CLK 550 advice needed
08-24-2018, 09:49 AM
#1
CLK 550 advice needed
Was going less than 2 mph when a car going 35 mph zoomed in front of me. I didn’t stop in time. She moved my radiator and compressor six inches to left. Mercedes roadside was amazing considering the age of my car.
My my insurance company wants to total the car! I adored this car. Looked like an old lady car until someone on the road tried to walk over it. A favorite trick in Maryland appears to be go slow in a passing zone then floor it when one tries to pass. My little sleeper clk550 would just dart in front of whatever it was. Leaving me laughing and them with a pissed off look.
There are no direct replacements for this immaculate car. Apparently, there are not many of them. Any ideas on a replacement car I would be happy with? Maybe I should keep it and pay repairs myself?
Need advice on whether I should just move on 😪😪😪
My my insurance company wants to total the car! I adored this car. Looked like an old lady car until someone on the road tried to walk over it. A favorite trick in Maryland appears to be go slow in a passing zone then floor it when one tries to pass. My little sleeper clk550 would just dart in front of whatever it was. Leaving me laughing and them with a pissed off look.
There are no direct replacements for this immaculate car. Apparently, there are not many of them. Any ideas on a replacement car I would be happy with? Maybe I should keep it and pay repairs myself?
Need advice on whether I should just move on 😪😪😪
08-24-2018, 10:40 AM
#2
MBworld Guru
I was going to say "Welcom to the Forum", but I see you joined in 2013, yet this is your first post. 
Something similar happened to my daughter in our ML350 a few weeks back, but the accident is claimed to be her fault (long story, but we think it was a setup). It was within $1000 of being totaled before I discovered that the axle carrier/engine cradle was damaged, which would surely put it over the top. The kid was heartbroken because she loves this car. It was a gem of a find when we bought it earlier this year, and other than high miles (almost 130K) it is like new. It needed a new cradle, front right suspension, fender, bumper, headlight and a few underlying sheet metal pieces, but there was no engine or radiator damage. Instead of taking it to the shop, I took their original estimate check and I did all the work myself (except paint). I came in under budget, plus no "salvage" title.
If this got into the engine, moving the AC compressor, I think I'd let it be totaled. In your case, if this was the other driver's fault, you should be pretty much in control, although the other driver's insurance may hassle you, this is why personal injury attorneys exist. As for a replacement, you should be able to find another CLK550 if that's what you want. Maybe another option would be a CLS550. It's a similar driving experience with four doors and a few extra amenities.
Something similar happened to my daughter in our ML350 a few weeks back, but the accident is claimed to be her fault (long story, but we think it was a setup). It was within $1000 of being totaled before I discovered that the axle carrier/engine cradle was damaged, which would surely put it over the top. The kid was heartbroken because she loves this car. It was a gem of a find when we bought it earlier this year, and other than high miles (almost 130K) it is like new. It needed a new cradle, front right suspension, fender, bumper, headlight and a few underlying sheet metal pieces, but there was no engine or radiator damage. Instead of taking it to the shop, I took their original estimate check and I did all the work myself (except paint). I came in under budget, plus no "salvage" title.If this got into the engine, moving the AC compressor, I think I'd let it be totaled. In your case, if this was the other driver's fault, you should be pretty much in control, although the other driver's insurance may hassle you, this is why personal injury attorneys exist. As for a replacement, you should be able to find another CLK550 if that's what you want. Maybe another option would be a CLS550. It's a similar driving experience with four doors and a few extra amenities.
08-27-2018, 09:00 PM
#3
Hi Rodney
i am not going to be able to do these repairs. No experience mechanical type work. I did hack into the AF mainframe years ago but unfortunately I need a totally different skill set to work on the car. I did learn to change my oil, spark plugs, coils etc myself. I can sort out how to do brakes etc but anything more takes more experience and equipment than I have.
I spoke with the shop manager today and he said I should let the car go. The rails are both bent over 8 inches sideways. He said the engine needs to come out and completly rebuild the front end of the car. He said i could run into transmission and engince problems later. Repair bill est. is over 10k and could go as much as another 25%. I was in tears earlier. I really loved that car.
What else has two doors and still goes when one steps on the pedal? I am driving this A3 small Audi suv and it is cute enough but I step on the gas and nothing much happens. God fobid one corners at speed it feels like it would role over. It appears i still have champagne taste and now only a beer budget. Lol.
I looked all over the internet and cannot find a replacement. I had the coupe not the convertible. I am not a fan of convertibles, so they are out. There is a stunning AMG clk550 coupe out there, with less than 3000 miles on it, except it is 89k! Unfortunately these days that is out also.
is there a fast small Mercedes SUV type that would still corner and go when i needed it?
Would you care about the age of a mercedes if the miles were really low, one owner and all maintenance was done at the dealer with zero problems?
i am not going to be able to do these repairs. No experience mechanical type work. I did hack into the AF mainframe years ago but unfortunately I need a totally different skill set to work on the car. I did learn to change my oil, spark plugs, coils etc myself. I can sort out how to do brakes etc but anything more takes more experience and equipment than I have.
I spoke with the shop manager today and he said I should let the car go. The rails are both bent over 8 inches sideways. He said the engine needs to come out and completly rebuild the front end of the car. He said i could run into transmission and engince problems later. Repair bill est. is over 10k and could go as much as another 25%. I was in tears earlier. I really loved that car.
What else has two doors and still goes when one steps on the pedal? I am driving this A3 small Audi suv and it is cute enough but I step on the gas and nothing much happens. God fobid one corners at speed it feels like it would role over. It appears i still have champagne taste and now only a beer budget. Lol.
I looked all over the internet and cannot find a replacement. I had the coupe not the convertible. I am not a fan of convertibles, so they are out. There is a stunning AMG clk550 coupe out there, with less than 3000 miles on it, except it is 89k! Unfortunately these days that is out also.
is there a fast small Mercedes SUV type that would still corner and go when i needed it?
Would you care about the age of a mercedes if the miles were really low, one owner and all maintenance was done at the dealer with zero problems?
08-27-2018, 11:37 PM
#4
MBworld Guru
Actually, I don't care about high mileage. The ML we bought had almost 120K on it. If you like the CLK, just bide your time and find one. Go out of town. Heck, go national - you can have a car shipped almsot anywhere in the USA for $1000 or less, or buy a plane ticket and drive it back home.
08-28-2018, 05:16 AM
#5
I have looked nationwide and can’t locate one that looks in really good shape with a really good history. I am only seeing maybe 4 CLK 550’s (2008 or 2009)’s in entire country. If anyone on the forums sees good prospect, please do post a link.
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08-28-2018, 10:06 PM
#8
MBworld Guru
You are correct - CLK550 coupes are in short supply. i think they actually made more convertibles than coupes in the CLK550.
And to answer your question, no, an E300 would not be a good substitute is you wan ta powerful engine.
And to answer your question, no, an E300 would not be a good substitute is you wan ta powerful engine.
08-29-2018, 02:39 AM
#9
MBWorld Fanatic!
To match the 550, you're going to need an E400.
08-29-2018, 09:49 AM
#10
MBworld Guru
Or an E550 coupe. There are lots of those on the used market in all price ranges. I believe the MY2010 and MY2011 used the same M273 V8 as the CLK550, then for MY2012, they switched to the turbo engine (with even more power).
Last edited by Rudeney; 08-29-2018 at 09:51 AM.
