Hey guys, I've been a multiple-time Supra Turbo owner, and for the past 2 years, also a C230 Kompressor owner (w202). I've been looking to upgrade my Mercedes to the CL class, so I decided to pop into the dealer to check out an '03 CL500.

Though overpriced at $59k, it was a good example, but driving I felt like the car was very slow. Not even as responsive as a '99 GS400 I've had. If I'm okay with its midrange to top end power, but wish it had more grunt down below, should I be looking into the 00-02 CL600? Or is it worth breaking the bank to get the boosted 03+ variety...

But yeah, my thoughts overall: very disappoined with the $59k CL500 I drove. There's so much more coupe to be had from other makes at that price point. I did like the interior amenities, though it was much smaller inside than I had expected.

-Ray

 

You can get a 2003 CL55 in the high $40's to low $50's. That would be my choice. CL600 can be very expensive to fix, much more than the CL500.

 

I really did have my eye on the 600 for the most part, but I keep hearing about how much more maintenance is required.

Does the '03 CL55 have more low end response than a pre-'03 CL600? This is my biggest concern because for the most part, the CL500 got off the line like a boat. I'm looking for something more spirited; and I realize that this is a very heavy car, but was hoping that a big motor would compensate. Also, I noticed the CL500 I drove has the feature to raise the nose of the car -- is it safe to assume that this is a standard function of ABC on all of the w215 years?

-Ray

 

coming from Supras, i'd say listen well to VIP_MBZ.. get a CL55. Specially you mentioned the spirited driving. the 600s 03+ are nice too or even nicer when you blow 10k into it and get full blown renntech.

 

Go with the 2003 and later CL600 and have the ECU tuned by Renntech. You will have well over 600 hp and you will love every minuite.

The things that I have had go wrong on my car would have happend to a 55 or 500 since they share the same components. The ABC is problem 1 with these cars. I'm on my 3rd ABC pump in the last 6 months and have replaced just about all the hydraulic hoses too.

 

Just wanted to welcome myself. Knew to the Forum. Just wanted to do some research before i made the big decision on which one to go with. But what is abc pump?

 

I'd go with the CL55. Having owned a CL500 and CL600 and an S55, The 55 engine was my favorite by far. The CL600 seemed even more sluggish and heavy than the 500 did until you really got on it. (I dyno'd the car at Renntech and all was ok by the way). The 500 engine wasn't too bad...it just sounded like a diesel when it first started up which really turned me off after a while.

The 55 seemed much more a drivers engine...the V12 a highway cruise missile.

Best of luck!

 

Exactly what I told everyone... but no one believes me. they all said how can your V12 TT be sluggish... must be something wrong with my car they also said, but hey, I know they are powerful but I enjoy them on the freeway mode. in the city I'd go with 55s motor. 500 motor just too wimpy for a CL class... I'm sure it's a great V8 motor, on a E-class

 

My 2004 CL600 runs very strong at all speeds and isn't sluggish at all. I don't know what you guys are talking about. I couldn't behappier with the car's performance. Wait, I guess I should mention that I did the Renntech upgrades, my bad!