Flat-6

Hello,

I'm new to this forum and am a current Porsche 911 owner that is considering a 2008 CL550 purchase. My last 4 cars have been Porsche 911's successively with my last direct experience with MB as my wife's 2002 C320 Sedan. Needless to say, I was not so enamored with that car from both a build quality and performance perspective. Obviously, it's night and day to the new CL but my questions for you are mostly from a build quality perspective as well since other MB owners I know have grumbled about this to me directly (regardless of model). Too much Chrysler, not enough Daimler?

Can any current owners assist with the following questions?

- Are there any known "glitches" and or specific issues one can expect?

- Have any of you had an unusually high # of service incidents (covered under warranty or not)?

- This car will be used in extreme cold weather and extreme hot weather also. Anyone in similar conditions have any issues to report?

- In general, are you satisfied with you choice (say as compared to a Bentley as an alternative)?

Thanks in advance for your input.

Flat-6 (Jordan)

MBE50003

Hey
my dad has a CL550 and I'll try to answer some questions.

As of now he has had 1 problem wit the radio. Some panel in the rear got loose. Fixed under warranty no problems.
He's only done service A on it with around 17k miles on it now. Its an amazing car seriously.
we test drove the bentley GT as well (well, i wasnt allowed to drive but i was in car) and he wasn't impressed as much, esp for near 200k

He said the car felt too heavy and too much of a boat, not that the CL isnt big... the car is great though but its no 911...
you will be cruising in this and the 550 motor is really solid, once the car is in higher rpms it really pulls it. 390 tq is does its job. its a cruiser car but can be fast, but get abc suspension its amazing!

WSH

Had '07 CL550 back at launch in ?Nov06; drove it ?6K mis before trading-in for '07 CL600 for 3K mis; and traded-in 600 for a couple of CL63 030s since (about 15K mis to-date on 63s); will be getting '09 CL65 in Oct.

Had not even one glitch on any of my '07-'08 CLs to-date during my 365d/yr use for daily urban commuting and wkend pleasure driving. Have several colleagues who have bought as many/more '07-'08 CLs than me (it's an addictive car to many), and they share a similarly trouble-free expce. Most of my colleagues are in SF/BH, so cars spend their charmed lives at 55-85F, but my NYC colleagues report similar positive expces in NYC's harsher climate/rd conditions.

Have also had a few P's in past (997TT, 996TTS, 997S, etc), as well as several F's (599, 430, etc).....I often relax on wkends by driving in local mtn twisties (where I challenge self to maximize precision/smoothness/safety, not speed)....would argue CL63 030 is best overall mtn twisties wkend car of any car I've ever owned/test-driven....

CL550 is a dynamically solid car; if used for straight-line commuting, many jaded drivers will be disappointed w/its weak tq (weak for those accustomed to 600/63/65 tq); just-acceptable brakes; and weak interior (plasticky leather, no Alcantara headliner).

Would encourage you to consider/drive CL600/63 030....dramatically different dynamics and interior aesthetics....IMO, worth every penny...

Kar don

CL63 isnt much better in terms of interior. If the CL is like the S-class you can get the "premium leather" upgrade which is the higher grade.

WSH

Would argue CL63 interior is much better than 550....Alcantara headliner...but, more importantly, one of best sport steering wheels available (well-sized, grippy rim) and arguably best sport seats on planet today (exemplary ability to customize settings; and grippiness/comfort in twisties driving is superb, as good or better than any current P/F seats, except poss 997GT2)....also, CL63 030 has cf interior trim: IMO, far more appropriate vs the perf/tech ethos of AMG CLs....

Issues w/63 (and 550) are plasticky leather, esp seen on dash/doors/ctr console (seats have excellent, fine-grained leather)....and no option will cure that crappy plastic leather....

600 and 65 have fine-grained leather throughout....but 600 lacks perf-oriented seats/steering wheel (and brakes/chassis).....

silberrosa

When the new generation of the CL was launched, it had the absolute lowest # of problems per 100 vehicles in the JDP IQS suvey that year. However, because the sample size was so small, it was not the overall winner. From a quality and build perspective, the new Benz models are excellent. The car is quite different from a 911 so I would recommend driving one to nsure it is what you are looking for. It is a great "GT" car in that it can be a sports car and offer great comfort and style. With the MY08 car, the ABC suspension is standard. If you want something sportier, try the CL63. Good luck and keep us in the loop as to what you decide.

tuscans

I have had my 08 for almost a year, not one problem.

I would drive it to know what you are getting.

zzboba

I have to take up the cudgels for CL550/500 -- it's a great car, and IMHO the reasonable choice. With AMG exterior trim it's the most beautiful CL (AMG kit is not available from factory for 600, CL63/65 carry too much chrome for my taste), fuel consumption is very low, you get all the gadgets you want including full designo leather if you want. At least the CL is a gran turismo, no race car. If you want a majestic imposing coupé, the CL550/500 is all you need.

rifleman

I love mine! No problems! That said, I will never buy a BLACK car again.....I send it back and forth to the detail shop b/c of the black swirls!

Here is a pic:




--Rilfeman

blazinginder

new 08 CL550's = 23k+ off MSRP...gotta love it