Mercedes Benz C215 CL500 / CL55 AMG : John's Garage

This week we drive a proper bargain 2000 registered Mercedes Benz C215 CL500 / CL55 AMG.
Many thanks to the owner who contacted and wished their car to feature on the channel.
The owner tells me this is a CL55 AMG however history checks on the reg plate suggest it may be a CL500 AMG but as it's an import and sometimes the change over can be done incorrectly I'll leave it to you to decide. I was unable to check for sure via the AMG plate on the engine as the bonnet couldn't be opened.
****I appreciate sound and video isn't perfect, if after this review people wish me to continue I will invest in audio equipment***** Let me know in the comments below what you want me to do!
If you have a car and you'd like it to feature on the channel (if you deem it interesting enough for the channel that's good enough for me) contact me on Twitter or by Email below:
Follow me on twitter: / johnos1984
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[@jerrybrugnola3465]

Beautiful car but not an amg. The gauge cluster didn’t say amg and those exhaust tips didn’t look like amg tips either the na model had big oval v band tips

[@marquise9b]

Hi there fellow Irishman. Good review, but it’s not an AMG, that gauge cluster is incorrect, and the exhaust pipes are wrong. Also it’s would have 5.5 amg kompressor badges down the front sides. I know as I drive the CL65 AMG here in Australia and they are a hoot. Great to know costs etc in ireland should I ever move back home :)

[@JohnsGarageIreland]

You're right, I got caught with this one early on in the channels life. It was either the second or third car I reviewed, and I took the owner at their word. It has not happened since, live and learn. Make sure to bring a nice car back from Oz!

[@juanjosenavassnellen511]

Nice car but not the AMG, mi cluster puts AMG one and topspeed 320 kmhour

[@JohnsGarageIreland]

Yep, I got caught out with this one as I was just starting off. I believed the owner.

[@kiasax2]

I have this car, though mine is the 2003 model with the supercharger on the 5.4 litre engine. My car was well cared for by another petrolhead like me. Well said about the colossal mistake of parking this car. Mercedes-Benz makes driver's cars. So, drive the d@mn things! Pardon my French. My dad found me a 1956 Mercedes-Benz 190 Ponton for my first car. The rocker panels were rusted out on all 4 doors, and there were other things that needed to be addressed as the car as the car had been sitting for at least a year. It took my dad and me almost 2 years to get the car in good working order. A bonus was that the car came with a nearly new red leather interior. When we finished with the restoration, I had the car professionally painted white to offset the red leather interior. It was beautiful. I drive almost every good European car through my 20s, 30s, and 40s, trying to find a car to match my expectations. Even the Porsche I owned let me down. And thank goodness I didn't buy the Ferrari I nearly bought. I went through all of that until I finally bought my CL 55 AMG. I finally found what I was looking for. It has power, it handles well enough, and it's a comfortable car. I could not ask for a better car for my wife and me. Thank you for your review, John!

[@patrickfitzgerald6969]

Hi john having owned one your right absolute bargain at the moment you did not mention the abc system if it goes allow 1000 euros per corner and a new pump 1500 I have now progressed to the 216 an even bettter car also agree with you the needs to be used regularly as to much computer stuff to go wrong but now while they are cheap as the only way is up

[@JohnsGarageIreland]

Funnily enough I had spoken to the owner about it. It's given problems on a second one he has which were expensive to rectify. Thing is these are now as cheap as they'll ever get. Parts supply is good, work around for problems are well known and diagnostics is possible. Won't get cheaper.

[@khanyahmusic]

Very nice to get an Irish perspective on owning these beuties. This is currently on my short list so thanks so much for a great informative review! Subscribed!

[@cormackeppel5878]

Another great video John. Keep them coming 👍. Quality and sound is fine as far as I’m concerned. Happy to share my MX5 review on the MX5 group if you like ? Need to get yer hits and subscribers up. Lovely Merc, would worry about something going wrong and potential repair bills, I suspect that’s why they are cheap.

[@JohnsGarageIreland]

Yes, I'd be delighted if you shared it and sent me a link. I couldn't find a good active group to share it on. And yes, repairs are a gamble with those Merc but they're so cheap it can still make sense.

[@johnholmes5678]

Great review John, you might also add that it is important to find a good indy for originally expensive cars like higher end Mercedes, BMW, etc. A good independent knows these cars very well and will be able to work on your car and fix issues considerably cheaper than a main dealer. Also you mention a few times the high motor tax on these cars. Indeed. The current owner doesn't seem to have bothered taxing it at all though...

[@JohnsGarageIreland]

Absolutely right, a good indy is important. Bills can get put of hand very quickly but at this age all the tricks and work around should be known. As regards, the tax, I have to confess I didn't look! Something to be aware of in the future!

[@jonathanlake3366]

Why was it so expensive... My bmw 645ci 2004 has a faster 0-60 CD player reverse mirror park sensors big satnav xenons and I'm getting 24 mpg mixed ecomony and is ma everyday.. I mean I want a cl but I can't get ma head round why it was so pricey

[@TJG239]

It's based on S class running gear, 6 series BMWs are based on 5 series running gear. Active suspension, fibre optics instead of copper, double glazing, magnesium alloy + pillarless construction, heated ventilated massage seats, soft-close pneumatic doors/boot etc and one of the lightest engines for its displacement ever made. There are plenty more reasons why these cost so much, and a good one is worth every penny

[@elgicko]

Enjoyed that John, good video, saw you on boards!! Keep up the good work. Would love to see some easy to maintain classic car videos! Japanese/German, pros and cons of each!

[@nicealloys]

Great video , I have often thought about buying one but just if something goes wrong you could have massive bills , but I agree they are serious value now and really are a car of a time,I remember when every Developer had one of these back in the day ,I only found Your channel tonight Great Vids Keep it up and subscribed and liked Cheers

[@MrBeboopman]

Excellent... hello from Tipperary 😁and subbed

[@JohnsGarageIreland]

Nice one, and please tell me you have that phase 1 XM

[@BobBenz55]

Just purchased a CL55 .. complete bargain the price, feel guilty breaking it 😬 nice video , very detailed

[@mikechan2044]

4GRAND??? WHEREEEEE I WANT ONEEEEE

[@JohnsGarageIreland]

Ireland 🇮🇪, common enough price tbh

[@mikechan2044]

@@JohnsGarageIreland ayeee time to Google. How to bring cars from Ireland to USA lol

[@GavinByrneLand]

Great content 👌

[@JohnsGarageIreland]

Thanks Gavin. New audio equipment on the way so hopefully that fixes the worst issue