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2000 Mercedes-Benz CL Class Review

April 3, 2008

 Jill Amadio's avatar Jill Amadio
EditorJill Amadio

This is the car you can pull out all the superlatives to describe, but the most appropriate may be "superb." In all respects, the redesigned $85,500 2000 CL500 is a marvelous machine to drive: unmatchable suspension system, powerful but hushed V-8 engine, seamless automatic transmission, tons of serious tech stuff, and a luxury interior to silence Donald Trump himself. Maybe Ivana, too.

Mercedes-Benz expects purchasers to have aged to 47 years and have an annual income of at least $400,000 to qualify as the average CL500 buyer. More than 90 percent of the new high-end owners are expected to be professional or celebrity males, but affluent women can buy them, too. In fact, large numbers of females might choose this car because it's not only the greatest-looking Mercedes around right now, it’s sumptuously comfortable and impressive under the hood.

The costly coupe casts an undeniable spell. The Mercedes-Benz guys practically had to drag me out of it with a pitchfork.

Endless tech love

For starters, the tech stuff on this car is endless. Its alphabet of anagrams that represent engineering innovations, not all of them new, includes ABC, ABS, ASR, CAN, D2B, ESP, FSS, and COMAND. (It'll be time to trade in the car before you can figure it all out so check the glossary below.) Some features are robotic. The anti-lock braking system quietly self-tests itself once you've reached 14 miles an hour, and the CL500 even learns to recognize your driving style and adapt itself accordingly. All a bit spooky.

The groundbreaking suspension system is called Active Body Control (ABC) and to date Mercedes is the first passenger car company in the world to launch it. Drivers who subscribe to the no-pitch-no-fun school might disagree with its concept, but if you're haring around switchbacks in miles of mountainous terrain with no guard rails you'll appreciate very quickly the elimination of body roll in cornering or nose-dive while braking without having to sacrifice crisp handling. Part of the enjoyable ride is due to the hydraulic air suspension that reduces body roll by 68 percent. And if you get really nervous faced with a quick descent down 6000 feet of high country, you can up the ABC ante to 95 percent.

This is the car you can pull out all the superlatives to describe, but the most appropriate may be "superb." In all respects, the redesigned $85,500 2000 CL500 is a marvelous machine to drive: unmatchable suspension system, powerful but hushed V-8 engine, seamless automatic transmission, tons of serious tech stuff, and a luxury interior to silence Donald Trump himself. Maybe Ivana, too. Mercedes-Benz expects purchasers to have aged to 47 years and have an annual income of at least $400,000 to qualify as the average CL500 buyer. More than 90 percent of the new high-end owners are expected to be professional or celebrity males, but affluent women can buy them, too. In fact, large numbers of females might choose this car because it's not only the greatest-looking Mercedes around right now, it’s sumptuously comfortable and impressive under the hood. The costly coupe casts an undeniable spell. The Mercedes-Benz guys practically had to drag me out of it with a pitchfork. Endless tech love For starters, the tech stuff on this car is endless. Its alphabet of anagrams that represent engineering innovations, not all of them new, includes ABC, ABS, ASR, CAN, D2B, ESP, FSS, and COMAND. (It'll be time to trade in the car before you can figure it all out so check the glossary below.) Some features are robotic. The anti-lock braking system quietly self-tests itself once you've reached 14 miles an hour, and the CL500 even learns to recognize your driving style and adapt itself accordingly. All a bit spooky. The groundbreaking suspension system is called Active Body Control (ABC) and to date Mercedes is the first passenger car company in the world to launch it. Drivers who subscribe to the no-pitch-no-fun school might disagree with its concept, but if you're haring around switchbacks in miles of mountainous terrain with no guard rails you'll appreciate very quickly the elimination of body roll in cornering or nose-dive while braking without having to sacrifice crisp handling. Part of the enjoyable ride is due to the hydraulic air suspension that reduces body roll by 68 percent. And if you get really nervous faced with a quick descent down 6000 feet of high country, you can up the ABC ante to 95 percent. This is the car you can pull out all the superlatives to describe, but the most appropriate may be "superb." In all respects, the redesigned $85,500 2000 CL500 is a marvelous machine to drive: unmatchable suspension system, powerful but hushed V-8 engine, seamless automatic transmission, ...

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Comments (1 total)

  1. By Andreas #1, Posted: 3/6/2009

    2000 MB CL 500

    I had four Jaguars in all, three Xj's, and a XKR. All great cars, all delivering zippy, yet comfortable rides. And they're all quite well made, a joy to drive. In fact, I thought there's nothing better out there, well, until I hit upon the CL500. Christ! What...a...CAR! Nothing, and I mean, NOTHING matches up. The CL is the best car I've ever owned by a country mile. Accelleration, Breaking power, corner speeds you achieve simply are unrivalled. Sure, perhaps one could go even faster in a Ferrari, perhaps one could cruise even a little more comfortable in a Rolls Royce. Thing is though, differences are marginal, and for the price you get the Mercedes, no Ferrari or Rolls dealer would even open the door for you. There you have it. The CL500 is the one to own. Forget anything else!

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