Trading in the 7 for a CL?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 277
Likes: 1
From: Newport Beach, CA
2006 Mercedes E350 Sport
Trading in the 7 for a CL?
I've been dreaming about owning a CL. Always have thought of those cars as the ultimate modern cruiser. Scheduled an appointment at a local dealer for a 01' CL 500 silver/ash w/ 37k miles. Asking $62k :p . Outside was clean, except for a scuff on the front bumper and a few scrateches on the rear, (not worried about paint, my buddy owns a paintshop). I unlock the car and
Scuffs on the interior panels, burn marks on the headliner, rear ashtray was broken, a CHUNK of the rear console was missing ( i have no idea how that could have happened) BIG scuff on front console. Took on a test drive. Car was solid, yet creaky from the interior plastics. Overall the car was a major dissapointment.
Is the creaky plastics normal on a $100k car? I think the price was absurd for the condition. The car had no records, no phone, no nav cd, no extra key- obviosly an auction car.
Even the buttons on the nav where creaky and flimsy. Is this normal? I was expecting an improvement from the w140 cl but i was in for a shock.
No offense to any owners, im just trying to see if thats the price you pay to drive a nice looking car?
Scuffs on the interior panels, burn marks on the headliner, rear ashtray was broken, a CHUNK of the rear console was missing ( i have no idea how that could have happened) BIG scuff on front console. Took on a test drive. Car was solid, yet creaky from the interior plastics. Overall the car was a major dissapointment. Is the creaky plastics normal on a $100k car? I think the price was absurd for the condition. The car had no records, no phone, no nav cd, no extra key- obviosly an auction car.
Even the buttons on the nav where creaky and flimsy. Is this normal? I was expecting an improvement from the w140 cl but i was in for a shock.
No offense to any owners, im just trying to see if thats the price you pay to drive a nice looking car?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,295
Likes: 0
From: McLean, VA
S4
Re: Trading in the 7 for a CL?
Originally posted by 99bmw740il
I've been dreaming about owning a CL. Always have thought of those cars as the ultimate modern cruiser. Scheduled an appointment at a local dealer for a 01' CL 500 silver/ash w/ 37k miles. Asking $62k :p . Outside was clean, except for a scuff on the front bumper and a few scrateches on the rear, (not worried about paint, my buddy owns a paintshop). I unlock the car and Scuffs on the interior panels, burn marks on the headliner, rear ashtray was broken, a CHUNK of the rear console was missing ( i have no idea how that could have happened) BIG scuff on front console. Took on a test drive. Car was solid, yet creaky from the interior plastics. Overall the car was a major dissapointment.
Is the creaky plastics normal on a $100k car? I think the price was absurd for the condition. The car had no records, no phone, no nav cd, no extra key- obviosly an auction car.
Even the buttons on the nav where creaky and flimsy. Is this normal? I was expecting an improvement from the w140 cl but i was in for a shock.
No offense to any owners, im just trying to see if thats the price you pay to drive a nice looking car?
I've been dreaming about owning a CL. Always have thought of those cars as the ultimate modern cruiser. Scheduled an appointment at a local dealer for a 01' CL 500 silver/ash w/ 37k miles. Asking $62k :p . Outside was clean, except for a scuff on the front bumper and a few scrateches on the rear, (not worried about paint, my buddy owns a paintshop). I unlock the car and
Scuffs on the interior panels, burn marks on the headliner, rear ashtray was broken, a CHUNK of the rear console was missing ( i have no idea how that could have happened) BIG scuff on front console. Took on a test drive. Car was solid, yet creaky from the interior plastics. Overall the car was a major dissapointment. Is the creaky plastics normal on a $100k car? I think the price was absurd for the condition. The car had no records, no phone, no nav cd, no extra key- obviosly an auction car.
Even the buttons on the nav where creaky and flimsy. Is this normal? I was expecting an improvement from the w140 cl but i was in for a shock.
No offense to any owners, im just trying to see if thats the price you pay to drive a nice looking car?
Try drivign a new cl, or find one a cleaner one with lower miles I think you will reconsider. GL
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 330
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From: Boston
2003 CL55
I agree with Adam that $62k is too much, especially for a car that has obviously been abused.
The CL is one of the most solid, high quality cars available and the used market is soft, so buyers can do very well if paitient.
The CL is one of the most solid, high quality cars available and the used market is soft, so buyers can do very well if paitient.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 277
Likes: 1
From: Newport Beach, CA
2006 Mercedes E350 Sport
Originally posted by IluvS500
99BMW, I am going to be on the phone with sum people tomorrow, I will bring up something about you and see what kind of deal I can pull if you would like.
99BMW, I am going to be on the phone with sum people tomorrow, I will bring up something about you and see what kind of deal I can pull if you would like.
I talked with a guy at Fletcher Jones MBZ about the early CL (00',01). He said they wont even sell a 2000my they just auction them off, and the 01's are not worth looking at either. Kind of worries me when a sales man says that "The early CL's are pieces of *****" and "they fixed the quality issues on the 2000my"
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Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 330
Likes: 0
From: Boston
2003 CL55
My 2002 CL500 Sport was nearly flawless. Only problem was a loose fitting on ABC, which was corrected in about 5 minutes by tech and occassionally the driver's door would not close fully, but needed to be closed a bit harder to engage the snugging feature. The car got faster at about 10,000 miles.
Could it be that dealers are trying to get you to buy a new or late model used CL from them?
Could it be that dealers are trying to get you to buy a new or late model used CL from them?
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Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 12,744
Likes: 3
From: Houston Texas
Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland
Originally posted by 99bmw740il
sure
I talked with a guy at Fletcher Jones MBZ about the early CL (00',01). He said they wont even sell a 2000my they just auction them off, and the 01's are not worth looking at either. Kind of worries me when a sales man says that "The early CL's are pieces of *****" and "they fixed the quality issues on the 2000my"
sure
I talked with a guy at Fletcher Jones MBZ about the early CL (00',01). He said they wont even sell a 2000my they just auction them off, and the 01's are not worth looking at either. Kind of worries me when a sales man says that "The early CL's are pieces of *****" and "they fixed the quality issues on the 2000my"
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 516
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From: Iowa
'03 G500, '11 S550 4Matic, '12 SL63 AMG, '13 ML350, '16 AMG GTS Ed. 1
I agree 62K is a little high, especially for that condition. I test drove an '01 CL500 with 21K on the clock and it was beautiful and solid. They were ofeering it for $58,900 with a trade on my '99 clk430...go figure. It was loaded with every option and was Anthracite Black. A very solid, well mannered and cared for example. Owned by a banker and very pampered. So you can do better.
Wish I could afford one! Excellent choice of auto!
Wish I could afford one! Excellent choice of auto!
