Edmunds buys a 2005 MB CL65 AMG

[Bob]

Still traps 116: http://www.edmunds.com/mercedes-benz/cl ... sting.html

[kevm14]

They really should have included a 2002 Z06, because it's damn near the same performance. Just to put things in perspective. Granted it's a far nicer car, but it's also a 4,700 pound boat. And references of "omg, twin turbo V12" need to be tempered with "it's fast, but not THAT fast."

[Bob]

Yeah, when I started reading the article, I was impressed with the V12 power specs. Then I looked up the performance and I was somewhat disappointed.

[kevm14]

Weight is a bitch. Z06 obtains those results on 4 fewer cylinders, less displacement, no turbos and pushrods. And better city AND highway fuel economy. And it sounds better.

[kevm14]

I'd like to continue the comparison that Edmunds started for road test numbers. Here's the CL65 AMG again for reference:

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2005 CL65 AMG
0-60              4.2
0-60 (rollout)    4.0
1/4 mile          12.2 @ 116.4
60-0              112 feet
Skidpad           0.88G
Slalom            63.9 mph
As-tested weight  4,646

Now let's look at the Edmunds old long term 02 Z06, which had totally worn out F1 S/Cs:

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2002 Z06
0-60              4.5
0-60 (rollout)    4.2
1/4 mile          12.5 @ 116.1
60-0              120 feet
Skidpad           0.92G
Slalom            68.8 mph
As-tested weight  3,116

That's...pretty close, no? I mean for acceleration.

Now let's look at a 2011 CTS-V coupe that Edmunds tested. This is a much more fair comparison for the type of car the CL65 AMG is.

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2011 CTS-V coupe (manual)
0-60              4.2
0-60 (rollout)    3.9
1/4 mile          12.2 @ 117.5
60-0              107 feet
Skidpad           0.90G
Slalom            69.3 mph
As-tested weight  4,200

So...yeah.

[kevm14]

I fell a little behind on this. Something's leaking:
http://www.edmunds.com/mercedes-benz/cl ... aking.html

Probably the ABC system. Again. Remembering what one tech said last time, it may be because they didn't proactively replace the trouble-prone hoses all at once. This is an example of one of those self-fulfilling prophesies of car repair. You figure, I'll spend less and save money...which leads to it failing earlier which may confirm your previous assumption about spending minimally to keep maintenance costs down (i.e. good thing I didn't spend more money, it just keeps failing!).

[kevm14]

Accumulators/valves.

http://www.edmunds.com/mercedes-benz/cl ... epair.html

The estimate was $2600, then the cost was $3000, then $2700, then $2600. Then at the end it says $2141. The dealer learned they were from Edmunds so perhaps some discounting was happening...

I'm a little confused over some of the fawning for this car, as I alluded to in a previous post. Is it the outright speed? That can't be it as there are cars in the price range of this used one that are as fast or faster, and far more reliable. Just the whole "these were cool and wicked expensive in 2005 and now they got one for $34k which is awesome?"

[kevm14]

It seems to be using 1.5 quarts in under 2,000 miles.

http://www.edmunds.com/mercedes-benz/cl ... lenge.html

[kevm14]

I think I mentioned this before. On the auto closing trunk, it seemed to close extraordinarily fast (faster than intended). A Mercedes tech said it just needs new hood struts. He chimed in again with a little more specificity:

Hate to be a nag, but those $100 trunk struts you need are going to ruin your $400 trunk-latch-actuator, which will cause a "run to timeout" of the PSE pump every time you lock/unlock the doors. A couple weeks of pump timeouts will burn up the $700 pump and leave you with no central locking, no rear headrests and a picky alarm. Then you'll blame the car, when you only needed $100 trunk struts...

I'm sensing a trend with this car. It is all about preventative maintenance. If you are used to Japanese cars, this would drive you insane.

[Adam]

The Lexus needed trunk struts. Probably for a long time. Then I installed some. Now it is fine.

I should also mention that the auto close trunk wasn't working on the Fleetwood when I got it. The previous owners had mostly removed the trunk seal too for some reason. I reinstalled the seal and replaced the $35 contact switch on the pull down motor and now it is fine.

Just some Japanese and American car experience on similar systems.