The Undervalued Mercedes-Benz CL Coupe is a Luxury Car Bargain - Driving a 2004 CL500 AMG Sport

SOLD I love the CL-Class of this vintage - the C215 made between 2000 and 2006. It was a true, traditional Mercedes-Benz (made for Benz enthusiasts) at a time when the company was transitioning form a maker of cars made mostly for the rich to a company looking for a much wider market swath not dissimilar to Volkswagen or Lexus. This was a very expensive car in its day - it had a list of roughly $90K, and was targeted to the kind of buyer that would use it as a 2nd or 3rd car for weekend getaways rather than primary transportation. It was considered the flagship of the Benz lineup at the time, and featured both rich traditional Mercedes-Benz touches along with groundbreaking technology in terms of mechanicals and construction. The inner body was mostly steel, while the outer body was mostly aluminum and lightweight composite plastic. The inner door frames (on those delicious articulated hinges) were made from magnesium. It weighed less than the prior CL, had more room inside, and was considerably faster and better handling. Highlighting the tech at the time was the ABC Sport Suspension, a very advanced system that replaced traditional shocks and sway bars with a fluid controlled dampening system, which took readings of the car on the road and would adjust stiffness of each individual strut to all but do away with body sway, roll, or diving. While the system is universally loved while working, maintaining it can be an expensive proposition. That expense is part of why these brilliant CLs are underappreciated and undervalued, and (to me) represent a bargain in the collector car/used car Benz lineup. This was a machine designed to deliver the very best in automotive experience to the wealthiest customer base, and for the most part, it delivered. Full review and test drive by Bill.