Should I buy?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 30
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From: Indiana
'99 C230K, '97 E420 Sport
Should I buy?
OK I have my eye on a CL500 around 50k miles for $30k, or a CLK500 w209. Basically which of the two would be a better buy. It'll be my daily driver. I love the styling & features that you can't get with a CLK. Despite being larger, I heard they're still nimble as well. Especially with the ABC suspension.
What can I expect as far as maintaining this fine piece of machinery? I can do most maintenance myself. For example filters, brakes, oil changes, ignition, etc.
Tell me about the ABC. I hear of things going bad with the ABC. Are there any other things I should watch out for?
Thank you
1st post, yay!
What can I expect as far as maintaining this fine piece of machinery? I can do most maintenance myself. For example filters, brakes, oil changes, ignition, etc.
Tell me about the ABC. I hear of things going bad with the ABC. Are there any other things I should watch out for?
Thank you
1st post, yay!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: In my garage
E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
The CLK is a much better daily driver. It will be much more reliable, get better mileage, and will not be in the shop nearly as much. The CL's ABC suspensions are very problematic and very expensive to fix.
The only CL to get would be the 2003 and later 600's and 55's. If you are going to have issues, you should at least have a very fast car. Nothing is worse than a slow car with high maintenance.
The only CL to get would be the 2003 and later 600's and 55's. If you are going to have issues, you should at least have a very fast car. Nothing is worse than a slow car with high maintenance.
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Joined: Mar 2004
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C32 AMG, CL500, Jag StypeR, SLK200, Aygo, Audi TT
Well I can talk from experiance as I have owned 4 CLK (1 w208 and 3 w209) and have a CL500.
Drive wise nothing compares to the CL500 air suspension - its wonderful and the overall driving experiance of the CL is miles better than the CLK. I had a CLK55 AMG and whilst I miss the power\performance I dont miss anything else.
All my w209 CLK's were 2002 models and EACH one of them got Glycol contamination in the gearbox due to faulty rads. 2 got cleanots and flushing - 1 got a new gearbox, rad and torque converter.
All 3 had numerious issues that ended them up in the dealership many many times - but I always had MB warrenty so nothing came out of my pocket.
Saying that, My CL also have a 2 year MB warrenty and im already having to claim - my personal opinion is that ANY MB will end up in the dealership whilst you own it so just choose the car that best suits you - just for gods sake make sure you have a warrenty.
My last point was RUST - I have found none on my CL - yet one of my CLK's suffered badly with rust around the wheel arches. Once again though this was covered with warrenty.
I personally would still go for the CL - its soooo much better driving experiance - and just looks soooo more classey and expensive. But yes thats just my personal feelings.
Drive wise nothing compares to the CL500 air suspension - its wonderful and the overall driving experiance of the CL is miles better than the CLK. I had a CLK55 AMG and whilst I miss the power\performance I dont miss anything else.
All my w209 CLK's were 2002 models and EACH one of them got Glycol contamination in the gearbox due to faulty rads. 2 got cleanots and flushing - 1 got a new gearbox, rad and torque converter.
All 3 had numerious issues that ended them up in the dealership many many times - but I always had MB warrenty so nothing came out of my pocket.
Saying that, My CL also have a 2 year MB warrenty and im already having to claim - my personal opinion is that ANY MB will end up in the dealership whilst you own it so just choose the car that best suits you - just for gods sake make sure you have a warrenty.
My last point was RUST - I have found none on my CL - yet one of my CLK's suffered badly with rust around the wheel arches. Once again though this was covered with warrenty.
I personally would still go for the CL - its soooo much better driving experiance - and just looks soooo more classey and expensive. But yes thats just my personal feelings.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,311
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From: Cleveland, Ohio
2003 Cl 500
CL - MEN
CLK - Sweet 16 Present for your daughter looooool
i agree with what they said above, my options were similar to yours. but i say this, if its the right color, and the right price, and PLEASE stick to dealer CPO'd, then get it.
i had an option, get a silver cl55, or get a white on black cl500....... the white is all me, but if i could go back and do it again...... i would of just gotten the 55, damn is it quick. but i love my car, just wish it was a 55 lol. the CL's are bigger, and more loaded STANDARD. if your going CLK it better be exactly what you want to the T and it better be a 55
ALi
CLK - Sweet 16 Present for your daughter looooool
i agree with what they said above, my options were similar to yours. but i say this, if its the right color, and the right price, and PLEASE stick to dealer CPO'd, then get it.
i had an option, get a silver cl55, or get a white on black cl500....... the white is all me, but if i could go back and do it again...... i would of just gotten the 55, damn is it quick. but i love my car, just wish it was a 55 lol. the CL's are bigger, and more loaded STANDARD. if your going CLK it better be exactly what you want to the T and it better be a 55
ALi
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 30
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From: Indiana
'99 C230K, '97 E420 Sport
Thanks for the info...
That's exactly what I was thinking. The Clk's are kinda feminine & ordinary looking. And the Cl's are just straight classy & I hardly see them on the road. I like a car that stands out amongst. Also I don't want a fast car. I want a car that's like damnnn!, when you see parked in front of Starbucks in the morn. I've driven a CLK55, it was fast but I wasn't that impressed. Plus I hate most AMG interiors. I don't care for the Alum. look. If I want to go fast I'll get on my bike anyways. One of these days I'm just going to have to drive a CL500 to see what it's like.
Speaking of gas mileage...What is expected for a CL500? I do a lot of highway miles.
That's exactly what I was thinking. The Clk's are kinda feminine & ordinary looking. And the Cl's are just straight classy & I hardly see them on the road. I like a car that stands out amongst. Also I don't want a fast car. I want a car that's like damnnn!, when you see parked in front of Starbucks in the morn. I've driven a CLK55, it was fast but I wasn't that impressed. Plus I hate most AMG interiors. I don't care for the Alum. look. If I want to go fast I'll get on my bike anyways. One of these days I'm just going to have to drive a CL500 to see what it's like.
Speaking of gas mileage...What is expected for a CL500? I do a lot of highway miles.
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Joined: Mar 2004
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C32 AMG, CL500, Jag StypeR, SLK200, Aygo, Audi TT
14mpg - thats rough!
Ok on a 100 mile round trip ill get 24mpg from the CL500. If I drive around town only then I get 18-20mpg - I think thats great cause thats exactly what my C32 did as well!! But Goliath - man 14mpg is bad man! Thats like what my ML430 used to give - I sold it within 6 months cause I was fed up of constantly filling her up
I use the CL as a daily driver and do alot of 100 mile trips each day - Ive personally been pleasently surprised by how good the fuel economy is. And what even more funny is that on the C32 road tax per year was £220 - the CL500 with a bigger engine is £180 - work that out. I have noticed though that to do 80mph the rev are just under 2000 - so I guess im not stressing the old 5 litre as all - man I just love her
Ok on a 100 mile round trip ill get 24mpg from the CL500. If I drive around town only then I get 18-20mpg - I think thats great cause thats exactly what my C32 did as well!! But Goliath - man 14mpg is bad man! Thats like what my ML430 used to give - I sold it within 6 months cause I was fed up of constantly filling her up
I use the CL as a daily driver and do alot of 100 mile trips each day - Ive personally been pleasently surprised by how good the fuel economy is. And what even more funny is that on the C32 road tax per year was £220 - the CL500 with a bigger engine is £180 - work that out. I have noticed though that to do 80mph the rev are just under 2000 - so I guess im not stressing the old 5 litre as all
- man I just love her
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 30
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From: Indiana
'99 C230K, '97 E420 Sport
My caddy gets 26 highway. I was thinking somewhere close, 24mpg isn't that bad. but 2k rpm @ 80mph? wow.
Whichever I pick, It'll look similar to the ones in the pics. So hard to choose!
Whichever I pick, It'll look similar to the ones in the pics. So hard to choose!
Last edited by MercELITE; Dec 8, 2007 at 05:03 AM.
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Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 385
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C32 AMG, CL500, Jag StypeR, SLK200, Aygo, Audi TT
and i bet you love every minute hey
I do get what your saying bout the cl55 though - I mean the CLK55 I had and the C32 where just astonishing when you floor them - the CL500 makes all the noise and slowly (well it feels that way anyway) puts that power down
I want to take some pics of my babe soon - but were having awful storm weather at the present. Just want a bit of sun!!
I do get what your saying bout the cl55 though - I mean the CLK55 I had and the C32 where just astonishing when you floor them - the CL500 makes all the noise and slowly (well it feels that way anyway) puts that power down
I want to take some pics of my babe soon - but were having awful storm weather at the present. Just want a bit of sun!!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,311
Likes: 2
From: Cleveland, Ohio
2003 Cl 500
oh sheet u posted right when i did lol, didnt notice.
can get this one for 30k easy if you try....
cl55
try and find one thats been modded some what too, like this one appears to of been maybe....
guy has the new key's, must know about some mod's
happy huntin bro
ALi
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 385
Likes: 0
C32 AMG, CL500, Jag StypeR, SLK200, Aygo, Audi TT
oh sheet u posted right when i did lol, didnt notice.
can get this one for 30k easy if you try....
cl55
try and find one thats been modded some what too, like this one appears to of been maybe....
guy has the new key's, must know about some mod's
happy huntin bro
ALi
can get this one for 30k easy if you try....
cl55
try and find one thats been modded some what too, like this one appears to of been maybe....
guy has the new key's, must know about some mod's
happy huntin bro
ALi
hey dude - when my CL500 arrived it only had 1 key - the boring all black one. I complained and the dealership said 2 new ones will be on their way - well they arrived and guess what - they are the black with silver edges like in that car you saw advertised so I dont think its a mod thing - just a chnage of key style I guess. Funny though - as soon as the new keys came guess wheich one got put away in the cupboard - yep that old boring black one
ha ha
Almost a Member!
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 27
Likes: 1
From: Connecticut
2005 SLK350, 2006 ML350, 2006 CL500
"Speaking of gas mileage...What is expected for a CL500? I do a lot of highway miles"
For what its worth, my 2006 CL500 is rated as 16/24 from the EPA. Around the city I get about 15mph, however on the highway it gets about 25 - 26 mpg. That is cruising at 70-75mph where the odometer is pulling less than 2000 rpms. My car has a seven-speed auto and I'm not sure how much that might help the mpg on the highway.
For what its worth, my 2006 CL500 is rated as 16/24 from the EPA. Around the city I get about 15mph, however on the highway it gets about 25 - 26 mpg. That is cruising at 70-75mph where the odometer is pulling less than 2000 rpms. My car has a seven-speed auto and I'm not sure how much that might help the mpg on the highway.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,311
Likes: 2
From: Cleveland, Ohio
2003 Cl 500
"Speaking of gas mileage...What is expected for a CL500? I do a lot of highway miles"
For what its worth, my 2006 CL500 is rated as 16/24 from the EPA. Around the city I get about 15mph, however on the highway it gets about 25 - 26 mpg. That is cruising at 70-75mph where the odometer is pulling less than 2000 rpms. My car has a seven-speed auto and I'm not sure how much that might help the mpg on the highway.
For what its worth, my 2006 CL500 is rated as 16/24 from the EPA. Around the city I get about 15mph, however on the highway it gets about 25 - 26 mpg. That is cruising at 70-75mph where the odometer is pulling less than 2000 rpms. My car has a seven-speed auto and I'm not sure how much that might help the mpg on the highway.
ALi
Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 78
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03 cl500,04 range rover, 04 cayenne turbo, 08 yukon denali
You can buy mine. I have an 03 blk/blk cl500 w/ the amg package. 37k miles. My abc pump was replaced under warranty but I never had any issues with it to be honest. It was part of the tsb. I'm moving to the east coast and will be living in an area that gets heavy snow.. I need to get another RR or maybe a jeep srt8...
