new guy - clk buying advice

[scruffy]

Hi guys

thanks in advance for looking/advice

currently have a 98 c180 estate, lowered, AMG's etc

fancy a 230k or 320 clk as late as possible before the new model (prefer old shape) any buying, running tips greatly appreciated.

cheers

 

[uumode]

It's handy to have full MBSH so you have Mobilolife and it's benefits, particulary the 30 year anti corrosion warranty... check for rust.
and maybe the condition of the harmonic /camshaft balancer on the V6s
http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforum/showthread.php3?threadid=63512&perpage=15&pagenumber=6
my car had it's replaced under warranty.

If you are buying from the MB, make sure it's got 60k or less as you then get the fully comprehensive MB approved warranty, which is basically all parts covered with a small exclusion list so almost like a new car warranty. If it's over 60k then the warranty offered covers only LISTED 'major mechanical' gearbox, steering etc - if it's not on the list, it's not covered, e.g. electric seats and windows.

 

[richarp]

Just bought a CLK320 this month (99 V) with 25K on the clock.
Very pleased with the car its looks and its performance but glad I bought it with a warranty.
Seller (Large Showroom) told me everything worked and they had had the electrics and controls checked out.
After a couple of days realised (1) The CD changer didn't work (Cost the seller £400 for a new radio unit from MB. (2) The air conditioning didn't work until I had been driving for 20 minutes. The seller had it back to MB who couldn't find a fault (guess what, it took the seller 30 minutes to get it to MB at which time it was working.
After talking to an air conditioning engineer at work here is the reason:-
'MOISTURE IN THE SYSTEM' was freezing and causing ice in the pipework and therefore blocking it. After approximately 15 - 20 minutes the temperature of the car/engine and everything else was raised to a point where the ice would melt and hey presto, the air conditioning worked. Going back to the seller/MB for the system degassing, evacuating and recharging UNDER WARRANTY.
WHATEVER YOU DO GET A WARRANTY AND TEST EVERYTHING.
Regards Pat.

 

[uumode]

WHATEVER YOU DO GET A WARRANTY AND TEST EVERYTHING.
Regards Pat.

because cars are so complex these days, more items can go wrong.
and it's rarely the 'major mechanicals' (which most warranties cover) that go wrong.

 

[scruffy]

thanks for the tips, best one seen so far is a private sale 01 (51 plate) 320 avante garde with all the top electrics and mb phone kit which is a result (could do with AMG's though). For info, RAC will pre inspect, HPI and give a 3 month warranty, 100 quidish for most cars but hey presto mercs are prestige so thats £270 to you guv and serves you right for wanting a posh car.
18250 is the best price so far, does that sound reasonable? (58k miles but v clean)

 

[frog1520]

thanks for the tips, best one seen so far is a private sale 01 (51 plate) 320 avante garde with all the top electrics and mb phone kit which is a result (could do with AMG's though). For info, RAC will pre inspect, HPI and give a 3 month warranty, 100 quidish for most cars but hey presto mercs are prestige so thats £270 to you guv and serves you right for wanting a posh car.
18250 is the best price so far, does that sound reasonable? (58k miles but v clean)

I had an RAC report done recently on a W140 - as you say 270 quid! Not cheap, but the list of things they go over is quite impressive, even pointing out scratches I'd never notice in a million years.... Well worth the brass I say!

The RAC's checklist seemed much more comprehensive than the AA's, which is why I chose them!

Good luck!

 

[uumode]

You better check the small print on the RAC warranty as I read on Google groups that they only pay XX amount hourly rate which forces you to use the backstreet garages for warranty repairs. As you cannot claim the expensive hourly rate of main dealers.

The AA do allow and actually prefer you to use a main dealer, but the component most COMPLETELY fail. e.g. if the suspension makes a horrible noise but the car moves, it hasn't failed, and most of the small print on third party warranties is complete failure of a component. Others a very low claim limits, or exclude wear and tear.

In my research the best level of cover is MB's own approved used for cars under 60k, then it's Warranty Direct PLATINUM level of cover
http://warrantydirect.co.uk/quote_page1.html

Protection against the cost of parts and labour following a mechanical or electrical failure, cover against failure of a part or a part that is about to fail causing even greater damage including those parts that have failed due to wear and tear.

Claim limit = Value of Car
Excess = £15


Best policies are those which state ALL components are included with a small exclusion list, rather than those policies which have a restrictive list of INCLUDED components imho