fkasbar

Hello,

I am in the market for my next Mercedes purchase, as a brief history, my last car was a 2004 CLK320.

I've located two cars that have caught my eye, both of which are 2007 CLK550's. Although, I am having a difficult time figuring out which would be the better buy - so I am reaching out to my fellow Mercedes / CLK experts. I am requesting your opinions without consideration to the actual color scheme of the car, but rather milage, options and value.

Car No. 01
2007 CLK550
96K Miles
Asking price 16,900.
Negotiated to $15,800 so far.

I am nervous about this one because it appears there is some damage to the rim, as indicated within one of the photos, and I'm not sure if that is indicative of a hard hit that may or may not have affected any other mechanics. This carfax is viewable

Link to car:
http://scautohaus.com/inventory/inde...old_seats.html

Link to carfax:
http://www.carfax.com/VehicleHistory...TJ72J27F216611

Car No. 02
2007 CLK550
64K Miles
Asking price 19,900.
Dealer not negotiating price

Link to car:
http://www.mdk-global.com/2007-Merce...-91502/4161392

My thoughts Overall:

Car No. 01
This car has 30k more miles
Possible abuse (as shown on wheel)
Push to start (not sure if this is p2 or?)
Dealer doesnt specify in detail some of the options like car No. 02
If purchased I would wrap car in matte white
Is $4,100 cheaper than Car No. 02.

Car No. 02
This car has 30k less miles
P2 package
Interior is upgraded? (notice ivory dash & black ash wood trim)
DVD command system? Is this worth the additional cash?
Sports suspension?
I would not be wrapping car (black is fine as is)
Is $4,100 more expensive than Car No. 01

What do you guys think? I'd like to make an educated purchase. I truly am leaning towards Car No. 02, but I am not sure if the additional $4,100 is justified, or worth it.

I appreciate all opinions and thoughts, thanks guys

omega48er

1) both cars have the DVD command system
2) dont pay too much mind to the sports suspension, you could get some H&R
3) the color is persona, I would take the black car over the other one any day, unless its white =]
4)the interior trim is different, but the Car No 1 has the wood steering wheel! i so want one1
5)Car 1 has both heated and cold seats car 2 does not =[
6) Car 1 mentions warrenty included? find out which one and how much time left on it.
dont be afraid to pass up each car if you do not feel comfortable,
7) contact MB and request service records for each car.
hope this helps.
or if you do have extra cash get a 09 =]

fkasbar

Thanks for the quick and informative response omega! I appreciate it!

What is H&R?

Pertaining to color, I'm definitely with you, like I said, if I get the Pewter one, I would be wrapping it in Matte White immediately lol.
Warranty with Car No. 01 is nothing more than 30 days / 1000 miles (which ever comes first) warranty on engine and tranny- nothing special.

I will definitely call MB - did not think about that!

Any major upgrades in the 09' that are worth the additional cash?

Thanks

eddieo45

I like the black one with the new tires and brakes; I got sick of Burl Walnut in last car, especially with Black Ash in my wife's (and white gauges!) From the 2007 brochure:
premium 1 package:
– Glovebox-mounted 6-disc CD changer with MP3 capability.
– harman/kardon LOGIC7 digital surround-sound system (standard CLK63 AMG).
– UHI prewiring for Hands-Free Communication System.
CLK 350 and CLK 550 Coupe models add:
– Power tilt/sliding tinted-glass sunroof with one-touch open/close.
CLK 350 and CLK 550 Cabriolet models add:
– SIRIUS Satellite Radio
.

premium 2 package:
Includes contents of Premium 1 Package plus:
– Bi-Xenon headlamps with Active Curve Illumination.
– Heated headlamp washers
– Heated washer system
– Corner-illuminating front foglamps.
premium 3 package:
Includes contents of Premium 2 Package plus:
– Active Ventilated front seats.
– Multicontour driver’s seat

get brochures HERE.

ambit

I personally prefer car #2.

I do find it weird that it has the HID lights but not heated seats.
I have keyless-go on mine and the goddamn "DON'T FORGET YOUR KEY! BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP" is annoying. I could do without it.
It says "newer bridgestone tires" but those fronts are def. BFGoodrich (typo?)

togaclk55

Before purchasing I would get a PPI done

Samuel5090

Car 2 has had 3 owners. The last one for 6K miles.??? No mention of the camshaft position sensor being replaced.

Car 1 has had 2 owners-and the engine work done.


Car 2 is better looking and lower miles, but why did the last owner dumped it after 6K?

Yidney

Assuming 2007 was like 2008 (it changes in 2009), car 1 is P3 and car 2 is P2. The only difference that P3 added was the heated and "cooled" seats with the multi contour air bladders. The seats are not actually cooled, they just have little fans inside that circulate air through the perforations in the leather. It barely works, but note that it does make the interior look different - slighly more sporty in my view. The leather is not only perforated, but is sewn tighter - it doens't have the pleats or wrinkles along the center seams. Look at the backs of the back seats particularly. MB option packages are not too hard to understand. Then there are just a handful of stand alone options on top of the packages. The main stand alone options were Navigation and Keyless Go. The person who bought the first car clicked more stand alone option boxes. Keyless Go ($1,100), wood wheel ($550), Heated seats (around $450 I think). About all car 1 does not have is the trunk closer.
I like never having to take my key out of my pocket for any purpose - even to open or close doors, and I like the wood wheel, and I really like the look of the perforated leather, so all else being equal I'd buy car 1.

Yidney

Oh, and that curb rash on the one wheel is nothing. That is one incident of getting too close while parking. No other damage from that. It's hard to find one that doesn't have that.

Rudeney

Avoid #2, VIN WDBTJ72H47F206112 has M273 engine #50953 that is within the range for timing gear failure (research "balance shaft" for more info). It may never be a problem, but if it is, and if MBUSA won't cover it out of warranty (they do about 10% of the time) then it's a $4K+ repair.

omega48er

Rudeney has been the most helpful person on this forum.
Btw if I could do it again I would go with a 05 clk55 or a 09 550

Mka77

#2 is nice, but not worth the risk no matter how slim the chances of failure.