Pre vs. post-facelift, Is the early M278 *that* bad?
09-13-2023, 01:58 AM
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1996 Jaguar XJ12, 2015 Land Rover LR4 HSE Lux, 2015 MB S 550 4MATIC Coupe, 2022 BMW X5 PHEV
Pre vs. post-facelift, Is the early M278 *that* bad?
I’ve been doing a lot of research on these, and would love a CL 550 4MATIC to replace my 2013 A8 L with the 4.0T. I’ve always loved the C216 design. Now then, the question is pre-facelift or post. I understand the M273 engine (5.5-liter) to be essentially bulletproof, outside of the early run. And I realize the M278 (4.7-liter) in the facelift models isn’t quite as solid.
But is it *that* bad?
I know it’s not as ruinously expensive as the competing early BMW N63 V8–which I’d categorically consider to be A Bad Engine; I’m just not sure how bad it is, and what I can expect. Opinions seem to range from “It’s great!” to “Run, Forrest, run!” And while I’m not averse to an expensive-to-own car, I don’t want one that’s going to have guaranteed problems.
All else equal, I’d love to have a post-facelift model. They’re easier to find with lower miles, without excess wear, and with the options I require (Keyless GO, Distronic Plus, Sport Package).
But is that a bad idea?
But is it *that* bad?
I know it’s not as ruinously expensive as the competing early BMW N63 V8–which I’d categorically consider to be A Bad Engine; I’m just not sure how bad it is, and what I can expect. Opinions seem to range from “It’s great!” to “Run, Forrest, run!” And while I’m not averse to an expensive-to-own car, I don’t want one that’s going to have guaranteed problems.
All else equal, I’d love to have a post-facelift model. They’re easier to find with lower miles, without excess wear, and with the options I require (Keyless GO, Distronic Plus, Sport Package).
But is that a bad idea?
09-13-2023, 06:55 AM
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2008 CL550, 2022 EQB300, 2022 EQS580
I’ve been doing a lot of research on these, and would love a CL 550 4MATIC to replace my 2013 A8 L with the 4.0T. I’ve always loved the C216 design. Now then, the question is pre-facelift or post. I understand the M273 engine (5.5-liter) to be essentially bulletproof, outside of the early run. And I realize the M278 (4.7-liter) in the facelift models isn’t quite as solid.
But is it *that* bad?
I know it’s not as ruinously expensive as the competing early BMW N63 V8–which I’d categorically consider to be A Bad Engine; I’m just not sure how bad it is, and what I can expect. Opinions seem to range from “It’s great!” to “Run, Forrest, run!” And while I’m not averse to an expensive-to-own car, I don’t want one that’s going to have guaranteed problems.
All else equal, I’d love to have a post-facelift model. They’re easier to find with lower miles, without excess wear, and with the options I require (Keyless GO, Distronic Plus, Sport Package).
But is that a bad idea?
But is it *that* bad?
I know it’s not as ruinously expensive as the competing early BMW N63 V8–which I’d categorically consider to be A Bad Engine; I’m just not sure how bad it is, and what I can expect. Opinions seem to range from “It’s great!” to “Run, Forrest, run!” And while I’m not averse to an expensive-to-own car, I don’t want one that’s going to have guaranteed problems.
All else equal, I’d love to have a post-facelift model. They’re easier to find with lower miles, without excess wear, and with the options I require (Keyless GO, Distronic Plus, Sport Package).
But is that a bad idea?
09-14-2023, 06:40 PM
#3
I personally would one a 2002-10 CL if any version
I’ve been doing a lot of research on these, and would love a CL 550 4MATIC to replace my 2013 A8 L with the 4.0T. I’ve always loved the C216 design. Now then, the question is pre-facelift or post. I understand the M273 engine (5.5-liter) to be essentially bulletproof, outside of the early run. And I realize the M278 (4.7-liter) in the facelift models isn’t quite as solid.
But is it *that* bad?
I know it’s not as ruinously expensive as the competing early BMW N63 V8–which I’d categorically consider to be A Bad Engine; I’m just not sure how bad it is, and what I can expect. Opinions seem to range from “It’s great!” to “Run, Forrest, run!” And while I’m not averse to an expensive-to-own car, I don’t want one that’s going to have guaranteed problems.
All else equal, I’d love to have a post-facelift model. They’re easier to find with lower miles, without excess wear, and with the options I require (Keyless GO, Distronic Plus, Sport Package).
But is that a bad idea?
But is it *that* bad?
I know it’s not as ruinously expensive as the competing early BMW N63 V8–which I’d categorically consider to be A Bad Engine; I’m just not sure how bad it is, and what I can expect. Opinions seem to range from “It’s great!” to “Run, Forrest, run!” And while I’m not averse to an expensive-to-own car, I don’t want one that’s going to have guaranteed problems.
All else equal, I’d love to have a post-facelift model. They’re easier to find with lower miles, without excess wear, and with the options I require (Keyless GO, Distronic Plus, Sport Package).
But is that a bad idea?
09-15-2023, 08:24 AM
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2008 CL550, 2022 EQB300, 2022 EQS580
If it were me, I wouldn’t ever buy an 07-10. Personally, they look fat and clumsy and have odd proportions. The 11-14 are perfection in every way. It’s not just the upgrade of the engine but everything that goes with it. I personally love the feeling of the M278 and I’ve never had a dingle issue and I’ve own 2 brand new and one slightly used. I still have a 2014 CL600 and two updated CL550’s. They 07-10 can be had for not much money where the 11-14 are hard to obtain and seldom come up for sale, especially one that isn’t 040 black it s base.
Back to the OP, just watch Bring a Trailer. I've seen many pre and post facelift cars go by...all for quite reasonable money. There was one insane 2008 S550 auction that I think ran up to $53,000, but than was a weird aberration. I have not seen any great premiums for post facelift. Really seems more specific car dependent.
