CLK55 AMG, CLK63 AMG (W208, W209) 2000 - 2010 (Two Generations)

Buying used 2003 clk55 amg

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Old Nov 10, 2011 | 09:38 PM
  #26  
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I'll go check it out this weekend. The price does seem a litle low. This dealer sells mostly Bimmer & Benz. If carfax checks out clean and everything checks out clean then I would definitely jump on it. Just like GL says, buying a CPO doesn't mean you're safe from the headache. When I bought my first car which was a 2001 supercharged mustang gt. Bought it in 2007 with 35k miles. People kept telling me it was beat because it was supercharged and modified. I think it's all depends on how the previous owner take care of the car. I owned it for 3 yrs up to 79k miles with only a minor issue (had to replace the idle valve sensor). Well, if the clk doesn't work out then I'll go check out a 2004 325xi. My only concern with the clk is its rwd. I live in NJ so it will be tough driving in the winter.
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Old Nov 11, 2011 | 05:47 PM
  #27  
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Originally Posted by Tinng321
I'll go check it out this weekend. The price does seem a litle low. This dealer sells mostly Bimmer & Benz. If carfax checks out clean and everything checks out clean then I would definitely jump on it. Just like GL says, buying a CPO doesn't mean you're safe from the headache. When I bought my first car which was a 2001 supercharged mustang gt. Bought it in 2007 with 35k miles. People kept telling me it was beat because it was supercharged and modified. I think it's all depends on how the previous owner take care of the car. I owned it for 3 yrs up to 79k miles with only a minor issue (had to replace the idle valve sensor). Well, if the clk doesn't work out then I'll go check out a 2004 325xi. My only concern with the clk is its rwd. I live in NJ so it will be tough driving in the winter.
I drove my 01 in the winter in Chicago, it is not the bad. If you got the cash, I would highly recommend a dedicated snow tire set.
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Old Nov 16, 2011 | 02:15 PM
  #28  
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Originally Posted by Tinng321
I'll go check it out this weekend. The price does seem a litle low. This dealer sells mostly Bimmer & Benz. If carfax checks out clean and everything checks out clean then I would definitely jump on it. Just like GL says, buying a CPO doesn't mean you're safe from the headache. When I bought my first car which was a 2001 supercharged mustang gt. Bought it in 2007 with 35k miles. People kept telling me it was beat because it was supercharged and modified. I think it's all depends on how the previous owner take care of the car. I owned it for 3 yrs up to 79k miles with only a minor issue (had to replace the idle valve sensor). Well, if the clk doesn't work out then I'll go check out a 2004 325xi. My only concern with the clk is its rwd. I live in NJ so it will be tough driving in the winter.

Did you end up buying the car? If you're still trying to decide, I'll offer the (frequently cited) recommendation of a PPI. When I was buying my CLK55, the local dealership's PPI (three hours and $229 including tax) let me know exactly what was wrong with the car and provided me with the ammunition to negotiate the purchase price down $2,500. Interestingly, getting the necessary work done at an independent shop recommended by the local MBCA section cost me $900.

If the car seems solid, the CarFax looks good, maintenance has been done on schedule, and PPI doesn't turn up any disasters waiting to happen, it sounds like a great deal for $13K; I'd go for it.
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Old Nov 17, 2011 | 03:15 PM
  #29  
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Hmmm... funny thing is I'm looking @ this EXACT car on Autotrader. But it does seem too good to be true. Guess I'll keep searching. Good luck.
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Old Nov 21, 2011 | 09:09 PM
  #30  
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E 63S Wagon Renntech, E55 Renntech, SL65, SL 55 030, ML, bunch of old ones--they come, they go...
Hold up a sec...

Before all you experts get in a twit, we need to take a minute....maybe I missed it, is it n 03 cab or coupe? One is a 208, one is a 209. 208 55 cabs while very cool, are reasonably priced at retail in the middle teens, a little more for short miles. Only 208 coupes,which are darn near unsellable, are in this money. Conventional mb wisdom says to avoid first year benzes,but you have to take each car on it's own merit....do your homework and you'll take a lot of the scary part out...good luck..
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Old Nov 21, 2011 | 09:29 PM
  #31  
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09 335i 03 CLK55 AMG
I'm considering selling my 2003 CLK55 perhaps you might be interested? I have every option except Xenons and 71k miles. I live in NY as well.
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Old Nov 22, 2011 | 10:09 AM
  #32  
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Originally Posted by allenjdmb
Before all you experts get in a twit, we need to take a minute....maybe I missed it, is it n 03 cab or coupe? One is a 208, one is a 209. 208 55 cabs while very cool, are reasonably priced at retail in the middle teens, a little more for short miles. Only 208 coupes,which are darn near unsellable, are in this money. Conventional mb wisdom says to avoid first year benzes,but you have to take each car on it's own merit....do your homework and you'll take a lot of the scary part out...good luck..

I think you just missed part of the earlier conversation; it's a 2003 W209 coupe, 56K miles, dealer asking $13K (link below). I'd look closely before buying, but if a comprehensive inspection doesn't turn up any deal breakers, that seems pretty good to me.

Cheers.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false
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Old Nov 22, 2011 | 10:12 AM
  #33  
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E 63S Wagon Renntech, E55 Renntech, SL65, SL 55 030, ML, bunch of old ones--they come, they go...
My bad....

I'm sorry, I did miss that. Even so, as cold as 209 coupes are, that doesn't seem super cheap to me. Other caveats still apply....
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Old Nov 22, 2011 | 11:46 AM
  #34  
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Originally Posted by AMGJared
I'm considering selling my 2003 CLK55 perhaps you might be interested? I have every option except Xenons and 71k miles. I live in NY as well.
What will you drive when your fuel pump goes out again?
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Old Nov 27, 2011 | 06:34 PM
  #35  
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09 335i 03 CLK55 AMG
Originally Posted by Nachtsturm
What will you drive when your fuel pump goes out again?
Will be replaced by another AMG of course Need a bit more room, since the 4 year old is getting big so I am looking into something bigger. But to answer your question I was given a 2011 Camry loaner car for the day from BMW. I don't know if you saw my other thread on my stuck window, I was told that it was the chain? He said $150 to fix roughly, but I am going to get a second opinion, just been so busy.
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Old Dec 17, 2011 | 12:44 AM
  #36  
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Originally Posted by Moedy
price is ok but keep in mind when you are buying an amg or even a regular benz you need to put aside funds for the extra maintenance and costly repairs for these cars. Even if you do your own work the parts themselves are expensive. Dont buy a $14k benz if your budget is just $14k. At that mileage things go wrong. Im not sure if the brakes have been changed but if they arent, those are expensive. Also 2003 was the first year of the car so it might have some bugs. One common problem with the 2003's was the transmission contamination
Transmission contamination sounds like there are some garbages in the transmission bellhouse. Are they mostly made of metals from shaving the gears off?

Is that the transmission the only common problem for a W209 AMG?
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Old Jan 1, 2012 | 04:33 AM
  #37  
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2003 clk 55
i bought a 2003 clk55 for $16,200(private seller) in oct 2010 and the car has been awesome!!ALOT cheaper in maintenence then i expected!oil changes last like 10k!i was previously driving a 97 cobra so i was hesitant. dont be these cars are VERY well built. make sure if u buy a 03 that the valeo radiator has either been fixed or replaced, luckily the one i bought already had the transmission and radiator replaced.hope this help a lil
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Old Jan 1, 2012 | 11:43 PM
  #38  
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Originally Posted by Nachtsturm
If it is at a no name dealer, walk away. If not it is worth checking into.

Remember, if they are at a no name dealer, it is for a reason.

Against my better judgment, I tried only once to buy a car at one of those dealers. A 2001 Integra type R with 23k miles, low and behold, odometer roll back. I don't care how enticing the deal is, if its at one of those mickey mouse dealers. Stay away.
I'm glad I found this post. I remember I saw your post in a long time ago, but I forgot to ask you a question about the "no name mickey mouse dealers." Can you be more specific about them?

There are a lot of dealers around my local, but most of them have been there for more than a decade. I don't know if they're still the no name dealers, because they sell ton of random brand cars.
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Old Jan 21, 2014 | 06:34 PM
  #39  
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Clk55amg 2004
Hi everyone,

I m a little bit off topic but i really need advice ...
So i m about to buy a Clk 55 amg 2004 that has 115000 miles.
i checked its carfax and it seems fine, so now i m going to check it through an authorized workshop.
But still i needed to know your opinion about the engine life and in case there is something in particular i need to check on the car ...
Thank you all !
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Old Jan 23, 2014 | 02:11 AM
  #40  
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CLK55
Originally Posted by Miiike
Hi everyone,

I m a little bit off topic but i really need advice ...
So i m about to buy a Clk 55 amg 2004 that has 115000 miles.
i checked its carfax and it seems fine, so now i m going to check it through an authorized workshop.
But still i needed to know your opinion about the engine life and in case there is something in particular i need to check on the car ...
Thank you all !
Might want to make a new thread on the w209 or clk55 amg forum page
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