Mini sold - now where are the CLK55s?

JJ

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Not sure if this is allowed under the Gen section, but couldn't find a wanted section where I could post.

In any case to cut a long story short, many months ago I was thinking about buying Peters CLK55 before I missed out and he sold it to the chap that had the mint 190E cossie (I think).

The reason I couldn't buy was that I hadn't sold my Mini Cooper S.

However - today the Mini has sold (hurray!) and I'm therefore to return to Merc ownership and I'm on the lookout for a CLK55 - Coupe or Cabrio - having been tempted by seeing Peters some time back. W208 or 209 considered.

Any advice on things to look for (esp on a W209 CLK55 Cabrio) appreciated.

Mods - if such a post is considered illegal / off side in this area, please delete - or better still move it somewhere appropriate.

Thanks

J
 

television

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JJ I think you are our oldest member on the forum,,congratulations and still here,,you must have good taste
 
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JJ

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Ha ha

Hadn't realised that - I'd long forgotten this site & my login and had to get it resent!

My early posts bring back memories - I'd just been to the Frankfurt motorshow (blasting across the autobahns in a mates new CLK55) to see the then new R230 SL500 launched, and had just ordered an AMG C32TWagon. Happy days - with more disposable!
 
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garysanderson

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There's a few cabrio's available on AT but most of what's available on fleaBay is high mileage or many, many previous owners. I've just bought a CLK55 Coupe but had noticed there seemed to be more Cabrio's than Coupe's around.

Best of luck and post pics when you find her...

This was a link to a CLK55 buyers guide (of sorts) that I found when Google'ing - it's what originally brought me to this site actually :)

http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?p=342309
 
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JJ

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Had a look at this one today.

http://pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1261460.htm

Some facts
3 previous owners, now on 4th - 03/03 car
Service History
1st service @10k in 2004, 2nd @28k in 2007, 3rd at 30k in 2008, 4th recently at 37k (this is from memory, so details maybe slightly out)

My perceptions / thoughts (which could be erroneous) :
Looked straight as far as I could see, wings never replaced etc.
Interior looked more tired than I expected for a 40k car, esp the drivers nappa - very shiney on seat and quite badly cracked on side bolster etc. I was quite surprised by this - is this normal? Is the nappa quite delicate / prone to wear? Certainly looked like it had done a load more miles than my 60k 330d.

I had a feel around the rear arches, but couldn't really tell either way whether there was any corrosion - felt a bit rough, but couldn't really see whether this was the start of some small blisters or just some road dirt etc.

Roof seemed to work OK but the whole car felt more creaky than I expected - again this could just be a cabrio thing, but I recall the one we had was very solid (this was 9 years ago though, so memory could be playing tricks!). One of the chrome flaps on the hood deck cover was not flush - a sign of anything?

Was up for £18500, current owner said they bought it in May for £18250. Owner said they had been offered £16500 and £17500 already and turned down the offers. Glass's guide has the car at :
Trade
Min - shed
£13,050
Med
£14,600
Top whack / mint
£16,100

Retail
£18,800

I went expecting to think it would be worth every penny of £16.5k, but if Glass's is in any way correct then it felt more like a £15k car. Maybe my expectations of a 6.5 year old car are too high - anyone have a similar mileage/vintage CLK55 around Bristol area that I could compare to?
 
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garysanderson

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My initial thoughts whilst reading your post (after your recent viewing JJ) was that the current owner and/or the previous owner has ragged it. I'll hold my hand up and say if I'm completly off base here but 2k and 7k between the last two services? Seem awfully close together for my liking...

The Coupe I've just bought hasn't got shiny leather and hardly any creases although a smidge younger and less mileage (26,600). There are no creaks that I can recall from my long test drive and I thought it felt almost like a brand new car. Dash/seating/windows were all tight and creak/rattle free and the engine sounded sweet as a nut.

I do suspect that the nappa in the AMG's is more prone to creases/cracks than the normal CLK MD fair because it's softer and consequently less hard wearing. If properly looked after however.... It should look better than the one you looked at sounds from your description.

I went to see another one prior to deciding on the one I finally plumped for which was black with anthracite leather (same nappa AMG) but there was discolouration on the perforatted back sections of the front seats. Not sure if this was general wear & tear or if someone had tried to clean it with someone they shouldn't have - didn't look very nice :( That was a 67k, 5 owner example.

I'd definately look at, at least 2 or 3 more as it gives you a good reference point for what to look for in your 'ideal' vehicle.

That one with the discoloured seating was up in Solihull at MB Direct.

Hope that helps :)
 
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