Cheap CLK55. Too cheap?

[Will]

Thanks for all the answers. Not going to go look at it as seems it could be a lemon. I'll keep an eye out for some better ones!

I have to say, having looked at the pics properly on my laptop now I think that's wise

The eBay car has rust/scratches/chips on almost every panel, half the front bumper missing and they can't even be bothered to replace the bonnet star before sale - what kind of approach have they likely took with the other aspects of the car..?

With many of these sorts of cars, unless there's a good reason you're best off buying the best example that you can afford, as they will be nicer cars to own and probably cost you less in the long run

 

[stereophoney]

I have to say, having looked at the pics properly on my laptop now I think that's wise

The eBay car has rust/scratches/chips on almost every panel, half the front bumper missing and they can't even be bothered to replace the bonnet star before sale - what kind of approach have they likely took with the other aspects of the car..?

With many of these sorts of cars, unless there's a good reason you're best off buying the best example that you can afford, as they will be nicer cars to own and probably cost you less in the long run

When something is £1k cheaper than normal and it's a trader, there must be something wrong. The one on ebay looks terrible and i wouldn't dream of it, even at that price. Don't mind mileage to a point as long as it's well serviced. Had a Jag XJ40 which had 123k on the clock but a whole folder full of history and drove superbly. I'm i no hurry, so happy to wait for a better one!

 

[Will]

I agree - always buy on condition

The eBay one doesn't have particularly high mileage, but clearly needs a lot spending on it.

There are some really nice ones out there but be prepared to pay about double what these ones are up for it, they are easily worth the extra!

Mine has around 75k on it now, but body/interior/mechanicals are in good condition. Regardless of how clean they look you could end up spending a couple of £k sorting out a tatty one if it needs work. Best to check the history and get it inspected if you're not familiar with the model

 

[Deleted member 37751]

I'm going to go against the grain here and say that the CLK55 in the OP's first post isn't that bad.

If *if* it needs work, there doesn't look like too much needs doing, so if you got it for £2,500 then you would have a good base to work from.

The danger with paying top money for an oldish AMG is that it will need some work doing, so it's sometimes better to start with a blank canvas and a wedge of cash in your back pocket than blow all of your dough on a supposed 'minter'.

Go and have a look at it before I do!

 

[nick mercedes]

Go and have a look at it before I do!

Your next AMG.

Cheap car.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Your next AMG.

Cheap car.

I'll give them a bell tomorrow, if the OP isn't interested in it.

 

[Will]

I'm going to go against the grain here and say that the CLK55 in the OP's first post isn't that bad.

If *if* it needs work, there doesn't look like too much needs doing, so if you got it for £2,500 then you would have a good base to work from.

The danger with paying top money for an oldish AMG is that it will need some work doing, so it's sometimes better to start with a blank canvas and a wedge of cash in your back pocket than blow all of your dough on a supposed 'minter'.

Go and have a look at it before I do!

Fair comments

I was mainly looking at the eBay car (with a very fitting registration plate 'WOE')

If the other one is fairly straight (eg not badly repaired/rusty etc) and mechanically it checks out, it could be a cheap example for someone on a budget I guess. Needs some original wheels though I guess you could sell the C36/43 wheels back on to cover the cost.

Still have to be careful though as even though it's a £2.5/3k CLK55 the cost of servicing/repairs/bodywork/electrical issues can quickly add up. I spent about £2k on mine when I first bought it to get it up to scratch and that was a good car to begin with that had full MB history and relatively low mileage.

Depends on your standards I guess - Has to be one of (the?) quickest MBs you can buy for the money

 

[stereophoney]

Fair comments

I was mainly looking at the eBay car (with a very fitting registration plate 'WOE')

If the other one is fairly straight (eg not badly repaired/rusty etc) and mechanically it checks out, it could be a cheap example for someone on a budget I guess. Needs some original wheels though I guess you could sell the C36/43 wheels back on to cover the cost.

Still have to be careful though as even though it's a £2.5/3k CLK55 the cost of servicing/repairs/bodywork/electrical issues can quickly add up. I spent about £2k on mine when I first bought it to get it up to scratch and that was a good car to begin with that had full MB history and relatively low mileage.

Depends on your standards I guess - Has to be one of (the?) quickest MBs you can buy for the money

All good points, and thats for clarifying that the wheels weren't correct. Also, has it got blacked out windows? They'd have to go too! I'm not going to go for it, though may change my mind if i've got nothing to do on Saturday!

 

[Will]

Window tints, roof aerial and the wheels are all non-original. But at least it's got a complete front bumper on it!

Roof antenna comes with models with satnav (COMAND) and looks different to that. Original glass has light blue tint (Avantgarde)
The wheels are same general dimensions (17x7.5J front, 8.5J rear) but the offset is very slightly different and the CLK AMG wheels weigh about 2kg less each!

Some old-ish pics of mine here - that's what the normal glass, antenna and wheels look like (although I have since had mine refurbished with the OE diamond cut lips now )

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/members-gallery/75224-my-2001-clk55-amg.html

 

[KillerHERTZ]

The ariel in the OPs link is a fake eBay jobby

 

[stereophoney]

Window tints, roof aerial and the wheels are all non-original. But at least it's got a complete front bumper on it!

Roof antenna comes with models with satnav (COMAND) and looks different to that. Original glass has light blue tint (Avantgarde)
The wheels are same general dimensions (17x7.5J front, 8.5J rear) but the offset is very slightly different and the CLK AMG wheels weigh about 2kg less each!

Some old-ish pics of mine here - that's what the normal glass, antenna and wheels look like (although I have since had mine refurbished with the OE diamond cut lips now )

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/members-gallery/75224-my-2001-clk55-amg.html

Thanks, your car looks great, the wheels suit the car a lot better. I'll use your pictures as a reference point for any i see in the future.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

I spent about £2k on mine when I first bought it to get it up to scratch and that was a good car to begin with that had full MB history and relatively low mileage.

And that's my point, it doesn't matter how much the car costs to purchase, they all need at least a bit of money spending on them so I think it's 'safer' to start cheaper and go through the car front to back; engine, electrics etc etc

 

[Will]

And that's my point, it doesn't matter how much the car costs to purchase, they all need at least a bit of money spending on them so I think it's 'safer' to start cheaper and go through the car front to back; engine, electrics etc etc

Yep - and that's my point

On a 70k miler with full MBSH and a long MOT, I spent around £2k to bring a 'good' car up to 'excellent' (as it should be) condition. And that's with me doing mechanical work myself and being wise where I spent money.

I would have spent £3-4k on a less tidy car with more mileage/issues and ended up with a lesser car

Mine had just had new discs/pads, a full service with new plugs/fuel/air filters, ball joints etc.

No point buying a £2.5k car and spending £3-4k if you've still got a tired 125k miler at the end of the day.

I'm no stranger to projects/DIY/improving/restoring cars, but I do know what is and isn't financially sensible when it comes to specialist cars

 

[martyz]

Would have no problem with 125k,just run in and ready to go.

 

[grumpyoldgit]

Have you seen this one?

Mercedes-Benz CLK 55 2dr Tip Auto Amg Coupe 5.4 2000

 

[Deleted member 37751]

I'm no stranger to projects/DIY/improving/restoring cars, but I do know what is and isn't financially sensible when it comes to specialist cars

Ditto

I think we will have to agree to disagree on this one.

 

[Will]

Ditto

I think we will have to agree to disagree on this one.

Yep - fair enough

I'm not saying that you're wrong (don't think you are either) - it just depends on what you want out of it.

I guess the point I'm trying to ram home is - you can't polish a turd and the old adage 'there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes' does have some truth in it

If you just want a CLK55 as cheap as possible and don't mind it always being a bit tatty then go for it. If you like your cars as clean and tidy as possible then you need to pay a bit more for a good one - same as many things in life I guess

 

[Will]

Have you seen this one?

Mercedes-Benz CLK 55 2dr Tip Auto Amg Coupe 5.4 2000

That looks a pretty good car - nothing obviously wrong, nice spec, sensible miles and well priced

The black Nappa leather ages far better than the two-tone interior as well - steering wheel in particular etc

Worth a look

 

[Igurisu]

Have you seen this one?

Mercedes-Benz CLK 55 2dr Tip Auto Amg Coupe 5.4 2000

Thats a very well specced motor, worth having the plate as well.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

I guess the point I'm trying to ram home is - you can't polish a turd and the old adage 'there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes' does have some truth in it

Couldn't agree more, but as long as you go in with your eyes open, that's the main thing.

I'll be contacting the seller about the '55 in the op, so we will see what condition it's in.

Having looked at their other stock, it just looks as though they simply sell cars (relatively) cheap and there isn't too much call for big, old V8 monsters so they're just looking to sell the car at a reasonable price.

Just because something is cheap, doesn't mean it's rubbish and just because something is expensive, doesn't mean it'll be great.

I'll report back when I know more about the car.