wmccaine

Hello all,
New member here needing some advice. Found a 2003 CLK 500 with 71K miles and front end damage sitting in a D.A. holding pen, it had been there for over a year, court case was over so I offered 4k for the vehicle and it was accepted. I was going to part out but after installing a battery to verify mileage and to see if the radio and other elecs. worked. They all did so we decided to check oil and water and put some gas in it just to see if it would turn over. Not only did it turn over it started(scared me silly) I'd like to say I cut the car off immediately because i did not want to cause any damage but the truth is it startled me by starting and my first reaction was to cut it off. Now I'm wondering if I should invest in putting vehicle back together or stick with original plan..... Any advice would be helpful.
Attaching Pics.
Bill

12secCLK

wow what a steal price and shes a beauty i would keep it still looks very clean and in good shape besides the front end damage.

Mka77

Part it out and sell me the side skirts. Really for what you have invested, it might be a keeper.

wmccaine

I'm just a little worried about the engine sitting so long.

MB Dave

rebuild her

ahmadk

keep it and fix it

wmccaine

Anybody have any ballpark figures on what I'm looking at to repair

bheng

Front end 800, lights (halogen) 300. For the repair cost, if keep it. U basically can get a clk for 7k total. Lol that's a damn steal. Maybe a but more if u change ALL the
Fluids...

billyhead1

you've got at least 4k in parts sitting there! smart buy. you're probably looking at at least another 4k to get it squared away, but then you have a car worth more than you have in it. of course, a salvage title will get you no friends at resale time, but if you keep it and drive it for a few years, you are money ahead...

Black_CLK

4K is a steal! it should take another 4K to fix it up so you just bought yourself a 209 for only 8K haha.

wmccaine

I got lucky, it does have a clean title. no salvage.

kostas86

Nice steal. A year is really not that long, so I think you should be fine with the motor.

wmccaine

Found a Mercedes mechanic today, will be moving vehicle to his shop next week.

mikata

Nice! Good luck with car!

wmccaine

Has anyone dealt with Above All Moterworks? They seem to have everything I need.

Mka77

Check with BBB. Or better yet, ask them for references of past customers. If they are legit they will. Have you actually seen the parts you need? If so, do some leg work and getter done.

Good luck with it.

wmccaine

Thanks Mike

homepukes

Change all the fluids in the engine and it should be good to go. I'd take my time fixing it. You can get salvage parts do what you can yourself and then get it painted. It'll look great. Better yet its not a salvage title.

DangermouseCLK

You may need to budget for a set of tires. Sitting for a year will probably have flat-spotted them.

pacboy22

Looks good man I'm no expert but I had similar front end damage and it didn't turn out to be that expensive as it looked. 4k is great you got a nice deal anyway you want to go you won't loose good luck man