Meeyatch1

I was offered an '08 CLK63 Black Series with almost 58k miles today, and was not sure where to peg the value, as I know most of them have 30k miles or less. The mileage does not scare me because the car has been serviced at Mercedes since new, all records and both keys, along with all of the books, come with the car. About a month ago there was a 41k mile car here in the Midwest that was for sale for a long time and ended up selling for $57k. Other than that, I am having a heck of a time finding comparable cars. There is a 25k mile one on Ebay for $61k, but it has previous accident history, which I want to avoid.

I plan to drive the car almost daily anyway, which is the main reason it is useless for me to buy a 20k mile car and just decimate the value, when I could possibly get this and really not care how many miles I put on it or what it is worth after the fact.

Any help is appreciated. Thank you very much!

Meeyatch1

Anyone at all? I have everything arranged to purchase the car, and am heading up there this week to drive it, and hopefully make a deal happen. I just want a better idea of a safe market value for it.

sprins

No clue really. It's a thin market, especially for a car like this with substantial miles. How about you make a stingy offer to begin with, lets see how badly they want to sell. Low $50k to begin with?

Meeyatch1

I already did that to see where they were on the car, and the seller claims to need a minimum of around $57k for the car. I am not overly concerned about the mileage since the car has full documented dealer history, but I am concerned about getting into a car at $57k if its actual value is really $53k. But, like you said, there really are none in this market. Most that I am finding have half the mileage, and are asking $65k - $71k (who knows what they actually sell for), so that has me in a pickle as to the real value of this one.

sprins

Well, if the minimum they need is $57k, right there you have your maximum bid.

At this point you are the market (supply and demand is really just you two). So what you agree on will be the market value

Meeyatch1

I see your point. Maybe that will help me if I ever needed to sell it.

The other thing is that I could actually buy a 25k mile car that has had some paint work for the same money. So I am not sure which is worse...higher mileage, or previous paintwork, when it comes to a value.

sprins

Well, if and when you're selling in the future, the buyer will use any of the two arguments to negotiate the price lower, so strategically thinking about that now will always disappoint you in the future.

You'll be the one driving it daily, so get what gives you a better feel. If the paintwork is done properly (have an expert judge that) you could care less. If the maintenance on the high mileage is done properly (again, be sure) you could care less. Then I personally would choose depending on color, installed options, and price (which of the two sellers is willing to part more than the other).

RBYCC

Dino at Veloce Performance has one to sell....he's a forum sponsor and the car is tuned...
It showed up on an 11/12 email I received from him.
Tell him Ed Amoroso referred you...

Dino
602.430.6671
Dino@veloceperformance.com


2008 CLK/BS

Black/black
25K mi
Keyless go, xenons, NAV
No paint or accidents...... STUNNING
$61,750 Veloce Performance tuned to 565hp and delivered

Meeyatch1

Thank you very much! I appreciate it, and just left him a voicemail.

RBYCC

Mitch

Here are the pix that were attached to Dino's email...

Looks like a nice car...

Ed

Meeyatch1

Thanks! Talked with him twice today. He is checking on a few things for me on that one. Very much appreciated.

MIKESV8

great car, great price! can't wait until these drop into the $45k range so i can pick one up in a little less than 2 years.

mellowyellow

$45K - you will be waiting a while or get one with 60K+ miles.

I've been really thinking about CLKBS values lately. I am pretty sure we are near the floor for a reasonable (25K or less) miles and good condition/history car, around $65K.

These cars are really rare and highly desirable. Sure, they are older now and there is a shiny new CBS available, but compare CLKBS values to a 2008 Vantage, 2008 Carrera S, or 2008 SL63. I really think you're not going to see much more decline in age-based depreciation.

MIKESV8

i think i'll see them going for 45k-50k with less than 50k miles on them in a few years. just my thought. sucks to see them depreciate like this, but it helps us young owners help a lot

clkwork

IMO in today's market any black series that hasn't been wrecked is a steal for 60k. If money were no object I'd buy mine back for 70 in a heartbeat.

MACHC5

There are quite a few original owners like myself, who are not selling them, but when I'm dead all bets are off....
So, If someone wants a CLK63BS they should buy it, if they have the money...

Nero Tenebre

Mitch, I'm jealous! Let us know how much you ended up picking it up for-

Meeyatch1

Hello! I passed on the car. Lucky for me I paid the $210 for the Mercedes dealer to do a full inspection, and they found over $3,500 in work that needed done. After all that was taken into account, I decided to spend a few thousand extra and get a car with mileage in the 25k - 35k range.

I will say this. After driving it, with exception to the horrifically slow Manual mode in the transmission, this car is one of the best cars ever built. Period. It drives like nothing else. I love it, and am hooked. Everything you have read or watched online is a mere dusting of the surface of how good this car is. Drive a CLK63 Black Series and almost NOTHING on the road will ever be as entertaining again. It really is that good.

sprins

You'll get used to the manual, it's slow but it does the job properly. It just misses that cutting edge feeling. The twisties in the mountains is where this car shines most IMO. And then the autobox will do just fine.

Happy driving.

rage2

I love reading posts like this, driving the CLK63 BS for the first time. It's like seeing reactions to the Michael Douglas movie The Game. Can only happen once haha.

Hope to see you in a CLK BS soon. Don't forget to post pics!