Hello All,
My in-laws bought a used 2006 CLK55 AMG convertible around 2012. Forgive me if I'm not using the correct lingo for the model as I'm a newb. It had just around 52k miles on it when they bought it and if they drove it 500 miles total, I'd be surprised. It has been garage kept and has a new battery but the tires are somewhat flat-spotted from all the years of sitting parked. My father-in-law was a mechanic but died a couple of years ago and now my mother-in-law has a bunch of health issues like congestive heart failure and dementia. So since we are not the kind of people who just take stuff from our parents, we are buying the car "from her" even though she doesn't know she has it anymore and, are putting those funds towards her care where she now lives.

Now that that is out of the way, here is the only problem we know about with the car besides probably needing new tires. The engine barely smokes within a minute or so after starting and it smells like burning oil. My friend/DIY mechanic brought over his USB cable-camera thingy to check around the engine and couldn't see anything very obvious so, he thinks it's a dried-up lower seal from sitting around and never being driven. With only that much information, I wanted to lean on the community to ask what you may think it could be. I 100% plan on taking it to the local European Auto Garage but they're diagnostics aren't free or cheap so I just wanted to see if I could walk in there with some knowledge on what it may be. The car runs although the gas is probably old as heck as last fill-up was probably 3-4 years ago and I'm sure was the ethanol blend. So, short of siphoning out the old fuel, would putting 100% unleaded in there and a bottle of Seafoam or something similar help clear out any water or old gas?

Thank you.

 

Sorry about your in-laws. You are doing the right thing btw, cudos to you.

From my experience...and I've had this a few times, burning smell after sitting for a long time is usually from oil sitting on the exhaust headers. This usually comes from small oil seepage from either valve covers or something else thats above the headers. Totally normal on a m113 engine.

While I wouldn't urge you to call it good and just go and drive it with it smoking, I am very confident this is whats causing it. It usually burns off after a few days of driving.


As for the old fuel, I would start by just draining the old fuel and refilling it with fresh stuff. I recently bought a car that sat for five years. When I drained the fuel, it looked like it had separated and had this jello looking stuff on the bottom. I put a few gallons of fresh fuel in and I was fine.


My car wouldn't start so I started by replacing the fuel pump and the fuel filter which is what was causing the issue.


Drain and refill the fuel.
Replace fuel filter/fuel pump(yours might be fine but usually its recommended to replace in this case)

These are pretty reliable cars and you got your self one with low mileage. I say its a keeper and worth investing into.

 

Thank you very much for the reply and the potentially good news. Can I DIY the fuel filter or is it a tank drop to get to it? I know a few years ago, my father-in-law did get a synthetic oil change and they only put a few hundred miles on that change. Once I get the fuel replaced and the oil filter changed, I'll replace all the fluids. Also, are Mercedes like BMWs where you have to use OEM parts that cost an arm and a leg or can things like oil changes be done with off the shelf but high-quality products and fluids?

 

While I own a 05 c55 which is basically the same car, I am yet to do a fuel pump/filter on it. I know the setup is a bit different than the car I had to do it on which is a 98 c43 amg but Im sure itll be a diy sort of thing. Im sure someone here will chime in


I get my oil from Walmart and I always user fully synthetic Mobil 1. Walmart has a good deal which is 5qt for 25 bux.

I get parts either from pelicanparts or rock auto web sites. They have options ranging from cheap brands to oem mercedes benz parts and this is usually the case for most parts. If a part I need ends up being too much, I usually go for something in the mid range price wise. I never had any issues.

For mercedes parts, anything Bosch is usually a safe bet but Ive gotten other cheaper brands as well.

https://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog..._pg1.htm#item1

 

Thank you!

 

If we're being honest...
I would sell the car ASAP or trade it in and get the tax savings on a nice lease. Especially if they left you more than just an AMG

The market and value on the W209 AMG is starting to go to the dumps. It's at that period which the W208 seems to be coming out of where they're either daily driven and getting to such high mileage/age that the body and interior become terrible making them worthless, while also dragging down the value of the fewer lower mileage examples such as yours.

which...all depending you may be better off with a car driven say minimum 2500-5k miles a year rather than one driven 500 in 5 years especially a benz.

if you're prepared to invest what it's going to take to catch up on maintenance/make her nice and roll the dice for a potentially expensive repair in the future making it nearly valueless then that's just a few things to consider.

 

How much fuel is in the tank? If only a little, and the car is able to run on what it has, I’d just fill it up with whatever the best grade in your area is.

Drive to the mechanic, get them to change the oil and brake fluid and take it from there. I’d minimise mileage before this.

Flat spotted tyres obviously need to be replaced (buy a decent brand if you can afford it, it’s a performance car after all) but things like brakes will really depend on lots of different factors. Either the garage can tell you or you will find out for yourself soon enough.

Whilst not big money, there is some value there because it is a late car with low miles. Buyers that are interested in those things will be put off by basics not being done if you want to sell.

ETA: The W209 CLK55 had a number of very desirable updates during its life. Quad exhausts, nicer brakes, better suspension setup, updated dashboard. When valuing your car don’t compare to 2003 cars. In the UK at least, the few late cars do command a premium. 2006 with 55k might be worth twice a 2003 with 100k.

 

You serious?

So youd dump a perfectly fine solid car just to lease a newer one?

You know a clk series doesnt exist any more right? If anything these cars will be worth some money in the future. Late 90s and early 2000 amgs are already starting to appreciate in value. C43s and 355s with hse miles are going for over 15 easily.


To the owner: if you have any interest at all in this kind of car, this is definetly a keeper and once sorther out itll be a fine reliable car.

 

I’m glad you said it. I think the original poster just got a fantastic deal, as the market for these cars well maintained is growing stronger over time, not many new cars are going to give the same thrill of driving like these AMGs do.

To the OP: you can sell this car and get just as much, if not more than what you got it for in cash if you list it in the right market. These cars can go a very long time if you end up wanting to keep it. I should know- I have of this era Mercedes, with the higher mileage range of 180k-230k miles on them. They last a WHILE. This means the intrinsic value in the car is how well it’s maintained.

I would take it to a trusted Mercedes mechanic to have it looked over and if needed, have the fluid changed. Get it detailed and take some good pictures of it, then list it for sale above market price. If someone wants it, they want it. With that type of mileage, the engine isn’t really even truly broken in. It’s as close as a “new car” as people are going to get at this point and while you’re waiting for a buyer you can enjoy a great performance car.

Whatever you do, don’t trade it in for a leased car..... lol

 

I completely agree! This is a super rare 2006, which means the last year with the bulletproof M113 engine and equally bulletproof 722.6 transmission, but with aesthetic exterior and interior upgrades that became the CLK63.

I looked for one of these for years, but finally gave up and bought a 2008 CLK550 cabrio; had immediate issues with that, got rid of it and found a 2005 CLK55, which needed some work on the typical wear and tear of a 75k mile 13 yr old car that hadn’t always been garage kept and cared for.. Most expensive repairs have been $1,400 for a new exhaust system when the primary cats went, a $1,300 ABS module, a $7 little plastic part in the powered steering wheel adjustment that cost a $1,000 in labor and a little less for front control arms. Otherwise the car’s been great, reliable. By comparison, I’ve had new Audi’s that were in the shop every other week it seemed. IMO, a low mileage 2006 is definitely a keeper.

As for the oil leaks, the air breather covers and the oil fill tube are typical over 50k. These are not major repairs. I seriously doubt that a well kept low mileage M113 like this needs a valve cover or head gasket yet. They may be a little leaky in spots but not needing replacement. Since you don’t see anything obvious from the engine, I’d guess the oil fill tube may need replacement; check all around that area.

Keep it, or sell it to me! 😉

Post some pics!