Positioning:
Premium Grand Tourer (GT) Coupe
Competitors 2002:
BMW 8 Series (discontinued but influential), Lexus SC 430, Jaguar XK8
Features:
V8 power, sophisticated ABC suspension, luxurious interior, advanced electronics for its era, pillarless hardtop coupe design.
License:
Officially Licensed
Powertrain:
Engine (M113 V8), Transmission (5G-TRONIC)
Chassis:
Suspension (ABC - Active Body Control), Steering, Brakes (ABS, ESP)
Electrical:
Engine Control Unit (ECU), Body Control Module (BCM), CAN Bus, Lighting, Instrumentation, Infotainment, Power Accessories
Body:
Exterior Panels, Interior Trim, HVAC, Seats, SRS Airbag System
Maintenance:
Scheduled Maintenance, Fluid Changes, Filter Replacements, Inspections
Repair:
Component Removal and Installation, Major Overhauls, Component Level Repair
Diagnostics:
Troubleshooting Guides, Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs), Wiring Diagrams, Component Testing
Suspension Repair:
Detailed procedures for ABC system troubleshooting, fluid replacement, component testing (accumulators, pumps, struts), and calibration.
Electrical Diagnostics:
Comprehensive wiring diagrams for all vehicle systems, component location guides, pin-out data, and troubleshooting flowcharts for electronic modules.
Engine Rebuild:
Torque specifications, piston ring end gap, bearing clearance, cylinder head removal and installation, timing chain service procedures.
Depth:
Comprehensive: From basic fluid checks to full engine and transmission rebuilds, including electrical diagnostics and complex system repairs.
Engine Type:
V8, Naturally Aspirated
Displacement:
4966 cc (5.0 Liters)
Bore X Stroke:
97.0 mm x 84.0 mm
Compression Ratio:
10.0:1
Valve Train:
SOHC, 3 valves per cylinder (2 intake, 1 exhaust)
Horsepower:
302 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque:
339 lb-ft @ 3100-4500 rpm
Fuel Delivery:
Sequential Multi-Port Fuel Injection (SFI)
Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded (91 octane or higher)
Engine Oil Capacity W Filter:
8.5 Liters (8.9 US Quarts)
Engine Oil Specification:
MB 229.5 (e.g., Mobil 1 0W-40)
Type:
5-speed Automatic (5G-TRONIC)
Transmission Modes:
Comfort (C) and Sport (S) modes
Transmission Fluid Type:
MB 236.10 / 236.12 (e.g., Pentosin ATF1 or equivalent)
Transmission Fluid Capacity:
8.0 Liters (8.5 US Quarts) for complete fill, ~3.5 Liters for torque converter drain and fill
NHTSA Front Impact:
5-Star (as per contemporary NHTSA testing for similar vehicles)
IIHS Side Impact:
Good (as per contemporary IIHS testing for similar vehicles)
Traction Control:
ASR (Acceleration Skid Control), ESP (Electronic Stability Program)
Braking System:
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BAS)
Airbags:
Frontal airbags, Side airbags, Side curtain airbags (optional/depending on market spec)
Seatbelts:
Pre-tensioning front seatbelts with belt force limiters
Restraint System:
SRS (Supplemental Restraint System)
System:
COMAND (Cockpit Management and Navigation)
Features:
Radio, CD player, Navigation system (often with CD-ROM maps), optional Cassette and TV tuner.
Cruise Control:
Distronic (optional adaptive cruise control)
Parking Assistance:
Front and Rear Parktronic sensors
Connectivity Features:
Tele Aid (emergency assistance system), Hands-free cellular system (optional).
Climate Control:
Automatic Climate Control with dual-zone temperature control
Seats:
Multi-contour front seats with heating, ventilation, and memory functions
Oil Change Interval:
Flexible Service System (ASSYST) - typically 15,000 km (9,300 miles) or 12 months, whichever comes first, dependent on driving conditions.
Major Service Interval:
Approximately every 60,000 km (37,000 miles) or 4 years for items like transmission fluid, brake fluid, coolant, spark plugs, etc.
Coolant Type:
Mercedes-Benz Specification 325.0 / 326.0 (e.g., ZEREX G-05 or equivalent ethylene glycol-based coolant)
Brake Fluid Type:
DOT 4 Plus (MB Spec 331.0)
Common Problems Abc:
Leaks in ABC hydraulic lines, strut failures, pump failures, reservoir leaks due to age and material degradation.
Common Problems Electronics:
EIS (Electronic Ignition Switch) failure, SAM (Signal Acquisition Module) issues, instrument cluster problems, door control module failures.
Common Problems Engine:
Oil cooler leaks, thermostat housing leaks, potential balance shaft wear in high-mileage engines, valve cover gasket leaks.
Common Problems Transmission:
Rough shifting, delayed engagement, torque converter lock-up issues, transmission control module (TCM) faults.
Oil Filter Part Number Example:
Mann-Filter HU 718/1y, Mahle OX 349/1D (Consult manual for exact OEM or equivalent)
Air Filter Part Number Example:
Mann-Filter C35176, Mahle LX 1017 (Consult manual for exact OEM or equivalent)
Heritage:
Mercedes-Benz, founded in 1926, is renowned for luxury, engineering excellence, and pioneering automotive safety technologies.
Model Lineage:
The CL-Class is the successor to the SEC coupes (W126 SEC, C140 SEC) and represents Mercedes-Benz's flagship luxury coupe offering.
Generation C215:
The C215 generation (1999-2006) introduced the innovative Active Body Control (ABC) suspension and a sleek, aerodynamic design.
Production Period:
1999-2006
Manufacturing Plant:
Sindelfingen, Germany
Awards History:
While specific awards for the 2002 CL500 may not be widely publicized, the CL-Class generally received acclaim for its luxury, performance, and engineering in its segment.
Safety Ratings General:
Achieved strong safety ratings in contemporary crash tests, reflecting Mercedes-Benz's commitment to occupant protection.
