BenzBoy4Sho

I'm in the market for a CL55... Just wondering if anyone knows if the 00-02 models tend to have more or less issues then the 03-06???

I know the power and visual difference just interested in reliability... Does anyone know???

saintz

The '03+ 55 is going to be less reliable because it has more moving parts (supercharger, intercooler pump, etc.) that can break. It also has more horsepower, which means it will break engine mounts, flex discs, and other parts more frequently, not to mention wearing through tires faster.

If you look at the 600, the '03+ are supposed to be more reliable because they don't use the cylinder deactivation that the earlier models had.

BenzBoy4Sho

Hmmm, good to know! I'm looking at a super clean 2001 CL55 with 90,000mi The owner has almost every service record on the car. He purchased it from the first owner who owned the MB dealership. The car was very well maintained and looks great!

The only down fall is I will need to do some visual upgrading to the 03+ lighting...

bzliteyear

Good luck w/ the search.
Ideally, the CL55 has already had the ABC issue and the valve blocks and pumps have already been replaced, and fluids flushed, etc....
My MB advisor told me the newer replacement parts are MUCH BETTER than the original factory installed ones, and that ABC eventually goes. Therefore, if you go w/ 05/06 CL55, or older CL55 where ALL the parts were replaced w/ newer parts, there is a chance the ABCs on those "might" be more reliable.
Hope that makes sense.
PL

BenzBoy4Sho

Well the difference is the 2001 55 I'm looking at has "EVERY" available option!.. The 2003 500 is basic model... No AMG/Sport package, No cooling seats, No Disctronic/Parktronic, No push to start... All of which the 01' 55 have... I love all the extra features of this 2001' 55

johnjph

I have fallen in love with the CL class and I located a 2001 CL55 AMG with 34k miles. The car was purchased at the dealership where the car was recently traded in.
1. What problem areas should I look at before purchasing?
2. Does the ABC problem occur even in cars with low mileage like this one?
3. I have obtained the service records... what should I look for?

My Jag XJ8 has the air suspension... is the ABC a similar system... But hydraulic?

I think I can get the car for around $15k... is this a good deal? or am I getting myself into a money pit?

Any info will be greatly appreciated.

CLassy_AMG

personally I think $15k i high for an 01, I have an 06 in great shape with everything working and I cant even sell it for $20k. thats not much difference in money and a huge difference in car.

https://mbworld.org/forums/mercedes-...-cl55-amg.html

SL55_Forever

Correct me if I am wrong but the 2003+ CL600 engines are the most reliable.