1994 Mercedes-Benz CL 500

Lot details
Registration No: F2 TEC
Chassis No: WDB1400702A190003
Mot Expiry: April 2012

The W140 Series of luxury Mercedes-Benz motorcars was its flagship range of the period. Short and long wheelbase four-door Saloons were available at its introduction in 1991, while the two-door Coupe followed the following year. Production had been delayed by the development of the new 6.0-litre V12 engine and a whole range of technical innovations, including: double paned, soundproof window glass; electrically-operated exterior mirrors; power-assisted closure for the doors and boot; variable weight steering to assist parking; safety electric windows that automatically lowered on encountering resistance; a rear parking aid, and a climate control system that could be programmed to continue operating up to 20 minutes after the engine had been switched off. On the passive safety front, the car was equipped with ASR (Acceleration Slip Regulation) and, later in production, there was the option of Mercedes' own Electronic Stability Control system. The CL500 was powered by the company's M119 V8 engine, considered by many to be one of the best ever produced by the manufacturer. Its output of 302bhp was sufficient to accelerate the big Benz to 62mph in a little over six seconds and rapidly on to an electronically limited top speed of 155mph. The 339lbft of torque made light work of passing manoeuvres at any speed.

The right-hand drive CL500 Coupe on offer was first registered in August 1994 and sports charcoal Grey coachwork teamed with a Grey leather interior. 'F2 TEC' is understood to have had a total of five keepers to date and its vendor currently considers the bodywork and paintwork to be in "very good/excellent" condition and the trim, engine and transmission to be in "very good" condition. The car is taxed until the end of January 2012 and MOT'd into April. The W140 Series is claimed to have cost Mercedes over $1 billion to develop and was an astonishingly well engineered car by any standard. Used examples therefore tend to represent amazing value for money in today's market. Properly maintained, these cars will run and run, and can provide a great sense of security and wellbeing.