To buy or not to buy CL500/550 with high mileage
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2011
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E350
To buy or not to buy CL500/550 with high mileage
Hello, I was recently looking for a W216 in Germany and I found a great deal
CL-500 2011 for 26k Euros ( all possible options included )
The car has 233,000 KM !! well that justifies the price. I really want to consider the deal but I am hesitating a lot. It has a full service record, last one done at 219,000 KM.
I had horror stories with my E350 2006 ( transmission lost / valve body failure / SBC brake / complete Engine failure ) all around 114k miles although the car was well maintained and Im not looking for the W216.
Should I consider anything before making this deal ?
How reliable is the W216 and what are the common issues from 2007 till 2011. I couldn't find a lot by searching on the internet.
Thanks in advance guys.
CL-500 2011 for 26k Euros ( all possible options included )
The car has 233,000 KM !! well that justifies the price. I really want to consider the deal but I am hesitating a lot. It has a full service record, last one done at 219,000 KM.
I had horror stories with my E350 2006 ( transmission lost / valve body failure / SBC brake / complete Engine failure ) all around 114k miles although the car was well maintained and Im not looking for the W216.
Should I consider anything before making this deal ?
How reliable is the W216 and what are the common issues from 2007 till 2011. I couldn't find a lot by searching on the internet.
Thanks in advance guys.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 522
Likes: 69
From: North Texas
Presently 19 S560 SEDAN, 2014 XK, SOLD GLE 450e
TOO MANY MILES FOR TOO MUCH EURO
Way too many miles for too many dollars imho.
I had problems with the Dynamic seat upper side bolsters. They had to be replaced.
I don't consider the Nav screen to be sharp or bright enough day or night. That's on a 2011. I've other Mercedes and their nav screens are much sharper and brighter than the one on the CL.
Buy a S Coupe instead is my recommendation.
I did not look up the value of a CL with 140K miles so I could be wrong. Still too many miles for Me.
I had problems with the Dynamic seat upper side bolsters. They had to be replaced.
I don't consider the Nav screen to be sharp or bright enough day or night. That's on a 2011. I've other Mercedes and their nav screens are much sharper and brighter than the one on the CL.
Buy a S Coupe instead is my recommendation.
I did not look up the value of a CL with 140K miles so I could be wrong. Still too many miles for Me.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 6
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E350
Way too many miles for too many dollars imho.
I had problems with the Dynamic seat upper side bolsters. They had to be replaced.
I don't consider the Nav screen to be sharp or bright enough day or night. That's on a 2011. I've other Mercedes and their nav screens are much sharper and brighter than the one on the CL.
Buy a S Coupe instead is my recommendation.
I did not look up the value of a CL with 140K miles so I could be wrong. Still too many miles for Me.
I had problems with the Dynamic seat upper side bolsters. They had to be replaced.
I don't consider the Nav screen to be sharp or bright enough day or night. That's on a 2011. I've other Mercedes and their nav screens are much sharper and brighter than the one on the CL.
Buy a S Coupe instead is my recommendation.
I did not look up the value of a CL with 140K miles so I could be wrong. Still too many miles for Me.
I can't afford to buy an S-coupe; the price in my country is around $250k ( yes a quarter million dollars as tax is around 40% )
A used CL 2011 coupe price on average is around $55k so this one is almost half the price of a low mileage one.
I'm trying to avoid engines M272 and M273. My W211 E350 engine failed due to defective balance shaft gear. I paid $7300 for the repairs ( out of warranty )
I also changed the electrical kit of the 7G transmission for $1200 one and then the whole valve body for $2900
last but not least, the SBC pump failed and the whole unit was replaced for $2550.
What to say, the E350 was dealer certified but it all happened after 100k miles.
Not sure about the W216 reliability but if the navigation brightness is my least concern.
I dont expect to pay more than $2000 yearly maintenance for a W216 but I could be wrong.
One thing I'm sure of, the W211 2006 was the worst care I've ever owned.
Is there any difference between 07-10 and 11-14 W216 other than the engine and facelift ?
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 4,976
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From: Cincinnati
2010 E350 4Matic
Hey, thanks for the reply ( i started loosing hope
I can't afford to buy an S-coupe; the price in my country is around $250k ( yes a quarter million dollars as tax is around 40% )
A used CL 2011 coupe price on average is around $55k so this one is almost half the price of a low mileage one.
I'm trying to avoid engines M272 and M273. My W211 E350 engine failed due to defective balance shaft gear. I paid $7300 for the repairs ( out of warranty )
I also changed the electrical kit of the 7G transmission for $1200 one and then the whole valve body for $2900
last but not least, the SBC pump failed and the whole unit was replaced for $2550.
What to say, the E350 was dealer certified but it all happened after 100k miles.
Not sure about the W216 reliability but if the navigation brightness is my least concern.
I dont expect to pay more than $2000 yearly maintenance for a W216 but I could be wrong.
One thing I'm sure of, the W211 2006 was the worst care I've ever owned.
Is there any difference between 07-10 and 11-14 W216 other than the engine and facelift ?
I can't afford to buy an S-coupe; the price in my country is around $250k ( yes a quarter million dollars as tax is around 40% )
A used CL 2011 coupe price on average is around $55k so this one is almost half the price of a low mileage one.
I'm trying to avoid engines M272 and M273. My W211 E350 engine failed due to defective balance shaft gear. I paid $7300 for the repairs ( out of warranty )
I also changed the electrical kit of the 7G transmission for $1200 one and then the whole valve body for $2900
last but not least, the SBC pump failed and the whole unit was replaced for $2550.
What to say, the E350 was dealer certified but it all happened after 100k miles.
Not sure about the W216 reliability but if the navigation brightness is my least concern.
I dont expect to pay more than $2000 yearly maintenance for a W216 but I could be wrong.
One thing I'm sure of, the W211 2006 was the worst care I've ever owned.
Is there any difference between 07-10 and 11-14 W216 other than the engine and facelift ?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
E350
I also noticed that the CL-Class ( w216 ) specifically isn't popular among other classes. Maybe the least popular ?
Is there any specific reason for that ? To me I'd take it anyday over the SL or E-coupe.
Is there any specific reason for that ? To me I'd take it anyday over the SL or E-coupe.
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Super Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 522
Likes: 69
From: North Texas
Presently 19 S560 SEDAN, 2014 XK, SOLD GLE 450e
TOP SPEED
And this from Car and Driver: http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...-cl-class-test
Top Speed sums it up best in my humble opinion.
I traded a '09 SL in on the '11 CL. The SL handled better and was lighter weight, both traits which I like, but the CL is a great interstate cruiser and is QUITE on the road, unlike E Class or SL's imho. S Class is too darn big.
I've done two 900 mile plus trips with the CL and it wins hands down on QUIETNESS and comfort on the interstate hwy. IF I only drove around town I'd get a CLS550 or go back to a SL550. Or maybe, maybe a E550/400 Coupe for around town. I prefer cars with no 'B' pillar but a CLS would be ok.
And yes, I know a CLS is built on a E class chassis and a CL is built on a S Class chassis.
And for fun: http://www.caranddriver.com/mercedes-benz/s-class
Last edited by HAILERS2; Mar 2, 2015 at 01:48 PM.
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Cars
I have owned many of the W215 and let me tell you, they are TROUBLE with a capital T. You have to have big bucks to keep them going. I owned four new ones and warranty was working over time on LOW to NO miles cars. My 2006 CL 600 was the only one I kept even out of warranty and it didn't have but one issue, the neck of the radiator cracked. I drove that car until it had 77K miles. It looked like the day I bought it when I sold it and the guy that bought it from me, still drives it and has not a single issue yet. That is rare because pre 05-06 were nightmares. If your looking for a 550 they are out there like cattle. TONS to buy and they are dropping like flies. I suggest if you can afford one buy only the 11-14 that way you get all the new technology and the new engine for the 550's, plus the total revamp of styling. DO NOT BUY a CL with an ABC suspension with high miles, unless it was serviced at the dealership every single year.
