2001 CL55 AMG
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Newbie
Joined: Aug 2014
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From: Phoenix, AZ area
2000 SL500; 2009 C300 4Matic Sport; 2000 C280
2001 CL55 AMG
I am considering replacing my very nice 2000 SL500 with a good looking 2001 CL55 AMG with only 68k miles and, I am told, all service records. CA/AZ n/a car that seems to be all original.
Car can be viewed at http://www.ccjabersauto.com/inventor...LES-PHOENIX-AZ.
Have not driven yet but am wondering what advice the forum can offer with regard to what to look for and be cautious of. Only thing I have noticed on a quick sit in is the broken front cupholder. Car starts, idles and sound normal/nice. What other things should I be attentive to?
Thanks in advance for advice or suggestions.
Car can be viewed at http://www.ccjabersauto.com/inventor...LES-PHOENIX-AZ.
Have not driven yet but am wondering what advice the forum can offer with regard to what to look for and be cautious of. Only thing I have noticed on a quick sit in is the broken front cupholder. Car starts, idles and sound normal/nice. What other things should I be attentive to?
Thanks in advance for advice or suggestions.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 14
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From: Phoenix, AZ area
2000 SL500; 2009 C300 4Matic Sport; 2000 C280
Test Drive - unimpressedhttp://mbworld.org/forums/images/icons/icon6.gif
I took wsome time off this afternoon to test drive the 2001 CL55AMG and was not impressed with performance. My SL500 feels much more reponsive and seems to handle better.
Also drove a 2009 E350 parked next to it for comparison and it too felt more responsive.
I am not sure hat i expected from the CL55 AMG but it felt sluggish on acceleration. Very comfortable and sound feeling just disappointing acceleration; is this why the addition of Konpressor to later years?
Are there other 2001 CL55 AMG owners wouthtere who can comment on this? Does this car adapt to the way it is driven like other MBs? If so it must have been driven by a little old lady back and forth to church and the bank.
Also drove a 2009 E350 parked next to it for comparison and it too felt more responsive.
I am not sure hat i expected from the CL55 AMG but it felt sluggish on acceleration. Very comfortable and sound feeling just disappointing acceleration; is this why the addition of Konpressor to later years?
Are there other 2001 CL55 AMG owners wouthtere who can comment on this? Does this car adapt to the way it is driven like other MBs? If so it must have been driven by a little old lady back and forth to church and the bank.
Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 215
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From: North Texas
2005 CL55
There are many reasons it could feel sluggish and yes the transmission has an adaptive memory. It's a gorgeous car but I'd go for the Kompressor model as you'll get an additional 150 hp to push its heavy *** and better electronics (or less glitchy so I've heard, I have no personal experience with that model AMG, mine's an 05). If you can get a better price on that one it could be a nice driver. It's appears to be stunning in the pics.
Oh and something else. I don't know about other MB models I'm just going off personal experience but the CL's will start requiring a lot of maintenance in the 70-80k mile range particularly with the suspension and if you're not a do it yourself guy, be prepared for expensive repairs.
Oh and something else. I don't know about other MB models I'm just going off personal experience but the CL's will start requiring a lot of maintenance in the 70-80k mile range particularly with the suspension and if you're not a do it yourself guy, be prepared for expensive repairs.
Last edited by fireman685; Dec 30, 2015 at 12:38 PM.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 14
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From: Phoenix, AZ area
2000 SL500; 2009 C300 4Matic Sport; 2000 C280
Thanks for the reply and the information. I have seen another CL55 AMG that is a 2003 with the Kompressor but it has several smaller cosmetic things wrong with it and more miles - not a concern to me. See it at:http://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/de...5932/overview/
Per the Carfax it lived in Ohio for about 11 years and I am slightly concerned about corrosion damage from the winter weather - although I brought a 12 yr old Volvo 744 5 spd. out to AZ from Central PA and the only problems I had were related to the wring harnesses - under hood and under dash at about 300 k miles. It went to the cash for clunkers program for my brother.
I may have to go drive this one and see how I like it. In order to do the deal without payments I would have to sell my 2000 SL500 and my 2008 F150 - but that would give me some equity to save for repairs and would probably lower my insurance and license plate charges by about $1200.00/year. https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 109
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From: Toronto
CL55, S550, 450SL
I have the 01, CL55 and love it, looks exactly like this one except I have black interior. I would have loved to have bought a newer car with the supercharger but when I bought mine it would have been at least an extra $15K for a 2004 or newer (I've read to stay away from the 2003's). I only put a couple thousand miles a year on it so the hp didn't bother me. Don't get me wrong, it would be awesome to have an extra 150 hp but my car was dealer maintained and in mint condition which meant more to me than having the extra power (and I saved over $15K).
In regards to your test drive, you may need to reset the car to adapt to your driving which I think you can do by disconnecting the battery for a day. Was it in comfort or sport mode when you drove it?? The steering is nice and tight on mine and the ride is super smooth.
I think that you can find a nice 2004 or 2005 for less than $20K now so I would look at a newer car with the superchargers. I don't regret buying the 2001 but if I were out shopping for one now, I would definitely spend an extra 2 or 3k for a newer car with 150hp more.
I think the CL is an amazing car and very undervalued.
Good luck.
In regards to your test drive, you may need to reset the car to adapt to your driving which I think you can do by disconnecting the battery for a day. Was it in comfort or sport mode when you drove it?? The steering is nice and tight on mine and the ride is super smooth.
I think that you can find a nice 2004 or 2005 for less than $20K now so I would look at a newer car with the superchargers. I don't regret buying the 2001 but if I were out shopping for one now, I would definitely spend an extra 2 or 3k for a newer car with 150hp more.
I think the CL is an amazing car and very undervalued.
Good luck.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 27
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From: Baltimore MD
2013 CL 63-AMG
My last new Benz purchase was a blown 2006 CL55 and was probably the nicest car overall that I ever owned.With that being said it was "straight line" as quick to 150 mph or so "its limit "as my Lamborghini Diablo with 530hp was but was infinitely more comfortable and refined.
Amazing car and lost half her value within a few years which is good for us buying in the pre owned market.
I would first test drive a 2003 or up CL as I believe you will enjoy the performance immensely.And then I would patiently search until you find the right car.
While searching for my current CL63 I came across several very nice 2003 and up Cl55s in the 14k range.Certainly beyond the power plant there are more things to look at on a AMG then on a standard model as it is effortless to drive them a bit harder than the standard model.Brakes ,suspension etc even on the none AMG models can be costly even if you do your own work.
Good luck !
Amazing car and lost half her value within a few years which is good for us buying in the pre owned market.
I would first test drive a 2003 or up CL as I believe you will enjoy the performance immensely.And then I would patiently search until you find the right car.
While searching for my current CL63 I came across several very nice 2003 and up Cl55s in the 14k range.Certainly beyond the power plant there are more things to look at on a AMG then on a standard model as it is effortless to drive them a bit harder than the standard model.Brakes ,suspension etc even on the none AMG models can be costly even if you do your own work.
Good luck !
