3,300-Mile Mercedes-AMG CL65 V12 Just Sold for Over $303,303

Remember when Mercedes-AMG laughed in the face of downsizing? The 2005 CL65 AMG you see here is one of the great examples of AMG’s loudest, craziest era. Its V12 engine’s monumental torque is fed to the rear wheels exclusively, so it’s a handful off the mark. And, now that Mercedes has discontinued the CL and subsequent S-Class Coupe, these cars—and especially AMG versions—are becoming more valuable. Even so, nobody could have been prepared for the shocking selling price of this particular CL65.

A New CL Record?

It’s possible that this is the most expensive CL ever sold. A few days ago, this 3,300-mile example was sold for a staggering $303,303 on Bring A Trailer. The next most-expensive CL ever sold on the auction site was a 2011 CL 550, which went for $80,999 in 2023.

According to Kelley Blue Book, the 2005 Mercedes CL65 had an original MSRP of $178,220, and the fair purchase price (representing what consumers are actually paying for 2005 CL 65s) is way down at only $12,000. This example had a total retail price of $182,280, which included optional Keyless Go. These figures put into perspective the gravity of this sale.

This particular CL65 is finished in Alabaster White paint over Java leather upholstery with Chestnut wood trim. It was ordered new by Michael Flux, a car collector and philanthropist, and he clearly spent very little time behind the wheel.

Being the flagship Mercedes coupe of the time, the CL65 comes with absolutely everything. The list includes soft-closing doors, heated/ventilated front seats, a Bose sound system, a power rear sunshade, and Merc’s older DVD Comand navigation system. This CL had much in common with the W220 S-Class. Unfortunately, that includes sub-par build quality by Merc’s lofty standards, although the interior is still plush and comfortable.

An Engine For The Ages

The CL65 is all about its thunderous power plant. This 6.0-liter V12 lump is boosted by twin turbochargers, allowing for outputs of 604 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque. Although Mercedes had a newer seven-speed automatic at the time, it had to use a five-speed auto for the CL65, as only this transmission could handle the coupe’s tremendous torque. It needs a little over four seconds to hit 60, no doubt limited by traction issues off the mark—depressing your right foot to even half-throttle sets the traction control light blinking furiously.

Gas mileage is horrendous. In city driving, the CL 65 manages just 11 mpg, while highway cruising will get you 18 mpg at best. The EPA estimates an average of 13 mpg, and that’s the price to pay for the effortlessness of that V12.

Related: These Are the Last V12 Cars You Can Still Buy New in America

What It Means

Unless you’re willing to splurge on a Maybach S680, you can’t buy a new Mercedes-Benz with a V12. Other top Mercs have resorted to using turbocharged V8s, so there are no longer any new AMG models around with a V12. That makes the CL 65 one of a very special breed of Mercedes-AMGs. 

Although Mercedes says it plans to keep the V12 around into the next decade, that doesn’t necessarily mean we’ll see such an engine in a big, grand touring coupe like the CL again. All of which means that we could see more collectors dropping exotic-car money on these cars in the years ahead.