Segment:
Luxury Grand Tourer Coupe
Target Audience:
Affluent individuals seeking a comfortable, powerful, and technologically advanced personal luxury coupe.
Key Competitors:
BMW 8 Series (E31 successor was the 6 Series, but relevant era), Lexus SC 430, potentially high-end European sedans used as benchmarks for comfort and prestige.
Performance Focus:
Emphasis on smooth, powerful V8 engine and refined driving dynamics suitable for long-distance touring.
Luxury Appointments:
High-quality materials, advanced comfort features, sophisticated styling.
Technology:
Early integration of advanced electronics for its time, including COMAND infotainment and ABC suspension.
Powertrain:
Engine, transmission operation, basic fluid checks
Chassis:
Suspension (ABC), braking system overview, steering
Electrical:
Instrument cluster, lighting, power windows, locks, mirrors, basic entertainment system operation
Interior:
Climate control, seating adjustment, safety restraints, interior features
Operation:
Starting and driving, parking, operating controls, comfort features
Maintenance:
Fluid level checks (oil, coolant, brake fluid, washer fluid), tire pressure, basic cleaning
Safety:
Seat belt usage, airbag system information, child seat installation basics, reporting safety defects (US)
Troubleshooting:
Warning lamp explanations, basic troubleshooting for common driver concerns
Depth:
Owner-level operation and basic maintenance. Does not include detailed repair procedures, diagnostic codes, or extensive wiring diagrams typically found in a Service Manual.
Compatibility:
Compatible with standard PDF readers (Adobe Acrobat Reader, Foxit, etc.) on any device.
Searchability:
Likely text-searchable if converted properly from original factory PDF.
Quality:
Digital PDF format, quality dependent on original source scan/conversion. Assumed to be clear and legible.
Type:
Not Applicable (Digital Product)
Type:
Not Applicable (Digital Product)
Type:
Naturally Aspirated V8
Displacement:
4.973 cc (5.0 Liters)
Horsepower SAE Net:
302 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque SAE Net:
339 lb-ft (460 Nm) @ 2700-4250 rpm
Type:
Electronic Fuel Injection (Sequential Port Injection)
Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded Gasoline (91 Octane or higher recommended)
Air Filter Part Number Example:
A1130940004 (verify for specific vehicle)
Engine Oil Capacity:
8.5 Liters (approx. 9 US Quarts) with filter change
Engine Oil Specification:
MB 229.5 (e.g., Mobil 1 0W-40 Synthetic)
Type:
5-speed Automatic Transmission
Transmission Code:
722.6xx (e.g., 722.633)
Modes:
Comfort (C) and Sport (S) modes
Transmission Fluid Specification:
MB 236.10 or 236.12 (e.g., Pentosin ATF1 or equivalent)
Transmission Fluid Capacity:
Approx. 8.0 Liters for a pan drop and filter change (requires careful filling and checking procedure)
NHTSA Front Impact:
Not explicitly rated for this specific model/year in available data, but generally high for Mercedes-Benz of this era.
IIHS Frontal Offset:
Not specifically rated by IIHS for this model/year in available data.
Stability Control:
ESP (Electronic Stability Program)
Braking:
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System), Brake Assist (BAS)
Suspension:
Active Body Control (ABC) - hydropneumatic suspension offering dynamic ride control.
Airbags:
Driver and front passenger airbags, front side airbags, optional rear side airbags, optional curtain airbags.
Restraints:
Three-point inertia-reel seat belts with pre-tensioners and force limiters.
Lighting:
Bi-Xenon High-Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights with automatic leveling (often standard or optional).
Head Unit:
COMAND (Cockpit Management and Navigation system) - CD-based navigation, radio, CD player, optional cassette, telephone integration.
Display:
Color LCD screen integrated into the dashboard.
Audio System:
Bose premium audio system often optional.
Cruise Control:
Standard cruise control; Distronic (adaptive cruise control) was an optional feature on some models.
Parking Assistance:
Rear parking sensors (PARKTRONIC) were often optional.
Phone Integration:
Early Bluetooth or analog phone module, often requiring specific cradle accessories.
Climate Control:
Automatic climate control with dual-zone temperature settings.
Seating:
Multi-contour power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats, often with memory functions.
Lighting:
Automatic headlights with twilight sensor, interior ambient lighting.
Oil Change Interval:
Typically 10,000 - 15,000 miles (15,000 - 25,000 km) or 12 months, whichever comes first, using synthetic oil (per manual recommendations).
Transmission Service Interval:
Recommended around 40,000 - 60,000 miles (60,000 - 100,000 km) for fluid and filter change, depending on driving conditions.
Brake Fluid Flush:
Every 2 years, regardless of mileage.
Coolant Specification:
MB 325.0 / 326.0 (Antifreeze/Coolant)
Power Steering Fluid:
MB Spec 343.0 (Hydraulic fluid)
Common Problems Class C215:
Active Body Control (ABC) hydraulic leaks/failures, ignition coil failure, window regulator issues, transmission conductor plate faults, early COMAND system glitches, rust in certain areas (wheel wells, door bottoms).
Recommended Maintenance Focus:
Proactive replacement of ABC hydraulic fluid and filter, regular inspection of suspension lines, ensuring proper battery maintenance.
Heritage:
Mercedes-Benz has a long history of producing luxury vehicles, with a focus on engineering, comfort, and pioneering safety and technological advancements.
Cl Class Predecessor:
Sourced from the S-Class Coupe lineage (W140 Coupe predecessor). The C215 CL-Class represented a significant design and technological leap.
C215 Generation:
First generation of the CL-Class nameplate, produced from 1999 to 2006. It was designed to be a more personal, performance-oriented luxury coupe than the S-Class sedan.
Manufacturing Location:
Sindelfingen, Germany
Production Years:
1999-2006 (for C215 chassis)
