flexible on $)

Irrespective of color combo, which would you choose and why?

It is my intention to secure an extended warranty on either car via Chrysler for an est $3.5k to avoid possible future electronics gremlins, etc. Both cars are eligible for warranty, as both are less than 50k in mileage.

If I select the CL500, I'm going to install the HPS Supercharger kit, which would set me back another $7,700 (shipping incl'd & installing myself). The CL600 I would add an electronic lowering module, let's say the Kleeman for the sake of argument, so that's what...another $2.2k.

In a dollar comparison:

CL500
$59k purchase price
$7.7k HPS S/C kit, labor handled
$3.5k extended warranty
= $70.2k

CL600
$57.975k purchase price
$3.5k extended warranty
$2.7k Kleeman Elect Lowering Module & install labor
=$64.175k

Hmmm....for a lower invested price, I could have V12 power and still have enough aesthtics to turn heads i nthe CL600. I could also purchase a Lorinser roof spoiler, thin trunk spoiler and change wheels, if desired & spend less $$ than the higher miled CL500.

I guess it just comes to how much I like the white Lorinser overall. I could hold off on the supercharger, but knowing me...that's highly doubtful. Another point to consider is that there are definitely more tuning options for the CL500 than the CL600. Maybe there are some other reasons to not have a V12 (higher comp insurance, excessive rear tire wear, etc.). I can't figure it out & need to decide fast.

I could make it even more complex and consider a CL55 for the amount of $ I plan to spend.

If needed, I do a lot of highway driving and anticipate that trend to continue.

I'll try to post pics of both cars in a minute. Thanks in advance for all input.

Mark.

Here are pics of the cars in question. Well, I can't upload the black CL600 pics, but here is what I have.

What area of the country are you in ?

I would argue that you are better off doing like I did, and with the lowering in resale values, the argument gets stronger everyday -

Find a 2003 CL55 that has factory warranty left on it and get an extended warranty added on to it. 2003 CL55 with 40K miles are getting into the ~$60K range.

I have a tough time seeing how any pre-2003 CL can get sold for over $50K, when 2003 CL600's have twin turbos, 2003 CL55 has supercharger, and they are getting down in price.

I'm in Maryland, but I have made multiple auto purchases from different parts of the US. My only problem is that I personally do not like the aethetics of the CL55, which would mean serious $$ for any type of aftermarket kit.

I agree....with the way the 03's are dropping in price, I would go for an 03 or newer....especially for that kind of cash. If I had it to do over again, I love my 03' CL500, but I would've gone for the CL55 or S55 instead. Compared to the 02's, I like the newer lights/interior/huge AMG horsepower engines on the 03's and up....but I'm biased!

Either way though, they are sweet cars and I think the CL is one of the best-looking Mercedes being made right now.

Hmm...$58,000 for an '01 CL500 (mods factored in) still seems unreasonable. The car looks great, but the price is high. Everyone has the right idea going, '03 and on. After upgrading my '02 S to and '03 S 4Matic, I was very pleased. In 2003, the cars were updated and the small details for focused on. Trust me, the car looked fresher. An '03 CL600 with the Twin Turbos would be optimal. Just have to look around for one in the $65-70K range. Ran a nationwide search...hope this helps.

http://autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ca...ist=712#vdptop

http://autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ca...0&cardist=2539

http://autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ca...0&cardist=2539

http://autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ca...st=1097#vdptop

Good Luck.

Thank you for the links.

I reviewed them all and found a couple CL55's. I thought about all the input & I have to say that I'm leaning towards the CL500 Lorinser. I have never seen modified CL's like that in this area or in my travels. I'm just wondering if I'm ready to pay that premium to achieve it?

Only because it's a specific look that I'm after & if I really want whp, I can always hop in my 911 turbo. Since I have a vehicle that already provides that stick to the seat feel and world class handling, it doesn't make sense at this juncture, to have 2 cars basically doing the same thing.

If your are interested, I'm selling my 2001 CL600 47,000 mile Black Opal with Java interior. It has MB Starmark warranty good until 12/2008 or 100,000 miles. EXCELLENT CONDITION!!! I can email photos.

All books, keys, fully stamped service booklet, 20" chrome split spoke rims with MPS2, lowered & car cover 53k.

If it was me I would buy the 600 instead of the 500. I own both and enjoy my 600 much more...Yea the kit and extras on the 500 are nice but its not enough. IMO

I would get the 600. Or a 600 if not that one. First of all I will give you this warning... you put an aftermarket supercharger on the car and you can pretty much forget the warranty on the drivetrain. They will not cover you with an aftermarket addition like that. Also the word on HPS is still out. Some members like Linh (SLK&CLK) have had a good experience, but others have had bad experiences. Even Linh's car had bugs and issues that I am still not sure are resolved. HPS is not Kleemann. But that's why it costs what it does.

I personaly think you would be better off buying the car that you want and keeping it closer to stock than buying a car and modding it. You will not have good resale value with aftermarket engine mods. And you will have reliability issues. Trust me, you will. And when your warranty company says "sorry that blown piston is not covered because you supercharged it" and it costs $18K to fix, you will be very very sorry.

I also vote for the V12 because you are getting a much smoother and more torquey engine, and more options standard in the car. The car has taken its big hit, it was some 50+K more than a 500.... so you are getting more of a bargain and the car has slightly less depreciation from this point on.

If you are not a speed freak, I think a clean 02 is just fine. You can with a renntech mod and an exhaust system get over 400 HP, which is what I have done with my '02, and believe me the car is very fast. Still stock engine, still full warranty.

If you want to buy the 500 because you love that lorinser kit then do it, but I am telling you that you have to be very careful of any aftermarket supercharger kit. You are taking a risk. Something may go wrong and the supercharger company will say its the benz and unrelated to them and your warranty company of course will say its because of the S/C. You will be the one stuck in the middle.

Please do so @ mocmedia@comcast.net

Go with the 600 for its smoothness. The CL600 is smooth as glass. You really don't get a handle on how fast you're going until you look at the speedometer. If you don't really pay attention to your speed on the highway, you'll soon find yourself in triple digits.

If you want pure visceral testicular fortitude, drive the Porsche.

I went to a couple of Mom & Pop auto spots today & heard something quite ridiculous.

The salesperson who, from what I gather is part owner, told me that I should rule out the V12. He claimed that there wasn't enough road in the area to allow the V12 to stretch it legs. As a result, I would most likely cause damage to the motor.

That seemed like a crock & he lost my business. Before I took off though, I drove the CL500, S430 and S55 (no Cl600's). I actually was impressed w/ the power & torque of both the 430 & 500. The S55 definitely seemed to have even more oomph than the previous 2, so I'm maybe itching for the CL600.

I did want to confirm that the '01 & '02 CL600 have that cylinder bank shut down feature (6cyl during normal cruise, 12cyl during load; '03+ CL600 same feature w/ added twin turbo).

hahaha... and let me guess if the salesperson actually HAD a 600 to sell then the roads would be plenty long enough for the motor. I think a 4 year old could come up with a better excuse than that one.

Yes, 01 and 02 600's shut down one bank of cylinders at cruise only for a few seconds (they alternate) to save fuel. TT added to the 03+ V12.

If you get a 600, you MUST ADD AN AFTERMARKET EXHAUST. I have to post a clip of my eisenmann so people hear how awesome it really sounds... I can't believe MB muffles this engine to death.

Yeah I recently picked up a new car and endured the same foolishness from car lots and such (purchased from a BMW dealership). That is truly a ignorant thing to say, not to mention a insult to your intelligence.

Good luck in your search!

UPDATE:

I just want to thank everone for their input. I have narrowed my search to what I feel is the appropriate choice for me. I've looked at 348's and 355's (F-cars), as well as other late model Porsches and even Countachs & the like, but when it came down to it...I wanted something that would not only look great and perform...but also give me a reasonable piece of mind "post purchase." I want the whole package. So, as a result, a deal has been reached & should be closed relatively soon.

When it does, I'll post the results.

I opted out of the artic white Lorinser CL500, as you can view that identical CL currently reposted on ebay. I'm going for the "6!" I don't want to jinx myself, so that's all I'm going to say for now.

If and when all goes well, "she'll" be coming home in an enclosed trailer lookin' p-u-r-ty!

Anybody know someone who's looking for a serious Single Turbo Supra 6MT? Let me know. I have one going on the auction block in about a month.

Were you on the ClubLexus board a few years ago? I think I remember you from there.

Yup...that's me. I still post over there once in a blue moon. We have probably crossed paths either on the CL board or as a result of SRT (Swift Racing Technologies).