$21K off MSRP; Brand New '04 - DID I GET A GOOD DEAL???

[BiTurboBenz]

What's up everyone? This is my first post here and I am happy to say I just took delivery of a brand spanking new, 2004 CLK55 coupe today!!! I am switching over from a Lexus SC430. I have always wanted a CLK55 since 2000 when the W208 came out...I just could never afford it! I actually found it on eBay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...sPageName=WDVW It is Pewter|Charcoal w/ Nav/Xenons/Keyless Go. It has a build date of 09/03 and an MSRP of $77,115.00. The car only had 76 miles and came with the full 4 yr/50,000 mile warranty + free maintenence. I was able to get the car for $56,500 + tax out the door. I have no clue why they couldn't sell it but they wanted $60K initially. I have been pricing 209 CLK55's for a year now and I thought this was a great deal, especially because the car was from a in-state, authorized MB dealer. I know the '05 is great (DVD NAV, QUAD EXHAUST, 18" WHEELS) but is it really worth the extra $$$? The depreciation on these CLK AMG's is ludicrous!!! ***Anyway - to all the experts on this forum: Do you guys think I did alright?? Please don't tell me I could have gotten it for $50K!!! I don't think I could have even if I tried. Also - Any tips for the break-in period??*** Thanks in advance & I look forward to chatting with all of you and sharing my M3/M5 kill stories with you. I worked for BMW for 2 years and I can't stand those cars...just my opinion. Peace!

To remove this ad, register today or login if you already are registered!

[clk04]

WOW... thats a spankin deal!!!

[rev]

Sounds like a great deal, congrats! Now get busy spanking those bimmers. Be safe though!

[ndabunka]

IMHO you got a great deal. Granted, the production date is 03 but if the "in service" date is the date you bought it, you've got a unique deal.

[BiTurboBenz]

Originally Posted by ndabunka

IMHO you got a great deal. Granted, the production date is 03 but if the "in service" date is the date you bought it, you've got a unique deal.

The "in service" date actually started 01/2005 & my warranty is good until 01/2009. I asked my sales rep why that would be and he stated that the dealership reported it sold to MB USA because they couldn't sell it/take the loss??? I think this was the third time they had it on eBay & their reserve price was $59,000.00 this time. I had known the sales rep from another dealer and he was able to get me that great price.

Interesting note: I am a very cautious consumer and I thought the car, even though it was new, might have been in an accident. I asked during the negotiations and my rep told me no. My buddy who works for Nissan said that the car might have paint/bodywork because it was marked down so much. He also stated that they should have declared to me at time of delivery if the car had been in any accidents. I trust my rep and I fully inspected the car but I still have no idea why they could not sell the car.

[brianw430]

I'd say you got better than a "good deal"! Paint work or otherwise, that is a great price. I recently had someone vandalize my CLK430 and the result was a new paint job that will be done on MOnday. In talking with the owner of the body shop, who does work for the local MB dealer, he said I would be surprised at how many new cars have paint work. Some is minor from transporting, to some pretty major stuff that occurs on the lot or in the course of a test drive. Either way, don't worry about why, just enjoy the fact that you greatly reduced the effective "hit" of depreciation!

Beautiful color too, I really like that combo!

[BiTurboBenz]

Originally Posted by brianw430

...he said I would be surprised at how many new cars have paint work. Some is minor from transporting, to some pretty major stuff that occurs on the lot or in the course of a test drive.

I agree, but isn't the dealer required by law to disclose the vehicle's accident history, even if it is new?

[smoothnyc]

Sounds like a decent deal. How much would a comparable 55 go for right now? I havent been looking so I dont know. Congrats on your car.

[BiTurboBenz]

Originally Posted by smoothnyc

Sounds like a decent deal. How much would a comparable 55 go for right now? I havent been looking so I dont know. Congrats on your car.

kbb.com will be adding the 2004 CLK55 AMG to their "trade-in" values on 4/28 - I had e-mailed them and they told me there were not many used 55's in the market yet.

I would guess right now you can get an '03 W209 with high miles/no options in the low $40's ranging to an '04 W209 with low miles/loaded in the high $50's.

[Chappy]

Welcome and congrats

Sounds like a good deal to me.

[Co 55 AMG]

Welcome and enjoy your new ride!
Rock On!!!!

[Rafi Jooma]

First off I'd like to say Congraulations and Welcome to the board. I'm somewhat new here and everybody has been so helpful. As far as the price you got, I don't think ANYBODY on this forum could have got a better deal than you. A part-time employee of mine is a car dealer by day and said you got a steal. I thought I got a good deal on mine but hearing your price made me jealous that I could have gotten an 04 w/ no miles for less than 8k more. The best part, in my opinion, is that your warranty started in 05 so it's basically like you bought a BRAND NEW 04 for 21G'z off the MSRP. Yah the new one is a little nicer but not 21G's nicer ya know. Another good part is that you purchased from an actual dealer so you HOPEFULLY wont' run into any BS. But good luck w/ the car and congratulations man! I'm sure if you ever need to sell it you won't take a loss for at least a 6 months to maybe even 1 year.

[MBH]

Originally Posted by ///CLKfiftyfive

What's up everyone?

This is my first post here and I am happy to say I just took delivery of a brand spanking new, 2004 CLK55 coupe today!!! I am switching over from a Lexus SC430. I have always wanted a CLK55 since 2000 when the W208 came out...I just could never afford it!


***Anyway - to all the experts on this forum: Do you guys think I did alright?? Please don't tell me I could have gotten it for $50K!!! I don't think I could have even if I tried. Also - Any tips for the break-in period??***

Thanks in advance & I look forward to chatting with all of you and sharing my M3/M5 kill stories with you. I worked for BMW for 2 years and I can't stand those cars...just my opinion. Peace!

Hey Congrats on the purchase of your new CLK55. That is an awesome deal you got Heck a brand new car and 21K off the sticker what more could you ask for. I see your from NJ and you got it just in time for the nice weather, enjoy.

Funny you mentioned BMW. I've owned 5 BMW's in the past, mostly late 80's to early,mid 90's models. I feel the new ones look like a disaster on wheels.

[Kar don]

great car and great deal! congrats!

[ima55r2]

Ya did good! You got a great car at a great price.

[BiTurboBenz]

...to everyone for your kind words!

I have been on eBay, Autotrader & cars.com for over a year looking for a low mileage, '04 CLK55 and I am happy I found one. Everyone wanted $60K+ for a somewhat comparable vehicle. I almost bought a silver one in FL for $55K with 3,600 miles/no navi...I'm glad I waited. But, I still have my SC430 until August and the 55 is sitting in my garage...I just felt like I could not let the deal slip away.

Like I said, they wanted $59,000.00 on eBay but because I knew the salesperson from Millenium he got me another $2.5K off!!! He is the man & will get a 100 from me in CSI.

My only problem thus far is the tripmeter/odo is still off by 1.5 miles The car has been driven & inspected by all the car gurus in my life and they all concur - it is a brand new vehicle, no accidents. With the MB Princeton name behind the vehicle & a warranty good until 2009 I think I will be okay.

I am also happy I financed this time around, I leased my Lexus and the mileage restrictions/contract commitment sucks. Thanks again to everyone

[BiTurboBenz]

Originally Posted by MBH

Funny you mentioned BMW. I've owned 5 BMW's in the past, mostly late 80's to early,mid 90's models. I feel the new ones look like a disaster on wheels.

I seriously contemplated getting a 645Ci (or a quarter to seven as we like to call them) instead of the AMG. I drove both and the 645's sunroof does not open, the rear windows don't open either & iDrive is a nightmare! Plus, the CLK55 is a beast and the 645 reminds me of a GT car. That sold me. I have alwyas wanted an AMG my entire driving life & I am happy I finally got one.

Bangle's new designs are a little crazy but they have grown on me. My favorite BMW of all time was the 1994/1995 850CSi - taht thing was the bomb

[Co 55 AMG]

Originally Posted by ///CLKfiftyfive

I seriously contemplated getting a 645Ci (or a quarter to seven as we like to call them) instead of the AMG. I drove both and the 645's sunroof does not open, the rear windows don't open either & iDrive is a nightmare! Plus, the CLK55 is a beast and the 645 reminds me of a GT car. That sold me. I have alwyas wanted an AMG my entire driving life & I am happy I finally got one.

Bangle's new designs are a little crazy but they have grown on me. My favorite BMW of all time was the 1994/1995 850CSi - taht thing was the bomb

I agree,always liked the 850's.

[BklynBenz]

sounds like a good deal to me and the fact that you got it from a local benz dealer with the warranty makes it even better! good luck and now theres someone else that can hopefully try to come to our lacking north east meets.

[MBH]

Originally Posted by ///CLKfiftyfive

Bangle's new designs are a little crazy but they have grown on me. My favorite BMW of all time was the 1994/1995 850CSi - taht thing was the bomb

Amen to that for me except the part where the new BMWs have grown on me. They haven't yet!!! I agree the old 850's where a gorgeous sight. Remember the 850Csi, only 200 were ever brought into the US. That was one awesome car.

Glad you made the right choice of an AMG A REAL CAR!!!

[Riot Nrrrd]

Originally Posted by Rafi Jooma

As far as the price you got, I don't think ANYBODY on this forum could have got a better deal than you.

Ummm ... I politely beg to differ

40% off MSRP on a 2002 cab with only 4134 miles on the odometer ... no, I think I won

[Rafi Jooma]

Dude, those are actually two entirely different cars. (new body vs. old body, cab vs. coupe, new vs. used) He got his only 1 year after it came it, where you got yours 2-3 years after. He also got a new warranty when you got a warranty that probably started in 2002. His car was a virgin, your car was used (Even though it had low mileage, it was still used). Yes, you got a great deal but I think he won.

BTW, he got his for 27-28% below MSRP. and it's two years newer than yours. 0 mileage. New Warranty.. That is well worth more than the 12% difference

Originally Posted by Riot Nrrrd

Ummm ... I politely beg to differ

40% off MSRP on a 2002 cab with only 4134 miles on the odometer ... no, I think I won

[Riot Nrrrd]

Originally Posted by Rafi Jooma

Dude, those are actually two entirely different cars. (new body vs. old body, cab vs. coupe, new vs. used) He got his only 1 year after it came it, where you got yours 2-3 years after. He also got a new warranty when you got a warranty that probably started in 2002. His car was a virgin, your car was used (Even though it had low mileage, it was still used). Yes, you got a great deal but I think he won.

OK OK, I didn't notice his was brand-spankin' new with only demo mileage. I give

(But it's still (a) not Black; (b) not a cab; and (c) not a W208 )

Great work getting them to come down that much ... I remember two years ago even when the 2004s were just hitting the streets (around September 2003 I think) I was trying to get a still-brand-new silver 2002 cab and they would only come down to something like $72,000 I think ... 'way past my ballpark

[BiTurboBenz]

I almost pulled the trigger on an '04 cab (5Kmi) except for one important factor...the extra weight.