I drove a CL500 a year or so ago and have had my heart set on a CL being my next car. Right now I have a Lexus GS400 that I like driving a lot but I'm getting tired of seeing so many on the road and want something a little more unique. I also would like to get something a bit roomier (I'm 6'4" 220)

My main fear is that the reliability I've enjoyed with my Lexus is going to go out the window. I called the local Benz dealer about a CL600 I was looking at and the technician gave me some V12 horror stories and basically told me to stay away from it but the V8's were a "little better". The cars I've been looking at are not under warranty anymore, nor do they qualify for an extension (perhaps someone can verify this). I love these cars but if I'm looking at a maintenance nightmare I might have to look at something else.

I guess my questions are:
(1) Would I be insane to buy a CL without a warranty or could I assume that most typical problems would have been taken care of while the car was under warranty?
(2) Would I be better off with a CL500 or a CL600? Disregarding age/mileage, would an '00, '01, or '02 model be preferable? (I've found all within my price range).
(3) Are there any particular problems I should look for when shopping? (I have a fairly decent knoweldge of cars)

Thanks for your help! I (hopefully) look forward to becoming an active member of this board!

J.

 

hey man, good luck on the transistion I recently went from a GS400 to a German vehicle as well.

To answer ur questions

I would NOT buy one of these cars without a warranty, the ancillary components would nickel and dime you to death! Do not assume everything will be okay and covered while warrantied.

For peace of mind I would probably say 500, however the heartstrings say 600 (sorry I guess we are all subject to a bit narcissism, lol) I'd try to go as new as possible.

ABC failures / ignition modules come immediately to mind.

Good luck on your search, I was really torn between the w215 and e66 BMW, but for various reasons the BMW won.

 

This is the sort of question I would have been asking a year go before I got my CL600. Incidentaly I had/have an SC400 that is excellent. A couple of things... I don't believe the V12 in the W215 is any less reliable than the V8. This was true of the old V12. But somewhere on the net, I actually saw stats... and they were the same. I don't know where it was, but it was a thorough study and they were about the same.

So I would go for a 600, unless that holds you back from getting a much newer lower milage 500. Depends on your budget.

As for a warranty... unless you have deep pockets, I must say I cannot really recommend you get this car without anything. Its not that it breaks a lot honestly. I don't think the CL is an unreliable car by any means... its better than a lot of its competition... BUT... once a repair is needed, everything on this car is crazy expensive.

So this is why I got my car from a Merc dealer, CPO, and got an extended MB warranty to 2009/100K. I am in the process of selling my car now actually, and I feel good about it because it does have this warranty... and I am sure the new owner (a board member) is aware of the value of this warranty.

One repair alone can cost thousands... and if you think you saved money and got a "good deal" on a used car, it is all out the window.

If you are not buying a CPO car, then I really recommend you go to consumer reports, find a good warranty company, and buy a warranty. If its not an MB warranty, at least its something... and be sure you go with a good company.

Look, you can take the chance, and NOTHING may happen. If thats the case, you made out... you are ahead of the game. But you can be unlucky too. My recommendation is you find a car you can get a warranty on. Don't take that chance.

The CL (especially a 600) is an amazing car. There is not many other $135,000 cars you can now buy for what these cars go for used. Let us know what you find, and we will help your decision. Good luck.

 

Say it aint so!! LOL Whats the replacement?

 

Thanks for the responses guys. I'll do my best to find one with a warranty.

What's the policy on extending an existing warranty? Can it be done on any car with less than 50k miles?

Can anyone recommend a good aftermarket warranty?

Thanks again,

J.

 

05 CL600. Not going too far....

 

Its a lot cheaper to extend a warranty than to get a new one. Like I said, check out consumer reports and edmunds, I think they have done some warranty reviews.

 

Thanks.

I did some searches on this forum and found some recommendations for Warranty Direct. They won't cover the 600 but will the 500. I imagine it'll be worth the extra $3500 to have peace of mind.

 

I think I found a CR recommended company that did cover the 600. You have to search their site.

 

well from 394 to 500hp is quite far in my book. Already picked out the car? Color? Sport bumpers? yaddayadda

 

I've got a 2001 CL600 Black Opal/Java 48k miles EXCELLENT condition with 20" chrome split spoke rims with a MB Starmark warranty good until 12/7/2008 or 100,000 miles fully transferable!! If interested email me at ghsmithj@scj.com

 

Yeah same color as my old one. Same options, same everything. That's why I said I am not going that far. Its basically the same car with a little less milage and a little more power for a lot more money.

And then I gotta start all over again... Renntech wheels, PS2 tires, Eisenmann exhaust, Renntech ECU, Lowering kit, blah blah... back to square one. God dam two hair dryers costing me a lot of money...

 

Gotcha gotcha good luck

 

I don't know if you're still looking for a warranty, but try Continental Warranty. They compete with Warranty Direct. But, if they can put you in their Great American plan, you're gold.

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