JohnAMG

Hello everyone,

What is a reasonable price for a 2001 CLK55 with about 3000 miles and it is red. It has all options except COMAND. The asking price is $59,900. I am considering upgrading my wife's car(CLK320) and she will only accept the W208 CLK55 in red. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

John

RickB

I just bought mine (Black though, not red) for $55K with 14,600 miles. No idea if that was a good buy or not, but I'm happy with the deal (LOVE the car by the way!). Also has everything but COMAND.

Hope that helps a little!

Schiznick

59K is a bit high for that car. Saw a 2001 go last week in Atlanta with 12K miles for 55K. Also was a 2002 that sold yesterday with 6K that went for 56K.

Wholesale people in the SE are driving the prices of the 55's down. I mentioned in another post that A Red 2001 55 with 14K miles was sold at auction for 41K. The hood and fender had been re-pained but no structural damage.

I would not pay more than 55K but that is my .02.

On the flip side they are incredible cars! I have 37K miles on mine and have loved every minute! It is a great car. I have mine up for sale at 53K.

Schiz

Schiznick

There is a company in Atlanta that has a red 2001 CLK55 for sale in the paper and eBay right now. Atlanta Autoshowcase. In the online paper they wanted 51K for this car, it has 14K miles. On eBay the bidding is around 35K.

This car has just poped up and could very well be the car that just went through the auction at 41K. Miles are close.

I know that it is capitalism at its best but it pisses me off that these wholesale car buyers are driving the car prices down at the auction and then want to make 10K to 15K selling the car. The prices we are paying are not that much lower but their margins are going way up......

Sorry for the soap box........

karl k

Edmunds lists for S. Florida:

Dealer Trade-In: What Others Are Getting - $49,110

Private Party: What Others Are Getting/Paying - $52,428

Dealer Retail: What Others Are Paying: $55,491

http://www.edmunds.com/used/2001/mer...Mercedes-Benz*

Personally, I would get a 2002 and pay $5,000 more over the 2001 CLK55 AMG.

ndabunka

Why would you spend the extra $5K for the '02? Is there some major difference between these cars (the '01 & the '02)?

JohnAMG

I spoke to my sale advisor today and told her the car is located at Bobby Rahal MB in PA. I told her the listed price is way too high and it needs to be lower before I even consider. Of course she went on and said this is a highly desirable car, but I told her it is a 2 years old car and since the new W209 CLK55 is only $10000 more, the listed price is overly inflated. We will see what she say next week. This "highly desirable' nonsense is insulting, within 500 miles radius there are at least 4 CLK55 for sale in the dealers inventory, not counting private sales. So, fair price at $53,000?

John

karl k

So, fair price at $53,000?

No, not without COMAND -- a $2,100 original option.

Schiznick

I would say 52K would be fair without Command and low miles.

Dealers are having a hard time moving these cars..... As you mentioned most people that have the 50K can come up with 70K so why buy used without a deal of some kind.....

JohnAMG

Thanks guys,

I am so glad this forum is here so the consumer can get better informed. What are differences between the 2001 and 2002 CLK55?

John

Schiznick

Center caps on the wheels are the only thing I can remember. Also Command was easier to get without waiting for a long period as in 2001.

2002 was also the first year of the CLK55 Cab in the US.

skidz1

$55,000 is way too high. They paid no more than mid $40's for the car. If they tell you anything else they are lying or they paid too much. In either case walk away. If they are willing to lower the price significantly then consider. The used car market is in the toilet and has been for an extended period of time. You will never have as much power as you do now(extreme buyers market) Edmunds, KBB is for pikers.

Brian Yee

One other notable difference between '01 & '02's... The mandatory (for '02 cars)interior trunk release switch. Useful in the event you or a loved one gets locked in the trunk during the committment of nefarious activities by others. As a result, I can speculate that Karl's perception of the "added value premium" of '02's over '01's stems from the possible consequences of being mistaken for a German tourist in Florida??!

karl k

Timing is everything. The end of the month is approaching.

May I suggest that you offer mid-forties and settle for around 47/48K - plus taxes, plus etc.

Key: Make your 44/45k offer Mon/Tues - and wait for the return call to come in before Friday -

Jan. 31st, the last day.

Remember, Feb. is another good month and so is March... Time is on your side.

JohnAMG

Hello Karl K,

Fortunately for me this is not a "must have" deal. I can walk away easily and wait. You are right, time is on my side and I won't be surprise 2-3 months later the car is still available. I got my beast already and my wife won't care when she gets HERS. She actually wants to get rid of the ML320 and buy a X5, but we got another 1.5 year to go on the lease. She does love the E55 power when I let her drive it once in a "WHILE". Now, if I only get her to stop buying purses(Louis Vutton, Chanel, Prada etc) after I get her the new ride.

John

karl k

Tnx Brian - still more Canadian Snowbirds than Krauts here in S. Florida.

Key consideration for getting a 2002MB:

If the MB car is LESS than 12 months old, you are alegible for the MB PREMIUM EXTENDED WARRANTY for 2-3k, which will cover you up to 100,000 miles and 2008/9.

Paying 5k more for a 2002 will pay in added value, since this MB premium warranty can be passed on to your buyer, if you want to sell prior to 2008/9.

Now, If the 2001 MB is fully MB STARMARKED, - up to 100,000 and 3 additional years, - pls. disregard the above 2002 model year suggestion.

karl k

John -

Since you are eyeing BMWs, wait a couple of months and you will be treated to a great new experience:

The new BMW 6 series!

...they will come with plenty of pockets/purses...so I am told.

JohnAMG

Hello Karl K,

What size of wheel/tire does the CLK 55 have? They are the monoblock like my E55 but looks a little smaller. BTW, my wife prefers the purses than the BMW 6 series.

John

JohnAMG

I spoke to my dealer yesterday and this is what they want. $57900 for the 2001 red CLK55 with 3000 miles( no COMAND, phone) and $20000 for my wife's 1998 CLK320 for trade in. The price for CLK55 include Starmark. I laught when she gave me the number and I told her she must be joking. Again she said it is a rare car that everyone wants??!!! I told her I have done my research and I will be generous with $55000 including 2 years Starmark and I almost told her don't insult me or else my next Benz will be bought somewhere else. We will see.

John

karl k

Hello John -

Tirerack site provides great info/service prices for most models in the Western Hemisphere:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Select...&autoYear=2002

Original Equipment Sizes for 2001/2 Mercedes-Benz CLK55

Original Equipment
Front 225/45-17

Original Equipment
Rear 245/40-17

GBD

JohnAMG I have a 2002 CLK55 with a little over 4,000 miles. Black charcoal. Driven in the rain once. I have not driven the car in two weeks because of the snow and because of the salt content on the roads. The car is paid off, so I can maybe trade for your car and then trade on something I want. I want 59,500 for my car. email www.downunder1984@aol.com This car has NEVER spent a night outside. I live on the East Coast.

JohnAMG

Hello GBD,

Great car you got there. For some reason my wife loves red and the stipulation is if I can find her a red CLK55 then she may consider the trade. I appreciate you offer and thanks again.

John

P.S. If she changes her mind I let you know.

JohnAMG

I found a black opal 2001 CLK55 with 9800 miles, COMAND and K2a package(Timeport phone, CD-changer and voice activation) available at Laguna Niguel Mercedes Benz dealership. My wife decided to go without red since we couldn't find a red CLK55 with decent options. My dealer/Buffalo NY can get the car for me at $53,500 with Starmark( 1 year). BTW, the interior is charcoal/ silver. I have a couple of questions,

1) what do you guys think of black opal?
2) is Laguna Niguel a reputable dealer?
3) what about the price?
4) should I contact an independent mechanic to inspect the car?( or I should take dealer's word)

If anyone of you live near the dealer, can you do me a favor and check out the car for me. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

John

Timster

Black Opal is a beautiful color.
Don't forget the phone, it's a great feature.
Also ask for the Complete Command CD set just incase you travel.
Best of luck,
Tim

ndabunka

Opal Black is really a dark blue. Dealers around here are having a hard time selling them (The local dealer here (Beck) has even had a low-end ($49K) car on the lot for about 2 months now). It got scratched around the hood marque and when I pointed it out, the rep said "Yea, we saw that and it's going in the back to get fixed right away. Yet two weeks later it's got the same scratches). I like the obsidian black MUCH better. Of course, mines Silver because the price was right. BTW - $53K is a little pricey (even with the starmark) in my opion. These cars are avail for high $40's ($48/$49K). Maybe the Starmark is worth the extra $3-$4K but in my opinion, you would know if you needed it well before the dealer warranty ran out.