Don't worry, it's for a good reason: looking to get an 08 E63

I absolutely love the car, I can't say enough positive things about it. The neat thing about these forums is I don't have to tell you how special it is, because boy, is it special.

It's a "triple-black" (the option list on it calls this "designo-anthracite"), where everything including the wood is black. VIN is WDBLK74G52T099860 if you want to check its history.

The car has 70,000 miles, and comes with a full, bumper-to-bumper, zero deductible (you read right) warranty (Mercury Platinum) until 85,000 miles or 2 more years.

The list of work I had done on it since I got it a couple years ago includes, beyond the regular services:

- New control arms
- Resealed rear differential and oil pans (the engine is bone-dry at this point, not even the smallest leak)
- New valve covers
- New engine mounts
- New sparkplugs (expensive on this puppy)
- New foglight (broke from flying stone)

Also new brake pads and tires recently.

It has one faded scratch on the rear left panel (from some kind soul who forgot they were holding their car key when they caressed the car lovingly) but otherwise clean.

KBB puts the car at just over $27K without the warranty. It has the mercedes stock multi-CD changer on top of what the VIN option list will bring up (here: http://old.mbclub.ru/mb/vin/?lng=eng).

I'm asking for $27K, but please don't be shy about offers, worse that can happen is I'll say no I have some interest locally from a couple folks who are both "asking their wives", but both have indicated the price is OK. Car is in the San Fransisco Bay Area, in the east bay (just north of Berkeley).

The picture is the one I took when I bought the car a couple years ago, I don't have a digicam on hand right now except my cellphone and that sucks.

 

As I suspected would happen, the two guys are still "discussing with their wives"

So... no interest at all here?

 

There are two 2003 430 cabrio's available here both with under 50K miles. One is $22K the other is $21K. I agree that the 55 makes yours unique and the fact that only 800 of them were ever shipped over here but it is hard to sell these things now-adays. I wish you luck but you might have to come down in price to get people's attention.

 

Wait a sec... comparing an '03 430 to an '02 55 AMG? isn't that apples and oranges?

With that said, I did say make me an offer.

 

Most 01 to 02 CLK55 Coupes, which are faster, have better handling and are generally considered more desirable than a convertable, go for for around $23,000 and under with 50,000 miles or less. You may find it very difficult to sell the convertable for $27,000. If you are looking to sell anytime soon, you may want to consider a lower price by a few thousand dollars- IMHO.

In any case, great car and good luck on your sale and new E63 purchase. If you are buying an E63, taking the 3-4 thousand hit should not be an issue at all.

 

I guess I'm even more confused now... coupes more desirable and worth more than a cab? all I've ever known is that cabs cost quite a bit more and are certainly more desirable, but maybe it's because I'm in Calfornia...

And I'm not buying an M3. Why the insult? I LOVE my AMG car, and I'm getting a new AMG - the E63.

But I will say this again - I will entertain lower offers. I will not sell the car for $23K, but even so, offer that and see if we can agree on something.

 

Well first, you are on a forum where we all have AMG cars so a sale here is less likely. You might want to try the classified section.

As for the convertible being more desirable, before I get flamed let me restate that that is just my opinion. That being said, most people buy the AMG for performance and the coupe is the ultimate in performance. As a result, the majority of forum members have coupes. Not a big deal but it is a factor you should consider when you are attempting to sell your car.

 

Why thank you for that... I've been on here for a bit and never realized there was one

Is there an icon for blushing?

Oh, I see where you're coming from... yeah, the coupes are somewhat faster, but obviously you can't drive them with the wind in your hair that's always been the trade-off. But I do believe that cabs, as a general rule, cost more. Is that fair?

 

Hold to your guns, some people don't appreciate or understand Cabs, either by ignorance or personal taste. Your offer is perfect. If they have interest, they'll make an offer.
I love the 208 coupes but never was going to buy one. I love the Sl, but wouldn't buy a 2 seater with family plans. But seeing this 208 Cab, that package won me over. You know you didn't buy it to be the fastest, it's not about that, it's immensely satisfying and would not trade it for a coupe. You just need to show it to the right person to sell it, and that ain't gonna be easy in this economy right now.

 

Well I am bald so the wind through the hair was never that appealing Good luck with the sale. CA is a good place to sell your car.

 

Yeah, you're certainly right there

I went through the exact process - almost bought an SL600, but it was a 2-seater and I have two kids. The CLK55 was perfect on all counts.

I actually have a buyer coming in tomorrow to see the car in person. According to her, she has been looking for exactly that one and (not surprisingly, they ARE rare) had trouble finding one. My big problem - I have no time to get it cleaned properly before she comes, today is completely booked.

 

Maybe she won't buy it, but if she does, have her bank transfer the funds to your bank, as it's the only safe way anymore other than cash, don't take checks, cashiers or personal.
I wouldn't sell mine to get the E63 though, oranges and apples. I would add the 211 to the fleet, oh wait I already did, the E55K.

 

You're damn right the cab is more expensive. And well worth it. When I lower the top my grin begins! My 05 clk55 cab is the BOMB

 

It's interesting you should post that...

I had a deal arranged, and took the car for a goodbye ride Saturday through the backhills near where I live.

Then I fell in love again.

So I canceled the deal.

I'm keeping the car.

And this is AFTER I've recently ridden the E63 I was about the sign on. Thing is, the E63 really is a beast; the raw power on it is scary. But it just doesn't feel as smooth as my CLK55. The weight difference is quite noticeable, and the size is, too. Yeah, the CLK55 is slower, no doubt about it. But it FEELS faster. And for whatever reason I feel much more connected to the road with it. I'm sure having the top down has something to do with it.

I may get the E63 after all. But I'm keeping the CLK55 for now, at least a year or two more. It's just so bloody perfect.

 

Funny thing about the cab, besides looking gorgeous with the top up, down or just rolling the windows down (pillarless coupe), it's rear seat doesn't have the little console area in the center. Since it's a bench seat, I added a center lap belt turning the car into a 5 seater and the rear facing child seat fits in the center just fine.
Maybe you just need to add some more power to end your cravings and make the car into a swiss army knife. My e55 is nice, but with the blower on my CLK55, I prefer driving my Cab. all the time. The torque is incredble, and unlike the high rev new engines, I just breath on my go pedal at any speed to accelerate, I NEVER have to floor it, rev the **** out of it, and most of the time I don't even cause down shifts when passing, even up hills.

 

[QUOTE=mbenzman;2668370] Maybe you just need to add some more power to end your cravings and make the car into a swiss army knife.[/q]

That was my original plan, before I thought about E63. I am back to thinking about it. What blower do you have? is it true that Kleemans are best for these cars?

 

I have a custom built (by myself) AMG blower setup. The Kleemann is a kit and therefore is much easier, faster, and and less $$ to install besides the fact it's a lot less headaches.
Here's links with links to follow to the older pre blower links
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...7&goto=newpost

If you go drive a E55 Kompressor, which is similar in weight to the CLK55, you can get an idea of the power/torque in first and second gears. Should be comparable to a Klemann blower setup. The problem I have wth the e63's m5's etc. is that do you want to have to shift down and wind your engine out to make it go, the Kompressors give thrills ALL the time and you don't have to feel like your abusing them to absolutely haul butt.
I've been pulled over for drag racing twice in the E55, without being guilty of it! The first time there was a Honda racing me that I wasn't aware of, the cop kept trying to tell me about all the guy did, I kept telling him that I didn't care what the other guy was doing, that He should've stopped him, not me because I had won a race I wasn't aware of! He finally calmed down and probably felt a tiny stupid, apoligized and let me go, couldn't even tell me to slow it down.
The second time was when I passed a car, at part throttle, to get over so I could enter the upcoming right turn lane. I passed the car and merged right just as a cop came out from behind the buildings in the strip mall on the corner and surprised him. So he pulls me and said I getting ticketed for "exhibition of acceleration". I explained the fact that he didn't see what I did and was just surprised by the fact I was going faster than the cars I passed, but hadn't broken any laws to perform the manuever. He checked me out and said if my records clean, he'll just write a warning. I explained what he didn't see again and he let me go.
Watch out what you wish for, you'll be spending more time "splaining to the po po" that you didn't floor it, acceleration via massive torque, it'll make an addict of anyone. My friend with a V10 M5 just drove my CLK and said, I should've had you build me one of these instead.

 

Rich I enjoyed all of that!


O.T. By the way I added hoses to my CLK setup to pressurize the air box with forced cool air. What a difference! I'll never go back to the original AMG setup that's for sure.


I also need you to PM me your #'s again thanx!! Carl


Sorry about the OT .

OP needs to hold firm on his price. Like they say "There's an *** or every seat"

 

So did I!

Actually, I accepted $25,500; but then, like I said, I canceled the deal following my "parting ride".

 

I had a new addition (heathy and happy little girl) coming last summer and the wife sold my Cab for $27k. The guy wanted the write the check and I said no. He still keeps asking and is willing to up the amount to whatever after a more current ride in the cab with the heart of "The Beast".

Carl,
I deserve to be messed with by the cops anyway. I was out in the cab one night and shot out into the road from Lowes. Across the street this Hot dog cruising the parking lot searching high and low for perps, saw me and thought he'd sneek up on me.
So he's behind me at the light and I blasted away pretty strong up to 45 mph where I abrubtly let off to avoid speeding. Well I guess he thought he had one on the hook so he didn't let off at 45 and had to nail the brakes at the last second when he realized I didn't go over 45 mph. He probably got within 4 feet of my bumper. After he didn't hit me I laughed.
I caught every red light out to the highway and he almost ran in to me 2 more times when I repeated it. Talk about a slow learner, he obviously didn't understand what following too closely is about and why you shouldn't do it. When I hit the left turn ramp onto the highway he u-turned, I was having too much fun with him and was just waiting for him to pull me. Sometimes I have more ***** than brains, but I wasn't in a hurry then night and couldn't help myself.