Mercedes CL500 & CL55AMG

[MantaRay]

I am sure that no-one will deny that the Merc's shown above are superb driver's cars, but, they get a few years old and are selling for remarkably tempting money. For example, there's a 500bhp CL55 on Auto-Trader for around £15000 which is unbelievable for a car with such performance and driveabilty. What's the catch? Like wise CL500's for around £6000... I doubt if there's a better car for that money.

[AlBags]

Catch?

Petrol ... and Tax.

[gsr600]

And Insurance

[Andyvon]

It depends on whether you have the money to run the car MantaRay. I presume you have so there won't be a catch with a second-hand Mercedes. I used to own a chauffeur company and I always bought second-hand Mercs, Jaguars, Rolls-Royces etc for very low prices. The reason they are so low is that there's a very limited demand for second-hand luxury cars. Most people who can just about scrape the money together can't afford to run the car and people who can afford the money want to buy new and not second-hand. You can find immaculate Rolls-Royces for £10,000 - far less than a new Ford or Mini. I was always happy to buy cars as my accountant made sure the taxman paid and not me!

Mercedes are probably the best cars in the world for build quality and reliablity. If you buy the Merc you mention there won't be anything wrong with it. I can say that without even looking at the car! I only ever saw one bad Mercedes.

[DTCwordfan]

I have seen a bad one and there are plenty of them - their SUVs - German SKDs and assembled in Birmingham Alabama. I had one and it came within one strike of being a lemon.

Also they has some rather serious safety issues with their A class when it was launched - the infamous Elk test in Sweden.

[Andyvon]

Yes - well that's not a proper Mercedes is it DT! It's aimed at the shoppers. I bought S-class models for chauffeur work and the larger engined cars are the real McCoy. I've driven cars such as Buicks in the US and I think US cars are the most impressive in the world. However, for reliability and quality nothing matches Mercedes (unless they have let their standards slip lately but I doubt it).

[Khandro]

Andy you say "If you buy the Merc you mention there won't be anything wrong with it. I can say that without even looking at the car! " I cannot share that confidence! I have owned many cars and the two Mercedes I've had (W123 and a W124) both gave me problems and sleepless nights. In both cases from the electrics - the control units cost a fortune. It seems strange the Mercs are held in such awe in the UK and around the world but in Germany they are not so special. In the ADAC magazine ( equivalent of the AA ) polls of customer satisfaction, they never come top, usually beaten by Audi etc. Unless you have a thick wallet and need the prestige over reliability Mantaray, I would advise caution.

[Andyvon]

I had one control box fail Khandro but that was it. Of course there are some dogs about that just haven't been looked after but a good car is usually obvious when you see it and I only found one that I would say was beyond help. I serviced my cars regularly and changed the oil and filter every 2-3000 miles. All my cars completed over 300,000 miles with very little trouble at all. Many of them passed the MoT every year first time too.

That being said, Mercedes are know for weak water pumps. Most older Mercedes needed new pumps from time to time and all mine did. It was only £25 per pump though and an afternoon's work. I never had trouble with electrics.

[Khandro]

I agree, and I think I was exceptionally unlucky. A history of regular skilled maintenance is essential. I have a friend who drives a 20 year old , well maintained, 124 TE diesel regularly between Hamburg and the South of France, He has done over half a million miles in it and never let him down !

[jd_1984]

I have a an 07 plate C200 CDI. The running costs for even smaller mercs are pricey. Had a B service last year at the dealership and nearly fell off the chair when the bill was handed to me. But to run these cars and keep them running well for 100,000 miles and beyond you have to commit to the running costs. I know somebody who bought a 3 year old BMW 5 Series with 25,000 miles on it and got it serviced and MOT at a local "cash in hand" cheap and cheerful garage and not the skilled dealerships and when the clock hit 70,000 miles the car was almost knackered. Which reminds me, i need to replace both rear tyres this month!!