soldbydon said:
Gorgeous example! I am in Ohio and own 3 of the CLK430's myself. Of the 17 modern classic M-B's in my collection the CLK's are my favorite. It's easy to understand why: The SL's are higher performance but way more maintenance-intensive, and they lack the practical interior space of the CLK's. The CLK's have just the right amount of modern electronics and safety features, but none of the electrical or suspension complexities of the 2000-era SL's. A few questions for you based on experience: 1) Please provide more info on the Kenwood aftermarket head unit - did it keep the original high-quality Bose amplifier (some don't) and does it have a CD input? Navigation works ok? 2) Is there a trunk mounted M-B CD changer? 3) Please confirm that the car does not have any of these issues found common to the CLK's: a) Rattle from underneath indicating bad cats b) passenger-side mirror wont automatically respond downwards to a shift into reverse c) top requires the driver to "help" lift it open due to defective top hydraulics or a broken cable 4) some pixels are dead in HVAC digital display 5) Steering wheel buttons are not "sticky" feeling. 6) 2 key fobs and all owners manual books? 7) Windscreen still in its case in trunk? Also, please provide pix of the car with all the front lights turned on, as replacing the bulbs requires a removal of the front nose assembly, an expensive ordeal. Thank you and good luck!
Googled the VIN and the car allegedly sold on another popular auction site for $4677 last month. Apparently the buyer never followed through with the sale. Similar comments to those found here. IMHO seller should have considered those comments seriously and taken action to correct the issues before listing the car for sale again.
If a seller hasn't chosen to spend the $20 needed for the genuine CLK 430 trunk badge, that says a lot. Buyers typically want to see receipts for work performed, a driving video, and undercarriage pix. The goal of a seller is to reduce risks and doubts for potential buyers by being candid about the condition and previous care of a vehicle, and to take care of minor issues such as replacing a missing badge and buffing out the car to remove superficial paint defects. I have owned a few CLK's and still own 2 of them, along with a handful of SL's and other M-B's back to 1958 and have bought and sold M-B's on this site; so much better than buying off a used car lot where sellers are reluctant to disclose true condition of a vehicle. Here on this site we expect more.
Low mileage but has not had the care of others; lots of paint scrapes and nicks; sun damage to birds eye maple wood and steering wheel buttons, drivers seat shows more wear than might be expected for mileage. Non-original economy replacement wheels (originals were AMG-badged and staggered). Door interiors show wear. Why is the CLK430 deck lid badge missing? No undercarriage pix? IMHO not quite nice enough to bring good money.
Both passenger door and driver's door appear to have different sheen and color from adjoining fenders. Please advise on the originality of all paintwork.
Gorgeous example! Finished in a rare color, normally found only on the SL500's of the era. Interesting that it has a sun roof and sun shade, that option being rare for the North American market. Wheels are nicer than the NA wheels on the CLK 320's. Car lacks the premium Bose audio system with steering wheel controls that was standard on domestic versions. Now, about those snow tires . . . . really?
Gorgeous example! So nice to see the wood and leather in pristine condition. Beautifully detailed. Haven't seen a nicer one in the last few years. Good luck!
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35k-Mile 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK430 Cabriolet Designo Cashmere Edition
soldbydon said:
Gorgeous example! I am in Ohio and own 3 of the CLK430's myself. Of the 17 modern classic M-B's in my collection the CLK's are my favorite. It's easy to understand why: The SL's are higher performance but way more maintenance-intensive, and they lack the practical interior space of the CLK's. The CLK's have just the right amount of modern electronics and safety features, but none of the electrical or suspension complexities of the 2000-era SL's. A few questions for you based on experience: 1) Please provide more info on the Kenwood aftermarket head unit - did it keep the original high-quality Bose amplifier (some don't) and does it have a CD input? Navigation works ok? 2) Is there a trunk mounted M-B CD changer? 3) Please confirm that the car does not have any of these issues found common to the CLK's: a) Rattle from underneath indicating bad cats b) passenger-side mirror wont automatically respond downwards to a shift into reverse c) top requires the driver to "help" lift it open due to defective top hydraulics or a broken cable 4) some pixels are dead in HVAC digital display 5) Steering wheel buttons are not "sticky" feeling. 6) 2 key fobs and all owners manual books? 7) Windscreen still in its case in trunk? Also, please provide pix of the car with all the front lights turned on, as replacing the bulbs requires a removal of the front nose assembly, an expensive ordeal. Thank you and good luck!NO RESERVE: 2001 Mercedes-Benz CLK430
soldbydon said:
Googled the VIN and the car allegedly sold on another popular auction site for $4677 last month. Apparently the buyer never followed through with the sale. Similar comments to those found here. IMHO seller should have considered those comments seriously and taken action to correct the issues before listing the car for sale again.NO RESERVE: 2001 Mercedes-Benz CLK430
soldbydon said:
If a seller hasn't chosen to spend the $20 needed for the genuine CLK 430 trunk badge, that says a lot. Buyers typically want to see receipts for work performed, a driving video, and undercarriage pix. The goal of a seller is to reduce risks and doubts for potential buyers by being candid about the condition and previous care of a vehicle, and to take care of minor issues such as replacing a missing badge and buffing out the car to remove superficial paint defects. I have owned a few CLK's and still own 2 of them, along with a handful of SL's and other M-B's back to 1958 and have bought and sold M-B's on this site; so much better than buying off a used car lot where sellers are reluctant to disclose true condition of a vehicle. Here on this site we expect more.NO RESERVE: 2001 Mercedes-Benz CLK430
soldbydon said:
Low mileage but has not had the care of others; lots of paint scrapes and nicks; sun damage to birds eye maple wood and steering wheel buttons, drivers seat shows more wear than might be expected for mileage. Non-original economy replacement wheels (originals were AMG-badged and staggered). Door interiors show wear. Why is the CLK430 deck lid badge missing? No undercarriage pix? IMHO not quite nice enough to bring good money.24k-Mile 1998 Mercedes-Benz CLK320
soldbydon said:
Both passenger door and driver's door appear to have different sheen and color from adjoining fenders. Please advise on the originality of all paintwork.24k-Mile 1998 Mercedes-Benz CLK320
soldbydon said:
Gorgeous example! Finished in a rare color, normally found only on the SL500's of the era. Interesting that it has a sun roof and sun shade, that option being rare for the North American market. Wheels are nicer than the NA wheels on the CLK 320's. Car lacks the premium Bose audio system with steering wheel controls that was standard on domestic versions. Now, about those snow tires . . . . really?1989 Mercedes-Benz 560SL w/47k Miles
soldbydon said:
Gorgeous example! So nice to see the wood and leather in pristine condition. Beautifully detailed. Haven't seen a nicer one in the last few years. Good luck!