Best Car Reviews - 2000 Mercedes-Benz CL500

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Introduction

The 2000 Mercedes-Benz CL500 is a four-seat luxury grand touring coupe for buyers who wanted flagship Mercedes-Benz engineering in a dramatic two-door body. Although formally classed as a compact car by the U.S. EPA, it is a substantial 196.6-inch luxury coupe. Its smooth V8, pillarless hardtop profile and standard Active Body Control suspension made it one of the most technically ambitious cars of its era.

Design and Exterior Features

The CL500 introduced the C215-generation design, replacing the far more upright previous CL-Class with a lower, sleeker and more aerodynamic shape. Its long hood, short rear deck and clean flanks give it an understated but unmistakably expensive appearance. The body is 196.6 inches long and 73.1 inches wide, yet its pillarless side-window treatment gives it an especially open, elegant silhouette. Compared with its predecessor, the new structure was substantially lighter and stronger, helping both refinement and handling.

Pillarless two-door hardtop design with a clean, flowing roofline.
Bi-Xenon headlamps with headlamp-cleaning system.
17-inch alloy wheels and a restrained chrome-accented grille.
Aerodynamic bodywork designed for high-speed stability.

Interior and Comfort

The cabin combines a driver-oriented dashboard with the rich materials expected of a flagship Mercedes-Benz. Leather upholstery, wood trim, power-adjustable front seats and dual-zone climate control create a properly luxurious atmosphere. Front occupants receive generous room and long-distance comfort, while the rear is best considered occasional seating for two adults. The large doors, easy-entry front seats and pillarless opening make access more graceful than in many coupes.

Four-seat layout with leather upholstery and wood interior trim.
Power front seats with memory functions and Easy-Entry access.
Dual-zone automatic climate control.
Optional multicontour front seats with adjustable lumbar support.

Performance and Handling

The CL500 uses a naturally aspirated 5.0-litre, 24-valve V8 producing 302 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque. Power reaches the rear wheels through a five-speed automatic transmission with selectable manual control. Contemporary testing recorded 0-60 mph in about 6.2 seconds, impressive for a coupe weighing roughly 4,115 lb. Standard Active Body Control actively resists roll, pitch and dive, giving the CL500 more composure through corners than its size suggests while preserving its relaxed highway character. U.S. EPA figures were 16 mpg city and 23 mpg highway, equivalent to approximately 14.7 and 10.2 l/100 km, so premium-fuel running costs are significant.

5.0-litre naturally aspirated V8 with 302 hp and 339 lb-ft.
Rear-wheel drive and five-speed automatic transmission.
0-60 mph in approximately 6.2 seconds in contemporary testing.
Standard Active Body Control suspension for reduced body roll and dive.

Technology and Connectivity

For 2000, the CL500 was packed with advanced convenience technology rather than modern smartphone connectivity. Available equipment included navigation, a voice-operated car phone, a premium Bose audio system and TeleAid emergency assistance. Optional DISTRONIC radar cruise control, Keyless-Go and tyre-pressure monitoring showed how far ahead of its time the C215 could be when extensively specified. Bluetooth, USB media and contemporary app integration were not part of the original package.

Available navigation and voice-operated telephone system.
Available Bose audio system and CD changer.
TeleAid emergency and assistance service.
Optional DISTRONIC adaptive cruise control and Keyless-Go.

Safety Features

The 2000 CL500 came with an unusually comprehensive safety package for a luxury coupe. Standard equipment included ABS, Brake Assist, Electronic Stability Program, traction control, front airbags, side airbags and head-protection airbags. Bi-Xenon lighting and PARKTRONIC parking assistance added useful situational support. A comparable verified NHTSA or IIHS crash-test rating is not readily available for this low-volume model, so no rating should be assumed.

Electronic Stability Program, traction control, ABS and Brake Assist.
Front, side and head-protection airbags.
Bi-Xenon headlamps for strong nighttime illumination.
PARKTRONIC parking assistance system.

Pricing and Variants

The CL500 had a U.S. base price of $85,500 before options; contemporary road-test pricing could be higher once taxes and equipment were included. The principal 2000 CL-Class alternatives were the V8 CL500 and the later-arriving V12 CL600, while the performance-focused CL55 AMG sat above them in character and cost. Its closest rivals were exclusive luxury coupes rather than ordinary compact cars, including the BMW 8 Series, Lexus SC 400 and Cadillac Eldorado.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Elegant pillarless coupe design that still looks distinctive.
Smooth, strong and generally robust naturally aspirated V8.
Excellent high-speed comfort and refinement.
Active Body Control delivers unusually flat, confident handling.
High level of standard safety and luxury equipment for its era.

Cons

Premium-fuel consumption is high.
Active Body Control repairs can be very expensive.
Ageing electronics and convenience features require careful inspection.
Rear-seat space is limited for a car of this length.
Parts, tyres and specialist labour remain costly despite low used prices.

Maintenance and Common Issues

A current model-wide RepairPal estimate places average annual repair and maintenance costs for the Mercedes-Benz CL500 at about $995, but a 2000 example can cost considerably more depending on condition, mileage and deferred work. The five most frequently reported areas to inspect are Active Body Control hydraulic-fluid leaks; worn or faulty ABC struts, valves, pumps or sensors; cooling-system leaks; engine-management faults involving crankshaft or camshaft sensors and airflow sensors; and window-switch, regulator or other electrical faults. A pre-purchase inspection by a Mercedes-Benz specialist, including an ABC diagnostic check and service-history review, is essential.

Rating

Overall rating: 8.0/10. Design: 9/10. Comfort: 9/10. Performance: 8/10. Technology: 8/10 for its period. Safety: 8/10. The CL500 earns its score through elegance, engineering and effortless performance, but ownership risk prevents it from being an easy recommendation.

User Reviews and Feedback

Owner feedback commonly praises the CL500 as a special long-distance coupe with a much stronger sense of occasion than its used value suggests. The same feedback consistently stresses that purchase price is only the beginning: well-documented maintenance matters far more than low mileage alone.

Owners value the V8’s smoothness, quiet cruising ability and strong passing power.
The pillarless styling and cabin ambience are widely regarded as standout qualities.
Active Body Control is praised when working properly for its exceptional ride-and-handling balance.
Many owners advise budgeting for specialist servicing and unexpected electronic repairs.
Cars with complete records and a healthy ABC system are regarded as far more desirable than cheaper neglected examples.

Best Cars in This Category

2000 BMW 840Ci
2000 Lexus SC 400
2000 Cadillac Eldorado
2000 Jaguar XK8
2000 Mercedes-Benz CL600

Summary

The 2000 Mercedes-Benz CL500 is best suited to an enthusiast who wants a distinctive V8 luxury coupe, understands older flagship-car maintenance and can choose condition over bargain pricing. It remains highly appealing for its timeless design, serene cabin and innovative suspension, but it is a rewarding specialist purchase rather than a low-cost daily driver.