2000 Mercedes-Benz CL CL500 5.0

Faults:

When the car was 12 months old I noticed that rust had appeared on the driver's rear quarter panel. The dealers resprayed it without an argument. Two years later rust has re-appeared on both rear quarter panels. The dealers have offered to respray the panels again without any argument. I demanded that the defective panels are replaced. They had to consult with Mercedes Customer Services, who have refused to replace them.

General Comments:

The car is a disgrace to the 3 pointed star marque. What is even more disgraceful is the arrogance of the people at the head office of Daimler Chrysler U.K. they didn't even bother to come and inspect the vehicle. I have been driving top of the range Mercedes for nearly 25 years and to be treated in this manner is astonishing.

I have been left no option but to issue proceedings against Daimler Chrysler.

After that the car will be displayed in all its rusty glory outside a Mercedes dealership in Manchester advertising the problem.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 16th October, 2003

10th Jun 2004, 06:39

To fit a new quarter panel is serious surgery and would result in far worse problems than minor corrosion.

22nd Mar 2005, 14:23

We also have a Mercedes car (E Class Avangarde, 2 years old) with rust problems. Initially it was only the boot lid, but problem now spreading. We have tried to trade this in, but Audi and BMW dealers are not interested as they know of the rust problems. We are seriously considering contacting BBC's Watchdog to ask if they would investigate as maybe their viewers with Mercedes are experiencing similar problems.

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2001 Mercedes-Benz CL CL600 6.0 V12

Summary:

Maybe for the faint of heart, but not of wallet

Faults:

The CL really is a fantastic car, however I have had three problems:

1. The COMMAND (sat nav/TV system) failed and the whole unit had to be replaced.

2. The electronic seat adjustments failed on the drivers seat (they replaced the whole seat)

3. The cylinder shut off system failed due to a faulty sensor.

General Comments:

It is a wonderfully refined car, is fantastic for the long trips I'm forever on, but the fuel consumption is truly appalling. I had a 4.0L BMW 8 Series prior to this car and it was nowhere near as bad - I'm putting £150 of petrol in it a week.

The acceleleration is very smooth, as is the gear change. I've driven this car in Germany at 150mph and it was stuck to the ground with plenty of power in reserve! Residual value is not strong - this car with options cost £95000 new, it will be worth about £45000 at best when I sell it on in a year.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 1st March, 2003

9th Jan 2010, 07:10

I guess with 50% greater capacity and 50% more cylinders than a BMW 4.0L V8, you should expect the fuel consumption to be a lot worse.

14th Dec 2015, 20:05

If you can get half the original price on a car with 70k miles, that's not a bad resale value for a luxury brand. Nice review, and indeed the fuel consumption on a V12 that's being driven inside a busy city might as well come into account as an extra 10% on the original's car invoice.