Segment:
Full-size Luxury Grand Tourer Coupe
Predecessor:
W140 S-Class Coupe
Competitors:
BMW 8 Series (E31), Lexus SC430, Bentley Continental GT (later in its life cycle).
Design Philosophy:
Elegant, sophisticated styling with a focus on comfort and performance.
Technology Highlight:
Active Body Control (ABC) suspension, COMAND infotainment, Bi-Xenon headlights.
Powertrain:
Engine operation, cooling system, fuel system, exhaust system, transmission operation, driveline.
Chassis:
Suspension systems (ABC - Active Body Control), steering, brakes (ABS, ESP), wheels and tires.
Electrical:
Battery, lighting, instruments, dashboard indicators, climate control system, power accessories, COMAND infotainment system.
Body And Interior:
Doors, windows, seats, airbags, safety restraints, trunk operation, interior features.
Safety And Security:
Airbag system, seatbelt operation, child restraint systems, anti-theft alarm, remote key operation.
Operation:
Starting and driving, parking, fuel filling, climate control usage, operating infotainment system, using power accessories.
Maintenance:
Recommended checks (fluid levels, tire pressure), cleaning instructions, basic adjustments.
Troubleshooting:
Explanation of dashboard warning lights and indicators, basic advice for common issues.
Safety Warnings:
Crucial safety information regarding vehicle operation, maintenance, and passenger protection.
Depth:
Comprehensive operator-level information. Focuses on user understanding and basic care, not detailed mechanical repair procedures.
Cl500 Engine:
5.0L Naturally Aspirated V8 (M113 E50)
Cl55 Amg Engine:
5.4L Supercharged V8 (M113 E55 ML)
Cl600 Engine:
6.0L Twin-Turbocharged V12 (M137 E60 LA)
Cl500 Horsepower:
302 hp @ 5600 rpm
Cl500 Torque:
339 lb-ft @ 3100 rpm
Cl55 Amg Horsepower:
493 hp @ 6100 rpm
Cl55 Amg Torque:
516 lb-ft @ 2600 rpm
Cl600 Horsepower:
500 hp @ 5000 rpm
Cl600 Torque:
590 lb-ft @ 1800 rpm
Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded Gasoline (91 octane or higher recommended)
Injection Type:
Multi-point Fuel Injection (MPI) for all variants.
Cl500 Transmission:
5-speed Automatic (722.6 '5G-TRONIC')
Cl55 Amg Transmission:
5-speed AMG SPEEDSHIFT Automatic (722.633)
Cl600 Transmission:
5-speed Automatic (722.6 '5G-TRONIC')
Shift Modes:
Comfort (C) and Sport (S) modes.
Transmission Fluid:
MB Spec 236.10 or 236.12 ATF.
Length:
approx. 198.9 inches (5052 mm)
Width:
approx. 73.7 inches (1872 mm)
Height:
approx. 55.7 inches (1415 mm)
Wheelbase:
approx. 113.1 inches (2873 mm)
Curb Weight Cl500:
approx. 4150 lbs (1882 kg)
Curb Weight Cl55 Amg:
approx. 4300 lbs (1950 kg)
Curb Weight Cl600:
approx. 4500 lbs (2041 kg)
NHTSA Front Impact:
Likely rated 'Good' or equivalent for its era, though specific NHTSA ratings for coupes of this vintage can be elusive.
IIHS Side Impact:
Likely rated 'Good' or equivalent for its era.
Stability Control:
Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
Traction Control:
ASR (Acceleration Slip Regulation)
Braking System:
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BAS).
Airbags:
Dual front airbags, front side airbags, curtain airbags (front).
Seatbelts:
Pre-tensioning front seatbelts with force limiters, rear three-point seatbelts.
Head Restraints:
Active front head restraints (NECK-PRO).
Comand System:
COMAND 2.5 or 2.7, featuring CD player, radio, navigation system (optional), and climate control integration.
Audio System:
Bose premium sound system (often standard or optional).
Adaptive Cruise Control:
DISTRONIC (optional on some models).
Parking Assistance:
Front and rear PARKTRONIC parking sensors.
Telephone:
Integrated hands-free telephone system (often requiring a specific cradle or Bluetooth adapter for later compatibility).
Major Service Interval:
Typically every 10,000 miles or 12 months, whichever comes first. Specific items may have longer intervals (e.g., spark plugs 100k miles).
Abc Service:
Regular checks of Active Body Control fluid level and system integrity are crucial. Fluid changes recommended based on mileage or condition.
Engine Oil Cl500 Cl55:
SAE 5W-40 or 0W-40, MB Approval 229.5 (e.g., Mobil 1 0W-40).
Engine Oil Cl600:
SAE 0W-40, MB Approval 229.5.
Coolant:
MB Spec 325.0 (Concentrate, mix 50/50 with distilled water).
Brake Fluid:
DOT 4 Plus (MB Spec 331.0).
Abc System:
Hydraulic leaks from struts, pump failures, hose degradation are common on high-mileage vehicles.
Ignition Coils:
Coil pack failures can occur, particularly on the V8 engines.
Electronics:
Various electronic modules (e.g., SAM units, climate control actuators) can be prone to failure due to age and complexity.
Mass Airflow Sensor:
MAFS can become contaminated and affect engine performance, especially on the M113 engine.
Mercedes Benz Legacy:
Over a century of automotive innovation and luxury engineering.
C215 Generation:
Second generation of the CL-Class coupe, succeeding the C140 S-Class Coupe. Introduced for the 1999 model year.
Facelift:
The 2003 model year represents a significant mid-cycle refresh, including updated styling, powertrain enhancements, and technology improvements.
Manufacturing Location:
Sindelfingen, Germany
Production Years:
1999-2006 (C215 chassis)
Import Car Of The Year Nominations:
While specific awards for the 2003 model year might be hard to pinpoint, the CL-Class consistently received accolades for its luxury, performance, and technological advancements in its segment during its production run.
Jd Power Dependability:
Mercedes-Benz vehicles of this era often received average to above-average ratings in dependability studies for their luxury class.
Emissions Standards:
Certified to meet U.S. EPA and California ARB emissions standards for the 2003 model year.
