Buying 2004 cl600 with 47,000 miles good idea or bad?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2008
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Mercedes
Basing your purchase decision solely on mileage makes no sense . All depends on the particular car. In general a 47k mile car should be in better shape than a high mileage car, but that's not always the case
There are 80k mile cars in mint condition with full service records , and 47k cars that sat for years. Cars that sit for long periods are worse generally than cars regularly used . You need to inspect each car individually
There are 80k mile cars in mint condition with full service records , and 47k cars that sat for years. Cars that sit for long periods are worse generally than cars regularly used . You need to inspect each car individually
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 370
Likes: 30
E420
That's why I was asking. I looked at a lot of e55s and I found more problems with certain ones with 70,000 than 110,000 miles. I'm just wondering if there was an initial "hump" of issues.
The one I'm looking at, from the pictures looks clean I won't be able to tell till I see it in person.
The one I'm looking at, from the pictures looks clean I won't be able to tell till I see it in person.
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 46
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From: WA
2005 CL65 AMG / Eurocharged ECU/TCU tune / Weistec meth injection + Weistec BOVs.
I would ask if the coilpacks are original and if the ABC fluid has been flushed. If coilpacks are original, budget for replacements because they could fail at any time.. or last until 100k miles, really luck of the draw with those. If ABC fluid has never been flushed, that would be the first thing to do. How much are they asking for it?
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Joined: May 2015
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From: Miami, FL
2003 CL 600
Wanna trade my 80k mile one for your 47k mile one?
As mentioned above, inspect the car. I bought two 03 CL600s, both with 75-80k miles. One had impeccable maintenance done at Mercedes, new coils, lots of new parts. I still had a heater hose fail 6 days after I got it, then a fan went out. Soft close on the drivers door. All in the first month. Suspension sagged when it sat for more than 3 days. Wipers didn't park correctly at times.
Second car has much less maintenance history, lots more original parts. No real issues other than some needed maintenance when I got it, like a wheel bearing that was noisy and it needed a couple control arm bushings, which they all do, even my first one did but it got crashed before I did them.
It's not a mileage issue as much as age, the car is 12 years old and everything is failing with time. Because there are so many overly complex systems on a car like this, they all need to be addressed after that much time has passes. Just plan on being a very DIY type of buyer, or getting very comfortable with your local MB shop, if you buy an older CL.
As mentioned above, inspect the car. I bought two 03 CL600s, both with 75-80k miles. One had impeccable maintenance done at Mercedes, new coils, lots of new parts. I still had a heater hose fail 6 days after I got it, then a fan went out. Soft close on the drivers door. All in the first month. Suspension sagged when it sat for more than 3 days. Wipers didn't park correctly at times.
Second car has much less maintenance history, lots more original parts. No real issues other than some needed maintenance when I got it, like a wheel bearing that was noisy and it needed a couple control arm bushings, which they all do, even my first one did but it got crashed before I did them.
It's not a mileage issue as much as age, the car is 12 years old and everything is failing with time. Because there are so many overly complex systems on a car like this, they all need to be addressed after that much time has passes. Just plan on being a very DIY type of buyer, or getting very comfortable with your local MB shop, if you buy an older CL.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 370
Likes: 30
E420
Wanna trade my 80k mile one for your 47k mile one?
As mentioned above, inspect the car. I bought two 03 CL600s, both with 75-80k miles. One had impeccable maintenance done at Mercedes, new coils, lots of new parts. I still had a heater hose fail 6 days after I got it, then a fan went out. Soft close on the drivers door. All in the first month. Suspension sagged when it sat for more than 3 days. Wipers didn't park correctly at times.
Second car has much less maintenance history, lots more original parts. No real issues other than some needed maintenance when I got it, like a wheel bearing that was noisy and it needed a couple control arm bushings, which they all do, even my first one did but it got crashed before I did them.
It's not a mileage issue as much as age, the car is 12 years old and everything is failing with time. Because there are so many overly complex systems on a car like this, they all need to be addressed after that much time has passes. Just plan on being a very DIY type of buyer, or getting very comfortable with your local MB shop, if you buy an older CL.
As mentioned above, inspect the car. I bought two 03 CL600s, both with 75-80k miles. One had impeccable maintenance done at Mercedes, new coils, lots of new parts. I still had a heater hose fail 6 days after I got it, then a fan went out. Soft close on the drivers door. All in the first month. Suspension sagged when it sat for more than 3 days. Wipers didn't park correctly at times.
Second car has much less maintenance history, lots more original parts. No real issues other than some needed maintenance when I got it, like a wheel bearing that was noisy and it needed a couple control arm bushings, which they all do, even my first one did but it got crashed before I did them.
It's not a mileage issue as much as age, the car is 12 years old and everything is failing with time. Because there are so many overly complex systems on a car like this, they all need to be addressed after that much time has passes. Just plan on being a very DIY type of buyer, or getting very comfortable with your local MB shop, if you buy an older CL.
Im going to assume most everything is original.
I always do the work on my own cars, so hopefully it doesn't have to many issues right away.
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Super Member
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 516
Likes: 26
From: California
2018 C300
Well, if it makes you feel better, I just bought a 2004 CL600 with 52,000 miles for $16,000. No service records but body and interior are in good shape, with a recall service performed on an ABC line at one point. I tend to be a DIY'er, where possible. A timing belt on a D3 A8 is as advanced as I've gotten, should be enough for a lot of things, I hope. It needs the soft close fixed on the driver's side, but all else is well.
