Marvellous Mercedes

I thoroughly enjoyed your Cult Hero article on the C216-generation Mercedes-benz CL (23 February).

I moved to Portugal three years ago and, having owned many cars from luxury/sporting marques in the UK, mainly Italian and German with frequent diversions to British, I thought had scratched that particular itch. (I should add that luxury cars incur eye-watering tax in Portugal.) Near to me, however, I found a nonfranchised specialist with everything from Lamborghinis to Ferraris, Range Rovers, Porsches etc. Among the serious exotica was a 2008 CL with 71,460 miles and looking like it had just driven out of the showroom. I duly purchased it, and even an anal petrolhead like myself was staggered at the technology on board, not least the night vision and adjustable air suspension (very useful for parking).

It all worked and still does. It sails through Portugal’s comprehensive MOT test, and the local Mercedes dealer said “never sell this car, they just don’t make them like this any more”. It has retained its value, too; it would cost the ¤38,000 [£31,760] I paid three years ago. And it even returns close to 30mpg on long runs.

Wherever it’s parked, it attracts attention and is often left covered in sticky fingerprints. Oh, and to quote a rather irritating broadcaster, it “gets down the road” very well! Mike Stringer

Algarve, Portugal