[W126 Coupe] S500/CL500

[Elm Zobens]

Mark,
I've owned an 04' CL55 for the last 2 years and I just love the car.
There are a few caveats but in general, I would buy the newest car you can afford for a 'Winter Beater', especially if it's a Benz.
The S500 is already 15+ years old so unless you really love that model, I would pass and go for the 215 body.

Price wise, the 00-06 CLs have depreciated like a rock so you can pick up a clean 03-04' CL500 for around 20K or less!.
These cars weren't without their issues (just surf the various Benz forums to get an idea) but they aren't overly difficult to work on. The biggest issue on these cars is with the ABC hydraulic suspension (standard on the AMG). If you get a CL500, make sure it as the AirMatic suspension to save yourself a lot of grief. I had to replace the rear ABC valve on mine last year and that thing lists for about $1200. Ouch!

While the quad cam engine of the 95-96' S500 is a nicer design, the 302HP single cam 113 engine runs well and is dependable provided all the maintenance records are up to date. They've made a million of them so parts are plentiful.

Personally, if I were looking at a car for mainly winter driving, I would go with a 220 (S500) body with the 4matic. The CLs (as the SECs) just aren't great winter cars and get stuck easily- The 4matic (my wife has an S500 4matic) has never gotten stuck in the snow.
It probably depends on where you live- In Chicago, the 4matic is almost a necessity.

Depending on your age and driving record, insurance for any of these cars should be similar. As far as comfort, you should be able to drive any of these cars cost to coast with zero fatigue.
Resale is a double edged sword on the 215 body. They depreciate like crazy so you can pick them up dirt cheap but don't expect to make any money selling it either.
I usually by my Benzs for the long haul so resale isn't a factor for me.
My 04' CL55 cost me as much as a new Camry but will run circles around most cars on the road. Like everything else in life, it's all a trade off and based on personal preferences.
Your mileage may vary.

Hope this helps!
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Elm


--- On Sun, 11/6/11, Mark <Mark at BurkhardtLeitnerInc.com> wrote:

From: Mark <Mark at BurkhardtLeitnerInc.com>
Subject: [W126 Coupe] S500/CL500
To: mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com
Date: Sunday, November 6, 2011, 4:23 PM




 
 










Hi Everyone, 

I’m thinking about buying a 95-96 S500 Coupe or an
03-04 CL500 as a daily driver; to reduce the miles [240,000 of them] that I’m
putting on my 91 SEC. 

I realize I won’t get the nearly daily compliments I receive
with the 560, but so be it. 

I always store the SEC in the winter, but I probably will
drive which ever ‘Newer Coupe” I find. 

   

Does anyone have any experience with one or both of these. 

I’m wondering about comparative: 

                Maintenance
costs 

                Comfort 

                NVH
[noise, vibration, harshness] 

                Future
values 

                Insurance
costs 

                Winter
handling [I would use Blizzaks] 

  &nbsp;             and,
any other considerations anyone can suggest 

   

A friend of mine who has had both,  suggested skipping
the 140 series and going to the CL; but I am interested in other opinions from
the group as well. 

   

Thanks in advance for any input. 

   

Mark 







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