The V12 Itch: Mercedes, Aston Martin, Bentley?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 283
Likes: 69
From: Baltimore, MD
93 Mustang GT, 94 Corvette ZR1, 2004 CL55 AMG, 2012 MP4-12c
The V12 Itch: Mercedes, Aston Martin, Bentley?
I always thought that the W2156 CL I would buy would have a V12.
After waiting for too long for Legit Street Cars to "finish" his CL65 and running across a deal too good to pass up locally, I ended up with a 2004 CL55.
I love the car but the grass is always greener.
Im not selling my CL55 but I would like something with more cylinders.
My inclination is to go for a R129 SL600... it would certainly be fun to have a convertible but I doubt i'd ever run it without the hardtop.
Option 2 would be a W140 CL600 as I do have a thing for these classic big body coupes... but age related issues may not make that the "better" option of the two (even though its the sexier option)
Lets say Im looking at ~$30K to get in a car and bring it up to some base level of service post purchase... as a car enthusiast, lets consider other options!
Aston Martin DB7? Bentley Continental GT? Heck, while not a V12, a E63 BMW M6 would sure be alot of fun..... And lets argue that all fall around the same price point?
Being a DIYer... the only cars from the list that I'd probably need "professional" help on would be the Bentley and the M6 but would they be that much more fun and different than my current Whipple'd CL55?
Certainly not looking for faster... just different?
Anyone else go through this first world dilemma?
After waiting for too long for Legit Street Cars to "finish" his CL65 and running across a deal too good to pass up locally, I ended up with a 2004 CL55.
I love the car but the grass is always greener.
Im not selling my CL55 but I would like something with more cylinders.
My inclination is to go for a R129 SL600... it would certainly be fun to have a convertible but I doubt i'd ever run it without the hardtop.
Option 2 would be a W140 CL600 as I do have a thing for these classic big body coupes... but age related issues may not make that the "better" option of the two (even though its the sexier option)
Lets say Im looking at ~$30K to get in a car and bring it up to some base level of service post purchase... as a car enthusiast, lets consider other options!
Aston Martin DB7? Bentley Continental GT? Heck, while not a V12, a E63 BMW M6 would sure be alot of fun..... And lets argue that all fall around the same price point?
Being a DIYer... the only cars from the list that I'd probably need "professional" help on would be the Bentley and the M6 but would they be that much more fun and different than my current Whipple'd CL55?
Certainly not looking for faster... just different?
Anyone else go through this first world dilemma?
MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 32,357
Likes: 6,321
I always thought that the W2156 CL I would buy would have a V12.
After waiting for too long for Legit Street Cars to "finish" his CL65 and running across a deal too good to pass up locally, I ended up with a 2004 CL55.
I love the car but the grass is always greener.
Im not selling my CL55 but I would like something with more cylinders.
My inclination is to go for a R129 SL600... it would certainly be fun to have a convertible but I doubt i'd ever run it without the hardtop.
Option 2 would be a W140 CL600 as I do have a thing for these classic big body coupes... but age related issues may not make that the "better" option of the two (even though its the sexier option)
Lets say Im looking at ~$30K to get in a car and bring it up to some base level of service post purchase... as a car enthusiast, lets consider other options!
Aston Martin DB7? Bentley Continental GT? Heck, while not a V12, a E63 BMW M6 would sure be alot of fun..... And lets argue that all fall around the same price point?
Being a DIYer... the only cars from the list that I'd probably need "professional" help on would be the Bentley and the M6 but would they be that much more fun and different than my current Whipple'd CL55?
Certainly not looking for faster... just different?
Anyone else go through this first world dilemma?
After waiting for too long for Legit Street Cars to "finish" his CL65 and running across a deal too good to pass up locally, I ended up with a 2004 CL55.
I love the car but the grass is always greener.
Im not selling my CL55 but I would like something with more cylinders.
My inclination is to go for a R129 SL600... it would certainly be fun to have a convertible but I doubt i'd ever run it without the hardtop.
Option 2 would be a W140 CL600 as I do have a thing for these classic big body coupes... but age related issues may not make that the "better" option of the two (even though its the sexier option)
Lets say Im looking at ~$30K to get in a car and bring it up to some base level of service post purchase... as a car enthusiast, lets consider other options!
Aston Martin DB7? Bentley Continental GT? Heck, while not a V12, a E63 BMW M6 would sure be alot of fun..... And lets argue that all fall around the same price point?
Being a DIYer... the only cars from the list that I'd probably need "professional" help on would be the Bentley and the M6 but would they be that much more fun and different than my current Whipple'd CL55?
Certainly not looking for faster... just different?
Anyone else go through this first world dilemma?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 283
Likes: 69
From: Baltimore, MD
93 Mustang GT, 94 Corvette ZR1, 2004 CL55 AMG, 2012 MP4-12c
But comfort is key, I'm 6'6" and the biggest draw to the W215 was how roomy it was for me and for my two kids in the back.
MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 32,357
Likes: 6,321
Ya I do expect the MB to be more comfortable (obviously test drive to compare) but the Bentley is meant to be luxury on top of a very sporty character, absolute comfort has to go Rolls-Royce, Aston Martin is also a driver's vehicle I think?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,122
Likes: 188
'91 964 Turbo, '02 E55's & '14 E63s-w
I myself is looking into getting a V12, want to try one but more focused on S65's (W221/222) , wonder if V12 Mercedes are reliable enough to be owned though?
Hope you didn't mind me pinging in, should help everyone interested in V12's LOL
Hope you didn't mind me pinging in, should help everyone interested in V12's LOL
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 283
Likes: 69
From: Baltimore, MD
93 Mustang GT, 94 Corvette ZR1, 2004 CL55 AMG, 2012 MP4-12c
While I hear about how robust the V12 motor is, I have seen a number of nightmares.
I myself already have a car equipped with ABC suspension so adding another to the garage along with a complicated twin turbo system doesnt excite me.
Here is a video series on a problem experienced with a CL65 that documents what it takes to repair:
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 14,678
Likes: 4,578
From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
I always thought that the W2156 CL I would buy would have a V12.
After waiting for too long for Legit Street Cars to "finish" his CL65 and running across a deal too good to pass up locally, I ended up with a 2004 CL55.
I love the car but the grass is always greener.
Im not selling my CL55 but I would like something with more cylinders.
My inclination is to go for a R129 SL600... it would certainly be fun to have a convertible but I doubt i'd ever run it without the hardtop.
Option 2 would be a W140 CL600 as I do have a thing for these classic big body coupes... but age related issues may not make that the "better" option of the two (even though its the sexier option)
Lets say Im looking at ~$30K to get in a car and bring it up to some base level of service post purchase... as a car enthusiast, lets consider other options!
Aston Martin DB7? Bentley Continental GT? Heck, while not a V12, a E63 BMW M6 would sure be alot of fun..... And lets argue that all fall around the same price point?
Being a DIYer... the only cars from the list that I'd probably need "professional" help on would be the Bentley and the M6 but would they be that much more fun and different than my current Whipple'd CL55?
Certainly not looking for faster... just different?
Anyone else go through this first world dilemma?
After waiting for too long for Legit Street Cars to "finish" his CL65 and running across a deal too good to pass up locally, I ended up with a 2004 CL55.
I love the car but the grass is always greener.
Im not selling my CL55 but I would like something with more cylinders.
My inclination is to go for a R129 SL600... it would certainly be fun to have a convertible but I doubt i'd ever run it without the hardtop.
Option 2 would be a W140 CL600 as I do have a thing for these classic big body coupes... but age related issues may not make that the "better" option of the two (even though its the sexier option)
Lets say Im looking at ~$30K to get in a car and bring it up to some base level of service post purchase... as a car enthusiast, lets consider other options!
Aston Martin DB7? Bentley Continental GT? Heck, while not a V12, a E63 BMW M6 would sure be alot of fun..... And lets argue that all fall around the same price point?
Being a DIYer... the only cars from the list that I'd probably need "professional" help on would be the Bentley and the M6 but would they be that much more fun and different than my current Whipple'd CL55?
Certainly not looking for faster... just different?
Anyone else go through this first world dilemma?
Last edited by chassis; Sep 29, 2024 at 10:05 PM.
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Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 283
Likes: 69
From: Baltimore, MD
93 Mustang GT, 94 Corvette ZR1, 2004 CL55 AMG, 2012 MP4-12c
My affection for large coupes does draw me towards the more recent S65 coupes but long term running costs are a consideration. Ive often thought that at that buy-in number, a V12 Vanquish could be more charismatic
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