∙Wonderful pillar-less design ∙Reported to be in “showroom” condition
*Please note the vendor will deliver this car to the winning bidder in mainland UK free of charge*
The Background
Launched in 1998, the second-generation of Mercedes-Benz CL-Class coupés - dubbed the C215 internally - was based on the W220 S-Class of the era, and offered cutting-edge technology at the time of launch, with numerous safety and convenience features debuting on the C215 for the first time.
It’s certainly far to say that none of the CL-Class were exactly what you’d call ‘poorly equipped’ with the base-specification model still boasting a hearty 5.0-litre M113 naturally aspirated V8 engine and enough tech to shake a stick at.
Further up the range, the CL600 is somewhat of a Q-car, with its restrained styling and lack of AMG badges concealing the fact that underneath the sculpted bodywork sits a mammoth 6.0-litres of naturally aspirated V12 power, which also featured a cylinder deactivation feature allowing half of the cylinders to shut down on roads where the full might of the V12 was not needed, thereby increasing fuel economy.
Of course, you may simply love the CL coupé for its styling, being one of the last great bastions of the wonderful pillar-less design language seen on Mercedes across numerous generations.
This 2001-registered, V12-powered CL600 was originally delivered new and registered to Warmco Properties, before passing quickly to its next owner, a Mr Robinson during August 2001 when it was merely eight months old, making this essentially, a car with one former keeper.
Mr Robinson then had custodianship of the car for around 16 years, having maintained the car well and no doubt enjoying the luxury associated with a Mercedes from this era. The car was then put up for sale with a well-known auction house in 2017, which is where our vendor purchased the car from.
Having won the car at auction, it was then transported back to his home country the Republic of Ireland, where the intention was to add it to his collection of cars. Unfortunately, circumstances changed and the car has never been registered in Ireland, so despite having three keepers, it has only ever had two registered keepers on the V5.
Interestingly, this exact CL600 was chosen as a feature car in Mercedes Enthusiast magazine, with a copy of the article included in the gallery below.
Impressively, the paperwork file for this CL600 is extensive, with the author of the aforementioned piece in Mercedes Enthusiast stating at the time that the history file was “jaw-dropping reading” and the full Mercedes-Benz dealer history up until the vendor’s ownership is particularly impressive.
Clearly, the two prior owners didn’t skimp on the maintenance, with this example being left wanting for nothing. Since the vendor acquired the car, it has been serviced by Marcus Motors in Galway, along with having had a minor service and ‘freshen up’ carried out in 2017, and a standard oil-and-filter change in May 2021.
Invoices for numerous trips to M-B main dealers are present along with the stamped service record, along with other documentation and invoices from the car’s time in Ireland. The V5 is present, along with a plethora of old MOT certificates and an in-depth vehicle inspection report from August 2021 which states the vehicle is in “excellent” condition throughout.
When sold in 2017, the auctioneer noted that this CL600 was “one of the best examples” he had ever seen. Whilst four years have passed since the hammer fell, the cabin certainly still lives up to this statement as far as we can see - we can practically smell that wonderful ‘clean leather’ smell just looking at the photographs.
The seats are in outstanding condition, showing only light wear and some creasing to the outer base of the driver’s seat in particular. The headliner shows no sign of sagging, whilst the floor mats appear to be virtually unmarked.
The same is true of the centre console with its wooden inserts, which retain an impressive sheen and high-gloss finish, which is continued across onto the dashboard itself - also in excellent shape.
Similarly, the door cards are in fantastic condition with no noted staining, and the wonderful pillar-less driving experience is on full offer here with no noted issues or problems with the electrical systems.
The original tool kit and Goodyear spare wheel remain unused as does the original first aid kit and the factory period Nokia phone still works and the original cellophane phone cover remains in place.
With the interior being in excellent shape, we can report things look very similar on the outside, with the sleek lines of the CL600 having aged fantastically despite this example being 20 years old. In fact, the aforementioned exam states the panels look “as new” in their condition - high praise indeed.
As far as we can see, the bodywork is wonderfully straight throughout, and the paintwork retains an impressive depth and shine, befitting of a high-end coupé such as this. The only point to note is on the front bumper, it has few very light stone chips on the lower part that are touched in but are not noticeable unless you kneel down and look closely. But that's it. Anywhere else you look, you will find this unusual beautiful paintwork with no other marks whatsoever.
The chrome trim is all present and correct, and looks to be in good order all the way down to the dual exhaust tips, which are the only real indicator of the performance hidden under the bonnet.
All four wheels look to be in good condition with only a few light marks noted to the faces, whilst there is no reported damage to any windows or light lenses apart from a small area of delamination on the driver's door window.
The gargantuan 6.0-litre V12 engine certainly takes up every possible inch of space within the bonnet, though this is testament to the genius behind Mercedes’ engineering at the turn of the 21st century. The 'twin spark' powerplant has 24 spark plugs, which reassuringly were renewed at both 45,311 miles and 57,401 miles, once again showing the level of care the car has received. Shortly after, at 57,877 miles, the ignition coils & modules were also replaced. The vendor also reports that a brand new battery and isolator switch has been fitted this year.
There are no signs of any leaks or fluid misting that we can see, and no reported faults with the car. As previously mentioned, the pre-MOT exam reported the car is in “excellent” condition, and all four tyres are nearly-new in their condition.
Of course, due to being based in RoI and not being registered, the car does not currently have a valid MOT certificate. However, the aforementioned check also ran a full diagnostics evaluation with no reported faults or issues generated by the car’s computer. Similarly, the emissions were tested, and the car passed with flying colours, so there doesn’t appear to be any reason the car would not fly through a UK MOT exam, should it be required by the next owner. The vendor has stated that if the car were to fail on any items, he will happily cover those costs.
Offering high-class luxury motoring for a fraction of its original list price, this 2001 Mercedes-Benz CL600 is in outstanding condition throughout, as confirmed by an independent examiner, with the car even stated to be in “showroom” condition overall.
With only two recorded keepers and a strong history comprised almost exclusively of OE Mercedes-Benz dealership work, this V12-powered coupé is simply awaiting another owner to use it as Mercedes intended - munching up miles in complete and utter comfort, yet showing a clean pair of heels to the vast majority of other traffic on the road - splendid!
Notice to bidders
Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.
As is normal for most auctions, this vehicle is sold as seen, and therefore the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the seller's discretion.
Car & Classic's secure payment system protects buyers and sellers. At the end of the auction, the winning bidder transfers payment into a third-party escrow account. Once the transfer of the vehicle is complete, both parties confirm they are happy with the sale and the money is released to the seller.
More about buying with us
2001 Mercedes-Benz CL600
About Max Bids
The max bid process allows you to bid without any hassle.
Enter your maximum bid and we will then bid on your behalf to ensure you're the highest bidder - just enough to keep you in the lead and only up until your maximum.
Anti-sniping
Car & Classic prevent auction snipers from bidding in the last seconds to win an auction.
Auctions are extended by 3 minutes if anyone bids within the last 2 minutes to allow other bidders to react and counter-bid.
Auto-bidding increments
If your maximum bid is equal to or below the reserve price, your maximum bid will be applied in full if you are the highest bidder.
If you are the highest bidder and place a maximum bid above the reserve, we will automatically put in the reserve as your first bid.
Once the reserve has been met, Car & Classic will make sure you are the highest bidder using only the bidding increments stated below.
We will keep you in the lead up until your maximum bid OR the increment closest to your maximum bid, providing your maximum bid is enough to cover the increment value.
Bid Amount
Increment
£0 to £9,999
£100.00
£10,000 to £49,999
£250.00
£50,000 to £99,999
£500.00
£100,000 +
£1,000.00
Automatically outbid immediately
When you place a max bid and are outbid immediately that means that another bidder has placed a max bid limit which is higher than yours.
You can bid again and we will use our automatic bid system to try and get you as the highest bidder.
Matching max bids
When there are two max bids of the same value, the one placed first remains the lead bidder.
Pre-authorisation
We may hold a pre-authorisation charge on your card until the end of the auction when the hold will be cancelled. If you win, we'll take a security deposit which counts towards the payment for the vehicle and isn't any extra cost to you.
What are pre-bids?
A pre-bid means you're able to place a bid before the official start of the auction.
You will be notified whether or not you are the highest bidder when the auction starts.
Problem with your bid
Bids are contractually binding. To help protect you, we have some rules in place if we think it's been mistyped. Please check and amend what you have entered.
