[jimblue]

I've researched this topic because I want to make the best value decision in purchasing my next MB.
So far I've learned that the market is great for purchasing these models:

2003 CL55 AMG for about $30,000 with 470bhp, but it have costly potential ABC PROBLEMS

2002 SL500 (M113 motor) for about $20,000 at 302 HP - reliability unknown, but I like the body of the '03 SL if other things are equal.

2003 SL500 for about $30,000 again with 302 HP and reliability unknown.

2003 SL55 AMG about $40,000 with about 490 HP and unknown reliability (does this model also have ABC?).

The fastest are the '03 SL55 and CL55 AMG's and the CL55 is about $10,000 less than the SL... I wonder how much ABC problems may cost?

Does anybody have advice regarding reliability of these models (incl. estimated costs associated with ABC repairs) and/or recommend one model over the other? Thank you, Jim

 

[cjcomeau]

Search these forums. Lots of posts regarding repairs...most expensive.

If you are considering a CL, I have a CL600 (2003 twin turbo) for $22900. PM me with questions.

 

[LondonThing]

absolute worst-case on ABC has to be about $4,000 I'd say; most of the problems are due to sloppy maintenance or clueless dealers, so hunt through the paperwork for those signs. On the account you give, the price gap pushes you towards the CL, even on worst-case - and most of the ABC problems seem to be pre-facelift cars.

My CL is an '03 and is facelifted, with 7Gtronic. So far; so good. You may want to check the model revision of that CL carefully; I'm not sure the '03 CL55 was actually supercharged. Earlier, pre-facelift CL55's weren't, for sure - whereas all the SL55's are blower motors. That could account for the $10k price gap, right there...

 

[jimblue]

absolute worst-case on ABC has to be about $4,000 I'd say; most of the problems are due to sloppy maintenance or clueless dealers, so hunt through the paperwork for those signs. On the account you give, the price gap pushes you towards the CL, even on worst-case - and most of the ABC problems seem to be pre-facelift cars.

My CL is an '03 and is facelifted, with 7Gtronic. So far; so good. You may want to check the model revision of that CL carefully; I'm not sure the '03 CL55 was actually supercharged. Earlier, pre-facelift CL55's weren't, for sure - whereas all the SL55's are blower motors. That could account for the $10k price gap, right there...

Thank you for your input. You are correct, I am leaning towards the '03 CL55 which I imagine is much like yours since they both have ABC. I noticed that you have an SLK as well. I also considered purchasing an SLK because they too seem like a lot of fun and great value with the retractable hardtop. Thank you again for your input.