Considering a 2005 CL65 AMG

[stbm5]

might be picking up a 2005 AMG CL65... id be interested in hearing from anyone with experience with these.

[ASAP]

I have 0 experience with these cars all I can say is this-

1)TT V12
2) Air Suspension
3) Originally 200k car

pray it doesn't break lol

[irishbimmer]

Air suspension has a habit of failing...

[FC4]

LOL. Get it.

[The Wind Breezes]

I hope you're rich. That car is out of warranty and a maintenance nightmare. Of course they are badass cars if you can afford to keep it in proper form.

[irishbimmer]

good advice

[Questofthetune]

Sounds like such a bad idea. Third party warranty if you do.

[NeverL8]

Baller on a budget type of car, just because they’re cheap to buy doesn’t mean everyone can afford to keep them running.

[mk1-fan]

I wouldn't.

My rule of thumb is, if you cannot afford to buy a current car without warrantee, then don't buy an older car without it either.

Never mind the fact that it is old, you don't know who owned it or how it was maintained.

As others have said, the suspension / body control will give you problems.

[dgoldenz]

There's a reason you can buy a $200k car for $25k.

[MJBO]

Originally Posted by mk1-fan

My rule of thumb is, if you cannot afford to buy a current car without warrantee, then don't buy an older car without it either.

Not really sure what that even means.

A 13 year old 12-cylinder Mercedes is going to be costly to maintain, no question about it. You’d be much better off checking out an AMG forum, there’s probably a buyers guide or “what to look out for” thread like the excellent ones here for the M3.

Top Gear did a segment a few years back looking at a cheap 850i and CL600, as I recall the CL needed an ignition coil or something in the first few weeks as a cost of £1200

[The Wind Breezes]

Originally Posted by MJBO

Not really sure what that even means.

He's saying if you can't afford to fix a new expensive car out of pocket you sure as hell can't afford to fix a old car that was really expensive new.

[mk1-fan]

Originally Posted by The Wind Breezes

He's saying if you can't afford to fix a new expensive car out of pocket you sure as hell can't afford to fix a old car that was really expensive new.

Bingo

[aaaaah]

I believe there are several companies that will replace the air suspension with regular to eliminate the ABC issues.

[9krpmrx8]

My boss had one when new and I took it home a fee weekends and the thing is a beast. He currently has an SLS AMG and I am certain the CL65 was faster.

He only had it three years and got hosed on trade in but that is normal for AMG cars. He never had any problems with it though. Tech is out dated but other than that the thing is a freight train and with a tune they can make 750HP. Only sad part about his was the 155MPH governor.

[xander_g]

https://www.edmunds.com/mercedes-ben...erm-road-test/

Brake pads
Active Body Control (ABC) fault
Check engine light

almost 17k for the above lol

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by xander_g

https://www.edmunds.com/mercedes-ben...erm-road-test/

Brake pads
Active Body Control (ABC) fault
Check engine light

almost 17k for the above lol

Yeah, that was an amusing debacle. What's the appeal of the car? Dumb power in a heavy sled? Just get a Hellcat. Or a Bentley Conti, they're as cheap and slightly less of a maintenance nightmare.

[9krpmrx8]

I mean if you are willing to do the work yourself most of that money can be saved. But this is why a well maintained one would be needed. My bosses for example was dealer serviced for every little thing they said it needed. I assume most original owners of cars like this would be the same way but yeah after so many years and as cheap as they are, there is bound to be a lot of differed maintenance.

But yeah definitely not a car to buy without an extended warranty.

[wdb]

ABC suspension is not an air suspension, it is hydraulic. Regular maintenance is key. Repairs using dealer and/or factory parts can be expensive but there is a vibrant aftermarket that provides reliable alternatives.

I dream of SL600's myself but lean more towards SL500/550 for the purposes of practicality. My target is something I can daily drive in summer. SL600 range on a tank of gas is not impressive. Even so, V12...

[Sedoy]

^^^ Beat me

Originally Posted by aaaaah

I believe there are several companies that will replace the air suspension with regular to eliminate the ABC issues.

[G35POPPEDMYCHERRY]

ive always wanted a 2000's AMG "beater" but don't forget the trash MB was putting out in that decade

[The Wind Breezes]

Originally Posted by aaaaah

I believe there are several companies that will replace the air suspension with regular to eliminate the ABC issues.

What, and fuck up one of the best features of the car? It's expensive for a reason: it's a badass system. It's not even air ride, although that would be cool too.