Thinking of selling my CLK55 .......

[peterg1965]

OK, I know that criticism will be flung in my direction but I have decided to test the water and try and sell my CLK55 in the very near future. I never get too attached to my cars and I usually get itchy feet after a short while, I also feel slightly sore about the way in which I was treated by MB over the rust issue. My eyes have been wandering for a while and I would love to get a BMW M5 next (V10 engine). I know that is a bit of a step up!

So, I have my ad sorted abd written, and I will try my usual favourites of PH and Ebay. I would be grateful for your comments on the content and format of my ad. Additionally your thoughts on the price would be appreciated. There are a few gaps in the ad service details and MOT dates, which I cannot complete until I get home at the weekend. I have tried to be as honest as possible - is this a virtue? I did get a quote for the rust this week (260+VAT) one option is to wait until that is done next month. I will ad pictures of course.

Mercedes Benz – CLK55 AMG W208 model


2001(51 plate) – Registered 1 Sep 2001


Brilliant Silver Metallic – Black Nappa Leather


70,000 miles with Full Mercedes Benz Service History


Complete with cherished number plate – T3TBL​

A fantastic example of a very affordable and highly desirable performance sports coupe. This is a totally standard car, with no modifications and cost £60,000 new. It is MOT’d and Taxed, recently serviced and ready to drive away. My CLK55 has many factory extras including the highly desirable COMAND satnav, telephone pre-wire and Xenon lights. The car is a 2002 Model Year and was registered 1 September 2001.

Incredibly quick, with hugely impressive performance and yet very easy to drive; the car is in good condition and has been well looked after has a genuine modest mileage and it comes with a cherished registration plate which hides the age of the car nicely.

I have tried to be absolutely honest in this ad, to avoid wasting people’s time; the following is an accurate description of the car.

The car drives very well, has a nicely documented service record with brake discs and pads having been changed within the last 11,000 miles. Gearbox oil was changed at the required interval (36,000) and spark plugs (16 of them) changed at 50,000 miles. I had the car serviced and inspected by Mercedes Benz of the South Lakes within two days of purchasing in February and it received a clean bill of health. It was waxoyled underneath and a rusty exhaust bracket was changed, which were the only comments made by the servicing agent (see service history details below). The service intervals are computed by the car (ASSYST) which is now saying that the next service (an ‘A’ inspection) is due in 8000 miles. This will be an oil change service + brake fluid and some filters. Mercedes Benz MOBILOLIFE is still active on this car; it provides assistance in case of technical breakdowns and problems starting the engine and runs for the duration of the vehicles life (up to 30 years) provided the MB Service History is maintained. Full details are in the service booklet.

Engine/performance

· 5.4 litre hand built AMG V8 developing 347bhp with a 0-62 of 5.4s – electronically limited to 155mph.
· 5 speed automatic Tiptronic gearbox.
· Despite its power and performance, this car can be relatively economical. On a steady motorway run it can easily return 28-31mpg, around town low 20’s. (I have managed 33mpg driving for 40 miles on the motorway like a granny – but this is not recommended in this car!). However, if accelerating hard – which is easy to do, fuel consumption will reflect the performance!

Specifications/features/extras

· COMAND – Cockpit Management and Display system – CD based satnav with 06/07 disc.
· 6CD changer – located in the boot.
· BOSE sound system upgrade.
· Auto wipers.
· Xenon headlights with headlamp wash.
· Electric sunroof.
· Electric memory and heated (two stage) front seats.
· Parktronic – front and rear parking sensors.
· Telephone pre wire + cradle for Nokia 6310i.
· Multi function steering wheel.
· Orthopaedic front seats (air controlled for lumbar and bolster adjustment).
· Climate Control.
· Cruise Control + speedtronic.
· Traction control.
· Full Nappa (soft leather) anthracite leather interior.
· Auxiliary audio input for iPod.
· 17” AMG alloys (standard on CLK55).
· AMG body kit (standard on CLK55).
· 1st aid kit – unopened and in place.
· Reflective warning triangle in place in the boot lid.
· New AMG mats

Service History

· All documentation (2 hardback handbooks + service record book) and leather binder are present. There is one Mercedes key + genuine AMG key ring.
· The service booked is fully stamped with 6 MB main dealer stamps, I also have a service history print out from Mercedes covering the period from first registration, this fully corrobortates the service history and gives additional detail of work carried out.

Date Miles Service/Dealer

1 Sep 01 Delivery Delivered by Mercedes Benz of Stockport
22 May 02 11396 A Service Mercedes Benz Stockport
30 Apr 03 24381 A Service Mercedes Benz of Teesside
3 Jun 04 36378 A Service Mercedes Benz of Teesside
2004 MOT
20 Apr 05 48543 B Service Mercedes Benz of Teesside
2005 MOT
2006 MOT
17 Nov 06 59711 A Service Mercedes Benz of Teesside (oil/fuel filter/air cleaner)
2007 MOT
Nov 08 MOT
4 Feb 09 67247 A Service Mercedes Benz of South Lakes

Alloys and tyres

· The standard 17” 5 spoke ‘AMG I’ alloys are unkerbed. There is, however, some peeling of the lacquer around the high sheen rim flange, particularly on the front rims.
· The tyres all are relatively new, 245/40/17 ZR17 (rear) and 225/45/17 ZR17 (fronts) having at least 5/6mm of tread remaining (8mm is the tread on a new tyre).
· Spare is full size, (225/45/17 ZR) with legal tread.

Bodywork

· The body work is in generally good condition for an 8 year old car. There are some minor stone chip marks on the bonnet and some very minor scratches on the paintwork, which are difficult to see with the silver colour. There are no dents and dings. There is some minor corrosion on the inner lips of the rear wheel arches, this is a common problem with most Mercedes cars of this age. There is one small rust bubble on the driver’s side rear wheel arch where the wing meets the rear bumper. Photographs can be provided. There is a little lacquer peeling (2 cm square) on the rear passenger wing next to the rear screen.

Interior

• The interior is in very good condition. The anthracite Nappa leather is soft and has been treated by myself with Gliptone cleaner and conditioner. The rear seats look as though they have been hardly used.

· There are a few pixels fading in the instrument console display – this is a common problem on this age of car.

General

· The CLK55 is taxed until 31 Oct 2010. Having been registered after 1 Mar 01 and before 23 Mar 06, therefore VED Band is fixed to Band K and a years tax is £215.
· MOT until ** November 2010
· V5 is present and available for prospective buyers to view.
· The CLK55 is HPI clear – no outstanding finance, never been stolen or been an insurance write off. Full details will be provided to genuine potential buyers to enable their own full checks to be conducted. The CLK55 has had two other registration numbers DAG47 and MK51LKC.
· 5 former keepers; I have owned the CLK55 since February 2009 and driven 2900 miles. It has been totally reliable in that time.

I use my car to travel to work weekly so the mileage will increase slightly (80 miles per week roughly). The car is in North Lancashire at weekends and in South Cumbria during the week. Any viewings by genuinely interested buyers are welcome. I am selling as I rarely keep my cars for more than 6 months and due to an imminent upgrade to a BMW E60 M5.

Any additional questions or photographs required please email me, alternatively my phone number is 07720061973

Price £8495

This price, I believe, is realistic and makes my CLK55 one of the least expensive CLK AMGs in the country with a modest mileage.

 

[petermansell]

That's not an advert its a novel







It reads well though

 

[wemorgan]

Hi,
I'm with you on why you're selling your car, as I too do not get attached to any one car and enjoying trying lots of makes and models.

Frist, just a few typos:
corrobortates = corroborates
has been well looked after has a genuine modest mileage
(is missing a comma I believe, so should be)
has been well looked after, has a genuine modest mileage

I would remove the sentence:
However, if accelerating hard – which is easy to do, fuel consumption will reflect the performance!
As it makes out that you regularly thrash the car, which you may do but I wouldn't recommend highlighting this.

The service booked is fully stamped
(should read)
The service book is fully stamped

Personally I would pay for the wheel arches to be repainted then you can remove corresponding sentence in the advert. This is a specialist car, so I think this would be money wisely spend to maximise the potential viewers and its value.

I would remove the number of previous owners in the advertisement. Some people may ask and naturally tell them, but I would not highlight this.

You might want to briefly say why you are selling the car after such a short time.

Ask people to bring along proof of identity and full-comp insurance document if they wish to test drive the car.

Good luck with the sale.

 

[buccal]

nice advert, good luck with the sale Peter

Looking forward to reading about the search for the M5!!

 

[crammy69]

I think you meant to say its taxed until Oct 2009 not 2010?

Not sure on the price, perhaps starting sub 8k might move it in a more reasonable timeframe.

 

[A210AMG]

Shame your selling so soon, but then I used to be like you.

Thing is it soon gets exspensive swapping stuff....

No idea on price but my only advise is loads of pictures especially on P/H inside, out, engine, keys service book etc

Always amazes me when I see cars with two poor pictures.

Good luck

The BMW forum isn't as good but not bad remember the fogs on a BM are fixed on.

 

[jimti]

Is the first aid kit still in date? just a thought. you may want to renew if not.

the advert is pretty comprehensive, and if I was looking for a car, might just have got me calling for an inspection

 

[G-Force]

Great advert for a lovely car...if i could afford an M5 i would also sell it in a minute...
Good luck with the sale
:bannana:

 

[peterg1965]

Thanks for all the comments thus far!

 

[Baron_Samedi]

Almost made me want to buy it!

 

[saorbust]

Great advert - really nicely written. Agree re dropping the no. of users - give someone a reason to call you and talk about the car some more with the owner. You can then engage them and see how real their interest is.

 

[C240Sport97]

I would remove the number of previous owners in the advertisement. Some people may ask and naturally tell them, but I would not highlight this.

Great advert - really nicely written. Agree re dropping the no. of users - give someone a reason to call you and talk about the car some more with the owner. You can then engage them and see how real their interest is.

I think you should leave the number of owners in. It's a very standard question, and not providing it would be inconsistent with the "warts and all" nature of the ad

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

To be fair, people who buy this type of car tend to change in a shorter timescale than your average car buyer and so a higher-than-average number of owners is the norm.

That said if this is the viewers first car of this type it may put them off a bit until they realise that's normal.

 

[Rovinghawk]

Is the new price relevant? It's not a new car. Some folks might find it off-putting.

It reminds me of an ad which stated 'immaculate pre-accident condition'.

Also, if the gearbox oil needed changing at 36000, many will think it needs changing at 72000 and you're nearly there.

RH

 

[peterg1965]

Thank you for all your constructive comments. I have amended my ad and will be taking some pictures tomorrow.

 

[Howard]

You make me smile Peter ...

I remember when you joined you were looking for a nice diesel car ....

Then you bought a CLK55

Now you are looking at a 500 bhp M5

 

[wemorgan]

You make me smile Peter ...

I remember when you joined you were looking for a nice diesel car ....

Then you bought a CLK55

Now you are looking at a 500 bhp M5

then quickly followed by a 700cc Smart car

 

[peterg1965]

You make me smile Peter ...

I remember when you joined you were looking for a nice diesel car ....

Then you bought a CLK55

Now you are looking at a 500 bhp M5

I know, I know....petrolhead at heart!

My priorities have changed a bit over the last 6/7months. I have a short weekly commute and a 'company' car to use during the week. I get bored easily and get the urge to change.... diesel cars have there place but........

On the M5 front, I am waiting for my friend who is a BMW salesman to give me a shout when they get one in. He let me loose in a V8 M3 convertible demo with the new double clutch transmission (DCT) last week. I was very very impressed, the 'box was sublime and the power delivery awesome, much smoother throughout the rev range than the '55. That M3 was the thick end of £60K

 

[robert.saunders]

Since my ride in my mate's E60 M5 I have been smitten so I can empathise; I cannot afford one though - however twin-turbo 535D is next best thing for me

 

[Howard]

Blimey ..... getting hold of a lot of public money Rob ?