I noticed you can get a 2001 CL500 for £15K or there abouts.

 

I don't have £15K to spend on a car but I'm always planning ahead.

 

Anyone know if they're any good?

 

5 litre v8 and they look nice to me.

 

I know Mercades have had issues of late so maybe they're expensive problems?

 

Have never driven a CL500...but for £15000, I'd be looking at getting the older...and slightly more exotic looking 500SL....

 

 

 

Have never driven a CL500...but for £15000, I'd be looking at getting the older...and slightly more exotic looking 500SL....

 

Much more my kind of thing :D

Sorry - not a fan of the SL - a bit 90s rap video IMHO.

 

Plus it'd be twice as old for the money - 1997 rather than 2001 - and I wouldn't consider it on that basis alone.

Mercs r the best cars out there... safe, comfortable, reliable... blah blah..

 

if i had the Money i'd get it!

Mercs r the best cars out there... safe, comfortable, reliable... blah blah..

 

if i had the Money i'd get it!

 

They used to be good.

 

My old man bought a new E-class. It had to go back to the dealer 12 times in the first two years as it had so many problems. He got rid of it and got a Lexus which has had no problems.

 

I've heard Mercs have really gone down hill these days.

 

If something like that CL starts going wrong, it could cost big money.

 

But it does look nice! They were £70K new so a 2001 car for £15K sounds quite good.

CL's are a bloody good car mate - we have very little problems with them, however early ones suffered with corrosion (even more of a problem - they are all ally & cost more to correct). check all 4 wheel arches, base of rear pillars (which is a nightmare as they dissapear behind the rear wing & corrosion there is the tip of the iceburg!) & corners of sunroof. Mercedes will provide goodwill for quite a few years esp with FMBSH however & many have been put right by this already.

 

if you really want one & find one, send me the chassis no & i will check out any history with mercedes for you mate :)

CL's are a bloody good car mate - we have very little problems with them, however early ones suffered with corrosion (even more of a problem - they are all ally & cost more to correct). check all 4 wheel arches, base of rear pillars (which is a nightmare as they dissapear behind the rear wing & corrosion there is the tip of the iceburg!) & corners of sunroof. Mercedes will provide goodwill for quite a few years esp with FMBSH however & many have been put right by this already.

 

if you really want one & find one, send me the chassis no & i will check out any history with mercedes for you mate :)

 

 

Cheers mate, you're a gent :bow: :bow:

 

I don't think it'll be hapenning for a while (if at all!) but I'd really like one. I went to the Merc garage today and parked next to one - it made my 300 look like a nasty little plastic toy. It was £55K though!

I'd be looking at the first of the new-shape ones if any (2000 onwards).

I thought Merc,s were a class car till about 5 years ago when i started repairing the bl00dy things , they rust worse than fiats and now merc just want you to de-rust by sandblasting and re-paint as cheaply as possible , they very rarely replace many rusting panels unless there completely rotten :xxx:

They,ve even produced a Special tool to combat the rust which forms around E class door window frames , basically a metal cutting saw which you remove a section of frame with ( the part thats rusting ) and glue the door seal over it , to hide it !!!!

As for repair techniques , in certain areas you can,t weld new panels in place because of the new high tensile steels that are used , weld them and it weakens them :headvswal

So how do you fit new panels ....YOU RIVET THEM :shock:

The special rivet gun is 2 grand !!

A guy at work has just been on a merc warranty course , merc admitted build quality went down the toilet to cut costs and if you have a problem with your exspensive motor they,ll do as little as they can get away with :rant:

Nice eh ?

I,ll stick with my 16 yaer old Nissan anyday

on modern Mercs, rust is probably the biggest issue. It CL is not a sports car though, more a 2 door S class.

if i had the money for a merc, id get 2 zeds

IMHO Like most 'luxury brands' these days they are sadly more label than real quality.

 

The depreciation values on luxury cars make what look like amazing deals appear all the time.......

 

Luxury cars that are not new enough for their real target market often have no real home in the marketplace at all except for the odd enthusiast (probably people like us) who likes the idea of driving what was a 50 - 70k car for much less.......Bargain!!!!

But.......and its a big big but that 15k is neither an investment or a cheap option sure you may get a hell of a lot of car for your dough.........maybe

 

Hmmm lets see 15k it would buy various fine looking Mercs or perhaps an M5, an Alpina B10 (little more exclusive) etc. But can the running costs be contained? Is the 'quality' really as good as the Badge still implies or will you end-up with a big bill money pit. Years ago the german brands were rightly held in high esteem for quality up until the mid 90's at least but since then all is not as it seems.

 

 

I can with facts prove that the two big german brands have deffo gone down in terms of quality since then. Ask a BMW E34 5 series owner to compare & contrast with the recent models.

 

I will bet you that on any real measurable measure of quality todays Toyota Avensis is way better quality than any merc or beemer and those of us that have been inside the trade both manufacturing and repairing will vouch for this.

 

Toyota in particular has been pounding the others business wise by relentlessly focussing on quality and productivity. This drives up the preceived value, (slowly mind it'll take a few generations to let go of the 'old brands') whilst at the same time continuously reducing costs through productivity improvements. Their competitors (with a few exceptions) meanwhile have been doing the usual under the radar fake cost savings to stay in touch instead of really driving productivity and quality. Just like our learned friend reveal once proud brands are reduced to bodge it & scarper repair standards to save moeny whereever they can and screw the owner.......

 

To realise how much poo they are all in consider this:-

 

Right now Toyota is sat on cash reserves large enough to buy daimler chrysler, Ford and GM outright if it chose to do and toyota achieves today in output terms with 200,000 what GM struggles to make money doing with 800,000. In short the old guard are faking it and the new kids Toyota & Honda in particular are playing a much longer killing game for keeps. Right now Ford and GM stock is 'junk bond' status in the US so how long before they go under? If you don't believe it can happen just think rover but on a much larger scale.........

 

To me such cars (few years old luxury cars) are beginning to look like Louis Vuitton Bags they once had cache (maybe when they hand made your own personalised luggage) but now they are so played out and churned out for the masses. Oh what happened to the fine english luxury brand of burberry?!!!

 

My advice would save yer money, if you really want luxury get a lexus at least there might be some dealers still around in a few years time to serve you and the quality is true quality that should have stone axe reliability to boot.

 

Do a total cost of ownership calc and factor in a possible new engine then see what you could buy new even..........with all cost included.

 

If you really must have 'that brand' do your research. carefully, very carefully.

 

My business partner is currently living the dream (nightmare money-pit) with his Aston that has done half the mileage and half the age of my 300 guess which spends most time off-the-road?..........(and after all its ford really, my titanium nissan key looks so cool next to his ford escort one!)

 

Food for thought maybe but your choice in the end.

 

Lets start a list of cars that once looked cool but have chavved themselves out...burberry style

lets start with

 

BMW X5 (LPG conversion of course)

Any Merc 4X4 (ditto)

Aston DB7

 

 

 

 

Oh and BTW if you think the next generation is going to value these old brands just ask em who sponsors and wins their computer driving games????????

 

You pays yer money and takes yer choice

I went to the Merc garage today and parked next to one - it made my 300 look like a nasty little plastic toy. It was £55K though!

 

:eek:

And those mercedes designers have only had 15+years and £20k on the new price to make it look better.

Fer chissakes lets have apples with apples mate if you can find a 15 year old merc then compare and contrast........or think

 

If you had rolled up in your new incoming Nissan GTR would you have felt the same???? Doubt it.........

 

Label, labels must have my labels.......shiny, bright, shiny and right,

the right ones, not the wrong ones mind.............

Only joking mate .........Bling Bling ;)

I thought Merc,s were a class car till about 5 years ago when i started repairing the bl00dy things , they rust worse than fiats and now merc just want you to de-rust by sandblasting and re-paint as cheaply as possible , they very rarely replace many rusting panels unless there completely rotten :xxx:

They,ve even produced a Special tool to combat the rust which forms around E class door window frames , basically a metal cutting saw which you remove a section of frame with ( the part thats rusting ) and glue the door seal over it , to hide it !!!!

As for repair techniques , in certain areas you can,t weld new panels in place because of the new high tensile steels that are used , weld them and it weakens them :headvswal

So how do you fit new panels ....YOU RIVET THEM :shock:

The special rivet gun is 2 grand !!

A guy at work has just been on a merc warranty course , merc admitted build quality went down the toilet to cut costs and if you have a problem with your exspensive motor they,ll do as little as they can get away with :rant:

Nice eh ?

I,ll stick with my 16 yaer old Nissan anyday

 

kind of!, the 210 door frames are only cut down on a cosmetic lip, this has no effect on the rest of the door. if the corrosion is more advanced they will replace the door!

 

little as poss? we just done a S class (import from outside of EU as well) with £8k of work done - 4 new wings, doors all painted & new boot!

 

they made a mistake but have made a big effort to put it right.

 

i take it the panels you are reffering to are the 210 front spring cups - they should now be welded.

 

all in all i still believe merc make a good car, iv worked for a few manufacturers over the years (if were talking corrosion then i worked for Lancia when Betas were falling apart so Merc seem quite good for repairs in comparison!! :D )& ALL have major probs at some time (BMW were chucking engines in left right & centre not long ago!! :eek: )

on modern Mercs, rust is probably the biggest issue. It CL is not a sports car though, more a 2 door S class.

 

hmm, the old 140 CL was, the 215 is more a big GT designed on its own ;)

they made a mistake but have made a big effort to put it right.

 

STILL CRAP DESIGN THEN

 

i take it the panels you are reffering to are the 210 front spring cups - they should now be welded.

 

DITTO DEFECTIVE DESIGN

 

all in all i still believe merc make a good car, iv worked for a few manufacturers over the years (if were talking corrosion then i worked for Lancia when Betas were falling apart so Merc seem quite good for repairs in comparison!! :D )& ALL have major probs at some time

BIG STATEMENT>>>>>>>TOYOTA ONE RECALL IN 20 YEARS

(BMW were chucking engines in left right & centre not long ago!! :eek: )

GERMAN QUALITY LOL........

Whenever your 'working' on a car these days before its design life expires that is a DEFECT......I don't care if they give me blow-jobs and booze whilst they put it right it is still a defect and either their business pays or teh consumer pays........Still think they are good cars? or good businesses?

Time will tell

^^^^^^^

 

just spoke to my mate who was a ASM at Toyota - said they had loads of recalls including a serious one on the Yaris where the brakes could fail!! :eek:

one of his customers had a serious accident in his car before the recall was carried out.

 

I also know nissan have loads of problems now too :rolleyes:

In answer to the original post-

Yup, methinks that is a beautiful car.

As to "is it a good car?"

Well that's a loaded question.

plenty folks have had nothing but trouble from their car, plenty have had no end of bother.

All you can really go on is averages and the question - is this car and the way it makes me feel worth the expense?

I got rid of my Z because I asked this and the cons outweighed the pros compared to other cars.

There are folks on here that wouldn't sell their Z ever.

Different priorities.

 

However, this has become a debate on Mercedes Benz quality.

Of that I know a little.

My better half has, for the past year, been part of a campaign to improve matters of quality and customer support at Mercedes Benz.

This is a manufacturer-driven initiative with huge support for the dealers to implement localised call centres supporting customers.

 

Not customer service as such, more customer guidance.

 

What happens is this -

Within a few days of delivery of the vehicle from a dealer, customer gets a call from their Customer Support Advisor.

Basically a welcome call, everything all right with the motor, can you work the switches, that kind of thing.

after six weeks and six months, similar call from the same person.

Mercedes Benz are asking the customer to complain. You'd be surprised how many people have problems and niggles that do not complain.

The job is then not to solve the problem for the customer but to pass the problem to whoever caused it or can sort it. This is then followed up by the advisor via the customer. Only when the customer is satisfied can the case be closed.

 

This is starting to reap dividends for the dealers. They can highlight their shortcomings and rectify so they do not happen again. Dealers can highlight problems to Mercedes Benz.Staff have nowhere to hide if a fault arises with their attitude or service - the customer is complaining to Mercedes Benz.

 

It's a bit - Big Brother is watching you - but very effective at retaining the customer base.

 

Just thought you might want to know.

 

Final point.

I've been in the car trade for a few years now and have not found a single car model that does not have at least one achilles heel. On averages, the older Mercedes Benz models have fewer vices than counterparts. In the last decade those vices have become more noticable on the brand. I don't think that is all down to customer expectations, but then Mercedes Benz drivers tend to expect a little extra from their cars. And why not.

i agree with all the stuff minestwinturbo says; my dad has been in the trade, his dad etc etc and mercs and beemers are what he specialises in. qualitywise mercs have gone downhill, BUT the last 'good' series of merc was the W124, and if you want a special merc, get the rare coupe (CE) W124 E36 AMG. I reckon it looks amazing still in the flesh and oozes quality. http://www.benzan.se/

I thought Merc,s were a class car till about 5 years ago when i started repairing the bl00dy things , they rust worse than fiats and now merc just want you to de-rust by sandblasting and re-paint as cheaply as possible , they very rarely replace many rusting panels unless there completely rotten :xxx:

They,ve even produced a Special tool to combat the rust which forms around E class door window frames , basically a metal cutting saw which you remove a section of frame with ( the part thats rusting ) and glue the door seal over it , to hide it !!!!

As for repair techniques , in certain areas you can,t weld new panels in place because of the new high tensile steels that are used , weld them and it weakens them :headvswal

So how do you fit new panels ....YOU RIVET THEM :shock:

The special rivet gun is 2 grand !!

A guy at work has just been on a merc warranty course , merc admitted build quality went down the toilet to cut costs and if you have a problem with your exspensive motor they,ll do as little as they can get away with :rant:

Nice eh ?

I,ll stick with my 16 yaer old Nissan anyday

 

Eeeek!

 

Very interesting mate - thank you.

 

I have to say that does put me off.

 

It's a shame because in the flesh, these cars look AMAZING. The size and presence is very impressive.

Eeeek!

 

Very interesting mate - thank you.

 

I have to say that does put me off.

 

It's a shame because in the flesh, these cars look AMAZING. The size and presence is very impressive.

 

LOL!! the above had nothing to do with the 215 CL series, it all relates to the 210 E class :smw:

Ah - ok, fair point.

The one I'm interested was the one I posted a pic of at the top of the thread.

 

Nice one Paul - my dream continues - maybe let the price drop for another year and keep saving and it might just be possible.

 

It sure is one hell of a car.

we've got a nice one in at the mo if your interested ;) :D

 

http://www.vikingscanterbury.co.uk/used_cars/detailU3295.html

£50K?

 

I'd better do a few more scratch cards at lunch time then!

Parkers Price Sounds a little cheap, what's wrong with it?

Review

kind of!, the 210 door frames are only cut down on a cosmetic lip, this has no effect on the rest of the door. if the corrosion is more advanced they will replace the door!

 

 

i take it the panels you are reffering to are the 210 front spring cups - they should now be welded.

 

)

Merc said the spring cups should be riveted but can,t be because it,s an mot failure :headvswal

The riveting i was refering to is on all new merc,s , just been on a course for the new R class , they were showing us the repair techniques on the wizz computer , we had a look at a fair few models and all of them have got areas that have to be riveted rather than welded .

I think i,m just an old school panelbeater , can,t get my head round riveting inner wing,s to the bulkhead , just seems wrong :rant: :rant: