"Schaefft" (Schaefft)
07/24/2015 at 20:19 • Filed to: None
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"Schaefft" (Schaefft)
07/24/2015 at 20:19 • Filed to: None | 6
| 23 |
I have just learned that the C215 CL body shell actually is largely made out of aluminium, magnesium and plastic, and that the overall weight of the car is much lighter than expected! Up until now I thought it would be a conventional steel body with the typical plastic panels (bumpers and maybe the hood) and people just took good care of their cars (garaged them when new) to avoid any corrosion. My biggest fear was that the CL would have the same serious rust issues the W220 S-class is experiencing which it is based on. With these potentially very expensive issues out of the way, the C215 Cl500 just moved up to one of the top spots on my list of potential future cars. Good times!
http://bayhas.com/mercedes/cl215…
sm70- why not Duesenberg?
> Schaefft
07/24/2015 at 20:29 |
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I saw a blue over tan CL55 AMG parked next to a silver over black CL65 AMG a few days ago. Both were in perfect shape, and both were the C215. God that is a fantastic design.
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Schaefft
> sm70- why not Duesenberg?
07/24/2015 at 20:34 |
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I love the sleek , long pillar-less roof line of this generation, it is such a beautiful car. The want is pretty bad for a nice, clean, low mileage CL500 oder 55 AMG, ideally in a nice dark color.
RallyWrench
> Schaefft
07/24/2015 at 20:39 |
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There are still several other very expensive issues to look forward to, don’t worry. The body structure itself is still largely steel . The front fenders are plastic, and have been known to crack. The hood and doors are aluminum (maybe other parts too), and the trunk is fiberglass. The chassis is still perfectly capable of rusting once the galvanization has been compromised by road salt or poor repairs. I’ve never seen it on client cars here in CA, but it happens.
VonBelmont
> Schaefft
07/24/2015 at 20:40 |
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I never understood why they didn't just call it an S-Class coupe
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Schaefft
> RallyWrench
07/24/2015 at 20:48 |
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I’ve done some research over the time and the ABC, door wiring loom and 7G-tronic related problems are the ones I do worry most about. However, all of these issues are fixable and/or avoidable and wouldn’t stop me from buying the car. Also, there seems to be a very reputable Mercedes Benz indie literally just around the corner from here. Having serious rust issues on top of these common problems would have made it hard to justify though. Ideally I would have to find a facelift late 2002/early 2003 CL500 that still uses the old 5-speed auto, however already comes with all the nice improvements that were introduced with the update. Or just a (much more expensive but quicker) CL55.
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Schaefft
> VonBelmont
07/24/2015 at 20:53 |
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Well, they did start calling them S-class coupes when the current gen was introduced. The CL name was introduced with the C140 in 1992 or 1993 I believe, thats when MB started overhauling their naming conventions for all model lines including the introduction of the new C- and E-class.
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RallyWrench
> Schaefft
07/24/2015 at 21:03 |
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The 722.6 5-speed auto is a much better transmission than the 722.9 that succeeded it, good thinking there. I’ve repaired a few of those door harnesses myself, they’re not fun, but are definitely repairable. I’d avoid ABC if at all possible, that system is only getting more expensive to put right as they get older. The Xenon headlight ballasts are painfully expensive as well.
LongbowMkII
> Schaefft
07/24/2015 at 21:04 |
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this is the only car that I would follow Tavarish’s advice on. Despite all of his salesmanship, I just can’t give a shit about S-classes.
This... this is worth risking the kid’s college funds.
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Schaefft
> RallyWrench
07/24/2015 at 21:08 |
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The problem with the CL is that all of them came with the ABC suspension. At least here in Europe you could get a W220 with conventional airmatic suspension, that’s not possible with a CL tho. I’m not sure if you could just swap the ABC with a conventional aftermarket steel spring kit, the car would then lose one of its novelty features though (which is why I also decided against deleting the airride in my Mark VIII, which isn’t cheap to maintain over here either).
AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
> Schaefft
07/24/2015 at 21:13 |
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And the most beautiful feature, the PILLARLESS WINDOWS!
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Schaefft
> LongbowMkII
07/24/2015 at 21:14 |
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I believe with a bit of research and some of your free time involved, you can get maintenance costs to a somewhat (for this type of vehicle) reasonable level. You do get excellent value back from this after all. And the car itself does get very cheap now.
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Schaefft
> AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
07/24/2015 at 21:22 |
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Yes, glorious, glorious hardtop windows!
415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°)
> Schaefft
07/24/2015 at 21:48 |
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A guy down the street from me has the V12, haven’t seen in out lately....
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Schaefft
> 415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°)
07/24/2015 at 21:58 |
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I would never get the V12, significantly higher maintenance costs and reliability problems for almost no noticeable return. These are the models that really help drag down Mercedes reputation when it comes to long term reliability. They are only good for posing, that’s all.
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AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
> Schaefft
07/24/2015 at 22:24 |
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Hnnnnggggh. Is it bad that I really want one on airbags? PreferablyPreferably with thethe w215 CL500’s tailights.
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Schaefft
> AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
07/24/2015 at 22:28 |
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All CLs have the same taillights, only the facelift got much more modern looking ones.
And why airbags? You could get the normal s-class with airmatic, Im pretty sure you can still lower the CL’s ABC suspension by moving/reprogramming the sensors though.
JR1
> Schaefft
07/24/2015 at 23:00 |
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I wish the ABC wasn’t thousands to repair. I read somewhere once a certain magnetic filter can fix the problem but I can't seem to find the article on the Mercedes forum anymore. And the V8 is nice but there is something magical about owning a V12 grand tourer
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Schaefft
> JR1
07/24/2015 at 23:10 |
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Would love to read more about that filter!
I’m sure some of the high ABC related costs are coming from the official dealer prices. Source parts from the right sites and find an experienced MB specialist, and you should be able cut the costs by quite a good bit.
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JR1
> Schaefft
07/24/2015 at 23:14 |
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The CL of this vintage would be the best deal on the market if not for that damn ABC system. I would absolutely love to own one. It’s so beautiful.
How do you like your Mark VIII?
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Schaefft
> JR1
07/24/2015 at 23:27 |
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I love it when I get the chance to drive it, which is rarely because there are still registration issues. I do hope everything will be done by September though.
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AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
> Schaefft
07/25/2015 at 00:34 |
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Hmm I did not know that. Now the CL is sounding more and more interesting.
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JR1
> Schaefft
07/25/2015 at 07:58 |
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I'm not very familiar with the Mark VIII.mis it just a big old American boat or can it handle?
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Schaefft
> JR1
07/25/2015 at 08:28 |
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Well, I got an LSC so it does kinda pretend it can? :D