abhayms

Hello experts out there.... need your help and suggestions...

i am in the market to buy a benz and i am currently confused with the following two options:

1) 2002 CLK 430 convertible. 115k Miles on it. Has the 19" AMG wheels.
- Has the warning symbol saying B service pending for last 20K miles
- Had a damage reported for a small tear in the bumper.
- Cost 8500$

2) 2003 C240 4D Sedan. 94K Miles on it.
- Has the warning symbol saying B service pending for last 34K miles.
- Had a damage reported on front left corner. (But now i dont see even a
scratch there.
- Strange part is the Trunk emblem says "CLK 240
and not C240. Lady owner says she has no Clue of it
- Its a One Owner Lady driven Car
- Cost 8000$

Both the vehicles drive good and feels good. No extra vibrations or engine noise. I have checked the CARFAX report for both and both are CLEAN TITLE.

I am really confused, which one to go for

glocati

Two completely different cars.. Both seem to be comparable in approx mileage, small accidents (betting the trunk on the C240 has been repsprayed and re-badged incorrectly at that time), and possible maintenance neglect.

All that being said.. Do you want a 2 door convert with some power under the hood or a slow sedan? My C240 has been rock solid reliable and although not great, will get better MPG than the CLK.

Boils down to your personal preference.

speed7

Both sound iffy to me. Whats funny if you google for 2 seconds you can figure out how to reset the service message. So at least they aren't being shady.. But I do think they are seriously neglected cars. That's why I'd steer clear.

speed7

Oh and my buddy had a 2001 CLK430.. engine is great.. the soft top wasn't.. so that is something to think about if maintenance is a concern.

My buddy is even a mechanic and I told him about my interest in a CLK55 or CLK63 convertible.. all he said was stay away unless I had lots of money to fix it.

kirax2

$8000 for a 11 years old benz that got into accidents?!?!?!? : smash:

man i should've sold you my benz for $7000 with authentic Germany Brabus body kit and Porsche stage 2 track suspension and garage kept one owner perfectly maintain with that designo exterior color


and no i didn't they want way too much for a 2002 or 2003

Akhafeez

i agree if you're gonna spend the money why not spend alittle more money to get a certified one that you KNOW is good

abhayms

kirax2...i though i was getting a good deal here....considering the KBB values...
is paying 8k too high?

kirax2

you do have to understand when a car has over 100k miles, lot of minor things will begin to go bad, sure engines now days are pretty reliable but not the rest of the car, if the seller didn't do any service for the past 20k miles it seems like he doesn't really give a crap about the car anymore. whenever a car involve into an accident you have to know bumper absorb the impact, so whatever inside the bumper might be damaged. you wouldn't able to notice because bumper might pop back out, but what's happening inside is what really matter. if you have really good feeling for either of these car go for it, doesn't hurt to bring the car to a shop and pay them $50 to get it check


I know a guy who recently bought a used 10 years old one owner C230 coupe from another forum member with about 90k miles, 2 weeks later something call EIS failed and that part alone cost $1500 to replace

speed7

Plus KBB doesn't mean crapola to Mercs.. especially AMG's.. Do a bit more research.. you'll get yourself a nice one.. don't be impatient if you can. Personally I suggest you buy something no older than 2004. And with around 50k miles on it.

And if you have 8k just to drop.. get a BRZ or whatever that toyota / subaru thing.. FRS? Its a cheeeep car and you get great apr's with a new ride. Not to deter you from a Merc but you need to do a lot more research first.

abhayms

Thanks for the encouraging words Speed7...i will continue my hunt...

well the CLK that i was looking for was:
http://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/cto/3713570188.html

and the c240 was:
http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/cto/3711844963.html

speed7

Not sure on mileage but I did love the interior of my C36.. this is the same except with a V8.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/ctd/3718618227.html

Never mind. Found another listing staying 143k miles

http://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/ctd/3709800667.html

speed7

And this one looks promising.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/3701923268.html

Drummajorc

Here's a nice looking clk, price is a little higher but miles are a lot lower, and it looks to be in good shape, you could for sure talk them down a bit too. Also a coupe, so no convertible issues to worry about.

http://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/cto/3700727307.html

If you can find a good one, I'd highly reccomend a late model w208 (clk) over an early w203 (c class). My mom has a 2002 clk 320 which is approaching 100k miles and it has been rock solid, only regular maintenance items and a brake light switch.