2000 Mercedes-Benz CL CL500 from UK and Ireland - Comments

I have an SL500 bought it new 2003.Started rusting on the roof 2005 MB fixed it under warranty. The car is know in the body shop having both rear wheel arches and the roof resprayed again all under warranty. It has taken nearly six months to get this far.

I have no confidence that this will stop rust from coming through again as the paint work has to be very poor. MB main agents must have special training in how to treat customers so badly, every thing is a battle with them. I will hopefully not have to step in a MB dealership again,

as the car will be changed as soon as I get it back, May be a Jag or a Lexus definitely not a Merceds Benz

I would advise to stay clear or be very care full if you are considering a new or second hand MB, they all seem to have paintwork problems.

I am the owner of an SL280 2000 model that I have had for over three years and purchased from a MB dealership. My first year was a nightmare I had so much trouble 2 catalytic converters, new bushes, battery, all were covered thankfully under the warranty and repaired no problem. I have had 2 trouble free years and absolutely love my car, I look after it well and have endless comments about what a great car it is!

However yesterday whilst polishing my car noticed a small rust bubble under my nearside rear light at the back of the car, I then looked around more carefully and saw a small rust by the aerial mounting.

My last service was done only 6 weeks ago by an independent MB specialist (fantastic), all other services have been done by MB. I have only covered 55k now I am worried that my anti corrosion won't be covered. I had no idea that the mobilo life was for corrosion as I was led to believe it was for breakdowns and when I read about Mobilo I can't see anywhere it mentions corrosion.

Has anyone had rust repairs done indepentently? How much does it cost?

Ask at any body shop. It sounds like a small spot so it shouldn't cost much at all. My 83 300D gets taken in whenever any rust or paint bubbles appear and it looks like new after repairs and they match the paint and buff the car. Sounds like no more than a couple hundred dollars at a top shop for a SLK.

I own a 1989 300 CE. This is a wonderful car with low mileage on it. Never had any problem with it. But it is starting to get a little bit old, so I have begun to look around for something newer to buy. I have seriously considered buying a CL (2000 or 2001), but after reading all the comments about poor quality, I feel that I have to start looking for something else...

Someone told me recently that the MB service experience has improved. I have recently collected my SLK from one of their Main Dealers only to drive less than 500 miles to see the brake pad warning light come on. Let's be kind here and say the dealers attitude was different than I was expecting. It would appear that as their prices have gone up (service cost £475.00) the level of service has gone down. But here's the thing. I was practically offered a bribe to complete one of there questionnaires so their service would look good against there competitors and my friends have had a similar experience. Carry on kidding yourselves MB, the bottom line is your service still stinks.

I have owned 2 Mercedes S500's in the last 5 years, a 96 and a 99 (new shape LWB), I will never touch a Mercedes again and I will advise anyone who is willing to listen to do the same.

I have had to deal the head gasket blown and gearbox replaced in the 96 model, I assumed this was just bad luck and the car was a dud and went ahead a bought the 99 new shape but since have had the gearbox replaced in the 99 model as well. I now have serious rust problems in the 99 model, (wheel arches back quarter panel).

I'm only sorry I did not see this site and I'll be mailing it to everyone I know.

I've now traded in the 99 S500 against a BMW 745 '04 and feel grateful the dealer was even willing to take it.

Bye Bye Merc, worst cars I've ever owned, built like a Leyland and rust like a Datsun, Merc devolved back to the quality of a cheap 70's car.

Signed a future BMW and possibly Audi owner.

What does one expect from 13 and 10 year old cars?

No rust? Keep dreaming. Blown head gasket and tranny. Do you regularly maintain your cars or think that because it's Mercedes they don't require it?

Although it is common knowledge that Mercedes-Benz has more 'old' cars on the road worldwide than any other marque, they require maintenance (although not much compared to other cars) to achieve longevity and unlike most other manufacturers, Benzes are excellent value because they are well worth the investment.

I think the majority would disagree with your sentiments, but hey, good luck with your 5 yr old BMWs and Audis, because you obviously haven't read the Audi reviews on this site.

"What does one expect from 13 and 10 year old cars?"

Our 54 year old Pontiac does not have a HINT of rust. Neither did our 17-year-old Ford, our 30-year-old Buick or our 14-year-old Dodge. also, none of those cars had as many problems as our C-class did in 3 years. Ego appeal or not, it's not worth it to us to pay three times as much for a car that is rated lower in reliability than a Ford.

The strangest thing about this review is that the owner complained of rust on his rear quarter panels, but Road and Track magazine wrote about the 2000 CL500 saying...

Thanks to the extensive use of lightweight materials, it also weighs in at about 750 pounds under the previous model, even with higher levels of crash safety. The hood, door paneling, rear fenders, and roof, for instance, are aluminum, while the insides of the doors are magnesium, and the front fenders and trunklid are formed with a flexible, composite plastic. (You get plenty of cool stuff for your $85K.)

I thought aluminum was renowned for resisting corrosion!

"Benzes are excellent value because they are well worth the investment."

I guess that's why they have one of the highest cost-to-own factors of any car in the world.

It's a Mercedes of course it's expensive. A good education costs a lot too, but that doesn't mean that we should do without one.

We've got to be qualified to get in on the ground floor with an IPO. We also have to be qualified to own a luxury automobile like a Benz. We have got to be willing to pay the cost and be the boss. Fine cars, fine drink and fine women, none of these things come cheap.

Buying a Mercedes is like buying a Blue Chip stock. It may seem like the rest of the equities, but those in the know, can appreciate why it comes at a premium. It's the same when considering any high end purchase for long-term ownership pleasure.

I'm a big man and I like the build integrity, serene comfort, leading edge style and technology, plus the supreme driving capabilities found in a Mercedes-Benz. Some like Fords, or whatever, and that is their choice. But different strokes for different folks. Right?

Some things to some people, are worth the price within their own personal reasoning. Over time, as the years pass, the operating/ownership costs will drop significantly anyhow and one must be willing to 'hold' on in order to realise a profit. Like investing in bonds, regardless, a second hand purchaser can derive as much, if not more pleasure and profit from the ownership experience than the guy who only leased the car, absorbed the depreciation and had no interest in keeping the car beyond the leasing contract. The car would have been serviced regularly by the dealer and most if not all bugs would have been worked out under warranty.

Yea, they're expensive, but these rides are so worth it.

"Buying a Mercedes is like buying a Blue Chip stock. It may seem like the rest of the equities, but those in the know, can appreciate why it comes at a premium. It's the same when considering any high end purchase for long-term ownership pleasure."

Interesting. Most Mercedes models are rated as "average" or below in reliability. The resale values (based on initial purchase price) are less than a Ford or Chevy. The Pontiac G8 offers far better performance than most Mercedes models, and USA Today's auto reviewer referred to the Mercedes ML320 as having a herky-jerky transmission, harsh ride, awful mileage and seats like concrete. They recommended the Dodge Durango over it. Even the Hyundai Genesis offers more amenities and more performance at half the cost. This doesn't equate to "long-term ownership pleasure" for me. My company deals with multi-millionaires on a daily basis. One of the things I've noted is that the very richest of the lot will drive into our parking lot in a Ford or a GM vehicle. Money is made by using common sense. I can only assume that is why some of the richest drive less expensive, but more reliable vehicles. My boss is a millionaire several times over. He drives a Ford Fusion.

"The resale values (based on initial purchase price) are less than a Ford or Chevy."

That is precisely why they make a great investment. Consider it an in-the-money option that is well worth exercising. I can buy a lightly used Benz that will cost the same as a new Ford or Chevy. Buying used is wise money management, because there is much more intrinsic value in the Mercedes than the domestics. A $100k when new car, selling used at 20% of new price after 7 - 8 yrs. In 7 yrs the Fords and Chevs will be busted and tired looking!

Armani or Affliction? Your choice.

A Harvard ride... for community college cash! I'll take some of that. Thank you very much!

As for the rich farmers. Well they have to buy 'practical' vehicles, don't they? It wouldn't be sensible to chase livestock or harvest crops and haul hay in the SL, would it?

Although the G-Wagen would do just fine.)

Your boss' choice to drive a Fusion has absolutely no bearing on the quality of a Mercedes-Benz. It is his money to do with what he likes, and my money is to do what I want. Right?

When it comes to money and life's pleasures, everyone should know...

(Sing it...)

YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU...

SO YOU MIGHT AS WELL PARTY... in a Benz! lol.

"Your boss' choice to drive a Fusion has absolutely no bearing on the quality of a Mercedes-Benz"

Actually it DOES. My boss is fully aware that the Ford Fusion is rated two levels HIGHER in reliability than most models of Mercedes. Just what is "quality" if not good build quality and reliability? Methinks we are talking not about ANYTHING remotely tangible, but rather a desire to impress others. My family has owned 2 C-class Mercs. Were they good cars? Yes. Were they reliable? Not as much as our Fords. Would I buy another one just to impress my neighbors? Definitely not. As for lasting so long, you should see my family's 1955 Pontiac, 1967 Dodge Charger R/T and 1970 Dodge Challenger. The Challenger cost less than $5000 new and is now worth more than a new CL-500.

Mercedes was making quality luxury cars from the outset. That is why they are considered 'tangible' assets and why they have a higher value than many other marques.

Ford and others it seems have only recently caught up to them because the big 3 had to do something better in order to survive.

What is the point in comparing rare collector cars and brand new cars to decade old Benzes anyway?