Ok a few months back I placed an order for a CL65...apparently the car is going to be here soon from what my dealer says. Now here is my issue....I am going to be getting an 08 model designation...as per what my dealer has stated....and with the track record of these cars I think getting into one of the first 09's would be a better idea. My dealer says the 09's won't be around for a while, but I feel that is just because they want to move cars now and not later. Since all car makers differ on times they bring out model year designations, I don't know when exactly the 09's are slated to hit...anyone know?

Im pretty sure the 2009 will come out in September of 2008. I doubt any significant changes will happen for the next model year.

rb: To my knowledge, the reliability track record so far on the entire 216 model range has been excellent, mirroring the experience of the 221 S class MB introduced a year earlier in Europe. Do you have any specific issues with the MY07/MY08 CLs that concern you and want to share with our group? The only thing that might change, if it was up to descriminating US customers, would be to eliminate the Bentley-Mulliner cross-stitching pattern on leather panels/seats and imitate the elegant CL600 Designo-style pattern on the interior. Oh, and take out the 'codgerly' wood/leather steering wheel WSH and I so dislike, replacing it with a proper full leather sport AMG wheel with paddles. MBUSA specs cars for the US and they have 'peculiar' ideas on what they think we like & want. But I doubt these changes will take place in the MY09 on the CL65, which will start being produced this summer for Fall '08 delivery in US. Recent '08 CL already have updated Distronics Plus pkg (option 266) with Blind Spot Assist, something earlier cars didn't have. Price is cheaper too on this option. Talk of a new, lighter V12 is just speculation at this time. For sure it will NOT happen in '09, if at all during this current 216 body style. Would love to see heads-up display (like that on my BMW 650i), but I have not heard anything on this possible offering from Mercedes. Has anyone else? Z356

Am also a fanatic re: getting new cars very early in MY.....hate to be shortchanged....

Would extract a disct from dealer for this late-delivery CL65 (my ordered car showed up ?2mos ago)....and $0-down, 2 yr lease it.....hand it back to MB at end of lease and get whatever is then-new CL.....

Everyone knows about the egregious deprec these cars incur once driven off-lot....so MY/mileage is rounding-error stuff here...but only way to "manage" costs is 2yr lease.....my problem is I hate to drive any car after 6mos/5K+ mis, as the inevitable stone chips, semi-decayed tires/wheels/brakes, etc....and looming mtce downtime/hassles annoy me too much.....but to each his own.....

BTW, unless fixated on CL65, may want to also consider instead getting the likely MY09 SLxx Blk...which sounds like it may be a mid-CY08 launch....

Hi,
There is no question the new CL65 is the top of the food chain with regard to MB. What scares me a little is the amount of depreciation the 2005 - 2006 CL65's have taken. I know you are a car nut like the rest of us but I hate to see you loose a lot of money in a year or two. Maybe hold off on buying a new one and wait a year to get a low mileage used CL65 for 50K less. You have one of the most beautiful collection of cars that I know of so enjoy what you got and save some cash. If you look at the new S65 as an example they have already dropped 50K. Just my opinion and looking out for your best interest.

Larry

very true larry....the thing is early on in the release period(when the car first hits the streets)...it usually holds up fairly decent. but i think you might be right...i might have to pass on this one. if i got it earlier would of been better off. plus the way mb seems to take a hit might not be so wise. the thing was i planned to keep it for 6-8 months...oh well....it was more of a whim thing than anything...i was mesmerized by it's looks.

Even keeping the car for 8 months may be a problem. I always find it hard to sell a car. Trade ins are always a big loss and they usually want you to buy another car when you trade it in.

I agree the looks and technology of this CL65 is amazing. My big problem with the car is the engine believe it or not. For almost 200K you still get a car that has intercooler problems that may need to be addressed and the engine is detuned. You have to shell out more money to get the ECU changed and add a cooling system if you want the car to hit max performance for acceleration. Let face it this is what most of us want. IMO for 200K this should be turn key and it's not. I say pass for now as painful as it may be.

well i am lucky to have dealers who won't beat me up (too bad) and cut me a check for a car at the exact moment i am ready to sell. but all in all you are right...i have decided to pass. i keep buying stuff and not selling anything anyway. well i do sell some cars...but the ratio for buy and sell is highly outweighed to the buy side....