alextaylor29

Peeps,

I'm already looking to my next MB and have found some smoking deals on 04 - 06 CL600's and S600's. I will this with an extended warranty so maintenance will not be an issue.

May I ask if this is a smart purchase coming from our E55's? I belive with a tune, a CL/S600 can put down 600 HP/700 lb/ft of torque?

I'm stunned how cheaply you can get a low mileage version of these rides so are there any catches of which I should be aware?

Thank you!

Alex

E55Dimon

I'm curious whether you have gotten insurance quotes for either compared to our E?
The power is there but it's much more smooth compared to the bat out of hell performance we have.
I hear maintenance cost is really high but how much higher than ours..
S600 is sweet.

Forrest Gump 9

ABC system
Rear tires
And gas

GT-ER

I don't think a 600 can put down 600whp with just a tune. Perhaps a 65 AMG can do this. I know they can be stupid quick though.

I'd love to have an MB V12, but they all tend to have ABC suspension ( Airmatic = $$, ABC = $$$$$$$ ) and the V12 parts a hella expensive.

Roverron

You said---->"I will get this with an extended warranty so maintenance will not be an issue."

Survey said ---->You may have a warranty but if you are left sitting along side a road that wont matter.
You will still be upset or rather "pissed off".

Roverron

I work on a few of those 600's. Coil packs are a bear I keep a pair in stock for the cars i work on so if they go out I have them. Also on the CL they have that stupid plastic safety switch in the the shifter that goes out as well.

shardul

iTrader: (1)

they are a money pit but sure fun as hell to drive.

Roverron

I will agree on fun to drive and they will move.

MRAMG1

That was my delima a few agoes now. I bought the S600 for the size, think kids here. Have never looked back, and fun as hell. Other than tires, running strong for a few years now.

Don't forget to get the Jerry tune!!!

alextaylor29

Thanks guys, this really helps. Again I plan on getting an extended warranty for as many years/miles as possible (6 year, 125K miles I think is the max) and definitely either the Jerry ECU/TCU tune or Speeddriven.

Thank you again.

Alex

shardul

iTrader: (1)

A 2006 will qualify for extended warranty a 2004 is almost at the 8 year time limit from the date of manufacturer and may not qualify.

Iceman

I have gone from an E500 (purchased an 03 in 04, put 150,000 miles on it) to a S600 and now to an E55. The S600 had a Renntech tune, removed resonator and S65 mufflers. I can't remember the exact numbers it made but it was a beast. The only issue I had is that in AZ we can only get 91 octane gas. Between that and the heat the car actually did not feel very fast. With the cold weather and 100 octane fuel it felt great, but at 7.00 per gallon I couldn't justify running it like that all of the time. I liked the car and felt that I needed the room for my kids but at then end of the day, it is a big, heavy car and is not very sporty. I took some time away from Mercedes after the S600 an I am thrilled to be in an E55. It just feels good to drive this car. I would encourage you to take an extended test drive to make sure that you are satisfied with driving a land yacht. It will feel much less sporty and possibly slower than an E55.

alextaylor29

Unless you buy it from CarMax. That's my secret by the way. I pay half the cost for extended warranties and yet get the same/better coverage than aftermarket warranties. Carmax sells more used cars than anyone else nationally 2 million vehicles annually, so the extended warranty companies line up to give them smoking deals on their warranties. These are good companies as well (CNA, etc..)

I got my E55 warranty through Carmax for $2K and they've already covered $20K in repairs (parts and labor) all through a 5 star dealer.

CarMax currently has 950 MB's for sale nationwide.

And no, I don't work for them.

Alex

shardul

iTrader: (1)

950 MBs for sale and 1 s600 for sale at a store close to me. let me know if you want me to check the car out if you plan to buy it.

alextaylor29

For example just called Carmax on a 2005 S600 with 64K miles on sale now for $23K and if I wanted to buy an extended warranty for it here are the specifics:

• 72 months
• 125,000 miles
• $3,099 warranty cost
• $50 deductable all service at 5 star dealer
• CNA warranty backend provider

• $2,500 warranty cost
• 125,000 miles
• 72 months
• $150 deductable all service at 5 star dealer
• CNA warranty backend provider

Truely gents, this is one of those, "Hidden doors" in life that if you're looking to buy an MB, go through CarMax.

Alex

alextaylor29

Shardul, it's all yours and I've neatly modeled the extended warranty for you. Spoke to them live.

Enjoy and thanks for all the advice you've given to the community over the years!

justinwrock

I have a friend in Austin who was looking at that S600!

alextaylor29

Yesterday CarMax has a 2003 CL600 with only 34K miles for $23K. Yes you read that right, not a typo.

It's gone now but the CL600's and S600's can be found for a song at CarMax.

alextaylor29

Well he better hurry then!

justinwrock

Ha! I'm going to keep my mouth shut! I would rather see a forum member get it, cause then we will have another uber AMG out there pounding M5s!

shardul

iTrader: (1)

thanks for the kind words. I currently own a S600

alextaylor29

My pleasure, good to see you back posting here.

Alex

NCE500

I had an SL600 for almost 3 years. Crazy torque and power with a tune, an absolute engineering masterpiece and pure adrenaline when things were right. Loved the car, but it was a seriously complex machine, made my E63 look quite simple in comparison. Remember that the V12 cars were expensive when new, and the maintenance costs stay reflective of their new price. I would not buy a V12 unless you have a good warranty for the duration of your ownership.

I'm contemplating adding an SL65 to my fleet for next season, provided something nice comes along over the Winter at the right price......that V12 torque remains seriously addicting.

alextaylor29

Thank you this helps! Can't wait to test-drive one. With a tune the Torque can be in the high 700's low 800's I believe and if I wanted to go crazy I could give it to Speedriven for a few weeks and get 1,200 HP out it!

Basically for me, I drive a ton for work have 3 young kids and am a bigger guy. 6'2, 240 all muscle of course. (Well most of it is.) I think I'd like something bigger with more room and have been vasilating between a CLS55 or just jumping to the S-class. What's striking about the S600's, particularlly used models is how cheap you can get them on the market now and with an extended warranty you're covered. I have also been looking at an 04-06 S65 but they're about $15K more expensive on average for the exact same car/year as an S600.

For example I did a quick nationwide autotrader search for 04 -06 S65's, found 18 with an average price of $40K. Did the exact same search for an 04-06 S600 and the average price was $25K. Given only .2L (50HP) seperate their motors (slightly bigger turbos, granted), same tranny and perhaps giving up some brakes, the $15K I'd save on an S600, could be given to Speeddriven and I could create a monster!

So anyway, that's where my head's at and thanks for all the advice!

Jakpro1

Careful with Carmax, my father in law just bought an Avalon from them and it's had several problems. All covered on their warranty so he is not too too pi*sed. Definitely run the VIN at the Benz dealer to check if there are any major service problems.

My only other input is to perhaps consider an 07 with the newer body style and headlights. Some guys could care less but I would want a newer looking S. If no biggie to you, then snag one and let's see that monster torque in action!!