Hey all. I currently own a 2004 ml500 w/ sport package. I love the car, but considering me and my younger brother share it, towards summer of 09 we agreed to sell it, split the money, and proceed to buy our own cars. I've been eying heavily a 2002-2004 cl500, seeing as I've always loved this car and the prices on them aren't too bad (I have extra funds saved, so the money from the ml and that will go towards the car). I just wanted to ask a few questions. I plan on modding this car (exhaust, body kit, ecu and intake for starters), so I wanted to know how easily it is to obtain these parts, what is the best of the selection, and is it worth it. Im a sucker for a killer sound, so that's a high priority. I havent seen many options, but I know there is the Eisenmann. My buddy has an eisenmann on his c320, and it sounds amazing, but that price is a tad bit more than I expected to pay. Any suggestions on this? And I haven't researched a cold air much yet, but which is one of the best? Thank you, and hope to talk with all of you!
-PJ

 

If you can swing it go for the 600. The mods will make more of a difference. I regret not getting the 55 or 600. It has cost a lot to get very little from my 500.

 

i was considering it too, but im worried about my insurance costing more. Plus, I was curious about comparing gas mileage. after all, its got 4 more cylinders heh. How's fuel economy as well as insurance difference?

 

Intakes? If you find a intake for under 3 grand lemme know. Modding these cars with quality products is expensive. Be prepared

 

i would go with the 55 or 65 if you have the money so you wont have to worry about any mods cuz it will be fast enought and sound just right, especielly the 65. but dont go with the 600, its the worst out of all of them, it will break down too often.

 

i would get a 55, but its more out of my budget than i planned on. but who knows, by next summer they may be down in my range. Plus, I feel insurance will be much more on a 55 than on a 500 (Im only in college still, remember that heheh)

 

The amount of money you would spend on an intake and exhaust is close to the difference between a 500 and 55.

 

if you are still in college then you can't afford it. you need atleast 5,000 a year to put in the car to maintain, to be on the safe side.

 

for which? a 55, or both the 500 n 55?

 

both

 

Unfortunately,

As much as you love the CL, I definitely would not recommend buying one if you're still in school.

Even if you're working nowadays, I still think you should be making at least $100k per year in order to buy a well-maintained CL and keep up with its maintenance cost. After all, you can't just spend all the pennies you have on a car, even if it's a CL.

Good luck and given your status as a student, perhaps you'll want to start with a slightly inexpensive model and work your way up? In the end, you'll be rewarded knowing that you've worked hard to get something in life.

Jon

 

does it help that my family owns a dealership? heh . I've also been eying a c55 or a c32. Would that be a better choice?

 

If you have parents' support, then that's different.

Yes. I would say C class definitely suits you better. It's not because it's less expensive but because it has an image more suitable for younger adults.

With Mercedes it's usually better to go with the more recent models.

Good luck!

Jon

 

If money isn't an issue get the 03 CL 65 or 55

 

I'm paying for the car in full, they're helping with insurance. I'll try to swing a c55, seeing as I like the look of quad exhaust better, and not to mention the roar of a v8 . Not sure, got to research it some more. Thanks though, I wouldn't have known about the maintenance costs. Well...you guys know your stuff. Which would you pick, the 55 or the 32?

 

The costs of maintenance are minimal on the cl500. I think what you are really asking is the real costs on the "easycare" warranty which you have to buy. I just paid 2200 for 3 years/60k on my 2005 cl500 with 34k. again, it is not so much maintenance as warranty at your age.

Over the 3 years this is a bargain, and when you sell with warranty leftover it is a great selling point.

IMO there is no comparison with the old c vs the old cl. The quality differential on the interior, exterior and ride is in another realm.

Paul

 

I know how you feel about the CL. It's a sick car and always loved it since I was a kid (S-coupe back in the day). I love my E, but the CL is just completely different. Sometimes I get lucky when my dad takes my car so I take his CL out.

Little bit of advice. The CL's require the most maintenance out of all the production benzes (equal to SL's). Even the base 500's have a lot of little gremlins and electronic gizmos that could have problems. It's a lot of money to maintain the car. Ours is an 02 CL500 with about 36,000 miles on it. It's white with stone interior. Options include Comfort seat package (love it), keyless go (never use it), and electronic trunk closer (stay away from it!!!). We are strongly thinking of selling it. It's in great shape, but no way practical for us.

Recommendation, I love the CL, but feel like it's too much for me as a 21 year old kid. It's more something for a company executive or president (my father). It's a very grown up car in my opinion, and for a man, not for a woman. And it never looks right IMO opinion with a young kid in it, even me included. It's very large for a coupe, like a boat. The cabin feels more costrophobic than the E, with less cabin room (bad for certain evenings ), especially less head room, no pun intended . Also, practicality wise, an E or C would be more practical. If you could afford it (and if you like the body style, which I really don't) maybe look into a CLS500. More sporty versions of E-class (it's pretty much the same car almost).

My friend has a C55, he loves it. First hand experience, amazing car, what pull. I would love one of those (can't afford a 63 right now, and I don't like the 63 engines, lack of all the torque the 55s had). The c32 is amazing too, but go with the 55. N/A engine will give you less trouble than the 3.2L supercharged 6, more power than c32, and the technology is better in the 55. Go with the 55, nothing like the V8. Remember, your a kid, just like me. We only get to be this age once. My father always says I can drive a CL or S later in my life. He says at this age drive a sporty car (I was gonna get a two door, but since he has one, I had to get a four door). Even the E at times feels too grown up for me, but not that much. I love the car though, I get a lot of looks with it, especially cause of the pano roof. Maybe look into an E500. But MOST IMPORTANTLY, test drive them all and decide for yourself.

, ya I guess I talk too much. Hope I was able to help.

-Simon

 

that was definitely the answer i needed. I had a few people also tell me to stay away from it only because of the maintenance costs which would be hard to cover as a kid. a c55 was actually my other consideration, and im highly considering that. I would love a cls, but the budget for even a used one I feel would be just a bit too much out of my price range. Thanks for that!

 

Yeah, your right. Those CLS's hold their value for some reason, idk why, I don't even like the car, lol. *Sigh, for me, I would really want a white on black SLK55 (05-07 MY), I love those cars. Would take that over an SL. But an SLK is the least practical Mercedes of all, least amount of space, two seats, BUT one HECK of a ride and car

 

ya know, I really want an slk too (white on red actually), but for a new englander that car in the winter=game over heheh. oh well. ill research into it some more

 

One thing that hasn't been addressed is your ability to conduct DIY repairs? This makes a BIG difference in the practicality of CL ownership, or any other Benz for that matter. If you're the DIY type or the hands-off type with deep pockets; either way, go with what you like. Drive all the cars in your top 5 list and then make a decision. If you're heart is still set on the CL and you can afford the cost and maintenance, go for it! You won't regret it. Make sure you get one with the AMG package.

The CL is in a league of it's own. My CL is 7 years old and it still get's the looks and compliments of a new car.

Money well spent IMO.

 

good point as well. I plan on taking some test drives of all of my potential buys, so hopefully i can go from there. I'm pretty handy with DIY repairs, and like I said with the backing of a dealership my access to parts isn't too difficult. But I'll make my final decision after taking the few potentials for drives. I have driven a few, but I do want to drive a cl before I make my final choice