Purchasing an '02 CLK430 AMG
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From: Orlando, FL
2000 CLK 430
Originally Posted by CLKFREAK
agree. I'm gonna try to push for 23k w/ 100k warranty. The car has 66K on it. I may not get it but always remember "there's an *** for every seat". 
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Originally Posted by Phade
dude 25.6 for a 02 clk with 36k miles.. you are getting a steal man.. you better get that quick..
I was just going based on the comments everyone made earlier about this being a Decent price
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From: Brooklyn
2000 E 55 AMG
I got mine a couple of weeks back, 99, CLK 430, Black on Black, 20% tinted windows, mint condition inside and out, no imperfections. Heated Seats, Xenons w/ washers, rear sunshade, BOSE 6 CD, rain sensing wipers, every possible option for that year, as far as I know I never saw a 99 with Navigation. Paid $16,000 for it, out of state car, 76K Miles, dealer serviced.
So far I put in about $500 to get it perfect to my tatse ( Wheel bearings, front left and front right, $200 parts and labor comined. Two new Sumitomo HTR+ all season for the front, $212 after mounting, balancing, shipping. AMG Badge for the trunk lid, $12. Genuine Daimler Benz front windshield sticker, $7, usually all models come with it, mine was missing, maybe cause the windshield was replaced. Ambient Temp sensor (outside temp display), miracle, $11.20 from the Benz dealer after discount, free install. Last, Oil Change, 8 cans of Mobil 1 at $4.88 per can, $15 for a genuine oil filter from MB with the discount and $20 for labor.)
So far I put in about $500 to get it perfect to my tatse ( Wheel bearings, front left and front right, $200 parts and labor comined. Two new Sumitomo HTR+ all season for the front, $212 after mounting, balancing, shipping. AMG Badge for the trunk lid, $12. Genuine Daimler Benz front windshield sticker, $7, usually all models come with it, mine was missing, maybe cause the windshield was replaced. Ambient Temp sensor (outside temp display), miracle, $11.20 from the Benz dealer after discount, free install. Last, Oil Change, 8 cans of Mobil 1 at $4.88 per can, $15 for a genuine oil filter from MB with the discount and $20 for labor.)
Last edited by NYCLK 430; Oct 27, 2005 at 06:10 PM.
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Joined: Mar 2003
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From: SF Bay Area
991.1 gt3, w204 c63 507
Originally Posted by nabster
How bizarre! Did you see the link on the auction? Sorry about being such a noob .. but I was just quoting what I read on the Auction site.
It said AMG in the title. I just called the guy and he said they were 17" AMG tires on the CLK430 :o
Thanks for the clarification
It said AMG in the title. I just called the guy and he said they were 17" AMG tires on the CLK430 :o
Thanks for the clarification
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Ok, so I went in to see the car .. here are my notes:
Missing Options
- No Xenon
- No Headlight washers
- No Navigation
- No Phone
- No Warranty
Defects
- Medium Curb Rash on ALL 4 wheels
- A couple scratches on the hood (can be easily buffed)
- Minor wear on seats
- Accident record in Carfax report. No details available. Car looks and drives fine.
Next Steps
- Scheduled an inspection at the MB dealership for Monday
Final Price
- After some negotiation, the guy came down to $24,995 (out the door - pending mechanical inspection)
Thoughts?
Missing Options
- No Xenon
- No Headlight washers
- No Navigation
- No Phone
- No Warranty
Defects
- Medium Curb Rash on ALL 4 wheels
- A couple scratches on the hood (can be easily buffed)
- Minor wear on seats
- Accident record in Carfax report. No details available. Car looks and drives fine.
Next Steps
- Scheduled an inspection at the MB dealership for Monday
Final Price
- After some negotiation, the guy came down to $24,995 (out the door - pending mechanical inspection)
Thoughts?
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From: Orlando
E550 Coupe
Originally Posted by nabster
Defects
- Accident record in Carfax report. No details available. Car looks and drives fine.
- Accident record in Carfax report. No details available. Car looks and drives fine.
Thread Starter
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I'd noticed it on the carfax report, and had notified him about the accident a week ago when I first started talking with him about the car. And he said "oh really, I had no idea. Mustve been something very minor like a parking garage fender bender or something that was taken care of by the Mercedes shop. Nothing to worry about."
I'm taking it into the shop on Monday .. will see what the service guys have to say. But yeah, definitely a bit shady
I'm taking it into the shop on Monday .. will see what the service guys have to say. But yeah, definitely a bit shady
Last edited by nabster; Oct 30, 2005 at 12:16 PM.
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 523
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From: Hollywood North
CLK 55 ///AMG Cabrio, ML63 ///AMG
His comment is a bit shady for sure.
...."Nothing to worry about" - how the heck would he know?
...."Nothing to worry about" - how the heck would he know?
Originally Posted by nabster
I'd noticed it on the carfax report, and had notified him about the accident a week ago when I first started talking with him about the car. And he said "oh really, I had no idea. Mustve been something very minor like a parking garage fender bender or something that was taken care of by the Mercedes shop. Nothing to worry about."
I'm taking it into the shop on Monday .. will see what the service guys have to say. But yeah, definitely a bit shady
I'm taking it into the shop on Monday .. will see what the service guys have to say. But yeah, definitely a bit shady
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1967 Morris Cooper "S", 1983 911SC, 1997 Toyota Tacoma, 1999 HD FXSTB, 1998 C43
Originally Posted by nabster
I guess I shouldnt be trying to negotiate then! :o
I was just going based on the comments everyone made earlier about this being a Decent price
I was just going based on the comments everyone made earlier about this being a Decent price
Keep us posted, the price does not seem bad for the mileage..always negotiate though...just my take on things.
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I think you got yourself an ok deal, you saved a little on the retail sticker. You should make sure that the accident on the carfax record hasn't effected the title, the comestic appearance, or the ride of the car/engine. If everything seems ok, especially upon an inspection by a professional, you will be happy.
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From: SCV SoCal
2002 CLK430
I'd lace up my Nikes and walk. First, you know the seller is not to be trusted, right? Everything they've told you so far is a lie. First it's 36K miles, then it's 66K. First it's gorgeous, now it's been wrecked/piled up. And what's the quality of the re-spray??? The next owner will find out, but it'll be too late then. The only thing worse than a cheap re-spray, is having to pay to fix a cheap re-spray. It's only got half the K4 package, all four wheels have been curbed (that may be an indication of the loving care this car has seen), the interior's worn, the paint's been scratched (possibly beyond repair – if a little wax would take it out, don’t you think THE SELLER would have done it?), - and this is just the obvious stuff - wait till you get it home.
Car shopping is like picking up a girl at a bar after a few too many drinks. She looks great at the bar. She looks great back at your place - BUT MAN, when you wake up next to her in the morning light, and that alcohol has worn off, and so has her makeup, all you can think about is getting as far away, as quickly as possible.
Now picture NOT being able to have her walk you to the door, and never having to see her again. THAT is this car.
If any ladies are reading, please don't take this personally, and if you swap man for woman, I'm sure you'll agree. Especially if you went home with a man who was wearing makeup.
Car shopping is like picking up a girl at a bar after a few too many drinks. She looks great at the bar. She looks great back at your place - BUT MAN, when you wake up next to her in the morning light, and that alcohol has worn off, and so has her makeup, all you can think about is getting as far away, as quickly as possible.
Now picture NOT being able to have her walk you to the door, and never having to see her again. THAT is this car.
If any ladies are reading, please don't take this personally, and if you swap man for woman, I'm sure you'll agree. Especially if you went home with a man who was wearing makeup.
Heres
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Woah .. it sounds like everyone has had a sudden change of heart. Must be the inspection report. Can anyone explain what part of the inspection report makes you think I should bail?
ps - The car is at 36k miles .. not 66k miles.
ps - The car is at 36k miles .. not 66k miles.
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From: Hotlanta
AMG
Originally Posted by nabster
Woah .. it sounds like everyone has had a sudden change of heart. Must be the inspection report. Can anyone explain what part of the inspection report makes you think I should bail?
ps - The car is at 36k miles .. not 66k miles.
ps - The car is at 36k miles .. not 66k miles.
FWIW, I would be reluctant to purchase any pre-owned car that's been in an accident.
Are service records available? Are they complete? Any gaps?
How many previous owners for this car?
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yeah since it was bought in wholesale as an offlease the dealer said the MB Dealership didnt provide this information because of customer confidentiality. However, being a lease return it should all be MB Serviced.
I'm going to use this report to further negotiate
I'm going to use this report to further negotiate
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From: SCV SoCal
2002 CLK430
Originally Posted by nabster
Woah .. it sounds like everyone has had a sudden change of heart. Must be the inspection report. Can anyone explain what part of the inspection report makes you think I should bail?
Originally Posted by nabster
ps - The car is at 36k miles .. not 66k miles.
I voted pass before the inspection because
- It's been wrecked (and the lying seller pretended not to notice the Carfax, yeah, right)
- All the wheels have been curbed
- The interior's worn
- The paint's scratched
- Considering the condition, the price is not fantastic.
It sounds like there are better options available, so I would opt for another. But that's me, you've seen it, if it satisfies your needs, that's all that’s important.
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Sigh .. i hate to report this but its the truth
I just called the guy .. told him all the findings, and said I'm not comfortable with the $24,995 price. He said, the best he can do is get the brakes fixed. (fluid/rotors etc). The rest of it he would do it for me at his cost (eg. $100/tire etc)
He said if the car is not for you, I have several other people calling about this car. The reason the price is this low is that there are some maintenance costs.
I told him to call me back if he was willing to negotiate. Click. End of story.
It hurts to have wasted all this time, and $300 in carfax/consumer reports/inspections etc .. but I guess it was a small price to pay to stay away from bigger expenses down the road!
I just called the guy .. told him all the findings, and said I'm not comfortable with the $24,995 price. He said, the best he can do is get the brakes fixed. (fluid/rotors etc). The rest of it he would do it for me at his cost (eg. $100/tire etc)
He said if the car is not for you, I have several other people calling about this car. The reason the price is this low is that there are some maintenance costs.
I told him to call me back if he was willing to negotiate. Click. End of story.
It hurts to have wasted all this time, and $300 in carfax/consumer reports/inspections etc .. but I guess it was a small price to pay to stay away from bigger expenses down the road!
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From: Normal, IL
02 E55; 99 CLK430 (Sold)
Exactly. You can always find another one down the road. It's best never to let your "feelings for a car" get in the way. I remember I once bought an Acura TL 3.2 and loved the car when I looked it over. I thought maybe I noticed some signs of an accident but I told myself I didn't know what I was talking about and bought the car. Anyway, I actually never had a problem with it but the first time there was a little bit of frost out you could see all the writing they did on the windows saying the parts and areas that needed to be replaced. That writing (probably because of the waxes and things in what they used to write it with) didn't frost over so it was clear as day all the work that had been done.
