Considering 03-06 600. Wondering about options differences b/w years
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Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Kansas City/Lawrence, KS
2001 CLK 430 w/5.4 swap, 2000 CLK430
Considering 03-06 600. Wondering about options differences b/w years
I'm looking to get into a 2006 600 and am wondering which options may have been included on the 2006 vs other years? I want the ventilated seats, push button, and massage seats. Test drove a CL500 today (just to get a feel for the weight/size/suspension) of the w215, and it had none of these options. Were those options standard for the 600? Are there any other options the 2006 would have that the 03-05.
Also, I think I recall reading that the 2004s had some sort of mechanical failure that the 03, 05, and 06 don't. Can anyone refresh my memory as to what that is?
I plan on doing maintenance myself. I own a couple w208 CLK430s and just swapped a 2003 AMG 5.4 into one. I've read about the ABC and coil pack woes, but (perhaps foolishly) I am not deterred.
Also, I think I recall reading that the 2004s had some sort of mechanical failure that the 03, 05, and 06 don't. Can anyone refresh my memory as to what that is?
I plan on doing maintenance myself. I own a couple w208 CLK430s and just swapped a 2003 AMG 5.4 into one. I've read about the ABC and coil pack woes, but (perhaps foolishly) I am not deterred.
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From: Miami, FL
2003 CL 600
I don't think there's much difference in available options, the 04+ cars have the newer dvd bases navi which is nice. I have an 03 600 with every option and it has all that stuff. But if you get a 500 that wasn't well optioned it would not have massage seats. I did have a previous 03 600 that didn't have keyless go, so that's still an option. But on a 600 the seats are all ventilated and massaging I believe.
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Mercedes
The ventilated seats have a higher quality leather that's softer
The biggest difference as noted are the 2004-06 cars have DVD based navigation that can be updated with current maps
But the 2003 is the only year with a glovebox audio input jack
Mechanically they are identical - never heard of a problem with the 2004s
The biggest difference as noted are the 2004-06 cars have DVD based navigation that can be updated with current maps
But the 2003 is the only year with a glovebox audio input jack
Mechanically they are identical - never heard of a problem with the 2004s
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 249
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From: Kansas City/Lawrence, KS
2001 CLK 430 w/5.4 swap, 2000 CLK430
The ventilated seats have a higher quality leather that's softer
The biggest difference as noted are the 2004-06 cars have DVD based navigation that can be updated with current maps
But the 2003 is the only year with a glovebox audio input jack
Mechanically they are identical - never heard of a problem with the 2004s
The biggest difference as noted are the 2004-06 cars have DVD based navigation that can be updated with current maps
But the 2003 is the only year with a glovebox audio input jack
Mechanically they are identical - never heard of a problem with the 2004s
Follow up question: when people convert them to coil overs, do you run into problems controlling the car at speed? To elaborate, I'd plan to give it a tune and worry that the lack of a sway bar on the coil over set up would help introduce me to a concrete barrier...
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From: Kansas City/Lawrence, KS
2001 CLK 430 w/5.4 swap, 2000 CLK430
Sounds manageable. How would you compare the ride to the ABC? Can't be as smooth, but pretty close?
Do the seats hold up pretty well? It seems like all CLKs will have the stitches rip after regular use.
Any other tips/owners advise that doesn't get discussed as frequently as the abc and coil packs?
Do the seats hold up pretty well? It seems like all CLKs will have the stitches rip after regular use.
Any other tips/owners advise that doesn't get discussed as frequently as the abc and coil packs?
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From: Miami, FL
2003 CL 600
Everything interior is higher quality than a CLK. I haven't seen one with leather pulling apart, most of the ones I've seen are in very nice shape but it's always possible if the previous owner was rough on them, you could see some wear and abuse.
I would suggest, if you're willing to handle the work yourself, to keep the ABC. Yes it requires some maintenance, but if it's looked after it won't be a problematic system and when working it's like nothing you've ever dealt with. Controlling the body motions on a 4500lb car makes it feel far more agile and stable than seems possible, which just isn't possible on a non-hydraulic suspension. It would destroy the character of the car IMO.
I would suggest, if you're willing to handle the work yourself, to keep the ABC. Yes it requires some maintenance, but if it's looked after it won't be a problematic system and when working it's like nothing you've ever dealt with. Controlling the body motions on a 4500lb car makes it feel far more agile and stable than seems possible, which just isn't possible on a non-hydraulic suspension. It would destroy the character of the car IMO.
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From: California
2018 C300
If you plan on driving fast at all, plan on keeping the ABC. I wouldn't expect swapping out the suspension would do the handling any favors, never mind I would suspect it's less able in panic maneuvers as well.
The 2003 model has a more traditional wiring system, where in 2004 they switched to the MOST Bus set up. I'm not sure of any other differences, beyond what's been mentioned.
The 2003 model has a more traditional wiring system, where in 2004 they switched to the MOST Bus set up. I'm not sure of any other differences, beyond what's been mentioned.
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Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Kansas City/Lawrence, KS
2001 CLK 430 w/5.4 swap, 2000 CLK430
Everything interior is higher quality than a CLK. I haven't seen one with leather pulling apart, most of the ones I've seen are in very nice shape but it's always possible if the previous owner was rough on them, you could see some wear and abuse.
I would suggest, if you're willing to handle the work yourself, to keep the ABC. Yes it requires some maintenance, but if it's looked after it won't be a problematic system and when working it's like nothing you've ever dealt with. Controlling the body motions on a 4500lb car makes it feel far more agile and stable than seems possible, which just isn't possible on a non-hydraulic suspension. It would destroy the character of the car IMO.
I would suggest, if you're willing to handle the work yourself, to keep the ABC. Yes it requires some maintenance, but if it's looked after it won't be a problematic system and when working it's like nothing you've ever dealt with. Controlling the body motions on a 4500lb car makes it feel far more agile and stable than seems possible, which just isn't possible on a non-hydraulic suspension. It would destroy the character of the car IMO.
If you plan on driving fast at all, plan on keeping the ABC. I wouldn't expect swapping out the suspension would do the handling any favors, never mind I would suspect it's less able in panic maneuvers as well.
The 2003 model has a more traditional wiring system, where in 2004 they switched to the MOST Bus set up. I'm not sure of any other differences, beyond what's been mentioned.
The 2003 model has a more traditional wiring system, where in 2004 they switched to the MOST Bus set up. I'm not sure of any other differences, beyond what's been mentioned.
Next question: Wasn't there an aftermarket option for coil packs? I distinctly remember $800 coil packs on O'reilly's with warranty, but now they aren't listed (perhaps they wised up?).
In case any lurkers are reading this thread and also considering a CL, post #3 in this one appears to be a goldmine of info: https://mbworld.org/forums/cl-class-...ml#post6685165
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From: California
2018 C300
The MOST Bus allows for high capacity data transfer, and is generally considered both easier to diagnose and more reliable than the CAN Bus system it replaces. That said, I don't suspect you'd have a lot of problems with either of them.
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Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Kansas City/Lawrence, KS
2001 CLK 430 w/5.4 swap, 2000 CLK430
I spoke with a friend of mine who owns a SL65. In regards to the AUX port on 2004-2006 CL models, he showed me this adapter:
http://shop.dension.com/en/gateway-500
I checked compatibility and it looks like it would work with the COMAND Version 1 and Version 2. Either of you have experience with one of those (or similar product)? Apparently you can find them used for $300ish.
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From: North Texas
2005 CL55
If you plan on driving fast at all, plan on keeping the ABC. I wouldn't expect swapping out the suspension would do the handling any favors, never mind I would suspect it's less able in panic maneuvers as well. The 2003 model has a more traditional wiring system, where in 2004 they switched to the MOST Bus set up. I'm not sure of any other differences, beyond what's been mentioned.
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From: Miami, FL
2003 CL 600
The stability is something a conventional suspension just can't do. The car lowers at high speed, which is impossible without air suspension or hydraulics. It can also adjust damping on the fly due to the nature of the ABC system, making the car stiffer as conditions dictate, something else you lose when converting to conventional struts on this car.
I'd keep the ABC or look for a different car. What's the point of keeping an awesome car like this and not letting it feel and drive like it was meant to be. Unless you're stripping it down to be a racecar or something, i'd maintain the ABC and just see it as the cost of doing business in a car of this class.
I'd keep the ABC or look for a different car. What's the point of keeping an awesome car like this and not letting it feel and drive like it was meant to be. Unless you're stripping it down to be a racecar or something, i'd maintain the ABC and just see it as the cost of doing business in a car of this class.
