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I wanted to get some thoughts on buying a 2004 CLK 320 Cabriolet with ~55k miles with 1 previous owner (elderly couple who maintained the car perfectly) for $12,000. The car looks to be in pristine condition. Other than standard maintenance, should I be careful with anything else for the future? I'd appreciate any thoughts. I don't want this car to be a money pit for the future.
I wanted to get some thoughts on buying a 2004 CLK 320 Cabriolet with ~55k miles with 1 previous owner (elderly couple who maintained the car perfectly) for $12,000. The car looks to be in pristine condition. Other than standard maintenance, should I be careful with anything else for the future? I'd appreciate any thoughts. I don't want this car to be a money pit for the future.
You should buy it, all in out its a really nice car and easy to handle. The most common problem is the crank no start. But for the mileage I think it's a good price.
That's a good engine and transmission combination - keep it maintained and it will last a long time. I'd check to see if it has the Valeo (bad) or Behr (good) radiator:
The Valeo allows coolant and transmission fluid to mix and that needs to be fixed ASAP. The other issue is a leaky pilot bushing on the transmission electrical connector. It will leak fluid on the garage floor, plus it can "wick" fluid into the TCM (located under the passenger footwell carpet. It't a fairly inexpensive/repair, unless fluid enters the TCU and damages it.
There are really no horrible big-ticket chronic repairs to worry about except with the soft top. The seam in the canvas ahead of the rear glass is known to separate. Once it does, you need to either replace or repair it. Replacement is expensive - a high-quality aftermarket canvas is $1000 and labor will be $2000 or more. If the canvas is in otherwise good condition and just the seam fails, you may be able to get it repaired for round $1000 - they will have to remove the front section to access the seam from underneath to re-glue it, and, preferably, also stitch it (OE top seam was not stitched). Also, the hydraulic cylinders can fail. If you are a DIYer, you can replace them all for under $1000.
05 CLK55 AMG (1 of 247) Cubanitsilber designo series
I don't know that the M112 engine in your car is prone to main seal leaks - not my experience anyway. I would look at the underside of the engine and transmission. The transmission should be bone dry and you should see no drips of fluids anywhere. the underside of the engine may be very dirty with grease or thick oil residue, but that is more than likely from leaking valve cover gaskets, which is common with the M112/m113 engine. Not a critical fix and not especially expensive. I would expect a 14-year old Mercedes to have motor mounts that have collapsed and needing replacement. MB motor mounts are fluid filled, very soft and and are prone to needing replacement. Same possibility for the transmission mount. You'll know if they need replacement if you feel any vibration in the steering wheel or the seat when the car is in gear. Good luck.
Last edited by floridawriter; 05-06-2016 at 09:07 PM.
KBB prices on MBZ vehicles are crazy-low. They are probably close on trade-in values, but not on retail prices. I'm not sure why. If you look at eBay, Autotrader and Carfax for comparable cars for sale, you'll get an idea of asking prices, and that't where I'd start making my decisions on what to offer.
05 CLK55 AMG (1 of 247) Cubanitsilber designo series
I disagree with what you say about KBB. I just entered info on my own CLK that I bought on eBay two years ago for $16000. At the time KBB priced the retail on the car at 19-20,000. Two years later, KBB prices the car at around 17,000.
I wanted to get some thoughts on buying a 2004 CLK 320 Cabriolet with ~55k miles with 1 previous owner (elderly couple who maintained the car perfectly) for $12,000. The car looks to be in pristine condition. Other than standard maintenance, should I be careful with anything else for the future? I'd appreciate any thoughts. I don't want this car to be a money pit for the future.
About 2 years ago I picked up an '03 CLK320 Coupe. It had 63k Miles on it when purchased and was in extremely clean condition with everything in perfect working order - Keyless go and a few other options. The car has been incredibly reliable and as long as you're on top of regular maintenance it should last you for a long time. She was listed for $12k at a reputable European car dealer in the area - I picked it up for $9k. It was January in PA and it had been there since September, I made a cash offer and they accepted. Couldn't believe it. I found out later, they bought the car from a BMW dealership on trade-in for $8,200.
Rodney's advice about the radiator, etc are all spot on (always is) but I will add.. Window Regulators** in the rear. they will fail.. Not if, but when. And each one will set you back between $800-$1000 unless you can repair it yourself. Also, unless the car was garage kept and babied its entire life - keep on eye any rubber parts and the door/window/sunroof seals.
Talk them down a bit and buy it - it'll serve you well and the w209 has aged incredibly well.
I paid $9,200 for my 05 CLK500 with 60,295 miles on it. It is in near perfect condition and everything works. KBB said $11,600. Some here said I paid too much, but all the others I saw for sale were at, or above, KBB.
I disagree with what you say about KBB. I just entered info on my own CLK that I bought on eBay two years ago for $16000. At the time KBB priced the retail on the car at 19-20,000. Two years later, KBB prices the car at around 17,000.
You are looking at "Buy from Dealer Prices". I am talking about the "What's My Car Worth" prices.
I paid $9,200 for my 05 CLK500 with 60,295 miles on it. It is in near perfect condition and everything works. KBB said $11,600. Some here said I paid too much, but all the others I saw for sale were at, or above, KBB.
Having worked at a dealer, I can tell you that they make MUCH more on used car sales than new. It is not unusual for a dealer to sell a used car at a 50% markup. New cars are more like 8%. Even so, it's often easier for customers to negotiate a better deal on a new car because those are commodities - all the same. But for used cars, when you find a good one, there might not be any others like it - i.e. color, condition, miles, etc. Also, it's harder to find out what a dealer paid for the used car to start as a bargaining point.
Having worked at a dealer, I can tell you that they make MUCH more on used car sales than new. It is not unusual for a dealer to sell a used car at a 50% markup. New cars are more like 8%. Even so, it's often easier for customers to negotiate a better deal on a new car because those are commodities - all the same. But for used cars, when you find a good one, there might not be any others like it - i.e. color, condition, miles, etc. Also, it's harder to find out what a dealer paid for the used car to start as a bargaining point.
All true. I worked at a new car dealership years ago, not much has changed.
That said, I got my car from s used car dealer. :dunno
I wanted to get some thoughts on buying a 2004 CLK 320 Cabriolet with ~55k miles with 1 previous owner (elderly couple who maintained the car perfectly) for $12,000. The car looks to be in pristine condition. Other than standard maintenance, should I be careful with anything else for the future? I'd appreciate any thoughts. I don't want this car to be a money pit for the future.
Did u pull the trigger? I a 2000 model in 2015 for 1/4 that price but 140k on the clock and a few things needed like front seat cover repairs paid $500 for whole new interior setup used from a totalled clk 320.
05-05-2016, 11:02 PM
