Sell or keep - 2006 CLK500

greggster · 08-07-2010, 03:54 PM

I have a friend with a CLK500 - we have been talking sell or keep..
2006 CLK500, 40k miles, AMG rims and exhaust tips, clean and everything works well. Bought new at the dealer in 2006. He loves Benz's, so thats his preferred vehicle..

So given the car is paid off, looked at Edmunds today at private party is 21.8k - most of the depreciation has been absorbed already. Ouch.

The car is not driven much starting a year ago, sometimes it sits the entire week. All work is done at a shop/dealer..

Question is: long run - say next 4 years - will this be reasonable to keep say driving 5k per year, or will age/maintenance/repairs offset the savings of no car payment? Is maintenance armageddon lying ahead? All maint has been done at the dealer per schedule..

Or just sell it, and head to the Honda dealer

, plop down the cash on a newish/CPO car?

Based on just this info, what do folks recommend?

Thanks
Gregg

To remove this ad, register today or login if you already are registered!

bheng · 08-08-2010, 03:27 AM

well i would keep it as a nice sunday car. you can always do the work yourself as you should probably change the oil every year or so. nothing wrong with having the car sit. however, you have to see if its worth keeping the car in the long run.

well bottom line, its up to you. if your friend can keep this car and get another car. i say go that route if your funds allow you too. nothing wrong with keeping a nice benz around for sunday driving.

dynomite05 · 08-08-2010, 07:27 AM

Your probably going to get a few bias answers considering this is a Benz forum...lol.. I say keep it. With the amount of miles he has and the amount he will be putting on a year he shouldn't have too many problems.

archony · 08-08-2010, 11:16 AM

The CLK is not a very complicated car and if he drives it only a few thousand miles a year the maintenance cost will be well below the cost of making payments.

Another five years from now there may be a number of parts that need to be replaced and then it is a matter of inconvenience of having to go back to the dealer too often and the love may fade. He might as well keep it until he wants to trade it in for a newer model.

The idea of trading in a CLK500 for a used Honda is just tragic.

Mka77 · 08-08-2010, 11:17 AM

I'd keep it. There is nothing like having something in the garage that is always clean, catches the eye of most, and bought and paid for. Although I have two MB's we drive daily, We also have a garage queen in the garage bought and paid for. An 06 with less than 13k. Mike

dynomite05 · 08-08-2010, 11:18 AM

You have to find a reputable Indie shop to do your work. Anyone will get frustrated having to always deal with the dealership.

Mka77 · 08-08-2010, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dynomite05

You have to find a reputable Indie shop to do your work. Anyone will get frustrated having to always deal with the dealership.

Agreed. There are some really good ones out there that can save you a bundle. Search in your area for a local MB club or section. There are some good connected people at these things that know who is respected in the MB community.

M-bENZ · 08-08-2010, 02:20 PM

Keep it.

Andy

greggster · 08-09-2010, 04:23 AM

Thanks for the advice everyone!! Will relay to my friend..

dsk350 · 08-09-2010, 05:14 PM

I'm struggling with the same question. I just bought two new cars this year, and gave the CLK to my gf, but we're debating on keeping it for pretty much the same reasons. In Hawai'i, everything is more expensive because of the shipping, so I'm just praying nothing goes wrong with the car; if it's something major, I can always sell it I guess.

What car are you looking into getting? Are you really wanting to replace your CLK with a Honda? I'd keep it around in case you need to go someplace where you'd rather drive the Benz. IMO. Good luck with the decision, not an easy one.

pinoytm · 08-10-2010, 06:57 AM

send it to me... lol

08-08-2010, 03:27 AM	#2
bheng MBWorld Fanatic! Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: SF Posts: 1,904 Drives: 2003 CLK 320	well i would keep it as a nice sunday car. you can always do the work yourself as you should probably change the oil every year or so. nothing wrong with having the car sit. however, you have to see if its worth keeping the car in the long run. well bottom line, its up to you. if your friend can keep this car and get another car. i say go that route if your funds allow you too. nothing wrong with keeping a nice benz around for sunday driving. __________________ Current Mods: Audio/ICE: Pioneer Avic Z110bt/JL Audio C2 Components/JL Audio C2 Coaxials/ JL Audio 12w6 Subwoofer/ 12in Ported Box/ Alpine MRP M500/ Alpine MRP F300 Exterior:35% tint/ Brabus VI style wheels/ fishcake's bixenon/ Black 3 Slat Grille Interior: Hardwire Valentine V1/Air Spencer CX3 (currently citrus scent)/Brabus Shift Knob good luck charm Suspension: Vogtland Springs/Koni Adjustable Yellow Srut/Shock combo/C32 AMG brakes, Stoptech SS Brake Lines

08-08-2010, 07:27 AM	#3
dynomite05 Out Of Control!! 2004 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class My Garage Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Jerzy Posts: 10,263 Drives: 04 CLK 320 > CLK32K	Your probably going to get a few bias answers considering this is a Benz forum...lol.. I say keep it. With the amount of miles he has and the amount he will be putting on a year he shouldn't have too many problems. __________________ Project CLK32K List Of Mods & Pics True Dual Cold Start Sound Clip

08-08-2010, 11:17 AM	#5
Mka77 MBWorld Fanatic! 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,315 Drives: 06 CLK350 -SOLD! 2010 Cadillac SRX Premium Turbo	I'd keep it. There is nothing like having something in the garage that is always clean, catches the eye of most, and bought and paid for. Although I have two MB's we drive daily, We also have a garage queen in the garage bought and paid for. An 06 with less than 13k. Mike Attached Thumbnails

08-08-2010, 11:18 AM	#6
dynomite05 Out Of Control!! 2004 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class My Garage Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Jerzy Posts: 10,263 Drives: 04 CLK 320 > CLK32K	You have to find a reputable Indie shop to do your work. Anyone will get frustrated having to always deal with the dealership. __________________ Project CLK32K List Of Mods & Pics True Dual Cold Start Sound Clip

08-08-2010, 02:20 PM	#8
M-bENZ MBWorld Fanatic! Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 7,093 Drives: 04 CLK 320 (Gone) , 01 GS 300 "Plat. Series", 05 CLK500 & 89 EF-Si	Keep it. Andy __________________ Andy

08-08-2010, 11:16 AM	#4
archony Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 151 Drives: 06 CLK 350 cabrio	The CLK is not a very complicated car and if he drives it only a few thousand miles a year the maintenance cost will be well below the cost of making payments. Another five years from now there may be a number of parts that need to be replaced and then it is a matter of inconvenience of having to go back to the dealer too often and the love may fade. He might as well keep it until he wants to trade it in for a newer model. The idea of trading in a CLK500 for a used Honda is just tragic.

08-09-2010, 04:23 AM	#9
greggster Newbie Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: South SF, Ca Posts: 4 Drives: 1997 E320, 186k miles	Thanks for the advice everyone!! Will relay to my friend..

08-09-2010, 05:14 PM	#10
dsk350 Junior Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Kaneohe, HI Posts: 30 Drives: 2006 CLK350	I'm struggling with the same question. I just bought two new cars this year, and gave the CLK to my gf, but we're debating on keeping it for pretty much the same reasons. In Hawai'i, everything is more expensive because of the shipping, so I'm just praying nothing goes wrong with the car; if it's something major, I can always sell it I guess. What car are you looking into getting? Are you really wanting to replace your CLK with a Honda? I'd keep it around in case you need to go someplace where you'd rather drive the Benz. IMO. Good luck with the decision, not an easy one. __________________ 2002 Acura RSX (totalled) 2004 BMW 330ci (sold) 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLK 350 (gave to gf) 2010 Land Rover Range Rover HSE Supercharged 2010 BMW 650i ________________________ 1985.honolulu.hawaii A“Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.”<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>

08-10-2010, 06:57 AM	#11
pinoytm Senior Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: NorCal Posts: 256 Drives: -=[CLK 500 2006]=- -=[Dodge Ram 2001]=- -=[Kawasaki Ninja 636 2005]=-	send it to me... lol __________________

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes	Rate This Thread
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode	Rate This Thread: