CL500 - the best 4-seater coupe by far

I have had my CL500 since November last year. This is my third Merc. Previous models were the SLK320 and the E320 CDI (yep a Diesel!).

I have to confess, I would have considered a Diesel for my CL, had there been one available, especially if the V8 4.0 litre (only available on the Continent) had been on offer. Regrettably it wasn't, so I couldn't.

Nevertheless, this must be the most under-rated coupe on the market. I need 4 seats for business reasons, so the SL500 was not an option. Leaving aside any other differences, I really love this car. Very smooth, powerful and effortless. The Active Body Control is only available (at least in the UK) as standard on the S Class on the S600 long wheel base limo. I thought it might be a gimmick - it isn't. If you are looking to buy and this is an option, specify ABC. It really works. We have poor roads, especially country roads here in the UK. ABC seems to help considerably in high speed cross country jaunts. Whereas other cars I have owned jumped around, this seems to steer straight and fast. It is worth more than a power hike.

As far as looks are concerned, in my humble opnion, nothing else comes close to the quiet and understated look of the CL. This is the first car I have owned where a stranger at a filling station commented: "what a beautiful car". This on my first long distance journey whilst still running in. So Ok, it looked new, but so what? No other car I have owned (including Jaguars, Jeep, Mitsubishi, Volvo, ets, etc), has ever had that comment made about it.

Yes, it is expensive. But the build quality is there. My one and only slight quibble is I wish they had included a wooden steering wheel in place of the leather bound one. It is standard on the larger engined CL600 and was an option on the CL500. But I bought mine on a whim whilst in the showroom and I bought what I saw and fell in love with. No regrets about that. I have enquired and I can have the wooden wheel as a retro fit, but at around £600 ($1,000) I am not that keen to spend money.

Would I buy the same car again? Definitely.

Comments?

Reply to
A satisfied owner
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Is the CL500 the best? Maybe. What about CL55? or CL600?

Still remember the first time I saw >I have had my CL500 since November last year. This is my third Merc. Previous

Reply to
GT

Reply to
Miro

Its not the quality of the car that bothers people. It is the resale price.

Reply to
Miro

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