Hi everyone,

Let me start by saying that I know this question has probably been asked and I'm going to get flamed for asking. It's inevitable.

I've used the search function, and cannot find a straight answer.

I've found a 1999 CLK430 AMG with 206,000 miles for $4000 OBO.

Owner says it's been meticulously maintained, and that the car looks brand new inside and out, and drives like new.

Can I trust that if I go to see it and everything he says is true, that the Benz will live up to it's reputation for lasting 300,000 miles?

Try to go easy on me.

 

The only way to know for sure is to have it checked out by a mechanic, if the interior looks great, that is usually a good sign the car has been well taken care of, I have seen a lot of 430's with rebuilt or new trannys at that mileage. I would be cautious but at 4k obo if you could sneak away for 3k or 3500. Depending on how the tires are and breaks and the regular wear and tear items are. My 320 is running great at 255k but then again it is a 320. Either way if you give it some love and continue to take care of it, it should last. JUst check all the electrical items out, seat motors, sun roof etc...

 

Nothing to go easy on, it's all about the condition and if the guy really does have good service records. If that is true and the car drives solid and tight, go for it. I probably would. I've written before I'm not afraid of mileage on a good Benz, I've got plenty of stories from both myself and friends of cars lasting over 300K.

First it's not an AMG, get that out of your mind unless it's a CLK 55. The 430 has the plastic lower body panels and AMG rims. That's it, no AMG engine.

The thing to keep in mind is you're not going to simply buy it and then not spend anything in the next year. That won't happen even if the basic powertrain is good. Normal maintenance on a Benz with that mileage is probably $1,200-1,500 per year in a shop, less if you can do some work yourself. Check the receipts for all the so called little stuff like the water pump, serpentine belt, interior stuff like power seat motors, alternator, fuel pump, AC, sensors like the MAF, spark plugs and coils things like that. It's critical that you take it somewhere and put it up on a rack so you and a mechanic can inspect it. Just a few suspension pieces and the flex disc or exhaust work can cost 2-3 grand right after you buy it if you don't inspect it properly. One question that nobody has been able to answer around here is how long do the cats usually last. I just sold my 560 SEC with 248K on it and afaik the cats are still original and it just passed the California smog check. Does that mean the CLK cats will last that long? No idea but they are not cheap. The only test for them is when it's up on a rack to bang on them with a rubber mallet and listen if they rattle. No rattle, they're good.

To go the other way, even if it drives well a good inspection could show it needs 5 grand right now so that makes it basically worthless, if you got it for free it may or may not be a good deal. If you buy it and a month later the tranny dies, that's 3-4 grand and now you're married to it. You've got a $8,000 99 CLK.

Condition and history is everything. Still, if the inspection is good, he has lots of receipts for stuff I mentioned I would probably buy it too just plan on it really being a 5 grand car because you'll spend that extra grand immediately. Nobody sells a car after doing every single thing it needs because a 13 year old car with 200K always needs something.

Bob

 

Thanks very much everyone!

I decided not to buy the vehicle, as the seller did not seem completely honest about the vehicle.

Still in the market.

 

I just bought a 2000 CLK 320 in mint mint mint cond with 92k for 6800 I could have gone to 6500 but was afraid someone would out buy me..

 

Nice!

I ended up buying a CLK 320 Cab with 130k miles from a guy on Palm Beach who *babied* it.

Very happy with my purchase.

Thanks to everyone for the buying advice.

I've already been yelled at by my wife on two separate occasions for purchasing mod parts

 

200k. wouldn't touch any car for any money with that many miles.

 

NIce JAZZmammal Since you seem up on Benz's What did you mean when you mention Clk55 i know you were saying unless it was a 55 and that a 430 is not an AMG but what if this thread was about a CLK55 with 200k. I luv the CLK55 2002 cabrio and want to keep it as a second Hobby car but would like to get one in great condition, Seems like the going rate for a CLK55 cabrio is between $14-$21k I rather payaround the $15k area but the miles start getting high around that price. Is it better to spend $20k for miles between 50-75k then one with higher miles. Here is one for example What do you think

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Merce...item3a74f0318a

 

I just got a 99 clk 430 for 2500 with 164000 miles.... paint was in great condition so was the interior...lol I even got the radio code lol. What a steal !! Only thing I had to do was replace 2 catalytic converters and I had that did for 400 and now its running like a champ!! Passed smog with flying colors and tags were already paid till 13. No electrical problems even had the new Benz key and amg rims thank u God :-)

 

Since his original post referred to a 99 CLK430 AMG I was simply pointing out that if it's not a CLK55, it's not an AMG. Lots of people who don't know CLK's get confused by that.

As to me being up on Benz's I'm just a regular guy who's had some experience appraising cars in general. Like I said I'm not afraid of a high miler if the car is still in good shape. A high mile CLK55 raises the risk factor because that car is much more expensive to fix because used parts would be pretty hard to find so it's off to the dealer for new ones. Like any low production high performance car a lot of things on it would only be available from the factory which means big bucks. I don't know anything about the 55 but from what I've read it's still a very reliable car.

Bob

 

dont do it! i just got rid of my 2000 clk 320, sold it to carmax for 2000 bucks. it was giving me way too many problems, vacuum leaks everywhere, over 1k to fix. it had 200k miles so i had to say goodbye

 

I read your other thread, it's all about the price. If you buy the car right and all it needs is stuff like fixing vacuum leaks, a MAF things like that it could be a great deal. That's what makes a high miler a good deal is average folks are scared to death of high miles on any car so the price goes way down much further than in should in many cases. There are very well maintained high milers around, the trick is knowing one when you see it. I'm a long time car guy, I used to be a sales manager at a BMW store, I've worked auctions, stuff like that. Been out of the business for many years but the principles never change. If you don't have any confidence in your ability to tell the difference then don't go for it because you absolutely can get burned. There is nothing wrong with paying top dollar for a nice low mileage car. That is the majority of the market.

Also, not trying to start a flame war or anything but in my experience BMW's are much more expensive to maintain on average than Benz's.

You also have to be realistic as to what we're really talking about here. Spending under 10 grand on a German performance car. We're all posers when we talk like that. Trying to look rich for cheap. It's fun though, been doing it for 30 years.

Bob

 

I have a chance to buy a 2000 CLK430 Coupe. It has 86000 miles. The interior and exterior are immaculate. They are asking $5700. I think that I can probably get it for $5000. Does anybody have any thoughts? Thanks in advance for the help.

 

You're asking a really broad question. We have no idea the condition of the car. When was it serviced? Does it have rust? The main points to look for were already addressed in this thread. Is it a good deal? Get it up on a lift and inspected by a knowledgeable mechanic. If there are minor issues with the car you can use them as a bargaining point on the car.

 

My 02 CLK 430 Cab is about to tic 200K. I think I'm at about 197K or so right now. The engine is sooo strong. I remain completey confident of its continued longevity.

My cats are rattling now though the car is inspected through 2015. I will likely sell her before the fall. In my car's case, there were no accidents, major failures or modifications. The car has been adult driven since purchased and always used as a moderately long commute daily driver. There is no rust under the car and the body is excellent too.

When the time comes, I'll put 4K on the car and let someone who wants to replace the cats have a great car with years of life remaining. I've even got a 2nd set of AMG rims with fresh tires.

Confidence is easy if you have owned the car...but good luck pursuading a stranger that it has been "babied."

Some other ways of establishing credability:
Offer a review of forum activity. Posts about my car over the last year may help inspire buyer confidence.
A test drive. A prospective buyer will be encouraged to put their foot down and experience the power 1st hand
Offer the car through a mechanic. His reputation and experience with the car will lend credence to the seller's assertions of reliability

 

Engine and tranny is strong. I cut out the rear cats because of rattle and I love the sound without the, just a tiny little growl. The front cats are harder. I bought a used exhaust with low miles to replace them. The dealer told me they were bad, and wanted $3200 to replace the whole exhaust and all 02 sensors. FYI, the new (used) exhaust did not change anything.

I have replaced the water pump, alternator, engine mounts, radiator, and some other things, just like any car with high mileage, things wear out.

 

Does it through a fault code without the rear o2 sensors?

 

Rear 02 sensors are before the secondary cats, so they have no effect on the sensors, no codes. My state (FL) does not have any inspections, so I'm good. I love the little extra growl.

The sensors are before and after the first cats, that is what the computer reads for adjustments or faults.

 

I got my 2001 clk 430 with 65k miles back in 2006. Since then, I've racked up 230k miles, and bout to turn 300k on this ****. The car still hauls ***...I replaced driver side cat bout 5 years ago, replaced water pump once, thermostat once, plugs twice, spark plugs 4 times, serviced by Indy every point up until 2010 when I was no longer scared to work on it myself.....love this car....been a beast since day 1.