cruzcl

Hi guys Im new to MBWorld. I am giving myself for Christmas a 2003 MB CL55 AMG. Im doing now the daunting task of knowing the car inside out and seeking owner feedback. I fell in love with this car a year ago when a friend of mine ask me to drive one from Miami to Key Largo. I plan keeping this car for a long time. Maintenance is priority. Id appreciate things to look out for. So far I hear the suspension on CL's are prone to start giving issues first and a sensor that makes the check engine light go off. I noticed they average around $20k to $25k average with 50k to 60k miles. Any suggestions advice and direction will be appreciated!!

alx

A 2003? You are not getting a quality car. Unless both valve blocks have been replaced with the updated ones, the four shocks are arnott with lifetime warranty, the tandem Pump is updated, the heat exchanger Pump Is replaced, the blower clutch has been redone, etc, etc... You get the picture.

Buy one that you like and prepare to fix it and enjoy the car when it runs right.

JHouse

I don't think it is all THAT bad.

polarbexar

I helped a friend with a 2003 CL55, he got it for $21500, and had some work done on the ABC so I think it should be ok. HE loves it, and for the price so what if you have to throw a couple of thousand at it every now and then. It is a heck of a car!

JHouse

These cars are engineered and built like no others. That's the good news. They tend to work very well for a very long time. The bad news is that there are more complex parts in them than in what most of us are used to. Lots of circuitry boards/computers that have to deal with a lot of heat and vibration. I'm a short timer, but so far it seems solid as a rock, as was my last Merc. But I have a friend (high volume poster here, and well-recognized expert and vehicle abuser, who bought a used 2003 CL55 several years ago, and has put a ton of miles on it and driven it harder than you or I could ever imagine, and it has given him almost no problems at all on the reliability front. That's why I bought mine. Now I'm spoiled for anything else. There are no rivals to me. It's got to be the most incredible bargain in the world of cars and I can't believe I can possess one. Think of it like a true love, you take the bad with the good, and any downside is worth it.

C280 Sport

The CL is a wonderful car. Upkeep is a must on these cars. They are premium and will cost you so if upkeep is a question then try and find a CL500 instead. The ABC issues have been very common. None on ours yet thank God. Get a good indi shop to do your work. Do not go to a dealer for your own good. Indi shop will save you money and make sure they are qualified to do the work since the CL is a very complex car that takes alot of time to understand how it works. Its a premium car with a premium price and no 2003 Mercedes is worth brigning to a dealer. As Jhouse said take the good with the bad.

BlownV8

If I had to do it all over again, I would have every ABC line redone with a higher quality hose and higher PSI rating as well as replace the dampner/s. If you remove the ABC issues, the cars are not too bad.

Have a pre purchase inspection done at an MB dealership. Make sure they are very thorough. It will save you money in the long run and could help lower the price. An aftermarket warranty that covers the ABC system would be a huge plus.

Patentmat

+1 to that post. Main things - - if ABC has ALREADY been redone by the previous owner, you are more likely to go a long time without having to even touch it. If it has never been done and you are looking at an older model CL, it will probably need it soon. Also, check out the brakes. If the rotors are about down to replacement time, you might have something to negotiate with. It is one of the more expensive "routine" maintenance items on the car.

cruzcl

Thank you guys! I really appreciate all your feedback and glad that I became part of this forum. It's gonna be my first lux & euro and I look forward to going through the process. I will keep you guys updated and again thank you!

saintz

Get it inspected and make sure you have cash for repairs.

If you go to the dealer for every problem, you will spend a few thousand a year, maybe $5k to $10k on a bad year.

If you go to an independent and only worry about actual problems, I would bet $500 to $2k a year. The depreciation on a Honda Civic is more than that, so it's not like it's that expensive to maintain.

Bear in mind that Mercedes says it's normal for the valve blocks to leak after about 5 days. You don't need to go see the dealer and fork out cash just because the ABC warning comes on, only if it becomes excessively often or interferes with driving.

grane

I'd go for a 2005 or 2006. Fewer bugs, natural as a car is produced for several years. Knock wood, at 6 years my car runs better than new but I am rather old school when it comes to preventative service.

That being said a well maintained 03 is better than a dodgy 06.

cruzcl

@ Saintz & Grane thank guys. Based on everybody's responses Im not going to focus on the year and instead what I can get with $25K. I also keep a reserve when it comes to the unexpected. And if $2k would be the average in maintence thats not that bad. I will be **** when it comes to the ABC system. Now I gotta go make friends with Merc techs lol! Again thank guys for your feedback

danlnyc

well if you can try to save up a little more and get the newer years. I've heard 03 CL55 are prone to many electrical gremlins and other annoying bugs.

cruzcl

ok 04's up to 06's were talking about an additional $5k to $15K ... Not a happy camper but it is what is. Thanks Danlnyc for your feedback.

Exotic-metal55

I have had on mine four almost four years and put 37K on it. Great car and well made. It seems many of the potential issues talked about may throw off the averages. I dont talk about my ____ B _____ and it treats me great. I bet I have at least 80 plus 1/4 mile launches and 5 Texas mile passes. Plead 5th on the street action.




Great cars and you can have one at a killer price.


The best advice I have ever seen posted about getting a wold class AMG for 25% of its new value is, dont do it if the 25% leaves you with NO money for repairs may put you in default. Put away 5% to take care of the car and you will be fine.

cruzcl

Thanks Exotic Im in love with the car. I like the new CL but something about the lines on the W215. I see myself with the car for a long time and expect problems. but like the saying goes " Mejor evitar que lamentar" so again I want to thank all those who contributed and keep them coming

BlkLightning

I used to have a CL55 AMG, 2003. The multi-disk navigation system is annoying at times. I do recommend 2004 and newer because of tweak made to the electrical system. I traded my CL55 for CL65 and loving it. The extra 5k for 2004 + will save you from headache and future maintenance cost

Madys55

I bought my 2003 CL55 AMG last august and I love it. I havent had any problems other than replacing my supercharger bearing and that cost me 50$. Keep the car well maintained and it will treat you well.

BlownV8

What tweak did they make over the 2003 that would have a significant impact on reliability. Command is different but what else?

BlkLightning

if I am not mistaken 2004 recieved fiber optic electrical system, more reliable. Ever considered CL600 with the sport package?

BlownV8

Sounds interesting. I would love to read more about that system. Got any links?

JHouse

http://www.mercupgrades.com/COMAND++...rticle-54.html

BlownV8

I'm familiar with the command differences but would like to read more about the fiber optic electrical system in the 2004+ CL.

JHouse

Sorry, That's all I've got. Well, I kept looking:

http://www.aa1car.com/library/can_systems.htm It's not much.


This may be the latest DVD for us in the states: 04+ E, 04-06 S, CL, 04+ SL, 05+ SLK, 06+ CLS COMAND NTG-1 DVD version 2008 (MB part# Q6-46-0232)

That's from this site: http://www.whnet.com/4x4/radios.html

saintz

The D2B fiber optic system started around 1999 or 2000 (not sure on the CL which year exactly) and ran until 2003. The MOST fiber optic system started in 2004 on the CL. That is what they are referring to. It coincided with the changes to the COMAND system.

Both systems are really the pits, the MOST system just allows more data, like iPod track names to be transmit to the speedometer display. Fiber optics are great for transmitting data across miles of distance, not several feet.