horsepit

Looking to buy a CL and doing my research. I am thinking that I want to get a 2003 or newer. Seems like a lot of improvements happened that year. That said, is the motivation to go with the 55 or 600 just power? Is the car much nicer when you bump the model or just faster? Is it that slow in the 500 version? Would it be better to get a base model but newer rather than a 55 or 600. I am reading a lot of bad story of very expensive repairs and maintenance with the 600. Do we move to the exotic with the V12? Thanks for the feedback.

mf219

I'm sure the owners of the CL55 & the CL600 will disagree, but the CL500 is far from slow. Remember this is a $100k+ sports car. The 5.0 liter V8 puts out over 300 horsepower and (newer models) have a 7 speed transmission. I think you'd be happy with the normally aspirated V8 unless you're a speed demon and/or looking for bragging rights.

bluecl600

I would recommend a 2002 Cl600 V12 with a warranty. The warranty is expensive but will help you sort the car out and get an understanding of it in the first 12 months. The v12 delivers the power so smoothly and the car never struggles with the weight. The CL55 V8 doesn't have the same linear feel as the v12. Find one with miles under 50k and it should feel like a new car.

mf219

there are a number of upgrades in the newer models. most owners will tell you to purchase a "post facelift" 2004+ MY

see this post for details --->

00-02?? or 03 to present????

bzliteyear

+1 on post-2004. V12TT warranties are difficult to get, esp if more than 50k miles. Plus, there are not that many CL600's(gotta get Sports pkg) to begin with. If can't find a good CL600, I suggest CL55 and upgrade the roof material to suede and just enjoy - probably 90% of the fun, though perhaps not quite as luxurious inside.
PL

mf219

I didn't think the interior for the 500/600 was different? I heard the AMG has some type of suede headliner. Anyone know what the other (interior) differences are?

OK55

1. The 500 will certainly be cheaper to run and, to be frank, it's performance is plenty for normal driving purposes.
2. The 600 is quick, no doubt, and relatively quiet. If you like your car very powerful but very very understated then this is the one - a real wolf in sheep's clothing.
3. The 55 is the extrovert here, very powerful but with quad pipes and the trademark AMG rumble. If you want the world to know more of the wolf then this is the one for you.
Brgds

mf219

nicely stated

mf219

re: interior of CL500 vs CL600 or AMG

just looked at interior pics of a 2005 CL65 (covers both bases) f/s on ebay- it appears to be IDENTICAL to my CL500, except for the gas/brake pedals.

bzliteyear

besides the alcantera suede headliner in the 600's, the ENTIRE entire is wrapped in leather - from the dash and doors to all the interior trims. further, there's lots more wood on the inside, and there's likely more interior options on the 600's that may have been optional on the 55/500's. i'm not saying the full leather/nicer interior is a must have, but just so you know the difference...not too many full leather interior full-size sedans out there, esp for less than MSRP $200k.
PL

mf219

I'm guessing u meant the entire steering wheel is wrapped in leather- u are correct, I just looked at the pics again. I knew there was something different about the steering wheel- I actually like the wood/leather wheel of the 500 better. Other than that, as I stated the rest of the interior is identical-the dash & doors are full leather in the 500 as well, the wood trim is identical. The only difference is the headliner.

bzliteyear

wood leather is on ANY of the 500/55/600, so i think it's car specific.
as for rest of the interior being identical and dash/door being full leather in the 500 as well...are you determining this from the pix?
fyi, from ALL of the 500/55's that i've seen, UNLESS they are Designo optioned at about $10k, the trims may appear to be leather in pictures but are not. the 500/55 dashes are all rubber, as are most of the door, dash, console, etc. Only the 600 and the Designo options are full leather.
PL

mf219

I'm going off the pics of the 600 series I looked at. The interior of my CL500 is identical. The doors, dash, and center console are all leather as well. It may have the Designo option, I don't know (I bought it used).

retardedmunk

cl65....enough said...super reliable...supercar...... only 185 built in 2005-2006---rarer then any other exotic built

saintz

The '03 is when the 55 and 600 went forced induction (supercharged and turbocharged, respectively).

Performance wise, obviously the FI models are faster. Reliability wise, the NA 55 is the best bet. The FI 600 is actually more reliable than the NA 600, which can develop issues related to cylinder deactivation (a gas saving mechanism which they did away with on the turbo models).

In terms of the difference between the 600 and 55, this largely depends on what you can find in the market. The 600 ultimately is more powerful and can be upgraded very easily. The 55 is more sporty.

horsepit

Wow, you guys, and Gals, Rock. I'm always amazed by the help that is available with forums. Great information. So, it appears to me I should stay with 2003+ for power and reliablity with the CL55 and CL600, although doesn't seem to be the same changes with the CL500. I just need to drive them. I am amazed how quick my wifes 2009 E350 is with just a 6. I do drive a 2008 Corvette now though so I will need "Sporty" which is leaning me towards the CL55. It will depend on what I can find. Yes the CL65 would be great but to find one, and with low enough miles, we'll see.

I also need to research the 2004 "Face Lift". I have heard a lot about getting the extended warranty. DO any of you have a recomendation on who to go wiht in California? Thanks again all of you.

Gas Hog

I have a 2003 CL600 and love it. The car is like a locomotive. It just keeps going faster and faster. As for sporty, I have a supercharged Z06 that has 620 HP and is a beast. The 600 is sporty in my opinion. They both have serious power but the 600 just goes whereas the Z06 will burn the tires at 70!

As for a warranty, good luck! Mine had a warranty and they spent around $22,000 repairing mine over the years. You may find one on low mileage cars if you are lucky. These cars are not cheap to repair! Last year mine needed spark plugs (24), two coil packs, tires, front brakes and rotors. These are normal wear and tear items but they are expensive. Do your homework and good luck!

saintz

Bear in mind that neither the 55 nor the 600 are going to handle like a Corvette, so neither are sporty in that regard. They're both more like freight trains or missiles, as Gas Hog noted.

Ifari

ALL CLs have complete leather interior surfaces, that includes the entire tightly wrapped leather upper dashboards & door inserts.

The only differences in the CL 600s and AMG CLs, is that they have suede headliners and 'loose-fit' leather inserts in the doors.

The '03 up AMGs come with leather steering wheels (CL 500s and CL 600s have wood/leather) and a different stitch design on the seats.

S-Class sedans may have some plastic, but all the CL coupes have complete leather interiors, ABC suspensions and double paned glass.

Gas Hog

My CL600 has the suede headliner. Could a CL600 be ordered as an AMG car?

bzliteyear

Perhaps some of you guys can chime in here who own CL500/CL55s, because I don't think they come with leather dash/doors/interiors, unless Designo. Of the CL's that I've looked at, I recall the 500/55's had the soft rubber interiors with the fake stitching on them. Not knocking it because it's better than most of the stuff out there, but it's definitely not the full leather of the 600/Designo. This isn't a big deal...just curious what the truth is, especially for the OP.
PL

reddog

For my 2003 CL500 here is the quote from Mercedes Benz: "Hand-fitted leather upholstery on seats, head restraints, dash, doors, armrests, steering wheel and shift knob." The Espresso Designo Edition had light brown Nappa leather and the Silver Designo Edition had charcoal Nappa leather.

The Cashmere Designo Edition had Pebble Grey Nappa leather in the interior. On the CL600 "glove-soft exclusive Nappa leather covers the seats, head restraints and armrests as well as the dash, consoles, doors and rear shelf. Suede-like Alcantra adds a soft touch to the visors, roof pillars and ceiling."

The CL55 had perforated Nappa leather upholstery.

The Designo options were priced as follows in 2003:
CL500/CL55-Silver & Espresso edition-$10,700

CL600 " " " - $9900
CL500/CL55- Cashmere edition- $11,500
CL600 " " - $10,700

Patentmat

Leather all around on my 2004 CL55 (edit: and suede headliner), but it is the Cashmere Designo, so this was expected. Waiting to hear from a non-designo

mf219

my '04 CL500 is full leather- dash, doors, and all. I looked at the stitching on the dash & it's definitely not fake.

bzliteyear

I saw a 2005 CL55 and peaked inside...now I know what you guys are talking about.

First, there is definitely "some" leather on both the dash and the doors.
However, it is very partial on dash and it's very hard/thin leather vs. the softer padded nappa(?) leather on the 600 and Designo. Also, the 600's have FULL LEATHER dash - not just on the top middle. Further, the knee bolster and middle console is completely leather for 600. Lastly, the doors are again partial leather on CL55 where the ENTIRE door is covered in soft leather(other than carpeted area). Again, I'm not knocking the CL500/55's, just point out the differences since people are asking.
P.S. The CL55 has more leather on dash than the S55.
PL