In the interest of being "fair and balanced" I would like to tell you my Mercedes CLK experience... surfing the net, I come up with an '01 CLK430 Cabriolet with 2100 miles on it at a Mercedes dealer... sure says I, it's been sitting in the body shop waiting for parts for two years... I happened to be in the neighborhood the next day on business, so I stop in. Car is CPO certified and flawless. Triple black, clean Carfax, appears as new. Dealer explains a regular client who has 5 cars traded this in on an AMG55... he said come back in 3 years or so and I can probably get that with 2100 miles on it as well...

I zone out and buy it, (adding two years Starmark warranty to the 1 year Mercedes gives with a CPO vehicle, just in case).  In ten months I have had just two very minor repairs... a split air conditioning line (replaced no charge) Understandable for a car that has not had it's AC operating much in 4 years... and a frozen seat belt reciever (replaced at no charge). My brake light is not deteriorating... this car is a gem, pleasure to drive and own. I traded in a low mileage Jag... the quality of the Benz in comparison obvious. The fit and finish is of the quality of my first Benz, purchased new in 1981. Bottom line, the CLK430 is a fast, well made and fun automobile...FEAR NOT THE CLK! As with any used car, you must look carefully to avoid damaged or poorly operating vehicles. Test drive over 50MPH, look for any indications of bodywork or wavy panels, you guys know the drill...