peterg1965
MB Enthusiast
- Joined
- Dec 22, 2007
- Messages
- 1,144
- Location
- Lancashire
- Car
- 2019 Audi Q7, 2018 Mini Cooper S, 2016 Porsche 718 Boxster S
Drove down to Wolverhampton to look at and drive the 52 plate CLK500 and also drove a 51 plate W208 CLK55 on the way back through Cheshire.
CLK500
The condition of this car was very much as described previously by Bobby D. I turned up and he gave me the keys and I had a really good look around it. The paintwork is just dull and lacking any kind of lustre to it. It is covered in swirl marks, light scratches and it would appear that it just hasn't been cared for, I just wonder if the only care has been a two-monthly trip to the carwash. Various paintchips, as BD described and some chipping down the door edges. Just looking in the door jams and under the bonnet, I don't think these areas have ever been properly cleaned. I tested all the electrics and switches, everything seems to work fine, the electric head rest motor on the drivers side was a little slow but I doubt it has been used much. There are no malfunctions and the engine sounded fine, but I am no engineer. I heard the 'ticking' of the climate control motors which he is having repaired next week. The tyres are all Pirelli P Zeroes, all are OK except the front nearside which is probably nearly illegal (more later).
The seller seems like a decent chap, he bought it via a trader friend, who sold it via sealed bids, he did say he probably paid too much! The car is booked into MB Woverhampton for the climate repair, they have quoted £700 (inc) £200 or so for the parts. (more later). He also gave me a copy of the MOT (Oct 08) which showed advisories, but none attached.
I drove the 500 and it went well. On driving away the parking brakes was very sticky, needing a pull upwards on the foot operated brake to make the warning light go out, he said he would have it looked at. I love the sound, very addictive, it seemed to kickdown fine and the brakes were fine. I managed to get the traction control light illuminated a few times pulling away from wet junctions, at first I though it might have been switched off! Test drive revealed (to me) a basically good car. The interior feels modern although the leather was looking a litle tired. I suspect it could all be bought back to life.
I told him I would not commit to buying today, because I was loking at another CLK, but wouldn't commit anyway until there was assurance that the defects had been sorted. However, we did make a provisional deal. He would have the offside front tyre changed with another Pirelli P zero, and he would have the heater fixed, but not at MB he would also have the footbrake sorted. Price agreed was £8200. On top of that I would have to tax it and get the paint and alloys sorted (£550). Therefore, a very decent, low mileage, FSH CLK500 for £9000. Very tempting!
On returning home, I checked out the MOT advisories, the result:
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)Offside Front Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)
How much would they be to get sorted?
A few pics of the paint to follow
CLK55
I saw this a few ago online, I like the look of it but it struck me as being a bit expensive. He did have it up for £11995 for a while. TRader gotr it from a BMW dealership as a trade in, I reckon he has had it for a few months with only a little bit of interest. The car was at a traders who worked from home. He could talk for Britain and was trying most of the usual sales patter! (which I took with a pinch of salt!). The 55 looks great in Silver with 17" alloys and anthracite leather. It is a very tidy car. The only things I could pick up were a corroding alloy (not kerbed) just lacquer peeled and corrosion aroung 30% of the rim. It was very clean and when he started it up it sounded AWESOME! Even better than the 500! Bodywork is fine, couple of minor stone chips thats all, but could do with a decent wax. The tyres are all in good condition, but are not a make I recognised they were the correct speed rating though. The inside was lovely, the Nappa leather is so much nicer than the standard. Everything worked, although the sunroof seemed a little slow to operate. The nav disc is 06/07 and all looked great. It has Bose sound too, which wasn't on the ad. The test drive was fantastic. What a car, it felt very very quick! My only slight gripe was that driving straight the steering wheel was very slightly out of alignment (by 5 degrees or so - should I be alarmed by this assuming it hasn't been recorded as having an accident?), that would annoy me. The Service History was a duplicate, I checked it out and all seems absolutely fine. Most of the servicing having been done by Teeside MB (same as the 500 - spooky!). Spark Plugs changed at 56000, discs and pads changed at 56000 too, current mileage is 67200.
It seems well maintained, although ther last service was at the end of 2006 and it showed another 10000 to the next A service. We agreed that he would have an oil change done if I bought it. Inside it did feel a little dated compared to the 500 (no surprises) but not in a huge detrimental way, I could live with it happily. The car is ready to drive with virtually no expense required.
The price; £10000 with the service (no further negotiation). It is MOT'd until Nov and taxed until the end of Apr.
So decisions decisions! I think I am no longer considering the CLK430 Cab. It is too far away and I think it would be a definate third choice, despite the price difference.
CLK500
The condition of this car was very much as described previously by Bobby D. I turned up and he gave me the keys and I had a really good look around it. The paintwork is just dull and lacking any kind of lustre to it. It is covered in swirl marks, light scratches and it would appear that it just hasn't been cared for, I just wonder if the only care has been a two-monthly trip to the carwash. Various paintchips, as BD described and some chipping down the door edges. Just looking in the door jams and under the bonnet, I don't think these areas have ever been properly cleaned. I tested all the electrics and switches, everything seems to work fine, the electric head rest motor on the drivers side was a little slow but I doubt it has been used much. There are no malfunctions and the engine sounded fine, but I am no engineer. I heard the 'ticking' of the climate control motors which he is having repaired next week. The tyres are all Pirelli P Zeroes, all are OK except the front nearside which is probably nearly illegal (more later).
The seller seems like a decent chap, he bought it via a trader friend, who sold it via sealed bids, he did say he probably paid too much! The car is booked into MB Woverhampton for the climate repair, they have quoted £700 (inc) £200 or so for the parts. (more later). He also gave me a copy of the MOT (Oct 08) which showed advisories, but none attached.
I drove the 500 and it went well. On driving away the parking brakes was very sticky, needing a pull upwards on the foot operated brake to make the warning light go out, he said he would have it looked at. I love the sound, very addictive, it seemed to kickdown fine and the brakes were fine. I managed to get the traction control light illuminated a few times pulling away from wet junctions, at first I though it might have been switched off! Test drive revealed (to me) a basically good car. The interior feels modern although the leather was looking a litle tired. I suspect it could all be bought back to life.
I told him I would not commit to buying today, because I was loking at another CLK, but wouldn't commit anyway until there was assurance that the defects had been sorted. However, we did make a provisional deal. He would have the offside front tyre changed with another Pirelli P zero, and he would have the heater fixed, but not at MB he would also have the footbrake sorted. Price agreed was £8200. On top of that I would have to tax it and get the paint and alloys sorted (£550). Therefore, a very decent, low mileage, FSH CLK500 for £9000. Very tempting!
On returning home, I checked out the MOT advisories, the result:
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)Offside Front Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)
How much would they be to get sorted?
A few pics of the paint to follow
CLK55
I saw this a few ago online, I like the look of it but it struck me as being a bit expensive. He did have it up for £11995 for a while. TRader gotr it from a BMW dealership as a trade in, I reckon he has had it for a few months with only a little bit of interest. The car was at a traders who worked from home. He could talk for Britain and was trying most of the usual sales patter! (which I took with a pinch of salt!). The 55 looks great in Silver with 17" alloys and anthracite leather. It is a very tidy car. The only things I could pick up were a corroding alloy (not kerbed) just lacquer peeled and corrosion aroung 30% of the rim. It was very clean and when he started it up it sounded AWESOME! Even better than the 500! Bodywork is fine, couple of minor stone chips thats all, but could do with a decent wax. The tyres are all in good condition, but are not a make I recognised they were the correct speed rating though. The inside was lovely, the Nappa leather is so much nicer than the standard. Everything worked, although the sunroof seemed a little slow to operate. The nav disc is 06/07 and all looked great. It has Bose sound too, which wasn't on the ad. The test drive was fantastic. What a car, it felt very very quick! My only slight gripe was that driving straight the steering wheel was very slightly out of alignment (by 5 degrees or so - should I be alarmed by this assuming it hasn't been recorded as having an accident?), that would annoy me. The Service History was a duplicate, I checked it out and all seems absolutely fine. Most of the servicing having been done by Teeside MB (same as the 500 - spooky!). Spark Plugs changed at 56000, discs and pads changed at 56000 too, current mileage is 67200.
It seems well maintained, although ther last service was at the end of 2006 and it showed another 10000 to the next A service. We agreed that he would have an oil change done if I bought it. Inside it did feel a little dated compared to the 500 (no surprises) but not in a huge detrimental way, I could live with it happily. The car is ready to drive with virtually no expense required.
The price; £10000 with the service (no further negotiation). It is MOT'd until Nov and taxed until the end of Apr.
So decisions decisions! I think I am no longer considering the CLK430 Cab. It is too far away and I think it would be a definate third choice, despite the price difference.