I recently purchased a used 2006 CLK 500 from a dealership about two cities over because it was at a discounted price ($7,500). Last Saturday I was set to pick it up, but the salesman informed on Friday that the car needed a repair--he just wasn't sure what repair, saying that he wasn't mechanically inclined and that the part had been dropped off by O'Reilly's that afternoon. I asked when I should stop by to sign the paperwork and pick it up--he replied Monday, the next day the mechanic would be there. So on Monday, I got there maybe an hour before they opened. I could hear them scrambling upstairs because they were entirely unaware I had an appointment. The salesman had told me around the time they opened was fine, as I could wait a few hours. I distinctly heard talk about a fuel pump, but was later told there was nothing wrong with it and that was describing another car on the lot. Well okay. The salesman arrived very late and said he had no idea I was coming so early, which was either a lie or he forgot. Next, I was informed that the transmission plate was wearing out and that was the part they needed to replace. Needed? I'm not sure, the car lot's owner's wife said it was a bit hard to shift when she took it for a joy ride across cities, so maybe it wasn't super pertinent, but whatever, they said they would do it for free. The sales guy told me that Mercedes takes forever to send them parts... which confused me, because he mentioned O'Reilly's. It took them about five hours to draw up all the paperwork somehow, which was annoying because the sales guy was kind of a creep talking about a strip club he used to work at (what woman wants to hear about that??). Finally, as I began to sign paperwork with the owner's son, he told me that the part had actually not arrived, and that the owner was dropping it off later in that day. Still can't tell if the original guy was a serial liar or perpetually ignorant. I was told the car would be finished and dropped off Wednesday or Thursday at the latest. Wednesday I received no information, and I neglected to call them as I was so exhausted from work I passed out upon arriving home.

It shouldn't take three days for a transmission plate replacement. It's a what, 2-3 hour job? The guy told me they had to take apart the entire transmission and this and that, but I know that's not true, and figured considering that he was not a mechanic he was just speculating (unless their on site mechanic really is an idiot). Frankly the car seemed fine while I was there--and I really wanted to leave with it. I checked the car history and it seems to be in pretty great shape in that regard as well, so on one hand I want to believe it's just the transmission conductor, but the fact I heard them scrambling when I got there and mentioning the fuel pump and a few other things, well I don't know why it would take this long.

I'm going to call tomorrow, and wish I had the time yesterday. But what do you all think? If things go accordingly, what are some things I should have checked out to make sure?

 

A serial liar that works at a used car dealer? No way, I don't believe it!

First and foremost, unless you're an expert mechanic, it's important to get a pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic you trust when purchasing a used car, especially an older Mercedes. Otherwise, be prepared to be unpleasantly surprised with high repair bills.

The car as you describe it sounds like a questionable purchase at best. It might be worthwhile to inquire about cancelling the sale and getting your money back. Even if you had to pay them $500 (or more) to do it, it might be worth it to avoid likely future headaches and expensive repair costs.

If you really think about it, if there was an inexpensive or simple fix for the car's issues, don't you think they would have done that already? If you've already bought the car, they don't have much incentive to fix anything well. The only incentive they have is to fix it just well enough to get you out of there (which probably won't be a very good or long-lasting fix). I would get my money back and run, but that's just me. If you haven't yet paid for the car, I would definitely peace out. Sorry, just being honest.

If there's no way to reverse the sale, I would get it inspected by a trusted mechanic to see what you're dealing with and go from there.

Best of luck whatever happens!

 

Good morning and welcome to the forum

I'd walk away from this transaction after reading about all the uncertainty surrounding this car. Surely there is another CLK out there for you somewhere that would not entail going through all that.
GL to you!

 

Good advices there, I think.

I would have walked away at the first broken promise. Buying an used car, of unknown provenance (regardless of paperwork), should always be done with the assumption that it has hidden problems. It is the salesmans job to convince the client otherwise, and that the car is sound and reliable. That car lot did an awful job in that front.

If it were me, I wouldn't sign or pay, before the car was ready for delivery. If I did, and I couldn't back out of the purchase, I would get from them a solid, written warranty (even if I had to pay for it), and then (and only then) inform them that, due to all the issues that arose during the purchase, I was going to take the car to Mercedes for inspection, and expect them to repair all issues that Mercedes detects. Maybe that would make them reconsider cancelling the sale.

If not, carry out the inspection (either at Mercedes or a good Mercedes specialist), and present them with the results. Who knows? Maybe the car is indeed in good shape...but then you will know that for a fact, and not just hope it is the case.

But, then again, that is what I would do. Your circunstances may be different.

In any case, good luck.

 

Please stay away from the car: 2006 clk350 is one of the worst possible option you can find:
1. Potential balance shaft issue
2. Early 722.9 transmission

"transmission plate" probably means transmission conductor plate which in 722.9 combined with TCU (transmission control unit). In case of failure it most likely will require MB dealer labor since there is still very limited amount of shops which know how to virgin and recode 722.9 TCUs. Even this forum's guru Rodney had to take his car to a dealer and if I remember correctly he payed around $1.5k for that.

 

Run don’t walk away!