Buying a 2003 CLK 240?

[LeadFarmer]

Any thoughts on buying/owning a 53 reg CLK 240 cabriolet with 65k miles offered at £1,500?

Owned by my wife's friend at work, It's been garaged for a couple of years unused and they were going to give it to a dealer for £1,500, but offered it to us for the same price. My wife would use it for work and as her every day car.

Personally I see it as a lot of car for the money, kindly offered to us at a low price, but maybe not so practical, thirsty and maybe expensive to run?

Edited by LeadFarmer on Thursday 12th May 20:47

[LeadFarmer]

Thanks, for the reply. It will surely be a lovely car and the wife really wants it, but i'm not quite convinced it will be the right car for her. But £1,500 is throw away money for a car like this.

We recently paid £5k for a 2022 Hyundai IX35 for her and had nothing but electrical problems with it, and has cost us £1k to put right. She's lost any love for the car and wants it gone, and her heart is set on the Merc.

[LeadFarmer]

The owner is taking it for an MOT and then we will see what's what.
I'd like to do some research onto how much branded tyres cost for these cars, so I'll find out the tyre sizes.
But if it fails the MOT for expensive parts then that might end the wife's dream before its even started

[LeadFarmer]

Dog Star said:

Are we not still in the era of rampant rust on a 53 plate, or at least the closing stages. Watch out for it if so, OP. Wheelarches are a dead giveaway and it'll be blatantly obvious. Also massive scabrous outbreaks in the middle of panels.

It may however be new enough to have escaped.

Might be going to see it next week so I shall give the arches a good coat of looking at, thanks. Although the wife has pretty much decided in her head that she is buying it!!!!!

[LeadFarmer]

We picked up the CLK 240 yesterday, it is an immaculate car. Hardly used for over a decade, always garaged, and hasn't been out of the garage since 2018. The roof looks brand new.

Only issue is the handbrake isn't releasing, I have to hook my toe under the hand brake pedal to pull it back up, whilst pulling the release lever. Would also like to have parking sensors fitted if that's possible?

Other than that it is lovely. We arranged to have it serviced at an Independent Mercedes garage before collecting, total cost £2k...

Edited by LeadFarmer on Sunday 12th June 21:06

[LeadFarmer]

Yes, we arranged for the previous owner to get it serviced and MOT prior to us collecting.

Do you think that if I lift the inspection plate under the rear seat the mechanism might just need greasing for the handbrake to release when pulling the lever?

[LeadFarmer]

I'm taking it to local car audio/electronic specialist on Monday to discuss what my options are. They do a variety of kits and the guy on the phone knew all bout working on CLK's and the good/bad aways of fitting sensors & cameras etc.

[LeadFarmer]

Went to a car audio specialists today and discussed different solutions for reversing aids...

Option 1 - Flush fit reversing sensors (colour coded) with audible beep £300
Option 2 - Reversing camera and Pioneer Apple Car Play DAB stereo £900
Option 3 - All the above £1,200

I think option 3 would be best so when reversing we see what is behind us, and hear audible beep for additional warning, and the Pioneer screen will allow connection with iPhone for Car Play so we get music, radio and satnav. But this costs almost as much as the car itself

Edited by LeadFarmer on Tuesday 28th June 18:03