benggolf

Had a 2001 CLK430 and encountered squeaks and rattles in the LH door and dashboard.

I was disappointed having to deal with QC issues like these on such an expensive car. Finally traded-in the car with just 2000 Kms. for a 2002 SLK32.


It is a pity because the design of the CLK is so beautiful...almost certainly will become a classic. Hope the current 2002 units are better.

Howard

I have a love-hate relationship with my CLK 430.
I'm in love with the engine, tranny and styling. I hate the build quality and annoying little crap that constantly goes wrong. If I were to buy a new car tommorrow, it would be a hard decision to buy or not buy a Benz again. Love/Hate???

karl k

I am looking ahead. 2002 Porsche Carrera? The new Targa provides direct access to back seats.

All things considered: MB CLK 55 offers BEST value & quality!

allenjdmb

the CLK 55 provides horrible value when the re-sale is considered. Owning a car costs money, whether cheap or expensive. If you buy a reasonably equipped car in something that's not brown or a weird blue, you will find the resale on the Carrera to be superior, as it would be on other Benz. The beating that the CLK 55 is taking in the marketplace will keep me away until it settles. Of course, you may be a lease customer, keep your car forever, or rich. In which case, these logical statements probably won't apply....!

karl k

Completely wrong in your assertions.

See Edmund's TRUE MARKET VALUE: $3,000 over MSRP!!

http://www.edmunds.com/new/2002/merc...5a/prices.html

benggolf

experiencing QC problems with the CLK430. It is truly disappointing that they don't built them with the same level of quality control as before.

With the SLK32, I will have probably a 50-50 chance of getting another "whistler" or "rattler"! This will be the straw that will break the camel's back. Good-bye MB and back to Porsche.

Am waitlisted for the C4S, but hoping Porsche will eventually release a C2S with comparable features/options as the current C4S.

allenjdmb

but Edmunds often doesn't live in the real world. This is one of those situations. CLK 55's with very low miles can easiliy be bought in any part of the country in the low sixties, some in the high $50's. Since I'm in the real world marketplace everyday, I can verify these numbers. I have passed on two CLK 55's in the last month for well under $60k wholesale. If you do the math, this is about 20% depreciation in 3-5000 miles. That's unacceptable. Many dealers absolutely don't want to take another CLK 55 for stock, the ones in our area won't. It would be nice if those numbers held true from Edmunds--I think you'll find a LOT of people with CLK 55, E55 and S55 who'd like to recover some blue sky that's not there anymore. Hope this helps, allen.

karl k

Your numbers do NOT match the CLK 55 values here in S. Florida, - and I suspect MANY areas in the USA.

Considering the fact that only 500 to 800 were exported to the U.S. last year, the CLK 55 holds its value quite well. The CLK 55 is very rare and in HIGH demand.

CLK 55s cabs are selling here for $95,000!

That is $16,000 OVER MSRP for a CLK 55 cab.

Thank You, however wrong with your generalizations.

karl k

Silver CLK55 59,900

Was at my dealer on Friday in Atlanta and saw a silver 2001 CLK55 on the floor.
It had 12K miles. Looked good but had some cheap tires on it.

$59,900. No joke $59,900. Friend said the owner traded it in on a 4 door.......


Carriage House Imports, ATL

Call Bruce Wile
770 964 1600

Tell him Scott Preacher told you to call.

hmrdwn

To placate my pregnant wife, I listed my CLK55 in the paper for $63k last weekend, not a single call after three days. Of course, I open the freakin paper and some joker has a virtually identical car listed...right under mine...for the same price with only 5k miles versus my 10k miles...I wonder if he got any calls? Dealers say 50-55 for trade. If they don't value their own freaking cars...who will. Mercedes resale value sucks. That is a 28% depreciation in a year...not counting tags and tax!!!!!!

Although I must say that aside from the window thing, I have had no squeaks, rattles or problems at all. The car is rock solid and I love it...and I guess I better because I may have it a while.

Marky T

My 2000 CLK430 has been in the shop for a good portion of it life.
My CD changer went out after 2 days. My engine dies for no apparent reason. The seal on the passenger air bag came loose. The waiting list is 3 weeks to for a loaner car. I love my CLK, but is getting to be a pain in the bu**. I'm conisdering alternatives, but nothing comes up as good replacement.

allenjdmb

Once you lose tens of thousands of dollars of your own money playing in this arena, then you will have an idea of the reality involved. Good luck to you.

hmrdwn

There is at least one CLK55 for $61.9k, with almost 12k miles at Exotic Motors in West Palm Beach -- I bet it sits there for awhile.

Howard

Hey C-
Sell the CLK55 and get this...triplets yeah!!!!!!

karl k

Here is a range in Autotrader :

$59,000 to $95,000.

Clearly, nost CLK 55 Coupes are in the $60-70,000 range!

http://autotrader.com/findacar/resul...ced=y&x=47&y=8

allenjdmb

since everyone else seems to know these cars are in the tank, I'm guessing that Karl is stuck with one he's about $20k upside down in. But I don't have time nor inclination to argue with him. You win. You're smart, I'm stupid. Next.

allenjdmb

2 thoughts... 1. maybe you didn't realilze this, but the AutoTrader doesn't buy cars. They don't write checks or report what people will really pay. They only list what people would like to get for them. 2. Why don't you call LP Evans (Mercedes Miami--is that your area?) and ask what they'll write you a check for today? That should give you an idea of the real marketplace...Sorry. Done now.

karl k

Not interested in hypotheticals.

I shopped the S. Florida market for the past year and I know my stuff.

Not interested in trading. I own(ed) 6 cars during past year (2001 Corvette, RSX-S Acura, 3 MB 2001 SL 500s) and found the BEST: a 2002 CLK 55 AMG!

Best car I've owned.

However, I have friends that shop for MBs in the Carolinas and Georgia to save a couple thousand bucks.

Please, lets close this chapter. I am really not interested in what my car will be worth tomorrow or in 2005 and beyond.

tnx
Karl

Francis K

your telling me that a CLK is unreliable? I mean I'm well off enough to own a Benz but I'm not rich to throw money around everyday fixing it? God it's such a beautiful car and holds such prestige but man, that GS400 is looking better with every post from you guys......inspire me fellas!


P.S. I am in the market to buy one.

mbtech208

I personally am not telling you a CLK is unreliable. They are reliable cars. Are they as reliable in the long-run as a Lexus? Probably not. In fact, as soon as the warranty (or extended warranty) was expired on a CLK, I'd get rid of it, or you'll be spending BIG bucks to fix it. Case in point, a customer had a '93 500SEL with the cruise control inoperative. Sounds simple enough, right? Maybe a bad switch, or fuse? Wrong. It needed a $2,000 electronic accelerator control unit, plus hundreds in labor. If I had your money to spend, I'd personally buy a '99 Lexus SC400. I love those cars. But this is America, and your choice is your choice. If your heart is set on a CLK, by all means go for it. It's not a disappointing car.

twboy

Just saw on your little personal tag at the bottom that says you are in Vancouver BC also. Just wondering, where do you go when you are purchasing your Mercedez vehicles?


And why?