So over the course of the past year or so, I have notice that it seems that largely the same batch of CLK63 Black Series are for sale. Many of these cars have been online for sale for quite some time....some for almost 2 YEARS!! I have talked to many exotic car dealers that will not even touch them because they are said to be virtual lot anchors. So, what is it about these cars that makes them almost unsellable?

 

It's not a main stream car and not the best daily driver.
Not for the average person.

 

We were just discussing this subject. Being 65 and living through the modern era of hi performance cars since the late 50's I have had just about every hi performance car and raced in the NHRA and IMSA winning a championship in 1983 for Porsche. My first car was a 1965 fuel injected Vette, then 1966 427. Pantera, Z-28, Porsche, Ferrari, Lambo, Mercedes, all tricked out of course. I bought a new 2008 CLK Black based on early reports. I had an SL-55 & CL-65 Kleeman at the time along with a GT-3 RS and Ferrari Stradale. The RS & Stradale were highly modified used for track with slicks.
When I got my first Black I was impressed what Mercedes finally put out, a serious effort amazingly close to a CLK-DTM. That was Hartmut's opinion at Renntech.
I did Renntech's early mods with headers and ECU. HRE built a set of custom max fitment wheels. I liked the car as a driver but it was not refined on the track. Just couldn't use the power with a lose rear end.
I sold it because of a bad lease deal by Mercedes. Recently you see my new purchase of the HR Weekend Warrior Build posted on this site. Moving out of the City I sold all my sports cars a year ago. I missed them but didn't want to tie up 200k on a Scuderia my next track car target. Been following the CLK Blacks and seeing all the mods now available I knew this car could have the performance potential I required in handling and power. The previous owner spent 50k at Renntech achieving 605 hp and all the carbon fiber goodies. Suspension was not touched except lowering.
HG installed the suspension mods focusing on the rear end and suspension.
Now the car has lost the lose rear end under acceleration and cornering. The trick was eliminating the 25 rubber bushings, adding 100 % LOCKING Qualif Diff, and adjustable lower control arms for Neg. Camber. These car like Neg. Camber, they need it to handle. The European Big Blocks are gone. The Black is the last of the bread, the end of an era. It's all less cubes and Turbos now. I say the CLK Black is Unique, one of a kind Mercedes Muscle Car. Add 600 hp, good handling and it is a super car in the right hands. I paid 80k for my car with 50k in Renntech mods. Another 15k and now it handles way better than stock. I say you can't beat these 6.2 Ltr cars. They are the European version of our best US Muscle cars. My car looks nasty and screams race car in the parking lot. Extremely rare and for under 100k you can't touch it in performance and handling plus it can save your life in an accident unlike an Aluminum sports car.
Notice how several race car drivers own them. Rahal, Kanaan, for example. Both Tony and I got the first Blacks and discussed its potential. I believe in every respect they are the best value and only the knowledgeable experienced drivers can appreciate them.
They don't sell that well because they don't look sexy like a Porsche or Ferrari.
Mod them and you have a whole new animal ready to take on anything in looks and performance. Put the pedal down in my car and trust me you get a thrill few cars can achieve. Steve B.

 

I think the right cars (meaning price/color/mileage) move quickly. I had been searching in Dallas for over a year. They were either gone by the time I got to the dealer or the dealer didn't want to come down to a realistic (market) price. The MB dealer I eventually purchased from sold 3 within a month. At $60-$70K, it's a lotta bang for the buck, but it's obviously not everyone's cup of tea. What I think distinguishes this car is that there's a subset potential buyers that are former owners - people who bought, sold and are looking to repurchase. That says a lot about it.

 

Steve B

+1 ^

From another 65 year old who started in competitive motorsports with a max performance hemi...

CLK63 BS not for everyone...same with the G55K and G63....
You have to know what you're getting into and appreciate the performance along with the "quirks"....

Ed A.

 

I wouldn't say they don't sell. I bought my first in BS March of 08 (only took pess then one week for both to sell) sold to trade up to a Porsche TT, then just recently bought my second with 1,800 miles on the clock, one owner all stock, perfect condition for $91k and put a lot more $$$ in CF parts, Renntech upgrades and film wrap. I've oweed 993 TTS, 993 97 Porsche TT(highly modified)07 BMW M5, 06 MBsl65 and 06 993 C4S, aside from the from the modified TT, the CLK BS is by far the most exciting car to drive as a weekend car. Todd

 

I forgot to mention the last area for improvement in the Black, the Transmission.
I had a IWC edition SL-63. EvoSport did a race exhaust system and Power Chip developed the software. It was a project car with the air box and pully. The car was completely different than my Black. The Engine pulled more revs much faster spinning freely to 7500 rpm making more power all the way to the limiter. The Trans shifted pretty fast in race mode. After my Ferrari Challenge Stradale's lightning shifts I was pretty spoiled but the Sport Shift blipping trans was the best Mercedes had done to date in race mode. I sure wish I could have that trans in my Project Warrior Black. Talking to Weistec about their trans mods and torque converter, but give me my Sport Shift trans back. It made it a blast to drive.
I can't drive my Black even in sport mode. It upshifts too prematurely lugging the engine. I only use manual but hate the delay. The Sport Shift held the gears perfectly and I actually enjoyed driving it that way most of the time in sport mode.

 

My silver car sold in 3 weeks this past spring... had 20k mies ... It sold through a consignment dealer and I netted $70k.

What's the problem?

G

 

+1, see my list of current/former cars. I'm back in the market now for another BS. The BS is addictive and once you've driven/owned one you'll never forget it. IMO there are a lot of second round owners out there who strayed and returned never to sell their BS again. In the future I would compare it to owning a 2000-2003 BMW M5 (E39) which is fast becoming a highly desirable collectible car. The BS like the M5 will always have a cult following because it represents the pinnacle of AMG performance. JMO-

 

Good point. I'm one of those people who sold, regretted, and just purchased another one.

 

Had the same issues.. (last paragraph)..

 

My black was just recently totaled... Insurance paid out pretty well based on availability of this particular car in my area. They gave me 80k.. So with another one off the road for good should give you boys a value bump

 

What happened to your Black that it was totaled? It's a pretty tough car, I hope you came out of it all right. I bet some would like to get some of the parts off the car. I know I would like an extra engine to build up.
Best regards, Steve

 

Just picked up a CLK63BS w 9k on the clock in immaculate condition, certified Mercedes vehicle w/warrantee for 82k and I have a C63BS but still wanted the 08 when the right black one came along....and I love it...I would think they would sell fast as the 6.2 winds to the end.

 

Very nice. Congrats!

Which one did you pick up?

 

It was at Mercedes of Cary in NC ;')

 

Ah nice. Thank you! (I missed that one -- I typically monitor the market moderately effectively, heh.)

 

Congrats, you feel like I do with the era of the big block AMG engines going into the history books. They can make good power with smaller turbo engines and get better fuel mileage but they just don't rock your world like an aspirated big block.
Are you going to keep it stock?
Best regards, Steve

 

They sell fast when they are priced right!

 

I am wondering because I have seen several in the low to mid $60s for asking prices, with around 25k - 35k miles, and they seem to languish for months at a time for sale. Heck, there are even some in the high $50s for sale that have 50k miles, and they have been available for a long time too.

 

for me best mod for the clkbs is by far the throttle bliping and diff ratio change 2.86 to 3.06 i have also done headers full 3" exhaust and tune the car now is a real super car all i am waiting for is weistec to come out with the adjustable rear control arm and then my bs will be one word perfect iv driven heaps so called super cars once you go black you never go back lol