Luxury Car LOTTERY - I bought An £80K Luxury Coupé For £500! BUT..

I Bought a Mercedes CL500, the 5 Litre V8 coupe version of the much feared W220! Not only that but I bought surely the cheapest one out there at just £500.. it has a serious issue though, will this gamble pay off?
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[@Number27]

If you enjoyed the video do please consider following me on Facebook, have lots of extra posts and content there!! facebook.com/number27vids/

[@simmosl5579]

Hi Jack, greetings from Perth Oz, I've recently had an ABC pump replaced on my SL55, which was still throwing error codes after i got it back. The codes indicated low system pressure once the car had warmed up and either on sharp turns or going over a large bump. I refurbished the valve blocks with a £50 kit (it was needed as fixed a problem with the car sinking after parked up for a few days) but the issue remained. To solve it, I used a gopro, inspired by your ferrari 308 engine bay footage, but inside the car to monitor the pump pressure using a code reader, whilst recording the intercepted voltage at the ABC pump suction restrictor valve - i ran a thin wire from under the bonnet to a voltmeter on the passengers seat. By intercepting the voltage using my own connectors the car didn't throw any codes. That meant, almost unbelievably, that the restrictor valve connector at the pump was the culprit. Turned out it was loosening with thermal expansion i.e. when the engine bay warmed up - and its grip was likely initially loosened when the mechanic removed it to replace the pump! As it costs zero to squeeze the connectors so they grip better, reckon that'd be a good first thing to check if your car is still throwing codes after the pump is replaced. It would have been good to get a base line pressure reading on yours before the pump gets replaced. The dash message you got indicates the pump can still produce sufficient pressure to be able to drive i.e. you get a drive carefully code at about ~165bar normal pressure is ~ 190bar and a do not drive code at i believe 140bar or less - plenty of refs out there to help. Cheers.

[@Number27]

Thanks… very clever bit of detective work you did there!

[@okgo8315]

​@@Number27..... yesbloody brilliant 👏👏✌️🇬🇧

[@amglover4361]

That's a bargain for £500, even needing a new ABC pump. It's worth way more than that in parts alone

[@sumkunt0r]

As far as I know ABC pumps are not available from Mercedes any longer. I hope there is a guy in a shed who reconditions them as I like my CLK 500 but I yearn for a CLK or an SL 55 AMG I wimped out because of that and bought a CLK 500 2003 without ABC.

[@michaelpegasiou4531]

Bargain for £500 !

[@placeyplacey]

Parts worth nowt - so many for sale being broken …

[@amglover4361]

Please please ditch the background music, it spoils it and is totally unnecessary

[@cwakadrake]

Indeed it feels like an ad for some cheap ass aliexpress item, better not use it Jack makes it feel just weird sorry.

[@sebastiend.5335]

Your are quite entertaining with your narration! No need for music. Greetings from the Netherlands

[@Number27]

Apologies.. editing mistake. Music sounded MUCH quieter when editing on the laptop. It's only for a minute at least..

[@JamesSmith-qs4hx]

One of life's Moaners😐

[@ug0ts3rvd]

Music needs yo be louder ​@@Number27

[@MrCarrera28]

Great car, these are tempting when surfing the classifieds, I am looking forward to seeing how the experience goes!!

[@silvaanosvs8783]

Oooohhhlallaaah! Beautiful car. And it is with fear-speckled joy I anticipate future videos on how this is going.

[@jaap5398]

looks wise it’s the MOST desirable of the CL coupés!

[@voodoocars2134]

£1500… that’s nothing. Just had our 2016 discovery 4 inlet manifold done for that. My X5 had a transmission rebuild- £2100. If you buy an old 80k car you still pay 80k car repair bills..

[@pauldeal68]

U obviously dont

[@Number27]

Apologies all for the music.. it's only on for a minute.. but was supposed to fade to much quieter.. Editing mistake. Seems to sound worse on a phone than when listening on my laptop.

[@jonathanfabian7297]

Yeah, for B roll or intro shots a little bit of classical music can be nice and appropriate, but not when you're talking. Every day's a school day....?

[@Czechbound]

I don't know why you use it. Channels started doing this about a year ago. It adds _zero_ to your video. It doesn't enhance any sense of production value, is very distracting (even on a lower volume), and doesn't suit the content ( stirring hero music over the description of corrosion on the body don't go together anyway ). Just my feedback. Not dissing.

[@frankserratore3486]

Picky or what , the video was great didn’t even notice the music

[@commonasmuck1234]

The music is awful. Your channel is great already, you don’t need to experiment like this.

[@jonfrank2566]

Love the channel and respect what you've done and how you may want the videos to become more professional but not sure the music is the way forward. Top Gear in its prime managed it, but they had a huge production team who could spend days in post production getting it just right. Anything less can jar...

[@brogenville]

What the heck is going on with the daft mood music?

[@free_gold4467]

It's bizarre and hard to put up with.

[@CUDAKIDD]

Jack, you may or may not remember me but I’m the guy that offered you to review my CL55 These are amazing cars, as you say. I’ve had 3 CL500’s, and my CL55 Kompressor, and I’m keen to see the outcome of this Once done, you will fall in love with it I’m actively looking for a C216 model CL600 as I’ve never owned a V12 Mercedes, so need to tick that off my list Good on you for buying such a rare and special car

[@JP-xd6fm]

The C215 is my favorite Mercedes since I first saw it. And the V12 biturbo CL65 AMG my dream car since!

[@ryanmccormick2150]

An old customer of mine had a CL500, he bought it brand new he was a boss at the Pyrex factory in Sunderland anyway i think if i remember rightly he had paid like £70-80 k for the car a few years later he took the car to Mercedes benz to trade in against a new merc, he was offered something like £9k trade in for his car! He was absolutely furious at how the car had depreciated. He kept the CL until he retired i believe, i always thought it was an awesome car especially for £9k 😂

[@Number27]

Yep.. this one does look good.. providing it can be fixed..

[@michaelhawkins5530]

ABC fixes are so numerous, problematic and expensive, it isn't worth the hassle IMO. The system will leak and each damper will fail eventually costing at least a grand per corner. There are reasons MB itself chose to discontinue this system. Save the money on the rebuilt pump and spend it on a kit to disable the ABC system entirely and go with four new adjustable coil overs to give it the type of ride you want. Its better to ditch this system now before it bites you really hard. Plus, you will be able to sell the (now) working dampers and any other usable parts from that system to recover the cost of the coil over kit. Even the non working pump can be sold as a core.

[@anthonyxuereb792]

Sound advice.

[@TJG239]

it's a facelift and looks in decent shape, you could sell the headlights alone for £500 and make your money back. If the rest of the ABC system is OK, £500 for a recon pump (with a warranty) + £200 for new fluid, ABC filter and a day of your time fitting and flushing the system and it's back on the road. Lots of people who aren't mechanically minded buy lemons and have bad experiences and big bills then come into the YT comments sections spouting rubbish about ABC systems etc. I've had 12 years of trouble free ownership with regular fluid and filter changes over 50k miles on a facelift model.

[@garyrains5996]

You cannot believe how many people told me to stay away from this coupe. My mechanic was the worst! I went ahead and bought a 2003 CL600 !! The worst of the worst apparently. Twelve-cylinder, twin-turbo financial disaster, WITH ABC. EIGHT years later, I still love the car. ABC has NEVER had an issue. I did have to replace a radiator years ago, but truly the best car I have ever owned. And it will run like a house on fire! Tesla-like torque. It will throw your toupee into the back seat while launching. Enjoy one of the best cars ever made!

[@georgebettiol8338]

Agree, the CL600 is a wonderful car and a sublime drive. However when the ABC fails, and it will, it generally leads to tears.

[@asensibleyoungman2978]

Sounds like you've been lucky....so far.

[@acooper1037]

Very Very lucky, I had A CL55AMG what a nightmare, even Mercedes could not fix it.

[@ClassyDriver]

Nice. I have a 2004 CL600. Lots of people don't know what they are talking about when it comes to this car. I have video of mine on my channel.

[@danieldravot341]

There are decided advantages to buying a car and getting it sorted out, the biggest one being that you know the exact condition of the most important system. If you paid more assuming the car was correct, only to have something expensive fail within a day or a week or a month, you end up in the car upside down money-wise. I buy a lot of watches and I’d rather buy a Rolex for less knowing that it needed an immediate service than to buy one that’s been tarted up, only to find it’ll need an expensive service to keep time.

[@jani7683]

I bought a 2000 W plate one of these from a man whom bought it new, he picked it up from the mercedes factory and drove it back to London, the car itself was awesome but the suspension pump was noisy and the suspension legs were worn, took a hit on it and sold it at a loss... typical manufacturer maintenance schedule ruined the longevity of the suspension system, the fluid needs replacing every 3 years not lifetime like it states

[@jeffb9010]

I will be watching how’s this plays out over the coming episodes as I have agreed to buy the same car (and year) from an old friend who has kept it immaculate and dry stored albeit less than half the mileage of yours. I have driven it and a lovely place to be. I am very handy with the spanner’s and already planning for ‘when’ not ‘if’ the ABC fails🤪. The cost of ownership is down to your perspective - paying peanuts for them and factoring in repairs v paying a lot and haemorrhaging on depreciation and still having to pay for repair. Plus like you Jack I love the challenge. (Already own 2 Alfa’s). Keep up the good work.

[@rafaellastracom6411]

500 quid, what could possibly go wrong. Brave man that one.

[@acooper1037]

3k for a pump 2.5k per strut, very brave or stupid!

[@cw3728]

Merc mechanics used to say to me.. an old merc is an expensive merc.

[@sideshowbob32]

2:40 I believe the term you are looking for is 'galvanic corrosion'

[@georgebettiol8338]

Galvanic reaction is occurs when two dissimilar metals are immersed in a conductive solution and are electrically connected - and not the case with the said car. The paint blemishes described by Jack are caused by poor preparation before applying the top coat - a time when Mercedes quality was sadly on a steady downward slope.

[@hamitolcay5978]

Welcome to my world! I had a 2002 S-600 (yes a V-12 with 30 k miles, and it developed the same fault with the air suspension.. It cost me 5000 dollars in 2013 to fix the damn thing!

[@gazcolman9184]

I've experience with these. Please double check none of the struts are leaking. They're getting harder to find and repair. There's a guy in germany (I believe) who restores and also updates the struts with a lube point for the balljoint which is normally non maintenance. You'd be able to replace the pump yourself being handy with the tools :)

[@acooper1037]

the pump is not DIY, i have the T shirt.

[@timwood7808]

But Jack, I love your half arsed approach to your projects. Far, far better than my over thought boringly safe (not safe) purchases. Keep it up!

[@keepyourbilsteins]

Replace the accumulator and pump fluid filter while ABC pump is replaced.

[@mond56r89]

I've had a few of these barges and electrical/suspension and gearbox issues aside. they're actually not bad value. Oh and I've never paid over a grand for one....

[@1995RangeRover]

ABC suspension and door wiring are the weak points for these coupes. Looks good too!!

[@phil955i]

Well at least the M113 V8 is pretty bulletproof in those 😉

[@vornamenachname5589]

If the pump breaks down, there is a significant risk that metal shavings will come loose inside and spread throughout the entire system. If you want to repair it, you might as well take out a mortgage on your house. Therefore, it's better not to start the engine at all and definitely check the fluid for metal shavings.

[@acooper1037]

you cannot repair them, exchange only when I did mine anyway.

[@jeffreyoldham55]

Bismark was an absolutely *brilliant* name for your project Benz. I feel that _Graf Spee_ would be equally fitting for the CL500. Or Panzerschiff, and see how quickly it sinks!

[@wernerschroer6138]

Coupes are often considered to be female cars or cars for females. I therefore suggest the name „Angela“.

[@christyrer9530]

This only works because it’s going to make good content. To buy that car under any other circumstances, even if your handy with the spanner’s , means you need your bumps testing 🙈😂👍

[@PerttuNiemela]

This car brings memories... I had almost same spec car from Japan and only 60k km (30k miles). This is perfect car if you are DIY person. First thing to buy is diagnostic tool MB V.2-3 Icarsoft or cheap Chinese Star tool. Then you can pinpoint electrical issues easily and they are 100% coming to be issue. For ABC chassis there are nowadays huge aftermarket of parts and DIY videos and guides on here internet. Example abc struts are not anymore over 1000€/£ each. Also fixing solenoids can repair lots of problems on ABC system. In my CL500 I used RVS treatment for powersteering and it made my ABC sagging lots of better. "RVS is finnish company witch makes oil additives all sorts and are very good." With these cars it is last option to repair them at the dealer.

[@coalieroller5663]

1500 pounds on ABC repair, thats cheap, I was expecting 15k originally. But when you fix the pump for 1500, something down the line will break very soon. So it maybe end up closer to 15k, might as well just do ABC delete.

[@kizzmiaz]

Sorry dude that's the most expensive 500 quid you've ever spent. I had a cl500 Brabus and it was a damn money pit. They never did fix the suspension properly despite numerous, expensive visits to the garage. Those late 90s early 2000s Mercs where when the bean counters got hold of production and quality nose dived.

[@BERTVVANHORCK]

One of the most stylish Mercedes designs of the last decades

[@tigerpjm]

Always thpught the roof on these looks like one of those cheap gazebos people take to the beach to keep the sun off them. The ones that go flying off down the beach at the merest breath of a breeze...

[@BrunoSantos-qy3wu]

Retire essa suspensão e meta suspensão convencional , com molas e amortecedores !! É uma conversão barata e mais fiável .

[@herme99]

One rule I have as the owner of 5 classics, is never keep a tally of the amount spent…..

[@phillipleeds296]

Beautiful design. Fun fact: styled by Peter Arcadipane, the Australian who designed the body kits for the original Mad Max Falcon coupe.

[@ChevyBM]

That generation of CL is just beautiful, I just love big coupes. I have tough about getting one of these for a long time but the air suspension is time bomb and they also have the SBC braking system that is expensive if it goes, the 500 V8 is durable and also the 5speed transmission is one of the best Mercedes has ever made.

[@martinsvensson6884]

There are much cheaper soultions for that now. I think they just reset some module for the SBC. Its just a counter. The regular air suspension is not really a big problem. They cost some. But so does the whole suspension on any car today. The air suspension is easy to replace though so not much labour cost on the other hand.

[@ClassyDriver]

The CL doesn't have SBC braking system nor air suspension.

[@SabotsLibres]

"the least desirable S-class coupé of all..." Anne Robinson: "I've got a CL500; it's a good car." Clarkson: "No it isn't..."

[@martinsvensson6884]

Probably the best in its class from that era.

[@SabotsLibres]

@@martinsvensson6884 Clarkson felt that if you bought a CL with a V8, it had to be a CL55....

[@mickapps3153]

Try a Lexus LS next

[@jjefferyworboys8138]

Boring, they are just too well built and reliable. Where's the fun in that ? I'm actually a big fan of Lexus because they are boring !

[@Laz_Arus]

I was thinking if this was a Lexus LS430, you wouldn't have needed to spend over 46K Pounds on servicing over its current life span. German reliability? Pah! They wouldn't know the meaning of the word. Looking down the list of parts that were replaced so far during its life is laughable. Oh well ... keeps service mechanics in a job I suppose.

[@martynm.449]

Noooooo!!!!! Everyone will know about these now. You'll push the prices up, and I haven't got one yet.

[@jonntischnabel]

I bought an s500L (2000) in 2015, 89k new, paid £1750, had a right laugh in that car for a couple of years. Even drove to Italy and back. Surprisingly faultless! 😊

[@TireSlayer55]

That's awesome. Reminds me of the $1300 Jeep Cherokee I put another 60k miles on over 10 years and drove all over the west coast of the US.

[@J0hnny8ravo]

Best of luck with your new purchase! I can’t wait for the review. Usually hydraulic pumps can be fixed with a new set of gaskets. So don’t overpay. Look for someone who can CNC copper and there’s your gaskets.

[@carlwilliams3488]

My neighbour had one of the 600 models. It was ruinous. He owned it for about 8 years, for the first 3/4 he tried to run it and it was maybe on the road for 18 months at best. It had issues with radiator, engine and ECU but it was the suspension was the final coffin nail. When I moved after he'd owned it for about 4 years it was parked and had been for a year or more I asked what it had cost him. it cost just under 40k in repairs in the time he tried to run it. It was very clean and well maintained when he purchased having had a celeb owner with deep pockets but it just ruined him. I don't think the V8 will be as bad as the V12 as the V12 had lots of bespoke parts to the model but I can't imagine it being much better.

[@Haffschlappe]

Never buy Daimler Chrysler crap cars

[@martinsvensson6884]

It might have the most reliable V8 engine built by anyone at the time.

[@martinsvensson6884]

@@Haffschlappe They are really good. You just have to know that they are not built with cheap parts :) And they dont get cheaper just because they are old.

[@marcocartalli7503]

Big thumbs up for putting stock photos, it really makes your video look more professional, keep up with the good work!

[@mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm420]

'Bismerc' was the name you gave to the W124 wasn't it, not the S-class.

[@Number27]

Started with the S-Class and then migrated over to the W124

[@ClassyDriver]

Cool project! Will follow this one. Great, you're featuring the C215 as there isn't that much recent content on these models any more. A couple of comments: - This is not the least diserable CL. The C140 is too bulky and will not attain any collector's value (apart from some rare Designo or 72, 73 versions). The next model, C216 looks too aggressive with the big wheel arches. No surprise, MB dropped this design feature for the C217. For me, the C215 is one of the most beautiful coupés ever designed. It's harmonious, sleek and when kept original just emanates class. Well-kept examples will go up in value. - You can't compare your S-class to this CL. Your S-class was a pre-facelift model which had many issues that were later resolved for the face-lift model. Apart from that, the CLs were better build than the limousines. - Fingers crossed for you with the replacement ABC pump. What you could do to check the health of the ABC system is to check the fluid colour and odour. It should be green and have neutral smell, not brown and burned. With the replacement or new pump coming in, your system will be flushed anyway which will be beneficial for its lifespan. - The paint looks in amazing condition. Don't worry about the aluminium corrosion bubbles. There are way more important items to look after on this car than these bubbles. - I have looked for my CL for over a year to find the right model and colour combination. It's a 2004 CL600 in tanzanite blue and java interior. There is a video about it on my channel and some history about the C215 which this year marks 25 years since it was launched at the Geneva Motor Show in 1999.

[@melvinphillips786]

Jack, I love these cars and have had two now, but if you want a money pit you have found a doozie. Electrical issues will definitely abound, warning lights and limp mode will become the norm for you. Notwithstanding this, you will never want a different car! Smiles galore, comfort and endless grunt. Enjoy!!!

[@Masteranddisaster13]

To the people saying to remove the ABC system, please understand that they have no anti roll bars, so by doing that and installing coilovets your car will drive like bag of potatoes and yiu also put your life and others in danger , especially on bends. The car wizard and legit street cars on youtube have good videos on this issue. The key is to maintain , not replace. The abc system is a very good design. Obviously Mercedes don't tell the owners that you need to change the fluid, filter, pulsation damper and the acumulators. AGA tools sell a nice and easy to use tool that you can use to flush your fluid. I.own.anS600 and.on my little chanel I have a few videos of how to do it, there plenty of people out there as well having videos and explaining how to maintain the system..

[@f.d.robben159]

500,-??? ......almost stolen and absolutly collectible. It's a keeper for sure

[@paulmoor595]

As others say...its a facelift model...which already means much better options for plumbing firestick into entertainment system. Also has later lights. I replaced ABC pump on mine...make sure you flush ststem twice in quick succession...lasted two years no problem. Fantastic buy at 500 quid!.

[@TheAlfaNut]

I had a 2001 CL500 - fantastic motor but my suspension pump failed as well 😅

[@MICHGO1]

SHALL WE LISTEN TO YOU OR THE MUSIC?

[@ralfhtg1056]

I simply cannot understand why on earth so many people are drawn to wanting a bloody automatics gear box on luxury cars. Fuck those blood auto gear boxes! Manual transmission all the way!!!!!! The first thing I would invest money into: getting the car transfigured into a manual transmission!

[@ericvandomselaar8420]

I love that one!

[@michaelmccann4706]

I liked the music, a bit disappointed you weren't wearing the pyjama trousers though 😂

[@PeterVaughan-ve5cz]

I worked in the trade for over 30yrs, as a detailer. Met some good motor traders, but honestly. I never saw such things change hands for that kind of money. Even a decent honest trader would want £1500 quid for that as scrap!!, so i just dont know how you got that for £500,.even with its issues, the interior alone would sell for£1k +.

[@scotty6346]

That's a dead tidy early 2000's Merc and is very nice looking, The comprehensive service history file and complete tool kit is a big bonus, That's got to be a surefire future classic?

[@johnmac8084]

From Reggie to this, out of the frying pan into the fire? I hope not. You're a brave man Jack, good luck 😅

[@fasthracing]

Is it me or have you started introducing background music?

[@Number27]

Apologies.. it sounds way louder on YT than it did when I was editing.. will keep this in mind for the future.

[@fasthracing]

@@Number27 Apologies not needed. Its just that some things on KZbin are great but are ruined by over load music.

[@JAYPCARS]

I bought one a few months back for £400, unbelievable spec but it was wrapped, for a reason!

[@mikadavies660]

About 2015... I purchased a CL55 AMG (with dreadful body corrosion / aluminium reaction), for the Princely sum of £1,950... Following a full custom respray and a nicer set of wheels, we drove the 5 years and sold it for a massive profit..... Wonderful luxury car.... Agreed that it is deadly for repairs... a dashboard switch £600+, a wing mirror £350. Just to mention a couple of things.

[@Tipo107]

Well done, I bought one of these a few months ago and have just finished restoring it - including the ABC…which you should not change to coil overs! I can tell you everything about these and the best place to buy parts! Look out for rust under the plastic panels.

[@ronalddean3630]

Hey Jack, how are you doing? I enjoyed this and the music was awesome! Perfect for the content. I have always liked the CL500. What year is it? "WHEN they are running properly.." Exactly why I would rather have a classic, simply build a motorcar. I have ridden in the sedan and the ride was amazing! Looking forward to the results!

[@andrewbarton8525]

Noooooooo!!!!!! I did it with an S class the same age...nightmare. paid 800...got scrapped after I spent another 2k. I wish you luck. You will need it. Same age? Try the CLK from 2001ish. Less complex. I have 2. At the bottom of the depreciation curve. The CLK 320 covertable is a lovely car.for the money and c class and e class underneath.

[@Fizeeek]

Nice car! For God's sake, don't take it to a Mercedes Benz main dealer!!! Instead, take it to John Haynes Autotechnics in Goring By Sea, West Sussex. They have over 40 years doing nothing but Mercedes cars, and are cheaper. I have used them for my 320 Ce, and my CLS 55 AMG, and can't say a bad thing about them. Trust me, a main dealer will tear you a new ...hole!

[@carlharvey7098]

Hopefully can be fixed and no other major problems mate, it certainly is a lot of car for the money and i always thought they look amazing! Good luck! 🤞

[@Number27]

Thanks Buddy,.. we’ll see how it goes!

[@Number27]

Fingers crossed 🤞 buddy

[@Number27]

Fingers crossed 🤞 dude

[@stephencurry8552]

There is a former Mercedes mechanic on KZbin who has been unable to repair the suspension on this same car after more than a year of work and replacement of parts!

[@carlharvey7098]

@@stephencurry8552 😱 that bad are they?

[@Google_Is_Evil]

1500 includes all labor and (expensive) ABC oil? Warranty on the entire ABC system? These tend to pump crap through the system requiring all new hoses/pipes and distribution blocks before the pump fails because of the debris that is being pumped around eventually killing the pump. I personally wouldn't have paid more than scrap value for it, which may actually be the 500 you paid.

[@barryhill1044]

Beautiful cars The CL I’ve owned three. Including a V12 ..All absolute Nightmares, real Nightmares, One Common fault costs upwards of £7000 to put right by Mercedes ! So why Buy a nightmare Three Times you may ask ! Just couldn’t believe Mercedes could be that bad so chanced my luck again and then again Loved it’s looks My heart did the rest ..

[@nigelha3699]

CL600, biggest piece of crap ever made by MB. AUD $412,000 new sold for $19000. MB quality has never ben worse. Main dealers were completely horrid.

[@chrisday8412]

Haha the memories this brings back, 2003 and I thought I was in the upper class world, when I got a job as workshop controller at a Merc dealership, o nah soon learnt any 2000 - 2004 Merc is not a good purchase, we sold a 2003 brand new CL500 to a local double glazing company MD for the said £80k+. Next day dealer decision all courtesy cars where changed for bright orange smart cars, same day said customer pulls up in workshop as car is full on robot discotech , all lights flashing, windows going up and down, engine starting.... all whilst he stood next to me with key in hand.. Turns out the factory forgot to fit seals to rear lights, and we had some heavy rain, so boot filled with water, first time he braked - water out boot - under back seat - met the ECU's - dead car. But not to worry, we will fix it and in the meantime I can give the customer of an £85k car a bright orange smart car to go to his business meeting in!!!! I only stayed for 6 weeks!

[@peterrobinson3440]

You'd be better off going to an indy merc specialist e.g. PCS or Tim Purslow in Hants. Way better than the main dealers especially on older stuff. The prices of these cars is just mind blowing. Surely good ones will become classics and go up in value over time. The CL has such elegant lines/look, and also think the CLK ('06 to '09 - i.e rust probs largely eliminated) is a future classic. Again the lines and overall look. Have a CLK and it is built so solid.

[@williamkennedy5492]

Incredible cars when they are running properly, that sounds about right, my 2012 W212 E class throws up all sorts of problems, However my 1990 R129 SL doesn't put a foot wrong. I think this is going to be an interesting series of videos.

[@thezanzibarbarian5729]

When ever I've seen a CL parked up, it's like a magnet for me and I'll always go over and have a closer look at them. They have to be one of the most stylish cars ever made. That's if you discount some of those super cars or the gorgeous E-Type. The CL 63 was always the one I wanted, but due to ill health, it'll always be just wanted one. Nice video. And this 03 plated CL looks really clean. Bar that small ABC fault!

[@stevenr2463]

I remember driving from Vienna to Budapest about the year 2000/2001 in my then new Porsche and being fascinated by the performance of a car I hadnt noticed before (this CL500 or 600 AMG?). Went to the local Viennese Mercedes dealer after that. To my astonishment they seemed rather reluctant to sell me a car, resp take me seriously (!!!)

[@andrewfwallace4582]

Brilliant new car to follow, Looking forward to all the content, The CL500 will be great, I seem to have missed the CL somehow, I do own a CLK 320 Cab, 2004 and that's perfect, everyone like and subscribe.

[@markcarter9476]

A Mercedes main dealer will just want to replace everything and repair nothing. They are only good for the entertainment value. After 5 years ownership my 2000 CL500 has just clocked 49k miles and is driving beautifully. No major issues or expense so far but she is very well looked after. Distrionic cruise control has never worked properly, but as you rightly said Mercedes threw all their available tech at these cars so they are hideously complicated and I haven't managed to diagnose the cause yet. 'External Malfunction' is the error message so any input from subscribers would be welcome.

[@philipdubuque9596]

I don't know man... 46,730.04 pounds sounds like f**kload of money for routine upkeep... On the other hand it's hard to resist considering what you're paying for it. I suppose that the true value will be revealed when the Merc folks do a full diagnostic. Not sure what bated breath is but either way, we'll be waiting with it!

[@PeterVaughan-ve5cz]

Sorry, I don't buy it!! £500 for a cl 500. Where the f..k did you find that?

[@MrPabsUk]

It is a lot of car for the money, but I think Reggie was a much better, & safer, long term proposal. I`m fully expecting you to get repeatedly kicked in the nuts with this thing, financially, if you choose to keep it after the pumps done.. We`ll see!

[@gregchristofi1318]

Peak cheap luxobargery there Jack! Nothing can possibly go wrong, quick spring conversion and sorted for life... be as optimistic as your background score and you will make £millions on this ;-)

[@andrewstubbings5628]

Mine went on my SL55AMG and I was quoted £1800 for pump, got one on eBay from Poland £450 with warranty all is now sweet, I kept the old one as you can recon them!!

[@gazzafloss]

Jack, a champagne car for beer money, (maybe even sparkling water money). It still looks like a car that's worth much more. Great KZbin fodder Jack.

[@davidpeters6536]

An 03 Merc, you must be as mad as I thought. You will need a bodywork specialist who works for 50p an hour never mind the electrics and hydraulics. I agree 500 seems very little but will you balance the books or make a profit?

[@minimeee04]

Whoever sold you that Merc is either clueless or daft as a brush £500 for a perfectly looking mint CL500 with one fault the ABC pump that you can buy for £500 on ebay fully reconditioned with warranty in that condition that car is worth between £5 and 10k all day long.

[@PabloConcrete]

CL will always keep you busy with content 😂

[@martinsvensson6884]

No but the suspension might :)

[@keithposter5543]

I remember these looking a bit naff at the time, but they look great now. Apart from the seat buttons on the door cards 😉

[@cw3728]

If you bought all the parts to build the car, it would cost 3 times as much as just buying one new, then theres the labour and inconvenience. I say this because I bought a 6 year old E Klass (W210) thing was so unreliable, used to cost me 3k a year plus taxis, depreciation etc. The old days of mechanical reliable old mercs are long gone, if you can afford to buy new and trade it in after 3 years a write off the depreciation, you cant afford it.

[@craigc4334]

A replacement ABC pump can be had for £684, and it’s an hour’s labour to replace. I know, I replaced the whole ABC system on my car!

[@jaromor8808]

...after watching how LegitStreetCars, formerly a M-B certified mechanic, struggled with that car I have realized that it is not THAT pretty.

[@FROOB202]

Always loved these, and the model that replaced. That ABC is such a ball ache though, always put me off. I don't care if it's good, I refuse to believe it's better than the air systems literally every other manufacturer uses including Bentley. And as someone who tolerates M Sport suspension, it's just not worth the hassle. Such a shame it wasn't optional like on the S and SL.

[@danielrose881]

I miss my CL500, had it for a number of years and was easily the best car I've ever owned. Had to get rid of it during Covid because I needed the money, wish I didn't sell it now. I had the ABC issue come up intermittently and found that if you just raise the suspension, then lower to normal, it cleared the problem, but I'm sure you don't want the problem in the first place.

[@rob5944]

Personally I went fir a Lexus, with ordinary suspension. Even then it's a gamble.....ageing cars with expensive parts. Reel you in and then present with a fault?

[@hallga2]

why are KZbinRS all PLAYING annoying music over talking. Pls, pls enlighten us.

[@mikedx2706]

That Mercedes will turn out to be the most expensive car you have ever bought for your KZbin channel's content. Open your wallet wide, very wide. And ask your bank for an increase in the credit limit of all your credit cards.

[@rthomasbox]

Remember this car being featured on Top Gear, buy a luxury car for the price of a Fiesta. Think Clarkson bought one and it broke, which May predicted as soon as Clarkson turned up with it

[@dadcars]

fantastic purchase! So much car for the money.

[@andrewpreston4127]

Tbf.., £1500 for a repair to a big Merc is chickenfeed. As the folder full of upwards of £50K invoices testifies.

[@simonhjc]

Musics fine Jack. I have to admit youre a braver man than me. Mind you I am bidding on a citroen DS 1974 sight unseen apart from a video 🙏🙏🙏