rondocap

Entertaining thread! To focus on the actual car: The CL65 is certainly a great car, and after the massive depreciation, at a good price if that is the type of vehicle you are looking for. The mileage obviously does reduce the price, and the question beckons: Is it a reliable car?

Every car is different. I have a 2001 S55 AMG, with 145k miles now. I drive it every day, sometimes close to 1k miles a week. It has many of the same components that the CL65 has, including ABC suspension. It's had problems, and obviously since it is loaded with more high tech items like sensors of different types and the suspension, more things on it have gone wrong then would have on say, a Honda.

I certainly would not call it reliable in the truest sense of the word, but I think for the luxury and performance level, the maintenance and "wear and tear" is "fair" over time. This would be also true for the CL65 - whereas the performance on that is even more impressive and thus some work over time would be understandable as any high performance vehicle can be expensive. So while not necessarily reliable, they are definitely special cars.

Now...about the bit of not owning one without a warranty.....If my S55 didn't have 145k miles and I could easily get a warranty, I would in a heartbeat. Warranty on these cars, even if they cost a few thousand, will definitely come in handy in most cases. You don't always have a $3k repair bill, but it can happen so a few major warranty claims and you are already in the green on what you paid for it originally. So I'd definitely get a warranty for this CL, or any of the big Mercedes. (S classes, CL's, SL's, etc...I'd feel a bit more secure without a warranty on something simpler, like let's say a C class or something)

The rest is just driver preference. The straight line performance for this car is impressive, and for the price can beat most cars that are much more expensive - but there are other factors to consider as well in performance - like handling, agility, track performance, etc. Some drivers may value those over straight line speed - and the CL is certainly a heavy car, more made for highway cruising.

retardedmunk

And yes at $35k our cars are a great deal regardless....a z06 with 50k miles still sells wholesale for $35k....no comparison period....and the upkeep and issues from time to time on a 600hp car are all worth it ...why not? Who would expect perfect reliablity from a car that was designed to out stop and out accelerate and outlast .....Ferraris and Lambos.....

mikey33

Why not take all your cl65's and have a party with yourself I bet you will be real Boss Hogging then; I also bet nobody has done that before

Mantooth

+1

HadiLaw

werd.

Jakpro1

This thread is classic car crash. Everytime I come by the forum I keep saying "Don't look, don't look" yet I keep looking at it everytime.

NRL

AMG newb here.
Thanks to all the posts and this forum. I've aquired some good wisdom on the CL's.

Just went in @35K for a used pristine 2005 CL65 Black Beauty with just over 60k miles.
One owner, babied, all service done at FJ of Newport Beach. Owner personally paid out of pocket to replace ABC+parts (6k) just after 50k mileage. Have all service records and work done.

What really closed the deal was a rare opportunity to get it on a lift before purchase, and take a real close look at the ABC, trans, diff, etc, looking for leaks and things of that nature. It was just really clean. New intercooler pump, hoses, etc.
The other reason was it was Local and I didn't need to have it shipped from another state and go thru the registration hassle.

Hopefully I'll end up saving a bunch of money to pour into Renntech mods.
Any one recommend a Renntech Installer in Orange County? I've only seen Underground in SD mentioned so far.

Time will tell..

Very happy at the moment.

CL65_AMG

I have 30K on a CL65 - absolutely fabulous car!. I've ignored my NSX next to it (also great) because the 65 is comfortable, fast, quiet just plain neat! I've had most, 928's (great) vettes (OK) jags ( arrgh!) but no exotics - the 65 is truly a winner. with only 142 2005, my biggest worry is what to replace it with at such a low price.... .

But, you gotta have a service contract. I got the chrysler (no longer avail) 5yr 70k miles. Easy Care also writes one - 2yr/ 2K for $4800 - piece of mind.

I agree, these cares wit a warranty should be going for big bucks.

momentum59

looooooool indeed

TheDzadz

ya with your bicycle

retardedmunk

My car has 86k miles on it now a SILVER on black with keyless....

Paid $35k including shipping with 79k miles...looks and drives as tight as my last 13k mile CL65.....

LESS then 127 were imported to the states in 2005-2006 and less then 50% had keyless or options and only 32 were built in silver......

I have put 6k miles on the car with zero issues...

put new brakes and changed oil as well as conditioned the wheels to new...

I had 3 black ones...just couldnt do it again...it looks to plain when it gets dirty..IMO....

THE ABC and all the lines as well as the pump are original...and ARE PERFECT..checked with my mechanic.....

I dont have a warranty and dont want one....at $5k...I will never need it....

i can replace the entire abc system at cost for under $4k...and that will never happen ever....

02cl55amg

i_am_amused

Are you aware that you sound like a used car salesman trying to unload a dog?

Multi-thousand dollar ABC repairs bills are no where near as rare as you want people to believe, but as long as *you* think it's true, then all is good with the world.

retardedmunk

02CL you think there were more silver cars built? look only 194 were built in 2005-2006 and 127 sent here ....you do the math...the numbers I got are from 3 different dealers....who sold the most amount of 65'S IN 2005-2006 AND I do business with them often....lol.... either way 127 is a sick *** rarity in the auto world period...since they build like what 8000 ZO6's a year and almost 16k M5's- M6's have been built in the last 4 or so years....

abc ISSUES? yeah they exist....who knows how the other members are driving and who knows where....but yeah it happens....

My car has all the original equipment at 86k miles......so I think that qualifies as a damn good example that not all cars are ABC problamatic

I can tell you this after owning well over 15 ABC AMG cars....I have had ZERO ISSUES...why the F would I lie? Do I still look like a salesman selling no car?

lmao.....

i_am_amused

here is the edited version:

and here's the original post:


yes you still sound like a used car salesman trying to unload a dog, and, in addition, you sound like a major "jerk" with serious issues. <censored to avoid punitive moderator action>

Why would you lie? Easy. To try to unload a dog that won't sell. Duh?

saintz

Why would MB build a CL65 that doesn't have keyless? I saw a picture of another one without keyless. I thought keyless was standard on the CL600 since at least '03. How does a top line model from 05 not get keyless? Do they think people care about the weight?

02cl55amg

yes. ive must have seen all 32 for sale twice in the last 3 years

BlownV8

No doubt. For something so rare, they sure are readily available.

i_am_amused

transferred

Fraser

Keyless Go was not standard on the 600s/65s, I'm pretty sure even through 2006. I've seen 2006 S600s with no Keyless Go.

...and yes, the OP does still sounds like a used car salesman!

saintz

I think every CL600 I looked at had vented seats, keyless go, parktronic. I just assumed those were all standard on the 600 and above.

malahhaor

[QUOTE=Vomit;4215091]It is true that there is a certain irony in someone who drives MBZ's previous generation, entry-level sedan (the C-Class--albeit the AMG version) critiquing the CL. I appreciate the jab. That said, maybe you can put passengers #2 and #3 in that big CL trunk, because they certainly are not fitting in that CL back seat unless they are very small. Even my plebian C-Class can transport three six footers comfortably.........QUOTE]


I am 6 feet 200lb i am very confy in the back of my nephews CL65. It is roomier than my C320 ever was.

Fraser

Vented seats and Parktronic were standard (although I have seen a W215 with Parktronic delete specified on the window sticker!) but Keyless was not. It's possible many dealers threw it in as a sweetener and it was a v.cheap option, only like $900.

twoloosescrews

Just a quick question, I'm looking to become a AMG owner. When I go look at e55 and cl55's and find one I want, should I ask that the car me taken to a MB dealer(if not at one) and have the rodeo program run and a through inspection? I assume that could save me some immediate headaches?