Luvkaya

I am in the market for a new car.

I have found two that I'm trying to decide on. Both are the color combo that I want. They are both the same price. 2008 vs 2009.

The differences. One is a CLK350 and it doesn't have ventilated seats. Very low mileage. Several owners but the mileage is ridiculously low. Since the miles are so low, no work has been, just routine old changes.

The second one is CLK550 with ventilated seats. The mileage is around 50k. Several owners but the carmax shows the dealer had work done like brakes, rotors, mounting wheel, etc. things to fix before selling it.

I know nothing about Benz. I like a good looking car. But as far as mechanical repairs, which would be cheaper to have? Are they both reliable?

I was also looking at the E350 coupe but each one I test drove- 3, something was wrong. The first one engine light one, second one tire pressure low, and last one the vent slider broke off. So I started looking at CLK.

The only thing about the CLK that bothers me is the blank tiles on the console if all the options were purchased. Does it bother anyone else?

Any advice you can give me, please let me know. Greatly appreciated.

Reanimation

I would never buy a newish car with several owners and low milage, I would only buy low owner average mileage private full service history genuine or close enough. If you are buying from a dealer make sure its Perfect and worth the extra cash and with a good warranty for peace of mind. I have the clk w209 absolutely love it, best car I've had. After one year of driving pleasure it needed maintenance to keep it Right but its got 137k on it so I expect that.

Luvkaya

Yes they are both at the dealers. Your description is like finding a unicorn . I do plan on using Carchex inspection because like I said, I know nothing about cars.
The last year the CLK was made, 2009. That's way past newish, lol.

Craigslist is full of scammer, I stay away from them.

I'm happy to hear you love your car.

DanielFD

First of all, good advice would be to tell you that if your willing to buy a 550 then dont look for a 350. Huge gain in performance between the 2.. second buy a 2009 both ways. 2009 models have a AMG option that gives the car an AMG bodykit and sport steering wheel with pedals people with w209s drool about pedals like i did (still am with my BMW).. Also in general the later the year the less problems you might run into. both a 2008 and 2009 are late model years and most of the kinks in a w209 will have been worked out from the factory floor. but still a 2009 is the later car. Also like reanimation said, dont go for a car with multiple owners and low millage, that just doesn't make sense.

Luvkaya

Right... I talked to the dealership and they said the last owner of 3 had multiple cars and it just sat in the garage which is why the mileage is at 16k.

Can I link ads for ppl to review here? I don't want to get in trouble but would love for the experts to review the ads and carfax to help me make my decision.

abqhudson

Question: Will the dealer sell the car with a CPO warranty? Has the car ever had any paint work? Maybe it sat in a repair shop for a long time.

I would not buy a 2009 550 without CPO. Even though I bought CPO from a MB dealer (thouroughly checked out - 800 point inspection?), my low mileage (26,000) car needed lots of service. With the CPO, I was able to make it right and now have a great car.

Ymmv.

gixxerboy

Have you driven any of them, ive owned all the cars you are descibing, my wife had a clk350, i have a clk550 and now she has an e coupe. IMO the e coupe is the best looking. There is a huge performance difference in the 550.

The e coupe the tire light in nothing. At worst it a sensor thats $100 installed. The check engine light can be anything. If its at a dealer i would just make them fix the issue.

I own multiple cars so all of ours have low mileage. So that wouldnt make me worry some.

I'm not sure what you are describing about the blank tiles on the console on the 550

floridawriter

I wouldn't use ventilated seats as a criteria for buying a car. The lower mileage the better assuming all other things are equal.

Martin_F

Which one is the 2009?
Does the CLK 350 have the AMG styling package?

I went through the same decision making process a couple month ago. But mine were both 2009s. I went with the 350 as it seemed to be in better shape.
Loving every minute of driving it. Plus I could always get a V8 in my next car

@gixxerboy he's talking about the empty black buttons right next to the heated seats, door lock, ect.
The thing here, it's not a 350 vs. 550 problem, but how many options are in the car.
There is no model where all of the buttons have functions behind it. At least not on the CLK.

Luvkaya

thank you everyone for responding. I really appreciate the feedback


first option:


https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...6761/overview/


second option:


https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...0795/overview/

gixxerboy

personally i would go with the 550, i like the interior allot more, not a fan of the wood grain in the 350, The 550 bumpers and wheels make it allot better looking from the outside.
And the 550 is way more fun to drive, i drive like an A-hole but thats me, you maybe happy with the power of the 350, its def not under powered.
They both have low miles, the 350 is just extremely low.
repairs and maintenance on both will be very similar.

Reanimation

Well a 09 plate car is newish for me, and also now I understand you're in the US its a completely different used car market to the UK but good look with finding a nice motor.

beejAMG

had a clk, now has an E coupe. not that the CLK is a great car but i would strongly suggest an E coupe if budget permits. you wont regret it.
second, if im picking between your 2 CLK options, the 550 is the best choice. i wont even lose sleep on it. i wont even look at the 350 after seeing the 550.

that said, any which way you go, E , CLK350 or 550, make sure you get a warranty. goodluck mate!

Luvkaya

I really liked the E class too... I like how the seat belt moves up to you, for ease. I love that. And honestly it's a $3,000 difference between the CLK350 and E350.

gixxerboy

the clk does that with the seatbelt also

Luvkaya

Ohhhh I haven't seen that as an option in the CLK. Thanks for letting me know.

beejAMG

All MB coupes has the seatbelt extender. No offense to anybody here, the CLK is one of the best cars weve had, but compared to the E coupe, its night and day. If money is not much of an issue, get the E and put a smile on your face evevrytime you see it in your garage.

Put it this way, there are times when im about to drive with my 63 but as soon as i walk into my garage, i end up taking the E coupe.

Luvkaya

If I get the E, it will be 2010 since that fits my budget.

Thanks for your kind words.

Luvkaya

Oh really??? Between the E and CLK which one is reliable... less breakdowns. I know repair will be about the same.

I am in the DC area and we get snow /ice for about 2 months out the year...should I find a 4 matic too or not really. It drives the price up, lol. I'm trying go find a used car for 23k and under.

gixxerboy

they never made a clk 4 matic, and i believe the 2013 or 2014 was the first year for an e coupe 4 matic.

they are pretty much the same car drive train wise, so it really doesnt matter. my wifes is an 2012 e coupe, besides regular maintenance its needed nothing

beejAMG

weve only had the E coupe for a lil over a year, replaced the rear sam but under warranty so $0 cost to me. annual maintenance and knock on wood, its working out pretty well. the CLK was one of the best, worry free MB weve had.

but all comes to the car you end up buying. make sure you have it thoroughly inspected before handing over your hard earned money. cant go wrong either way.

now assuming that both CLK and E coupe are tip top, id go for the E any given day. whats $3000 for the next 3-4 yrs of E coupe ownership? about $2 a day.

Martin_F

I was never a fan of the E Coupe over the CLK, but that a personal thing, so it doesn't matter here.

Of the two options you showed, the 550 is definitely the better choice.
The question is, do you want to go to Texas to get it?
I would also check into the grade of tint on the front windows, as they look to dark for me to comply with Virginia law.

Luvkaya

I will be buying it sight unseen, using a Carchex inspector. I don't know anything about cars anyway so I wouldn't know what to look for. They gave me a quote of 700 to ship it to me. Oh boy, good point about tint.

I can find E class closer.

Martin_F

Did you check this one out?
https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...7922/overview/

I'm assuming white is the color of choice.

Luvkaya

I did, the CARFAX showed it was in an accident. That's not good right, stay away from those cars?


It looks hella sweet though! I love it