CL-Class (W215) 2000-2006: CL 500, CL 600

Considering 01 cl600

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Mar 7, 2013 | 01:46 AM
  #1  
bluetec4us's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Monterey, CA
2009 r320
Considering 01 cl600

45k miles - $15 obo. looks very clean, have not contacted owner yet for history. Would have shop inspect before purchase. Do most all mechanic work myself. Car is sitting low after a couple days, read about a ABC recall and need to check VIN #. Question is it worth looking at or is this 12cly/cl a problem vehicle? My thoughts are at this price if in the next 50k miles (now 100k) I put 10k or less in maintanace it may be a good purchase and could run 200k or more. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Tom
Reply
Old Mar 8, 2013 | 09:03 AM
  #2  
slonar21's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 254
Likes: 17
From: America
CL600 2003
First, the ABC recall is for a hose, and will not remedy the car lowering after a couple of days. If it lowers in less than one week it is not considered normal, most likely a valve block

Second, the pre facelift v12's(non turbo) have a major flaw, the oil cooler leaks, you have to dismantle most of the engine to fix this, very expensive job.

I would suggest a newer W215, at least 2003, and any cl will cost much more than 10k for 100k of use
Reply
Old Mar 8, 2013 | 11:01 AM
  #3  
radride's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,559
Likes: 79
2015 Challenger Hellcat, 2023 Ram 3500, 2005 E55 Wagon, 2019 GLC63s
Originally Posted by slonar21
First, the ABC recall is for a hose, and will not remedy the car lowering after a couple of days. If it lowers in less than one week it is not considered normal, most likely a valve block

Second, the pre facelift v12's(non turbo) have a major flaw, the oil cooler leaks, you have to dismantle most of the engine to fix this, very expensive job.

I would suggest a newer W215, at least 2003, and any cl will cost much more than 10k for 100k of use

I just had this same talk with my mechanic and asked him if I should worry that the rears starts to sag a bit after 3-4 days. He said that its normal and not to worry about it. If the car drops after being parked for half an hour or doesn't raise up at all, then be concerned. Also in cooler temps, the car will drop sooner than when its warmer out side. In the summer my car doesn't start to sag until about a week goes by. In the fall and spring when the temps are cooler outside; 3-4 days.

R.K.
Reply
Old Mar 8, 2013 | 04:08 PM
  #4  
saintz's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,803
Likes: 12
From: Charleston, SC
GL450
I would probably buy a higher mile turbo model for that price. It will ultimately be more reliable due to the better engine design (mentioned oil cooler). If you go for it, I would get the price down and be prepared that you might blow a big chunk of your 10k maintenance budget. A new valve block if the sagging gets worse plus the inevitable oil cooler fix would be about half of it.
Reply
Old Mar 9, 2013 | 12:12 AM
  #5  
bluetec4us's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Monterey, CA
2009 r320
Thanks for the responces. After my reviews I will wait for a 03 or newer. My wife and teenage twins drive the 09 r320 bluetec (love the interior room for 7) with 42k which just returned from the shop with a leaking oil cooler. It took near 2 weeks to repair and was a quite a intensive job according to my service rep. I have no idea of the repair cost since it was covered by the original warranty. I'm currently riding my 02 BMW LT motorcycle daily driver rain or shine with 135k on the odo as my 94 F350 4x4 diesel crewcab mostly sits in the driveway.

Thanks,

Tom
Reply
Old Mar 9, 2013 | 09:52 AM
  #6  
BlownV8's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 8,882
Likes: 1,214
From: In my garage
E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
2001 CL600: Slowly back away then run like hell. If budget is in the picture in any way, do not get a 215 CL. Get the newest one you can afford. On the CL600, go for the 2003+ for the twin turbo engine. Since you will be spending a ton on upkeep, you might as well get something that is fast!
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2013 | 04:34 PM
  #7  
PB617's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 23
Likes: 2
2004 CL500
According to MB it's normal to drop a little after a week with no ABC warning messages displayed. Mine is in a non heated garage (cold Northeast winters!) and has been sitting for 10 days and hasn't dropped at all. Longest i ever let it sit was close to 2 weeks and it never dropped.

I rarely let the car sit for this long but I was away and it started snowing when i got back so it will sit for a few more days.

Official MB response:

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/atta...g-issue-1-.pdf
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2013 | 04:59 PM
  #8  
C280 Sport's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,837
Likes: 598
From: NY & FL
MB’s of all kinds.
Would not buy a C215 Pre facelift model ever! 00-02. Find a 04,05,06 instead. They are out there but you need to look hard.
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

New Mercedes-AMG SUVs Arrive With NEW V8 Engine: 12 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

8 Oddball Mercedes Ideas That Actually Made it to Production

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Dubai Tuner Gives the Mercedes G-Class An Entirely New Look

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Six Gift Ideas Your AMG Loving Dad or Grad Will Cherish

 
story-4

7 Craziest Things AMG Gas Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:10 PM.

story-0
New Mercedes-AMG SUVs Arrive With NEW V8 Engine: 12 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes-AMG's updated GLE 63 S and GLS 63 bring a new-generation V8, subtle design revisions, and familiar supercar-rivaling performance figures.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-17 12:52:51


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Oddball Mercedes Ideas That Actually Made it to Production

Slideshow: Mercedes has never been afraid to experiment, and some of its strangest ideas turned out to be surprisingly successful.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-10 17:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-2
Dubai Tuner Gives the Mercedes G-Class An Entirely New Look

Sideshow: A Middle Eastern tuner has transformed the Mercedes-AMG G 63 into an open-top special, replacing nearly every exterior panel in the process.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-10 15:29:50


VIEW MORE
story-3
Six Gift Ideas Your AMG Loving Dad or Grad Will Cherish

Slideshow: Six gift ideas your AMG loving dad or grad will cherish.

By | 2026-06-03 17:26:18


VIEW MORE
story-4
7 Craziest Things AMG Gas Ever Built

Slideshow: Sometimes AMG builds fast sedans. Other times, it builds twin-turbo V12 land missiles and six-wheeled off-road monsters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 17:59:58


VIEW MORE
story-5
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes-AMG's new electric GT 4-Door Coupe trades combustion for software, synthetic noise, and more than 1,100 horsepower.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 20:08:15


VIEW MORE
story-6
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-7
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-8
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE