W208 CLK AMG 2001 prices

[Merc125]

Hi Steve
Thanks, good advice this is new territory for me as I have always walked away and waited for a genuine vehicle.
The car could possibly be the same one as you mentioned.

If so you will know that the condition does look v good from pictures, but again the magic of photoshop is so good that even I could be made to look good :mrgreen:
Never mind a good looking car.

Earlier last year I went to view a Porsche which upon close inspection of car and file, i found had been stuffed n dragged on its nsf wing by an American rocket launcher of all things near Fairford base!
US military denied it to the owner but eventually coughed up for repairs several years prior but the NS and OS of the porker looked different re panel gap etc, after advice from those who knew I walked away.
I later found out the Porker owner removed the ins details from the file and sold it to a guy from Bradford.

Re 208 AMG I assume back when car was three years old just prior to first MOT miles were wiped circa 50k - 90k. Removing those miles will have had a big effect on the price back then. As last year the owner claims he paid very strong money for the car.

What are your thoughts re RAC v AA inspection, or other independent engineers please?
I thought RAC/AA or whoever check car first before I see it, as it is a long way to go for a bacon roll and a coffee if the car is not right.

Then if I did go for it what would be a good buy price in your opinion given lack of history and it being clocked please.

 

[SteveX]

That's a very random thing to happen to the Porsche? lol

My gut feeling would be to hold on and wait for another, it may be a long wait though that is the problem. If it has no history and has had a clock change or dash, why? Could be any number of reasons from innocent to something more harsh like a crash repair.

It 'looks' in good condition from the pictures, but yes, looking at a picture of an entire car on a computer screen that in reality is the size of a very small part of one panel in real life is never a way of telling. It could be the light or my eyes but the nearside door and mirror look a slightly different color?

If you'd be happy knowing it had a clock change and it has no history then go take a look but if your gut tells you to wait then do that. I used to rush out and buy a car because there weren't many of that model or colour / spec around, even if it had it's flaws. These days I am a bit more sensible though.

I'd say for a coupe @ £4750 with no history and inaccurate mileage it is overpriced.

I've never used AA or RAC for checks so can't speak for them, I normally look them over myself or take them to the dealer to do a PPI.

 

[Merc125]

As requested a couple of Pics of my E30 (dog not included)
525 bottom end and 325 head so effectively a 327
New clutch, brakes, springs, rad, hoses, engine mounts etc etc etc
If you know anyone int please put them in touch before I pop it on Flea Bay or P heads etc
Thanks

 

[SteveX]

As requested a couple of Pics of my E30 (dog not included)
525 bottom end and 325 head so effectively a 327
New clutch, brakes, springs, rad, hoses, engine mounts etc etc etc
If you know anyone int please put them in touch before I pop it on Flea Bay or P heads etc
Thanks

Looks smart, I love e30's - will do

 

[Merc125]

Thanks Steve
Re W208 AMG

Excuse my ignorance but what is a Main Dealer PPI please.

I agree with your thoughts and price,
The car has had paint to what extent I do not know other than rear arches.

No excuse for viewing in daylight I guess is the answer

My thoughts re a report are that by the time I have had a round trip of 4-5 hours plus expense of travelling circa 350 miles it may be best just to go for an independent report first as that should give me a good starting point?
thoughts welcomed

 

[SteveX]

Thanks Steve
Re W208 AMG

Excuse my ignorance but what is a Main Dealer PPI please.

I agree with your thoughts and price,
The car has had paint to what extent I do not know other than rear arches.

No excuse for viewing in daylight I guess is the answer

My thoughts re a report are that by the time I have had a round trip of 4-5 hours plus expense of travelling circa 350 miles it may be best just to go for an independent report first as that should give me a good starting point?
thoughts welcomed

It mustn't be the same car, I was looking at pictures of what turned out to be this one in poole just now that has FSH and over 100k on the clock:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2001-MERCEDES-CLK55-AMG-AUTO-350BHP-FULL-S-HISTORY-12M-MOT-BOSE-SYSTEM-/291355876675?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item43d629dd43#ht_615wt_1388

I was just talking about a pre purchase inspection at a dealer, I've not had Mercedes do it before but I assume they do, I've had Porsche main dealers do it before for about 100, but it means arranging with the owner to take it there - some people get a bit funny about that.

I would travel that far if the car was ready to go and I was prepared to buy it there and then, but otherwise I wouldn't.

Perhaps you can arrange for RAC to meet you there.

 

[Merc125]

Thanks re PPI

No its not the one you have sent link,
I have spoken to that guy early December - he has tried a couple of times to move it on and each time it sold it has come back on as he informed me it was due to a time waster.

He will take a lot less for that car, I know because he contacted me and gave me the price it could be bought at, he is really speculating with what it is up for I think.

Also advert is misleading as he states RAC inspection but when i asked him when he eventually told me it was done in 2012!

Been several other AMG W208's in last couple months on Flea bay, one I have seen was up for £6900 owner states he bought it for £7250 in 2013.
Who knows?
It really looks a million times better than one in Poole but as you say a pc screen is small in comparison and as my son says photoshop is very useful.

I think I may have to bite the bullet and fill up and drive down but coordinate at same time with MB for PPI or RAC (I have heard they are very thorough in their assessment of a vehicle - and very useful if they are current and Not 3 years old

 

[SteveX]

Thanks re PPI

No its not the one you have sent link,
I have spoken to that guy early December - he has tried a couple of times to move it on and each time it sold it has come back on as he informed me it was due to a time waster.

He will take a lot less for that car, I know because he contacted me and gave me the price it could be bought at, he is really speculating with what it is up for I think.

Also advert is misleading as he states RAC inspection but when i asked him when he eventually told me it was done in 2012!

Been several other AMG W208's in last couple months on Flea bay, one I have seen was up for £6900 owner states he bought it for £7250 in 2013.
Who knows?
It really looks a million times better than one in Poole but as you say a pc screen is small in comparison and as my son says photoshop is very useful.

I think I may have to bite the bullet and fill up and drive down but coordinate at same time with MB for PPI or RAC (I have heard they are very thorough in their assessment of a vehicle - and very useful if they are current and Not 3 years old

Sounds like you are trying to convince yourself, so put some fuel in the car and go take a look.

It might be worth it and you come back with a nice car, or you see it, decide not to take it and then stop thinking about it.

Either way, it's only going to be a tank of fuel, and it's better to spend £100 or so than loose thousands.

 

[alexanderfoti]

It always helps to play the hard buyer as well, which can be helped when your going to look. I had the same plan with the other halfs SLK, I left and the dealer called me up and offered me 300 less if I could buy today! Needless to say I turned around.

 

[Merc125]

Chap selling car has reconsidered and no longer going to sell it but will keep it. Guess it was not meant to be, but then was about to HPI it and that may have explained a great deal more.
Best to find a genuine car, so if anyone knows of one please get in touch. thanks
Pic of car uploaded

 

[turbopete]

i could be wrong but theres something, not sure what, just doesnt sit right with me, looking at that car. first thing that struck me was the wheels. yes they look great on the car as a contrast, but why black? do the brakes get a thrashing and the black hides some of the brake dust? or is it simply the owners taste (we can NEVER honestly find that out until after the car is sold elsewhere) and also, again a minor thing, but did the 208 ever have the indicators in the door mirrors like the 203? i thought they had the small single bulb type indicators in the mirrors. again i could be wrong, and the change (if there was 1) may have been purely owner preference, but theres just SOMETHING about that car.

i could be totally wrong of course, but when i get THAT feeling when im buying, i always walk away unless desperate for wheels. i ignored the feeling twice. got a heap of trouble both times

 

[alexanderfoti]

i could be wrong but theres something, not sure what, just doesnt sit right with me, looking at that car. first thing that struck me was the wheels. yes they look great on the car as a contrast, but why black? do the brakes get a thrashing and the black hides some of the brake dust? or is it simply the owners taste (we can NEVER honestly find that out until after the car is sold elsewhere) and also, again a minor thing, but did the 208 ever have the indicators in the door mirrors like the 203? i thought they had the small single bulb type indicators in the mirrors. again i could be wrong, and the change (if there was 1) may have been purely owner preference, but theres just SOMETHING about that car.

i could be totally wrong of course, but when i get THAT feeling when im buying, i always walk away unless desperate for wheels. i ignored the feeling twice. got a heap of trouble both times

Those wheels should be Anthracite grey, but a lot of refurbers have trouble colour matching, might explain the reason.


The mirrors did have indicators like that in the later models.

maybe it looks wrong becuase its not rusty!

Also, the avantgarde 210's have darker rear lights, not so on the 208 for some reason. All 55's I have seen have been avantgardes.

 

[Merc125]

Current Owner (seller) said previous owner (Brazillian AMG specialist who worked near London) had the wheels carbon fibre wrapped. Why? could be personal choice.

Coincidentally he has gone back to Brazil now, he cold have been the person who specced the car out.

Appears this cars mileage dropped circa 50k in 2004 -5 according to DVLA records, I said if he checks his log book he should be able to find who owned the vehicle then and approach them as for a severe mileage reduction it is illegal to sell a car on knowingly with reduced mileage but not to adjust an odometer??

Did W208 circa 2001 have that type of mirror.
Interior seats were different to other W208 Amg's I presume car had received treatment (other than clocking) and I think an HPi check would have revealed more perhaps.
As you say not meant to be and so on the look out for another
Harsh but true re rust but there are some interesting body kits available that would not rust

 

[SteveX]

Current Owner (seller) said previous owner (Brazillian AMG specialist who worked near London) had the wheels carbon fibre wrapped. Why? could be personal choice.

Coincidentally he has gone back to Brazil now, he cold have been the person who specced the car out.

Appears this cars mileage dropped circa 50k in 2004 -5 according to DVLA records, I said if he checks his log book he should be able to find who owned the vehicle then and approach them as for a severe mileage reduction it is illegal to sell a car on knowingly with reduced mileage but not to adjust an odometer??

Did W208 circa 2001 have that type of mirror.
Interior seats were different to other W208 Amg's I presume car had received treatment (other than clocking) and I think an HPi check would have revealed more perhaps.
As you say not meant to be and so on the look out for another
Harsh but true re rust but there are some interesting body kits available that would not rust

My W208 2000 has indicators in the mirrors, though it was standard on later model W208's.

Can't say about the interior but that ones not available any more anyway, so as you said not meant to be and someone has saved you the trouble.

It's well worth taking your time anyway to find a good one that sounds right if you are not in a rush.

I am always looking at cars to see what is around, if I find one I will let you know.


Cheers,

 

[SteveX]

Saw this one:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-Benz-AMG-5-4-CLK55-2dr-NAV-XENONS-HEATED-SEATS-PETROL-2000-/231464352975?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item35e459bccf

Seems a bit pricey to me though.

 

[Merc125]

Hi thanks, spooky saw this yesterday on PH and was more expensive there:?:

What in your opinion is a good price to pay for the one in the link to E bay you sent please Steve?
I may go to see it but it does not mention owners and unsure of the Affalterbach Special Edition (will google it and see what comes up)
Says HPI clear and as its a dealer I would have some rights esp if bought by c/card
If price is right would be interested, never considered black W208 AMG before? Only ever seen them in Silver

Been busy selling E30 have a chap wanted to come tonight, seems very genuine and have rescheduled for Sunday (to suit me).
I have several other potential buyers waiting and wanting it, so see what happens Sunday.
Welcome your feedback on price for E Bay AMG please, or if anyone knows of one or has one to sell please get in touch,
Thanks

 

[alexanderfoti]

The AMG special edition is just a badge off ebay. Looks a very clean car but as you say, on the expensive side.

 

[SteveX]

Looks ok, but would need to be inspected / seen in the flesh of course before making any call.

If it had good history, nothing major to do, well looked after and drove well I would say it's worth more like 4.5k.

If it was really good and you fell in love with it maybe 4.8, but I wouldn't go any closer to 5k myself. Once you go toward 6k for not too much more you can start looking at early W209 coupes and E55 k's so kind of defeats the object unless you really are in love with the W208 shape.

I do like them, I think they still look like a handsome understated mercedes with clean lines.

 

[Merc125]

Thanks Steve for the advice re prices it really is appreciated and gives me confidence to not be taken.
Also thanks Alexanderfoti I will check with MB main agent to see what they have on file about that car prior to enquiring (hope it has not been clocked like the last one had) will also ask about the Affalterbach Special Edition to establish if it should be recorded in the cars log book, or as you say is it simply a flash steering wheel and an E Bay badge to tempt unassuming in parting with more of their hard earned for basically a stock AMG.
I do like the look and tax is cheaper than later AMG CLK's plus I like the way the cars drive my W210 drives lovely, my 4.3 V8 drives lovely and as you said before the AMG will be the same but sportier. I can wait for the right one but it pays to look closely listen to those who know and proceed with caution. if it looks to good to be true it probably is and if something sells then it was not for me

My lovely E30 cabriolet has been advertised two days now and has received over 1575 views plus 69 current watchers (that number is rising steadily) lots of positive comments, and 5 offers of the asking price. Hopefully it will go to a new owner this Sunday fingers crossed as fed up of time waster and beggars.
Then I can search in earnest (wife's permission) as I have space in my garage so please keep up the info flow it is much appreciated, thank you

 

[Merc125]

Hi
Chap with clocked Merc called me and relisted it in E Bay
By chance I took a GT40 to South Coast so agreed to view car
Really nice chap selling, re car
Front wings both had been painted, rust all along lip and edge of NSF wing, OSF wing bubbling at bottom where meets sill.
Small scratch rear bumper
Passenger door had small dent in bottom
He drove car first went well
I drove all A1 no issues, then I asked if I could accelerate hard through a corner chap said OK I opened it up went very quick then suddenly no accelerator pedal, car went into a limp mode in that it would not accelerate unless at very low revs.
Pulled over stopped engine re-stared it and it revved fine.
Set me thinking could be £££££ repair
As per forum offered him £4k but he could not come down to that figure

Do you think I have done the right thing as it had been clocked, no service history, and above.
Welcome thoughts please :???: