I ended up selling the CL500 as it didn't really have a job to do. Four seats isn't any good for a family of five, and a 5 litre V8 wasn't perfect for the 140 mile a day commute I was doing back then. However, it is probably the best car I have ever had, and I regretted selling it from the day I let it go, so I've only gone and bought something similar....
Year 2000 S320 (W220)
3.2 litre V6, 18 valve (M112 engine)
224bhp
Automatic/Tiptronic
103,000 miles
Tanzanite Blue metallic
Spec list:
Sat-Nav
Dual zone Air-con & climate control
4 x electric windows
Power sunroof
Great audio
Double glazing
Auto Wipers
Auto Headlights
Power adjustable steering wheel, which raises and lowers on exit/entry like an LS400
Full heated leather interior, with multi-adjustable power switches
Auto dimming rear view mirror
Parking sensors front and rear
Cruise Control
Soft/Self closing doors (x4)
No ABC (Active Body Control) faults
Two rear vanity mirrors
Pre-2001, so £20 a month to tax
Pretty similar spec to the CL500 really, just missing the pulsing/massaging facility on the front seats and the air cooled bit too. And the extra 80 odd horses!
I bought it for a good price, knowing it had a short MOT, a cracked windscreen and needing two, probably four, new tyres. The windscreen was replaced...
....and I put it in for it's MOT the next day. Failed on four tyres, rear pads, a wiper and two ball joints. In addition to that, when the NS ball joint was being replaced, it was noticed that one of the nuts on the arm was actually feckin welded. So a new suspension arm was ordered and fitted. All done, 12 months MOT.
Somebody rear-ended me last week, a proper thwack like, and I expected carnage at the back when I got out....nothing except for a few little paint scuffs and the rear parking sensors have stopped working. Built to last these big Mercs. The lad who drove into the back of me is paying for the respray and repair to the sensors outside of the insurance, which is canny.
It's proving to be surprisingly economical. A run down to Telford and back (411 miles) returned 34mpg, which I think is pretty darn good for a 3.2 V6.
It's a gorgeous place to sit, and eats up the miles in silent comfort. Love it.
Things still to sort:
* Suspension stays lovely and level, but doesn't go up or down by pressing the button on the dash. There is a compressor somewhere which fires up a bit noisily the first time the car goes over 30mph, and lasts for about a minute, then goes off.
* Front parking sensors need attention, as well as the rears which are being sorted.
* SRS light comes on intermittently. Probably a connection under the passenger seat, as it never comes on when someone is sat in that seat.
* Wheels need a refurb. I have a mate who can do all four for £80.
* New centre caps required
* I broke the sticky up Merc badge off the bonnet at the weekend when I was drying the car off with a micro fibre. Forgot about it! Doh!
* I haven't tried the air-con, but I was told it "needs a regas"
* Interior really needs a proper valet. The owner before last obviously had young kids, and they left their spills as evidence, especially on the carpets.
* NS rear light lens is slightly broken at one edge, and slightly cracked, so I'll replace it.