so i though i finally found my dream car...
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 33
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From: Saint Petersburg, FL
1998 s320, 1995 e320 cabriolet, 1995 c36, 1988 230ce 5 speed, 2004 CL55 AMG
so i though i finally found my dream car...
I have always wanted c36, 43 or a w208 clk55. The seller wanted 10,500 off the bat. the car has 55k on it, I took it to an indy MB mechanic (european performance St. Pete, FL) Does any body know anything about this shop? Or any honest, good indy MB shops in the Tampa/St.Pete area? This is the description i received from the shop " Rotors shimmy when applying brakes. Vehicle needs rear trans mount. Vehicle pulls to the left and has aftermarket springs on the vehicle. No trans. leaks but vehicle does have oil leaks. Seems to be coming from oil pan and front crank seal. Needs to be cleaned and checked for leaks. key fob inoperable. vehicle has top end noise and possible timing chain - needs further looking at. Vehicle has had paint work on entire vehicle." i gave this to the wife who waited at the shop with me for 3+ hrs thinking that the guy would be more willing to negotiate while looking at the issues.
Would any of you touch this car given the description? If so, how much? Does anyone have an idea what these repairs might cost? I have some serious car buying blue *****. Plus the seller is not willing to go below 10k so i dont think this is happening anyway but i would just like to hear some opinions. i love this site and have lurked for awhile and i am finally in position to buy one of these beasts!!!!!!!!!!! but need to find the right one. thanks for the help, hopefully i will have some pics up soon.
Would any of you touch this car given the description? If so, how much? Does anyone have an idea what these repairs might cost? I have some serious car buying blue *****. Plus the seller is not willing to go below 10k so i dont think this is happening anyway but i would just like to hear some opinions. i love this site and have lurked for awhile and i am finally in position to buy one of these beasts!!!!!!!!!!! but need to find the right one. thanks for the help, hopefully i will have some pics up soon.
Last edited by pfleger81; Mar 29, 2011 at 06:07 PM.
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1967 Morris Cooper "S", 1983 911SC, 1997 Toyota Tacoma, 1999 HD FXSTB, 1998 C43
I would skip this one...
Have to agree with 503 - price is high and you have issues that are going to cost you right out of the chute. I would never own an MB unless you know how to 'turn a wrench' you buy this one it's gonna cost you. Don't get in a hurry to buy one, plenty of these cars out there...
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Saint Petersburg, FL
1998 s320, 1995 e320 cabriolet, 1995 c36, 1988 230ce 5 speed, 2004 CL55 AMG
yeah i was hoping to walk away for 8k with no major issues but the seller swears there is nothing wrong and in that same sentenced he said he has only changed the oil since he has owned it. He is unreasonable about the price and wont listen. i still think i would be paying a little much at 8k (w/no issues) or am i delusional?
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 4,437
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From: PDX
1999 C43, 2008 P30 E63, 2014 SQ5, 2024 Model Y Performance
yeah i was hoping to walk away for 8k with no major issues but the seller swears there is nothing wrong and in that same sentenced he said he has only changed the oil since he has owned it. He is unreasonable about the price and wont listen. i still think i would be paying a little much at 8k (w/no issues) or am i delusional?
Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 173
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From: Seattle
1996 C36 AMG, 1970 LeMans Sport, a truck
I have always wanted c36, 43 or a w208 clk55. The seller wanted 10,500 off the bat. the car has 55k on it, I took it to an indy MB mechanic (european performance St. Pete, FL) Does any body know anything about this shop? Or any honest, good indy MB shops in the Tampa/St.Pete area? This is the description i received from the shop " Rotors shimmy when applying brakes. Vehicle needs rear trans mount. Vehicle pulls to the left and has aftermarket springs on the vehicle. No trans. leaks but vehicle does have oil leaks. Seems to be coming from oil pan and front crank seal. Needs to be cleaned and checked for leaks. key fob inoperable. vehicle has top end noise and possible timing chain - needs further looking at. Vehicle has had paint work on entire vehicle." i gave this to the wife who waited at the shop with me for 3+ hrs thinking that the guy would be more willing to negotiate while looking at the issues.
Would any of you touch this car given the description? If so, how much? Does anyone have an idea what these repairs might cost? I have some serious car buying blue *****. Plus the seller is not willing to go below 10k so i dont think this is happening anyway but i would just like to hear some opinions. i love this site and have lurked for awhile and i am finally in position to buy one of these beasts!!!!!!!!!!! but need to find the right one. thanks for the help, hopefully i will have some pics up soon.
Would any of you touch this car given the description? If so, how much? Does anyone have an idea what these repairs might cost? I have some serious car buying blue *****. Plus the seller is not willing to go below 10k so i dont think this is happening anyway but i would just like to hear some opinions. i love this site and have lurked for awhile and i am finally in position to buy one of these beasts!!!!!!!!!!! but need to find the right one. thanks for the help, hopefully i will have some pics up soon.
What the hell? Look yourself under the car and check the tire pressure. Unless that car has been wrecked and totally abused all it's life- and if it was even your grandmother would see it- how the hell can it have leaks and a "noisy valvetrain" and "bad transmission mounts" so early?
Sounds like the wrench is padding his own pocket frankly. If the car is clean, drives nice has not been "modded" (which is a euphemism for "hack job") and otherwise sounds in line and the owner can prove maintenance fckit buy the car if you like it.
I don't buy it.
rjp
Last edited by RANDY_P; Mar 30, 2011 at 01:11 AM.
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Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 173
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From: Seattle
1996 C36 AMG, 1970 LeMans Sport, a truck
PS for a 55K /MI car at $10G's you are in Honda Civic / Kia etc. territory. Essentially garbage. If it's a C43 or a CLK 55 you're on
Buy the car if it looks and presents itself well. Get underneath the damn thing yourself and look with your own eyes. I don't buy that crap from that mechanic. If it had been that messed up you'd know it before you even drove it in. Cars abused that bad with those issues never present well to begin with.
Use common sense tho. Don't tolerate any driving or mechanical issues whatsoever at that mileage. Drive it.
Buy the car if it looks and presents itself well. Get underneath the damn thing yourself and look with your own eyes. I don't buy that crap from that mechanic. If it had been that messed up you'd know it before you even drove it in. Cars abused that bad with those issues never present well to begin with.
Use common sense tho. Don't tolerate any driving or mechanical issues whatsoever at that mileage. Drive it.
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Member
Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Seattle
1996 C36 AMG, 1970 LeMans Sport, a truck
Can anyone think of any modern car (Produced in the last 20 years) that will have the aforementioned issues at 55K miles assuming just oil changes?
I can't. Especially our cars. We don't own trash.
rjp
I can't. Especially our cars. We don't own trash.
rjp
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From: Land of mountains, cheese, chocolate and watches
12' W204 C63 AMG coupe "T-Rex", 12' W451 Smart Fortwo Pulse (99' W202 C43 AMG + Ultima Can-Am sold)
All this crap on a 55K miles car?
What the hell? Look yourself under the car and check the tire pressure. Unless that car has been wrecked and totally abused all it's life- and if it was even your grandmother would see it- how the hell can it have leaks and a "noisy valvetrain" and "bad transmission mounts" so early?
Sounds like the wrench is padding his own pocket frankly. If the car is clean, drives nice has not been "modded" (which is a euphemism for "hack job") and otherwise sounds in line and the owner can prove maintenance fckit buy the car if you like it.
I don't buy it.
rjp
What the hell? Look yourself under the car and check the tire pressure. Unless that car has been wrecked and totally abused all it's life- and if it was even your grandmother would see it- how the hell can it have leaks and a "noisy valvetrain" and "bad transmission mounts" so early?
Sounds like the wrench is padding his own pocket frankly. If the car is clean, drives nice has not been "modded" (which is a euphemism for "hack job") and otherwise sounds in line and the owner can prove maintenance fckit buy the car if you like it.
I don't buy it.
rjp
Walk away from it and as others have said for the price you are willing to pay, I'm sure you can pick one up which has been loved and cherished 
Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 138
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From: Las Vegas
2004 CLK55
I've seen thousands of 112/113 engines with all ranges of mileage and have NEVER seen one need a timing chain. I wouldn't trust that shop or the mileage was changed on the car. I would take it to a dealership. More than likely the PCV chambers are leaking on top of the valve covers.
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From: Canada
eclectic assortment of cars
Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 173
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From: Seattle
1996 C36 AMG, 1970 LeMans Sport, a truck
at this age and the mileage we can typically find our cars it's not the car itself, it's the owner that matters.
No car can withstand lack of maintenance and care in ownership. I for one would take a higher mileage car with a documented history of upkeep vs. a lower mileage who knows what.
Also- never buy a car from a disorganized flake.
rjp
No car can withstand lack of maintenance and care in ownership. I for one would take a higher mileage car with a documented history of upkeep vs. a lower mileage who knows what.
Also- never buy a car from a disorganized flake.
rjp
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 4,437
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From: PDX
1999 C43, 2008 P30 E63, 2014 SQ5, 2024 Model Y Performance
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 4,437
Likes: 43
From: PDX
1999 C43, 2008 P30 E63, 2014 SQ5, 2024 Model Y Performance
at this age and the mileage we can typically find our cars it's not the car itself, it's the owner that matters.
No car can withstand lack of maintenance and care in ownership. I for one would take a higher mileage car with a documented history of upkeep vs. a lower mileage who knows what.
Also- never buy a car from a disorganized flake.
rjp
No car can withstand lack of maintenance and care in ownership. I for one would take a higher mileage car with a documented history of upkeep vs. a lower mileage who knows what.
Also- never buy a car from a disorganized flake.
rjp
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 33
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From: Saint Petersburg, FL
1998 s320, 1995 e320 cabriolet, 1995 c36, 1988 230ce 5 speed, 2004 CL55 AMG
i appreciate all the responses and all have been very informative. I am contemplating taking the car to a dealership but the seller is unreasonable (i think). I dont think i am willing to pay 10k for the car thats 1k above retail. the first impression i had of the car was very good, the interior is impecable, all the gadgets work, very clean in that respect. it drove quite nicely as well, one thing i noticed when driving was a slight pull so it probably needs an alignment and there was a shimmy when braking so im thinking rotors might need to be replaced. i dont think i noticed any spots on the garage floor i am not 100% sure. acceleration was smooth, i didnt hear or feel anything. yeah buying a used car like this is a crap shoot but io am willing to take that risk for the pleasure but at 10k? not so sure about that. I have already set up my own personal warranty fund, i dont trust the after market ones unless anybody can recommend one. But i dont want to take this car on and put some good money into at this asking price. my buddy on here has a cl55 back home in jersey and man i love that thing and the 36 put the same smile on my face. Ive always loved these cars but have never gotten into the ins and outs because it would depress me knowing i couldnt afford one. But thats the past and now im going ***** deep. thanks again.
Last edited by pfleger81; Mar 30, 2011 at 08:35 PM.
Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 173
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From: Seattle
1996 C36 AMG, 1970 LeMans Sport, a truck
There should be signs of Odo tampering lights on dash. On a BMW for instance a little dot pops up by the odometer if it doesn't line up with the two other places the mileage data is stored. Look for receipts, check the mileage on that and see if everything jives. Carfax too.
For $1k I'd be willing to pay that premium if it's that nice and everything is in order. If the seller won't let you take it elsewhere to inspect it then that's another problem alltogether
The chances of finding a 55K mi c43 these days is about like hitting the lottery.... it's probably a nice car and the seller is just impatient about all the checking.
rjp
For $1k I'd be willing to pay that premium if it's that nice and everything is in order. If the seller won't let you take it elsewhere to inspect it then that's another problem alltogether
The chances of finding a 55K mi c43 these days is about like hitting the lottery.... it's probably a nice car and the seller is just impatient about all the checking.
rjp
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 33
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From: Saint Petersburg, FL
1998 s320, 1995 e320 cabriolet, 1995 c36, 1988 230ce 5 speed, 2004 CL55 AMG
so im going to let the 36 sit and see if the owner changes his tune. But i am going to look at a c43 this weekend. i will keep y'all posted. Thanks for the input fellas!
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Joined: Apr 2010
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From: PDX
1999 C43, 2008 P30 E63, 2014 SQ5, 2024 Model Y Performance
This is how I have closed EVERY car deal I have ever been involved in, MONEY TALKS
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 33
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From: Saint Petersburg, FL
1998 s320, 1995 e320 cabriolet, 1995 c36, 1988 230ce 5 speed, 2004 CL55 AMG
sorry for the confusion i thought i said that guess not, my bad. the 43 im looking at seems to be in good shape looking at the car fax. 83k mileage, asking price is in the ballpark so we shall see.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 33
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From: Saint Petersburg, FL
1998 s320, 1995 e320 cabriolet, 1995 c36, 1988 230ce 5 speed, 2004 CL55 AMG
I have driven the clk55 and i love it. But there is something about the 202's that i love. Plus all the owners of the 55's that are clean and well maintained are asking way too much. I talked to a guy who wanted 20k for an 02 55 with 85k mileage. and that seems to be a recurring theme in my area. im going tomorrow to check out the 43 seller is asking $9500 with approx 83k on the odo. Anybody think this is a fair price?
