1998 Mercedes-Benz CL 600

This particular car forms part of a smart personal collection for the vendor, and has only been used lightly during its time as part of the collection.

Having been created during the era when Mercedes were famous for ‘over-engineering’ their cars, the quality is immediately apparent when looking around this example, even before you open the satisfyingly heavy doors or peer underneath the perfectly-proportioned bonnet.

First registered in March 1998, this vehicle is from the last few months of C140 coupé production, having been replaced during 1999 by the C215. Benefitting from double glazing, ‘close assist’ doors and boot, and all the latest technology of the era, the CL600 was a true ‘bruiser’ of a car in-period, and this particular example still presents fantastically even today.

Purchased by the current vendor in 2019 and with seven prior owners, it is clear that the car has been cherished whilst in its current ownership, with regular upkeep, maintenance, and the all-important complete service record.

During their time with the car, the vendor has had the wheel arches, bonnet and a number of other panels resprayed to bring them back to their best, with the car looking absolutely stunning as a result.

Since it forms part of a collection and doesn’t get driven very often, it is simply being sold due to not being used enough. This seems a shame, given that the V12-powered beast is now a rare sight on UK roads, and the vendor hopes it will go to a home where it will be used correctly.

Presenting in fantastic external condition, the Stacco-penned lines of this CL600 still look suitably aggressive, and would certainly urge lane hoggers on the Autobahn to move over swiftly if they looked in their mirror and were greeted with the ‘business end’ of the CL. One of the biggest design highlights of these C140 coupés is the pillar-less side profile, which is further accentuated when the windows are dropped, affording not only fantastic visibility from the inside, but also a wonderful styling feature from the outside.

The paintwork presents in overall fantastic condition, with only a few minor scuffs and stone chips as you’d expect from a car of this age, which have all been shown in the photographs below. The only major noticeable exterior flaw is the chip out of the lower front bumper splitter, which is barely noticeable unless you’re looking for it.

The wheels are free of kerbing and damage, and look excellent from a distance, however up close it is clear that they would all benefit from a refurbishment and refresh to bring them back to their best, as the mirror finish lips are starting to show signs of pitting and discolouration.

All around the car, the lenses for the lights are clear and free from damage, while the chrome detailing strips and badges are all in fantastic condition. Even the mirror-finished pockets behind the door handles present nigh-on flawlessly, which is especially impressive given that these are high-traffic areas, and are often prone to being scratched by rings and keys.

The car also boasts a new set of matching Continental tyres, which is a sure sign of a sensible and caring owner.

Inside, this C140 presents very well indeed, and has a distinct air of German quality about it. Sinking into the sumptuous leather seats it is clear this was a car designed for long-distance journeys, offering wonderful comfort with a surprising amount of support - perfect for when you’re looking to explore the performance of the V12 powerplant.

Naturally, the CL600 came packed with plenty of the best technology the 90’s had to offer. Highlights for this particular car include the Bose sound system, dual-zone air-conditioning, heated seats, power-retractable front seatbelts, and power-folding mirrors. The vendor reports that everything is working correctly, and during our time with the car there were certainly no signs to the contrary. The sunroof is also in fantastic condition and operates perfectly, with no signs of slow mechanisms or clogged drains.

Elsewhere, there are minimal signs of wear to the carpets and rear seats, with virtually no signs of ageing to the headliner or door cards. The drivers seat has the usual wear to the outside bolster from drivers getting in-and-out of the seat on a regular basis, while the passenger seat also shows minor signs of age-related wear. Of particular note is the unopened first-aid kit in the rear of the car, which the vendor believes to be the original item.

In the boot, the condition is also fantastic, with the warning triangle and spare wheel included. The factory toolkit is also present, but appears to be missing a few items. Clearly, this has been a prized car throughout its life, and the condition of the interior certainly reflects that.

Underneath, the CL600 looks to be in fine fettle, with the vendor having taken care of the usual problem areas around the wheel arches during their ownership. The sills, undersides of the doors and jacking points are all in fantastic condition, with no signs of damage or other causes for concern.

The M120 V12 engine fills every inch of the gargantuan engine bay, and presents well, though no doubt the next owner will give it a thorough detailing to bring it back to its best. That said, there are no signs of leaks, damage or misting around the engine bay, while the factory-fit warning stickers are also still largely in place. The fans kick in as they should when the car is warmed up and switch off again when it is cool enough, and there are no reported problems with the vehicle.

Under the boot carpet everything looks to be in excellent condition, with no signs of water ingress or other issues to report. The vehicle has also been fitted with a new set of matching tyres.

Included with the car is a plethora of paperwork from the vendor’s time with the vehicle, including a number of invoices for parts, tyres and servicing work carried out. The car comes with two sets of keys, the V5 is present and the original Mercedes-Benz servicing book is also included.

The service book is fully stamped, with the last service taking place on 11 August 2020 at 110,299 miles. During this time the usual filters were changed, the brake fluid was changed, and the oil flushed out and replaced with fresh 5W/40 oil. The MOT was also carried out at this time, and resulted in a pass with a clean bill of health.

Of note is the fact that the car has not failed a single MOT since 2008. Not only that, but a number of the advisory items have also been taken care of, with invoices to validate this.

We include an online HPI report run at the auction start which shows no finance outstanding and no insurance markers for theft or damage.

With the impending electrification of new cars in the UK slowly creeping up and the associated ‘dark cloud’ being cast over combustion-engined vehicles, what better way to enjoy the next few years than behind the wheel of a stylish V12-powered German coupé?

Presenting in fine fettle and with an impressive history file, this is a fantastic example of Mercedes-Benz at their finest, and we estimate it to fetch in the region of £6,000 - £10,000. If you’re looking for something a little ‘under the radar’ but recognisable by enthusiasts everywhere, you can’t go wrong here.

Inspection is always encouraged (within Govt. guidelines of course), and this particular car is located with the vendor in Stamford, Lincolnshire; to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.

This vehicle is not with us at The Market’s HQ, which means we have had to rely on the owner’s description of it, in conjunction with the photographs you see here, to compile the listing.

With this in mind, we would encourage potential bidders to contact the owner themselves and arrange to view the car in person, or to arrange a dedicated video call in which they can view the car virtually and ask questions.