Buying CLK320 AvGar Auto - 04 Good Deal??

[jeffclk]

The wife has fallen in love with a CLK320 AG auto coupe, however it has 97,285 miles on the clock! I have checked the service book and it has had 5 service since new. Reg 30/4/04 and 2 company owners - last one was October 04. I have rechecked this with MB and they have confirmed on their systems about the service. The price is £13,750 and no warranty..I have also checked with HPi and all checks are clean. Last service was May 07
I have no idea of the value on cars, but have checked out usual parkers and glasses guides and the price with the mileage is ok. I am having an RAC inspection on the car.
Questions are:
Is it a good deal?
Is the clk320 AG Auto Coupe a good car?
I have read reports on the forum that at 4 years a lot of MB bits need changing?
As no warranty where can I get a decent warranty to cover breakdown and failures with MB?
Any other info I need before buying?
Many thanks

 

[jberks]

Its probably not a bad price for an 04 car. The price and lack of warranty just reflects the mileage.
Its clearly a motorway car so mechanical wear will probably be no worse than a 30k one, especially if it's been properly serviced. 5 in 100k sounds a bit short but assuming fully synthetic oil, there shouldn't be a problem.
If your Mrs is like mine (lucky to cover 5k pa) then it may be good buy.

Things do come up at 4 years but they also come up at 40-60k so many should have been done already.
Warranty wise - forget it. All the good warranties back off once you hit 100k and the crap ones aren't worth the money. You'd be better putting your money in the bank.

 

[verytalldave]

This is not an opinion on the actual car - per se - but can I ask where you live?
If you happen to live anywhere where running a car with a CO2 emission of over 225g/km has a potential cost implication, do your sums and then judge. Remember, its a tax band G car and as time goes on these are going to get clobbered more and more.
I bought a C200K recently, only because any bigger engined Merc would have taken me into Band G for road tax.
Maybe you know all this already, and if so, forget I ever mentioned it. ;-)

 

[mattsurf]

I thought that the Band G tax is only relevant for Post 2006 cars, therefore this car will not be affected

 

[verytalldave]

Pass............you might be right. I dare say someone 100 time more knowledgeable than I will correct me if I'm wrong.

However, I wouldnt put it past our illustrious leaders to change the taxation system - yet again - to include ALL cars over 225g/km into band G.
Dont ever say they couldnt do it.................

 

[jon_harley]

Just to clarify, that CLK320 is not a tax band G car as it wasn't registered after March 2006. As I understand it London is planning an emissions based congestion charge, with a top rate of £25, to come in late in 2008m which *would* include all petrol CLK320s.

Yes, the CLK320 is a good car especially the Avantgarde. One of the expensive things at 4 years is the spark plugs but with that mileage they must surely have been done at least once. Worth checking on their condition I guess.

 

[jeffclk]

Thank you guys for the info.I have a quote from Warranty direct for £495 for 1 year, anyone know if this is a good deal< anyone used Warranty Direct before?
Also do MB offer warranties on a 97,270 mile car and are they any good?
Thanks for your help..

 

[jberks]

Thank you guys for the info.I have a quote from Warranty direct for £495 for 1 year, anyone know if this is a good deal< anyone used Warranty Direct before?

Yes - don't bother. Amongst others, see
http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t=29993

Also do MB offer warranties on a 97,270 mile car and are they any good?
Thanks for your help

I believe their warranties cease around 100k.
My advice is to not bother with a warranty but find yourself a good dependable local indie.

 

[jeffclk]

MB extra 12 months warranty???

Many thanks for your replies, buying the car today as wife cannot wait any longer. I have spoken to MB and they can offer another 12 months warranty for £879. However they must have a multi point service check done at MB which is £125+ vat. Total in all if this comes out ok is £1,000.
Is this good value on a clk 320 AvGar auto with 5 service history, last one done at 96700, car is now at 97270. Had a RAC inspection done yesterday and came out ok.