Just driven a CLK500 and CLK55

[trainer]

Peter, the question to ask yourself is whether you are buying the car for you or other people. At the end of the day the fact that the AMG is older makes no difference if it is the better car to drive, sounds better and is more fun.

Whose to say that shape isn't a future classic. I have just bought an 02 C32 and there may have been facelift in 04 and the complete change in 07 but who cares. The car is brilliant.

Go for the AMG

Trainer

 

[st4]

I wouldn't go for the 500 you've viewed, its not in good nick. The AMG here is and that alone makes it a better buy. As Olly said, early 209's had their problems, this is a late 208 so most (if not all the problems) were ironed out. Its probably a more reliable car, and if you prefered driving it then its the car for you.

In a few years 209 63's will be cheap, but you need a good car in budget and the 500 with its problems wasn't really that great, but this 208 looks like a nice example so go for it.

 

[gbjeppm]

Well I love the 208, and would go for the AMG.

 

[jaymanek]

W208 looks lovely, put a sensible bid into him.. 9 or if you dont want to risk then 9.5 and see what he says.

Personally I would say 9 to him and leave it a day or two.

 

[Dryce]

I am certainly erring towards the 55, the 'unloved' state of the 500 worries me a bit.

The 55 looks like it's something special. The 500 looks mundane.

The state of the 500 would put me off on the basis that not just unloved but the front wheel bearings maybe indicate some regular lack of love on a bad bit of road. If you really prefer the 500 I'd hold out for a different one.

But my vote goes with the 55. A few years down the line it will still look like something special.

 

[AMGeed]

Another vote for the 55. Looks better all round and the lack of care with the 500 would worry me for future work.
The 55 also has the pull of that AMG badge as well

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

A detailing session - DIY or Pro - will bring the shine back to the W209 CLK500to the point that it would be acceptable for the average owner.

I get the feeling though Pete that you're looking for a bit more than that - as would I - and so the CLK55 looks to me like it would be the better choice for you IMHO.

 

[andy_k]

never really liked the CLK but the 55 engine makes any body shape worthwhile

 

[MUGGY]

For me this is a no brainer. The running costs aren't going to be that different and the 55 is so much more desireable.

 

[Brett]

For me this is a no brainer. The running costs aren't going to be that different and the 55 is so much more desireable.

Agreed - I found the running costs of my W209 AMG pretty reasonable. Apart from a set of front disks and pads, I didn't need to spend anything else on maintenance over the period of 15k miles that I owned the car. That set me back around £400 from memory. I did have an issue with the convertible roof, but that was not specific to the AMG.

 

[peterg1965]

I just went back to the CLK55 seller and offered £9300, saying that I really liked the car but I thought it overpriced. He gave me loads and loads of sales patter....best one around.....was up for £12K until recently.....worth every penny at £10K...... other interested parties (but no one offering him CASH) ..... it would be at least £11K in a glass fronted showroom...blah blah blah blah........

Anyway, I said I also have options, I did tell him about the CLK500 deal, he acknowledged that at least. End result, he came down to £9700. We agreed that we would talk again tomorrow when this part ex deal with a Porsche owner may or may not be on the table. I would have thought that a cash deal is preferable to someone like him to help cashflow.

So, down to £9700 and I suspect £9500 is acheivable.

 

[Joe_SP]

I hope you get it, looks a great car!

 

[robert.saunders]

55 looks sweet; you need to be sticking with your guns and head lower than £9700

 

[Will]

Hi Peter,

The more and more we here about that CLK500, the more and more I would run from it.

Has all the typical signs of an unloved car - leftover faults, hidden advisories, tatty wheels, very poor paintwork for a newish high-spec MB, etc. Fair enough if it was a very cheap runaround car (£1-2k max) that people deemed not worth spending out on, but I would say it hasn't had an easy life and perhaps might not make the nicest buy in your price range

Back to this CLK55 - it's a great looking example. Has almost everything going for it - nice late model, sensible mileage, great spec, good colour combo etc.

I think your offer is already very fair - in fact I'd say it could be thought of as quite a good offer as far as the seller is concerned, similar cars priced cheaper aren't exactly 'flying out the door' so to speak.

If you do decide to go for it, check the body over very, very, very thoroughly for rust and previous paintwork. It will almost certainly have some very slight rust appearing in the common places, and if not will probably have had some form of corrective paintwork by now.

Not a deal breaker, but slight blisters that you might miss on a first glance can soon escalate to a state where you'd need to get them sorted. If it's had paintwork, you want to be sure that it was a quality repair

Other than that - good luck with the deal and I hope that you will be posting soon with some very nice pics of it sat on your driveway - I'm envious

Will

 

[Brett]

So, down to £9700 and I suspect £9500 is acheivable.

Agreed - £9,500 cash should be a far better option than a Porsche trade-in. Stick to your guns!

 

[buccal]

Is that £9500 and the oil-change?

 

[wemorgan]

We agreed that he would have an oil change done if I bought it.

Is that a MB official stamped service or just him changing the oil?

 

[buccal]

Is that a MB official stamped service or just him changing the oil?

We are a hard bunch to please

 

[peterg1965]

Is that a MB official stamped service or just him changing the oil?

It would have been an 'unrecorded' oil and filter change using MB approved oil. I suspect that will not be part of any new deal! I also asked him about a warranty, there would be nothing official, but I do, of course, retain my legal statutory rights if it all goes pear shaped immediately after I buy it.

I will be down in Portsmouth in the next few weeks, I would probably call into Olly at PCS to get him to check it over. I may get him to change the oil and filter then, although the computer was saying another 10000 before an A service required. I am also minded to maintain the MB service history, for Mobilo and the rust warranty, although I will get brakes etc done by a specialist.

 

[peterg1965]

We are a hard bunch to please

Noted, but I do appreciate the critical thoughts and views of you people!