JHouse

The point was to buy a car for under 7K British Pounds ($11,250) to compare what you could get in a used car for the price of a 3 cylinder Nissan (the cheapest new car in England.)

One of the two cars purchased was a "9 year old" (they didn't say the year - but it probably was 02 because of the HP numbers they quoted and because we don't get these shows first run). It had over 120K miles on it. Looked like new, inside and out. It was loaded, and everything worked. They put it on a dyno and it had lost 10 hp (352 vs 362 hp) in 9 years and 122,000 miles. Jeremy Clarkson couldn't figure out why anyone would buy a new one. He was whispering in the microphone past 140 mph to demonstrate how quiet it was.

The forensic test was funny. The only thing they found in it was a "white powder", some "cut herbs" and in the passenger seat there was some vaginal liquid traces. What a car!

James May called them idiots saying they would go broke with repairs, so they are going to keep the cars and drive them and report on their progress during the season.

Richard Hammond got a 94 850 BMW with 54,000 miles on it. The CL creamed it in the drag race.

He also said it got 30 mpg on the road. Wow!

It's on BBC America, and they rerun them a lot, so catch it. It's a hilarious show, but this time it really hit close to home.

dre5373

Love Top Gear, but ONLY the BBC version. The American version is painful to watch!

JHouse

It's true the British show is absolutely king, but the American show can be an acquired taste, as is The Car Show. I worked through the initial pain on both. But I only "look forward to seeing" the BBC show.

tusabes

Post it when it hits YouTube

zneB-sedecreM

It's been out if you follow the seasons online, seeing as the UK gets the original episodes before the US. The CL can't be newer than an '02. I don't want to spoil it for you, but in the next episode (or the one after) they report their findings on the CL600 and 8 Series lol. Its funny how expensive the CL is to maintain haha. Amazing car through, way ahead of its time

zneB-sedecreM

Did Uncle Sam really have to stick his red, white and blue twist on it it sucks, the presenters are all noodles

momentum59

I have both of these cars, 850 / CL... I have to see this episode! Thanks for the info!

JHouse

In the Top Gear Magazine (there is one and it's really good) they were pumping up the American Version. I think there is some licensing/or other business relationship to allow them to use the name and every gimmick (the Stig) they have. The truth is the show is all about the personalities, their chemistry and the writers. They are just plain witty, charismatic and they have fun.

JarZ

After two weeks, the CL had some part break that cost 800 pounds to replace. Ouch.

JHouse

That was my conclusion until I looked up the engine specs on Wikipedia. I probably misread it at first, thinking the 362 horse engine was only in 2000 but it looks like it was there from 1999 through 2003. So I agree, it is probably a 2002.

JHouse

You spoiler!, But on the other hand, that's about $1,280 US, which is a number the MB dealer seems to hover around for 90% of their work. It seems like every quote I get is $1,100 or $1,200, and it is usually for putting on a part that actually can be had for $100.

That's why I'm relying on well reviewed local MB mechanics and some new friends who are top notch shade tree mechanics (they do it for love (of the CARS you a-hole )). They even have the STAR computer gizmo and the manuals. Plus, I'm actually, at my advanced age, learning the joys of tackling what would seem to most to be a "tough" mechanical challenge and learning how to make it easy by doing it right. We are swarming the cars and it is a blast.

JHouse

I now know why it got 30 mpg. This is from Wikipedia:

From 1999 through 2003, the V12-equipped cars featured a cylinder deactivation system called Active Cylinder Control. The feature was dropped when the 500 PS (368 kW; 493 hp) bi-turbo V12 was introduced. This disactivation feature allowed the CL 600 to get better fuel economy than the comparable CL500, especially on the road where the six cylinder operation could be effectively used. Basically this engine is two Mercedes six cylinder series engines mated to a common crank with appropriate engine monitoring systems

JHouse

Where do I find the newer episodes on line? Amazon doesn't have them. I've check a couple of search engines. Help!

Sorry, found it: http://www.tv-links.eu/tv-shows/Top-..._17/episode_4/

1995E320Cab

I caught that show last night, it was great and pretty funny. Nice to see the CL get some press.

1995E320Cab

Did you find a link to the follow up show ?

JHouse

Here: http://www.tv-links.eu/_gateway.html?data=ODk1NTc0

Haven't watched it yet. I want to watch it in HD when I get my laptop with HDMI hooked up to my theater.

JarZ

And the follow up:

http://www.streetfire.net/video/top-...-4_2285723.htm

2nd section. 9:19 is where they get into it.

JHouse

Great!. My link quit before the show was over. Thanks.

So a coil went and he got clipped pretty bad. Still, 122K miles, a coil. Should have had a friend diagnose it and install it himself.

StarPower

Here's a link with photos of the inspections of the cars. Clarkson's CL600 is immaculate, but Hammond's 850 is pretty trashed (which wasn't shown in the episode).

Shadow5501

Actually, it's because imperial gallons are larger than American gallons. 30MPG imperial is equal to 24.99MPG 'Merican.

JHouse

You have GOT to be kidding. All this time? Sheesh. Still, 25 is a lot better than I get on the highway.

grane

They had a bunch of 850s at Lime Rock for sale this weekend. One was nice, the rest "projects."

Oh, we took the G and there were about 5 MBs there. Why?

I took the G around the skidpad sorta. Eyes bugging.

JHouse

I think that 850 looks really dated. I suppose a lot like a 94 MB would. It's amazing to me that the 850 cost about the same being 8 years older and in so much poorer shape.

BMWcare

www.eztv.it for the shows using bittorrent if one were inclined...

The model is a 2001 build with the non-turbo V12. Anyone who has driven both (5.8 vs 5.5) comes to the conclusion that the 5.8 is ****!!

Ignition module failed on Jeremys (glorified coil pack).

Kind Regards,
E.

JHouse

I watched the first show again last night. The CL600 had 127,000 miles on it.

How are we certain it is a 2001?