slk55lvr

There is a CL55 for sale near me for $47,900. It is a one owner car that is probably now out of warranty, based on the carfax start date. I've read about some of the possible faults on here, particularly the ABC suspension.

If you were looking at one of these out of warranty, what list of items would you want to see were fixed?

Is it safe enough to own one out of warranty if you budget 2-3k a year for repairs, or are there some 10k monster repairs that can pop up at any time?

Do you think this is a decent deal on an 03? Any advice on this model would be greatly appreciated!

DFW01E55

I think that the 55K engine is relatively bullet proof, having said that, I'm not sure it would be wise to own the car without a warranty. If you do a search, you can come up with after market options from Chrysler that will give you 3 years of coverage for that 2.5k.

slk55lvr

Thanks for the feedback, and I would love to buy an aftermarket warranty for this car based on what I've read. The one I like to use (warrantydirect) does not insure AMG vehicles. Do you have a 3rd party company that you've been happy with for AMG vehicles?

m_berman

Call Mercury Insurance, the car people. I have their 72mo/100k mi warranty on a GM car. Well worth the $$.

bltserv

Big difference between a GM Sled and a Mercedes AMG.

I checked around a little a few months ago for My SL55
that will run out when I hit 50,000 Miles. I am at 35K now.
Lots of companies quoting extended warranty for an
AMG. Plenty of companies will take your money.
But take some good advice. Dont trust them at all.
When it comes down to it I think only go thru your Benz Dealer
and have them refer you to who they suggest as an extended warranty provider.

Before spending your hard earned cash.
Make sure they do business with the extended warranty company.
Mine is Heratige. I purchased this thru a Benz dealer for my CL500
back in 2004.
Now I have to lay out the cash first and get reimbursed later
because of issues the dealer has had with the warranty company.
So be careful. Even more so with an AMG vehicle.

As far as a used CL55. Make sure the ABC pump has been replaced.
Get the service history. If its a cursed car and has had a ton of issues.
Stay away. Otherwise the risk is yours. Owning a CL better yet a CL55
without warranty could be hazardous to your wallet.
Its not so much the running gear. But the Electrical and ABC systems
that will eat you alive if repairs are needed.

If you can get an extended I would guess it would go to 100K Miles
Going to guess the car you are looking at has at least 50K
Figure the cost if you can get it will be around $ 4-5K

Good Luck !

slk55lvr

Wow, thanks for all the great details! I'm working on obtaining the service history before I make an offer, and your right I wont dare budge until I know everything. The carfax report shows a "suspension service" in 06, but the current dealer ( a highline used car dealership, not a benz dealer) does not have the records. I could live with a 4-5 k warranty cost if it covered the right things and was relatively hassle-free.
I cannot thank you enough for your honest evaluation.

napsoner

I just purchased a 03 CL55 AMG and I love it. The sound of the exhaust at start up and sitting idle is I say go for it if you can, you won't regret it.

charles pearson

04 and above is all that I would deal with. Plus based off of previous expieriences, I have come out of my pocket with entirely too much money in repairs in my 55. The rumor is that most of the kinks have been worked out for the 04 and newer models, but alway's beware of ABC issues!!!!! I'm crying the blues right about now.
US. Army RAnger.

m_berman

Non manufacturer's warrantys are a concern. Several lower tier companys have folded leaving their customers with a worthless paper and the inability to obtain a replacement warranty (extended warrantys only available during your original factory warranty period).

I'm cautious from my own experience. Purchase through a MB Dealer or a major auto insurer such as Mercury Insurance. I mention Mercury Insurance due to the fact that they are a major company that will not go BK and the warranty is very afforable. A real sleeper.

theboogers

just fyi- mercury insurance is not available in a lot of states. my service manager at the mb dealership swears by fidelity. he has had problems with chryslerservice warranty.