Journey to acquire a A209 CLK cabriolet

[retiefgoosen]

Hi all

 

i am charting down this journey for my quest on a cabriolet Merc as a second/weekend ride

 

It was boiled down to two on sgcarmart.

 

One being a maroon CLK200ML Elegance with 85K km, one owner.

The car was ok and not too bad for a 9 year old, obvious wear and tear seen but the drive was really good and quiet.

Aircon is weak and was told the compressor need changing.

I offered a price and the dealer was waiting to get a quote to fix the thing I wanted to be done.

waited a week and no news and reply was just waiting for quotation..

 

next was a Black advantgarde CLK 200 K with 110k KM. three owner.

car once again drive well and beside some cosmetic wear and tear, I do like this over the red car.

Decided to go ahead and paid a deposit

sent the car for STA inspection and came back grade B

all was within normal condition except there was a remark on noisy aircon

 

supposedly to sign the deal and proceed with balance payment .

I even bought the insurance online as the dealer( Car exporter) said needed that for transfer of name. car is taxed til 2015 by the way.

 

but a blow this afternoon, when Dealer rang me up and said the aircon was blowing out hot air as he was driving to meet me.

The car was diagnosed of aircon failure and needed aircon compressor and cooling coil to be replaced. This was quoted at 1500 and Dealer said,. is bad luck and he is willing to offset 200 dollars as "token"

 

I told him is not fair as I checked the car was ok but i said ok.. I liked the car and the price was low to start off, and I am willing to pay 1k on top of agreed price to get it fix and balance they pay or The deduct 500 dollars and I send the car to ah boon to get it fix my self

 

he seems to be reluctant and said to get back to me on this

 

now the question is wait or just forgo the deal?

 

would cancelling the insurance now have a penalty on me?

 

 

[Ody_2004]

Did u really witness the aircon was really gone?

U can call insurance co to check if there's a penalty before deciding

[blackmercs]

How much is the insurance penalty? For me if buying stuffs and got into a bad starts i will choose to move on. Air con is consider wear and tear the dealer will not honour for repair. Used car dealer will only agree to repair engine and gear box the rest is consider wear & tears. What if after you took over the car on the way back suspension malfunction will u go back to them for replacement? So there are too many "what if" especially buying a used car. Ask yourself deep down is it a good buy? If yes, just grab it and move on.

Gd luck!'

[retiefgoosen]

Did u really witness the aircon was really gone?

U can call insurance co to check if there's a penalty before deciding

 

 

yeah

 

went down to check out the car, the aircon is blowing strongly with hot air,

tested all blower fan speed.

 

good idea..

 

lemme call them and see

[retiefgoosen]

How much is the insurance penalty? For me if buying stuffs and got into a bad starts i will choose to move on. Air con is consider wear and tear the dealer will not honour for repair. Used car dealer will only agree to repair engine and gear box the rest is consider wear & tears. What if after you took over the car on the way back suspension malfunction will u go back to them for replacement? So there are too many "what if" especially buying a used car. Ask yourself deep down is it a good buy? If yes, just grab it and move on.

Gd luck!'

i agreed

the engine and gearbox plus brakes were good. STA report stated was normal. (BUT how reliable? remaining questionable)

 

the car I would say is a really good deal considering the dep per year is only about 10k

 

thats why I am offering the dealer there and then a top up of 1k

 

now am just gonna wait out for him to get back to me

 

this guy used to be a ex C and C sales agent

[bbwannabe]

Aircon is hardly a wear and tear item. Lemon law them since they have lemon insurance anyway.

[retiefgoosen]

called up insurance. penalty charges is 100.

 

I will wait for the dealer to call back about it today. if no deal then suck thumb and look for another...

 

buyers market anyway

[retiefgoosen]

update:

 

bought the car

getting it end of week and shall start my topless journey with this little car

 

stay tuned

[blackmercs]

Congras!! Join us for the kopi session next friday.

[SLKtigress]

topless rocks! enjoy your ride... 

[giggss]

congrats!

[retiefgoosen]

thanks thanks

 

will upload picture when I collect the car

 

two things in my mind now

 

to get a set of carmat for the car...

 

maybe to swap out the carlsson 18 wheels to original CLK wheels. (OFFSET 30+) quite difficult to find

[CES KLASS]

Bro Retiefgoosen,

Did the dealer honour to replace the aircon for you?

[blackmercs]

Ya do share with us the journey.

[MercZai ♫ Loüis ッ]

I love topless gal ! Oops. I mean car. Enjoy it and do meet us up for gtg. Also can go clear carbon !! So in the end u paid or they pay?

[retiefgoosen]

i love topless gals too

hahahah

 

i paid for the aircon repair.

[retiefgoosen]

hi all.

 

just collected the car and drove through rain and traffic jam.

no problem of leak nor over heating.

 

first thing to notice:

mechanical dings/ scratches on body panel

no biggies. not expecting a pristine new car so is still acceptable

 

the electric telescopic steering wheel adjustment, can extend and push in but cannot tilt up and down... 

probably have to look into it

 

the electric seat adjustment on the driver side. intermittently working for the back tilt function but as long as it is working, is still ok.

 

things I like which is keyless entry and start.

bixenon headlight

advantgarde trim with black headlining and titanium insert.

 

drive was good. seems to be rougher with the 1.8 compressor engine but the pull was strong and gear changes was smooth

of course, i can't compare to the 1.8 cgi engine of my W212 mated with 7 speed.

 

thats it for now..

 

took some pictures and will try to upload some over the weekend

[retiefgoosen]

Updates:

 

Had to sent the car back to the workshop/ dealer for fixing the roof

the roof wasnt opening and that was due to one of the cylinder seal leaking.

Had the cylinder replaced and fixed.

Bill was 650 dollars

 

Now working ok and everytime I open/ close the roof, I make a note to the hydraulic level in the reservoir. so far so good.

 

Got a set of customised car mat

velour with silver piping.

gonna look like those found on sport edition W203 ( I hope)

contrast piping will match well with my black interior/ alu trim.

Cost 58 SGD

 

Now sourcing an original Double Spoke 5 spoke staggered wheels for CLK.

gonna check out a set today

[malcolm]

Welcome to the club. I myself drive a clk cabriolet. fun car to go topless with enuff leg room for the back. Let's go for a spin one day.