Segment:
Luxury Grand Tourer Coupe
Target Audience:
Affluent individuals seeking performance, luxury, and advanced technology.
Competitors 2001:
BMW 8 Series (discontinued), Bentley Continental GT (emerging), Aston Martin DB7
Performance Focus:
AMG-tuned V8 engine, sport-tuned suspension, advanced braking system.
Luxury Appointments:
High-quality interior materials, advanced comfort features, sophisticated styling.
Technology Integration:
COMAND infotainment system, electronic stability control, advanced climate control.
Infotainment:
Audio system, COMAND system operation, navigation (if equipped)
Climate Control:
Automatic climate control operation, air conditioning, heating
Lighting:
Exterior lighting controls, interior lighting, adaptive headlight system (if equipped)
Driver Controls:
Steering wheel controls, cruise control, seat adjustments, mirror controls
Locks Security:
Keyless entry, central locking, alarm system, immobilizer
Seating Safety:
Seat adjustment, seat belt operation, airbag system overview, child seat installation
Instrumentation:
Instrument cluster layout, warning lights, indicators, trip computer
Engine Compartment:
Component identification, fluid levels, basic checks
Electrical System:
Battery location, fuse box access (general)
Routine Maintenance:
Checking fluid levels (oil, coolant, brake fluid, washer fluid), tire pressure checks, bulb replacement guidance
Driving Techniques:
General driving advice, starting and stopping the engine, parking
Troubleshooting:
Interpretation of warning lamps, basic owner-level issue diagnosis
Cleaning Care:
Exterior and interior cleaning recommendations, upholstery care
Customer Assistance:
Contact information for Mercedes-Benz customer service
Safety Reporting:
Process for reporting safety defects (U.S. specific)
Depth:
Owner-level operation, basic checks, and fluid specifications; not a comprehensive service or repair manual.
Engine Type:
V8, Supercharged
Displacement:
5.4 Liters (5439 cc)
Horsepower Est:
355 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque Est:
391 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm
Fuel Delivery:
Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) with Sequential Port Injection
Recommended Fuel:
Premium Unleaded Gasoline (91 octane or higher)
Oil Type Specification:
MB 229.1 or MB 229.3 specification
Oil Viscosity Grade:
5W-40 or 10W-40 (depending on climate)
Engine Oil Capacity:
8.5 Quarts (8.0 Liters)
Air Filter Part Number Example:
A 113 094 00 04 (Typical, verify with VIN)
Length:
Approx. 199.7 inches (5072 mm)
Width:
Approx. 71.7 inches (1821 mm)
Height:
Approx. 55.1 inches (1400 mm)
Curb Weight Est:
Approx. 4100 lbs (1860 kg)
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating Est:
Approx. 5200 lbs (2359 kg)
Wheelbase:
Approx. 113.1 inches (2873 mm)
Wheel Size:
18-inch AMG Alloy Wheels (Standard)
Tire Size Front:
245/40 R18
Tire Size Rear:
265/35 R18
NHTSA Ratings 2001:
Not rated for this specific year/model by NHTSA as standard for luxury coupes of this era; refer to manufacturer data.
Stability Control:
Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
Braking System:
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BAS)
Airbags:
Driver and front passenger airbags, front side airbags, supplemental restraint system (SRS)
Seat Belts:
Three-point inertia-reel seat belts with pretensioners and force limiters
Child Restraint:
ISOFIX (or LATCH) compatible mounting points for child safety seats.
Infotainment System:
COMAND (Cockpit Management and Data) system featuring Radio, CD Player, Navigation (optional), and Telephony (optional).
Instrument Cluster:
Includes analog gauges, digital odometer, and a multi-function display for vehicle status and information.
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Optional DISTRONIC adaptive cruise control system.
Telephone Integration:
Optional integrated cellular telephone system with hands-free operation.
Suspension System:
Active Body Control (ABC) suspension for superior ride quality and handling.
Oil Change Interval Est:
Every 10,000 miles (16,000 km) or 12 months, whichever comes first (check manual for exact details and severe service intervals).
Major Service Interval Est:
Refer to the manual for 'Service A' and 'Service B' type intervals which typically include more comprehensive checks and replacements (e.g., spark plugs, filters, brake fluid).
Coolant Specification:
MB 325.0 or 326.0 specification (Glysantin G48 or equivalent blue/green coolant)
Brake Fluid Specification:
DOT 4 Plus (or DOT 4 recommended by manufacturer)
Power Steering Fluid Specification:
MB 236.3 specification (Pentosin CHF 11 S or equivalent)
Common Problems C215 Cl55:
ABC suspension issues (hydraulic leaks, pump failure), ignition coil failure, catalytic converter issues, transmission control module (TCM) failures, COMAND system glitches.
Oil Filter Part Number Example:
A 113 180 01 09 (Typical, verify with VIN)
Cabin Air Filter Part Number Example:
A 203 830 00 18 (Typical, verify with VIN)
Mercedes Benz Legacy:
Over a century of automotive innovation and luxury vehicle production.
Cl Class Lineage:
Successor to the SEC-Class coupes, evolving into a sophisticated personal luxury coupe with a strong emphasis on technology and performance.
C215 Generation:
Introduced in 1998 as the successor to the C140 S-Class Coupe, this generation featured significant advancements in chassis, aerodynamics, and electronics.
Manufacturing Location:
Sindelfingen, Germany
C215 Production Span:
1998-2006