I used to own one of these beauties, the ABC suspension was its' Achilles heel, but besides that, I absolutely loved driving this vehicle. Every time I walked away from it; I couldn't. I'd stop a couple of times to look back at it, and then I'd go inside my home and stare at it outside through my window multiple times throughout the day lol. I love the C215 and the C216.
The tragedy of the entire line was the failure to explain maintenance to its purchasers! Mercedes utterly dropped the ball on that... (Transmission oil, supercharger oil, and ABC fluid are all subject to entropy, and need to be replaced from time to time!)
I have a 87k 2005 CL55 with a Weistec 630hp kit on it. I do the same thing. I end up out in the garage looking at it while having a beer. My couch and TV are jealous.
I just recently resurrected my Black CL55 AMG 5.5L beast of a Coupe, forgot how fun it was to drive and how much power/torque as it builds up! It gets my heart pumping again and still turns heads to this day!!
I have owned a 2003 CL600 for six years and have had no issues with repairs! The engines are bulletproof, five-speed transmissions are bulletproof and the suspension has never leaked or failed in any way. Am I just lucky? The 600 has more torque so it is a bit quicker I think. And finally, the rear seats are plenty big for me and I am 6 feet 200 pounds. Just move the front seats up a little bit. Great cars.
Great review. I am a big C215 fan, had two of them for about 10 years total, 04 CL55 just like that one and a 05 CL600 in Flint Gray (the smoking tire reviewed one CL600). Looking to get into a 05-06 CL65 hopefully soon.
This and the c216 CL are my favourite. The are just so elegant and clean looking. Also I just love the idea of the full-size flagship sedan being tailored for driving pleasure without being too sporty.
I have a this era E280 w211 v6 diesel and it truly feels like your being pulled. Does not matter if your going 60mph or 90, still as quiet. Only a number on the speedo changes.
This car brings back great memories. I was having flashbacks as you were going through the interior. The cupholder was a hoot, was like a transformer. You should have mentioned even the way the door opens to make egress easier quite a marvel. Everything about this car was genius. Was just so hard to maintain and as someone else mentioned the ABC suspension was really its biggest weakness. Looking back I should have just replaced it with coilovers and be good after that. The look of this car is definitely a timeless masterpiece
w209 CLK combines some of the points mentioned, the front headlights are melted together and the side profiles of CL(215) and CLK(209) looks very similar almost the same actually just the CLK is smaller in size.
These cars have a lot of road presence, any other car look like this today ?☺️. A timeless classic design, driving one would make you feel like chairman of the board, great review😊👍
While I do agree that the first generation of the CL is absolutely gorgeous, I personally believe that the third-gen CL looks even better, especially in the 2010 refresh. I love looking at this car from a rear three-quarter view where you can see the body line flow into the design detail in the rear taillights.
Peak mercedes was 1960s, 70s and a bit of 80s. Those old SL looked real cool also w116 w126, w123, anything afterwards doesn’t really appeal to me. Maybe only w221 and w222 are kinda cool
In Germany we say, "B-Säule Yok Bruder einfach die Macht" which means, without a b pillar you're a force to be reconned with. And i think that sums up that car quite well. edit: spelling
Taste is a matter of taste! :) Regardless, the pillarless coupe featured here was actually a second series CL (Chassis model C215 manufactured from 1999-2005) which was followed by the third series CL (Chassis model C216, manufactured from 2006-2014) and both of those were literally the coupe version of their flagship sedans (S220 & S221) with all the finest amenities and features available. The CLK, the CLS, and the C class were only comparable in that they were also 'coupes' (had only two doors).
c126 is my fav. I think the c215 should have had a shortened version of the sedans headlights. Just like with the w/c126. But I like the rear end. And side is good too.
I don’t know about 208mph as this is the 5.4 supercharged V8 with 500bhp and not the 6.0 Twin Turbo V12 604bhp. I think 195mph is doable but 200mph will need some small upgrades (ECU tune, smaller pulley).
Back then the 55 badge meant the 5.4-5.5L V8 engine whilst the 65 was the 6.0 V12. Nowadays the number of the model has nothing to do with the displacement of the engine Edit: CL65 is a Biturbo V12 where as CL55 is Supercharged V8
It's so tragic that Mercedes can't make a reliable car or reliable system in a car. Because if the COULD... if they WOULD... garages all over the world would be filled with classic, amazing Benzes... for generations to come. Instead of the junkyards and landfills being filled with them.
This without the "American" Jesus Chryslet or Jaaag inspired round front headlights with a slight angle would have made this appear much better stylistically in my opinion. Oh, The next generation did it with split front headlights and almost no angle. That model without the split, would have been fantastic, in my opinion. ;) (I wouldn't want to own one of these 2004 models) [I prefer the face-lifted 2014 E63 or just the design of the CLS. You would definitely not want to own one of those A hardtop convertible is so under-appreciated. Why is the seat leaned back to Neptune? This is what we have become
Their latest stuff Does Not look High End...more like Hyundai....BMW is No better...some recent SUVs of theirs I thought were Santa Fes from a distance.🤔😉
So it is true this thing is a beauty. But from my experience owning one, it has one very bad angle. And that is a 3/4 rear view angle. It makes the car look weak and narrow and not really planted. And it also looks like the trunk should have been more horizontally rather than dip down. This is why I prefer it’s successor, the W216. It is waaaay more planted and better built and looks better both inside and outside
Cruising at 60 mph with 500hp is a no sense....The ultimate w215 v8 cruiser is the cl 500... the 55k is made for crazy drivers who dream of german autobahn...... and german cruising at 120 mph and put the foot in it to go to 200 mph 🤣 you cruise with a cl 500 but when you choice or dream a 55k amg it's because you love speed...
120 grand for this plastic POS? lol it was way over prcied for what it was at the time of what Mercedes offered in quality vs pricing. But it was still way more beautiful than the S class of the time.
I used to own one of these beauties, the ABC suspension was its' Achilles heel, but besides that, I absolutely loved driving this vehicle. Every time I walked away from it; I couldn't. I'd stop a couple of times to look back at it, and then I'd go inside my home and stare at it outside through my window multiple times throughout the day lol. I love the C215 and the C216.
The tragedy of the entire line was the failure to explain maintenance to its purchasers! Mercedes utterly dropped the ball on that... (Transmission oil, supercharger oil, and ABC fluid are all subject to entropy, and need to be replaced from time to time!)
I have a 87k 2005 CL55 with a Weistec 630hp kit on it. I do the same thing. I end up out in the garage looking at it while having a beer. My couch and TV are jealous.
Just bought a 600 version. I freaking love this thing!!!!
I just recently resurrected my Black CL55 AMG 5.5L beast of a Coupe, forgot how fun it was to drive and how much power/torque as it builds up! It gets my heart pumping again and still turns heads to this day!!
I have owned a 2003 CL600 for six years and have had no issues with repairs! The engines are bulletproof, five-speed transmissions are bulletproof and the suspension has never leaked or failed in any way. Am I just lucky? The 600 has more torque so it is a bit quicker I think. And finally, the rear seats are plenty big for me and I am 6 feet 200 pounds. Just move the front seats up a little bit. Great cars.
Yes that was a slick, smooth looker. I love it.
First generation CLS is peak Mercedes design
I own a cls 55 Amg 2006 love it ….still want one of these
How long have you had it. And have you had any issues
@@Flaimed97 not really basic stufff for maintenance. I did replace the supercharger from Mercedes and took the air suspension off.
Great review. I am a big C215 fan, had two of them for about 10 years total, 04 CL55 just like that one and a 05 CL600 in Flint Gray (the smoking tire reviewed one CL600). Looking to get into a 05-06 CL65 hopefully soon.
I bought a '04 CL65 last week... can't wait to drive it!
Bought an '04 CL65 last month...love it!
This and the c216 CL are my favourite. The are just so elegant and clean looking.
Also I just love the idea of the full-size flagship sedan being tailored for driving pleasure without being too sporty.
Love these in-person reviews of these classics and new cars. Keep up the great work man!
Finally a review for one of the best mercedes
I have a this era E280 w211 v6 diesel and it truly feels like your being pulled. Does not matter if your going 60mph or 90, still as quiet. Only a number on the speedo changes.
This car brings back great memories. I was having flashbacks as you were going through the interior. The cupholder was a hoot, was like a transformer. You should have mentioned even the way the door opens to make egress easier quite a marvel. Everything about this car was genius. Was just so hard to maintain and as someone else mentioned the ABC suspension was really its biggest weakness. Looking back I should have just replaced it with coilovers and be good after that. The look of this car is definitely a timeless masterpiece
Excellent review
Fabulous review brother
Missed opportunity to roll down the windows and show the lack of B-pillar.
w209 CLK combines some of the points mentioned, the front headlights are melted together and the side profiles of CL(215) and CLK(209) looks very similar almost the same actually just the CLK is smaller in size.
Outstanding assessment of the geometry!!
These cars have a lot of road presence, any other car look like this today ?☺️.
A timeless classic design, driving one would make you feel like chairman of the board, great review😊👍
While I do agree that the first generation of the CL is absolutely gorgeous, I personally believe that the third-gen CL looks even better, especially in the 2010 refresh. I love looking at this car from a rear three-quarter view where you can see the body line flow into the design detail in the rear taillights.
A car you must to have
I'm very curious about what do you think of the E coupé c207 (face-lift) with AMG kit design ! Can you do a video about it sometime ?
Peak mercedes was 1960s, 70s and a bit of 80s. Those old SL looked real cool also w116 w126, w123, anything afterwards doesn’t really appeal to me. Maybe only w221 and w222 are kinda cool
In Germany we say, "B-Säule Yok Bruder einfach die Macht" which means, without a b pillar you're a force to be reconned with.
And i think that sums up that car quite well.
edit: spelling
Great Review!!!!
I still daily my 03 CL55 AMG.
which came first the 04 CL or the 04 Honda accord coupe, as they both have basically the same design rear end
For me, the CLK black series is the best looking MB coupe of all time.
I've been looking for one of these but Im in a delima of choosing between an CL55 or CLS55 anybody has any recommendations?
The CL of that era was truly beautiful, but I personally preferred the CLK (the second series)
Taste is a matter of taste! :)
Regardless, the pillarless coupe featured here was actually a second series CL (Chassis model C215 manufactured from 1999-2005) which was followed by the third series CL (Chassis model C216, manufactured from 2006-2014) and both of those were literally the coupe version of their flagship sedans (S220 & S221) with all the finest amenities and features available.
The CLK, the CLS, and the C class were only comparable in that they were also 'coupes' (had only two doors).
the separate headlights look much better
c126 is my fav. I think the c215 should have had a shortened version of the sedans headlights. Just like with the w/c126. But I like the rear end. And side is good too.
Wide body c126 hnnng
Do these and its little brother CL 500 come with timing chains or belts?
chains
@@Fony_turgeson Thanks, man. Love the nick btw 🤣
@dopedrums lol. Thx. I just order ny 06 cl55. I had a 03. Love thos car
Che bella!
10:30 the BMW key 😂😂😂I wonder which one
190mph if u got the two sisters from my 1000lb life in the car shit hits 208 from factory
I don’t know about 208mph as this is the 5.4 supercharged V8 with 500bhp and not the 6.0 Twin Turbo V12 604bhp. I think 195mph is doable but 200mph will need some small upgrades (ECU tune, smaller pulley).
For me peak mercedes are c126 and sls amg
Q1. What does 55 mean in CL55?
Q2. What is the difference between CL55 & CL65?
65 is v12 idk answer to other question
Back then the 55 badge meant the 5.4-5.5L V8 engine whilst the 65 was the 6.0 V12. Nowadays the number of the model has nothing to do with the displacement of the engine
Edit: CL65 is a Biturbo V12 where as CL55 is Supercharged V8
It's so tragic that Mercedes can't make a reliable car or reliable system in a car. Because if the COULD... if they WOULD... garages all over the world would be filled with classic, amazing Benzes... for generations to come. Instead of the junkyards and landfills being filled with them.
This without the "American" Jesus Chryslet or Jaaag inspired round front headlights with a slight angle would have made this appear much better stylistically in my opinion. Oh, The next generation did it with split front headlights and almost no angle. That model without the split, would have been fantastic, in my opinion. ;) (I wouldn't want to own one of these 2004 models) [I prefer the face-lifted 2014 E63 or just the design of the CLS. You would definitely not want to own one of those A hardtop convertible is so under-appreciated. Why is the seat leaned back to Neptune? This is what we have become
Their latest stuff Does Not look High End...more like Hyundai....BMW is No better...some recent SUVs of theirs I thought were Santa Fes from a distance.🤔😉
So no one is going to address that he said it weighed 5000 pounds?! Is this true?
Mercedes SL65 AMG Black Series FTW
Hi
4.2 0-60
So it is true this thing is a beauty. But from my experience owning one, it has one very bad angle. And that is a 3/4 rear view angle. It makes the car look weak and narrow and not really planted. And it also looks like the trunk should have been more horizontally rather than dip down. This is why I prefer it’s successor, the W216. It is waaaay more planted and better built and looks better both inside and outside
🤌✌️💖👍
Cruising at 60 mph with 500hp is a no sense....The ultimate w215 v8 cruiser is the cl 500... the 55k is made for crazy drivers who dream of german autobahn...... and german cruising at 120 mph and put the foot in it to go to 200 mph 🤣
you cruise with a cl 500 but when you choice or dream a 55k amg it's because you love speed...
I enjoyed the video, but I can't say I'm especially moved by the cars design.
To me it just look a million other Mercedes
120 grand for this plastic POS? lol it was way over prcied for what it was at the time of what Mercedes offered in quality vs pricing. But it was still way more beautiful than the S class of the time.
im ngl that thing ugly as hell 😭 no hate though love your videos lol
Ur a kid lol
@@MajinKuu very relevant 👍
Cant express an opinion without being flamed smh 😂
there must be something wrong with you or your eyes gen z for sure
It's no justice remember dawggggg
He copied the jaguar xj220