CL55 AMG, CL65 AMG, CL63 AMG (C215, C216) 2000 - 2014 (Two Generations)

Scary: CL55 catches on fire in garage

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Dec 11, 2008 | 02:30 PM
  #1  
jicl55's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 472
Likes: 0
From: Dago, CA
2003 cl55 (sold)
Scary: CL55 catches on fire in garage

Not mine (thank God, knock on something). My buddy had a CL55 2003, 51k mi, bone stock other than some wheels and it caught on fire last night in his garage. Fire investigators are saying it had to be the car. Completely totalled, no one got hurt, but definitely some scary s**t. Only thing was that his parking sensors were acting up (saying there was something there when there wouldn't be), just got it back from service where they replaced a headlight..... electrical short? A f***in nightmare if you ask me.
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2008 | 03:18 PM
  #2  
sprins's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,838
Likes: 7
G55, SLS, smart eq
Scary sh¡t indeed. I heard a similar one the other day when someones (older) S-Class coupe caugt fire during a drive. Once he noticed the smoke form the dash it was already too late and minutes later the car was (literally) toast
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2008 | 03:53 PM
  #3  
Patentmat's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 415
Likes: 0
From: Davis
That's funny, I had a 1995 Mark VIII once upon a time that did that EXACT same thing. I bet your buddy makes out pretty good from the insurance as I did with the Mark VIII. (It depreciated about as fast the CL, faster even than insurance seems to realize) Accidental fire huh????
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2008 | 06:07 PM
  #4  
Fraser's Avatar
Super Member
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 960
Likes: 2
From: Long Island, NY & SE England
A Mercedes obviously!
I've seen a suprising number of CL pictures on WreckedExotics.com where the caption notes that the car caught fire for no particular reason!
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2008 | 06:35 PM
  #5  
jicl55's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 472
Likes: 0
From: Dago, CA
2003 cl55 (sold)
Originally Posted by Patentmat
That's funny, I had a 1995 Mark VIII once upon a time that did that EXACT same thing. I bet your buddy makes out pretty good from the insurance as I did with the Mark VIII. (It depreciated about as fast the CL, faster even than insurance seems to realize) Accidental fire huh????
Nah, he luved his car, he wouldn't do that and if he did he would have asked me to help him I had a BMW 95 325i that I got in an accident with and it caught on fire..... bad times. Anyway, my buddy is looking for a sl55 or a cls55 for under 40k around San Diego, so if anyone knows, hit me up

Last edited by jicl55; Dec 11, 2008 at 06:40 PM.
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2008 | 08:03 PM
  #6  
HIGH-VELOCITY's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
CL55
fire

Not sure what the root cause is but fires among CL's seem to be quite frequent. Could the common link be the harnesses supplied by Y*&%(I?
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2008 | 08:39 PM
  #7  
BlownV8's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 8,882
Likes: 1,212
From: In my garage
E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
Originally Posted by HIGH-VELOCITY
Not sure what the root cause is but fires among CL's seem to be quite frequent. Could the common link be the harnesses supplied by Y*&%(I?
I'd be willing to bet that he blew a high pressure ABC hose. Hydraulic fluid is extremely flammable and has a relatively low flash point. All it takes is for it to spray on a hot manifold and poof the car will go up in flames.

There was already one recall on an ABC hose that caused engine fires but from my experience the replacement of that one hose is not nearly enough to fix the issues. The ABC system has issues and needs to be addressed completely. Every high pressure hose should be replaced by the factory with something more durable like solid stainless steel lines or braided stainless reinforced hydraulic hoses.
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2008 | 08:43 PM
  #8  
E55_GT3wheels's Avatar
Super Member
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 549
Likes: 1
From: Boston, MA
2010 E63, 2008 Range Rover Sport, 2010 GLK350
wow very scary! Is insurance covering this?
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Dec 11, 2008 | 08:43 PM
  #9  
jicl55's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 472
Likes: 0
From: Dago, CA
2003 cl55 (sold)
Theme for all cl's (including mine) ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS...... damn.... still not in Kansas....
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2008 | 09:35 PM
  #10  
jicl55's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 472
Likes: 0
From: Dago, CA
2003 cl55 (sold)
Originally Posted by E55_GT3wheels
wow very scary! Is insurance covering this?
I sure as hell hope so. Why wouldn't they? AAA is his insurance and they have the car right now. It definitely will be totalled. He's hoping to hear back in the next couple of days.... it just happened last night. Not sure if and when they might find out exactly what caused it. Idk how in depth they even can get with things like this..... and if everything is melted idk if they could even determine what originally caused it..... but I sure am interested for one. The fire investigators so far say that all they know is that it definitely was the car.
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2008 | 10:47 PM
  #11  
BlownV8's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 8,882
Likes: 1,212
From: In my garage
E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
Make sure he reports it to the NHTSA. Unless he has been making changes under the hood, you can just about guarantee it is something defective with the car. I'd put 10-1 that it was an ABC hose failure and the hydraulic fluid sprayed on the manifold.

Had the high pressure ABC hose recall been completed on his car? I can't imagine it hadn't since the recall was over a year ago. It would be interesting if it was caused by the same hose that was replaced under the recall.
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2008 | 11:38 PM
  #12  
E55_GT3wheels's Avatar
Super Member
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 549
Likes: 1
From: Boston, MA
2010 E63, 2008 Range Rover Sport, 2010 GLK350
keep us posted. I am very interested to see if they can figure out what it was that went wrong and what MB is going to do about it or if they are even interested or will just brush it aside.
Reply
Old Dec 12, 2008 | 12:06 AM
  #13  
jicl55's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 472
Likes: 0
From: Dago, CA
2003 cl55 (sold)
Unless he has been making changes under the hood, you can just about guarantee it is something defective with the car........Had the high pressure ABC hose recall been completed on his car?
No mods..... completely stock other than wheels......seeing as how he has had it serviced by the dealer, as far as I understand they are suppose to check if any major recalls have been ordered any time a car goes in and take care of it..... now if they actually checked it or if it had actually been done idk..... for me, i specifically talked to them and asked if all recalls had been taken care of in my car (especially mentioning the ABC problem since I had to replace the ABC pump, but that's a whole different can of worms) and they said yes, mine was up to date..... I can only assume that his had been taken care of.

...and what MB is going to do about it or if they are even interested or will just brush it aside.
now as far as MB doing anything about it, I very much doubt it..... first, maybe, they'll be able to determine what caused the fire (if it is really worth their trouble..... again, idk how thorough they are with things like this and how much it matters to them..... it all comes down to $..... if it costs too much $ to find out exactly what went wrong, even if they can, they probably won't). Once it can be determined, then we'll see where we can go from there. My guess.... MB will say something like.... "oh thats horrible..... we've never heard anything like that happening.... so sorry to hear that.... well we do currently do have a fantastic special on........"
Reply
Old Dec 12, 2008 | 03:58 AM
  #14  
benz_addict's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,986
Likes: 9
From: Toronto
V12TT
sucks to hear this
So the ABC house could of caused the fire? CL55 isn't that the same engine as the E55, S55 and SL55? Which means those might have a 'bad hose' too? What about the V12 cars I'm in the market for an 2005ish S600 and don't want it to catch fire I'm sorry if I went a little OT but this is SCARY so just like to know.
Reply
Old Dec 12, 2008 | 11:02 AM
  #15  
BlownV8's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 8,882
Likes: 1,212
From: In my garage
E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
Originally Posted by benz_addict
sucks to hear this
So the ABC house could of caused the fire? CL55 isn't that the same engine as the E55, S55 and SL55? Which means those might have a 'bad hose' too? What about the V12 cars I'm in the market for an 2005ish S600 and don't want it to catch fire I'm sorry if I went a little OT but this is SCARY so just like to know.
ABC is the type of hydraulic suspension the the CL/S/SL 55, 600s, and 65's. It is not available on the E55.
Reply
Old Dec 12, 2008 | 11:22 AM
  #16  
bzliteyear's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,681
Likes: 2
From: SF
07 E63 06 CLK55 Cab 03 P-car C4S
i heard similar story a few years ago w/ a friend's friend - SL55 in the garage, caught fire, and 1/2 the car was melted.
Patrick
Reply
Old Dec 12, 2008 | 12:19 PM
  #17  
ieb's Avatar
ieb
Member
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
From: Boston
CL63 030 Blk/Blk
a very hot car!

from you tube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_gNpTPLltM
Reply
Old Jan 19, 2009 | 01:26 PM
  #18  
ibeforreal's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,284
Likes: 37
From: North Carolina
2003 S500 - Toyota Corolla (in the rain)
Same thing here, except I was driving the car when it burst into flames. https://mbworld.org/forums/s-class-w...-up-smoke.html
Reply
Old Jan 19, 2009 | 08:33 PM
  #19  
jicl55's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 472
Likes: 0
From: Dago, CA
2003 cl55 (sold)
Originally Posted by ibeforreal
Same thing here, except I was driving the car when it burst into flames. https://mbworld.org/forums/s-class-w...-up-smoke.html
Wow, that's crazy and not to mention scary as hell. Wonder how many other stories are out there similar to this. Just as an update, insurance paid $42k for the car (about 55k miles). Still don't think they ever were able to pinpoint what actually caught fire, but I'll ask my buddy to see if they told him anything recently.
Reply
Old Jan 19, 2009 | 10:22 PM
  #20  
BlownV8's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 8,882
Likes: 1,212
From: In my garage
E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
Originally Posted by jicl55
Wow, that's crazy and not to mention scary as hell. Wonder how many other stories are out there similar to this. Just as an update, insurance paid $42k for the car (about 55k miles). Still don't think they ever were able to pinpoint what actually caught fire, but I'll ask my buddy to see if they told him anything recently.
I think insurance is only interested in the fact that you did not cause or start the fire to get money from them i.e. insurance fraud.
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:00 AM.

story-0
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-1
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-4
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-6
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

Slideshow: From bulletproof sedans to surprisingly tough SUVs, these Mercedes models proved that the three-pointed star can go the distance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-08 09:55:49


VIEW MORE