Quentin Willson
reveals the classic Mercedes cabriolet that could be yours for £2k
Ihave a soft spot for elderly Mercs. There hasn’t been a time when there wasn’t some old Benz parked in my life. But this long-term affection isn’t an emotional thing, it’s a hardnosed and practical admiration for their sheer longevity. Of all the cars I’ve ever owned the ones wearing that three-pointed star have always started first time, every time. Better still, they usually sold for more than I paid.
After two years my beloved SLS gullwing was worth several grand more than its new list price, while a pair of SL63 AMGS cost me almost nothing in depreciation or repairs and were virtually free to own. Back in the 2000s I paid £17k for an E55 AMG, drove it carefully for two years (not an easy thing to do, mind) and then sold it for £16,900. And I’ve repeated this joyous pattern of predictable costs and glacial depreciation with R107s, R129s, SECS, SLKS and even a string of A-class models bought for my daughter. In fact I can’t ever remember losing more than a few hundred on an old Merc and most times turning a small profit. Feels good, that.
Success, of course, begins with buying the right car in the first place. That means warranted mileage, good colour and full history, avoiding the models that don’t sell – R-class, MLS and the S-class models with big, mental engines – choosing automatics only, then servicing them well and often and keeping every shred of paperwork in a neat file. And don’t forget oil and filter changes at 5000 miles, pressurewashing mud from lips of wheelarches and touching in stone chips.
Even a Benz will naturally deteriorate if you don’t apply some periodic cherishing. And if you do give them some mild love they become like the ’90 190D I ran for seven years that needed just a new battery and a set of brakes and tyres, and went on to sell for more than I paid. I remember that one not just with warm affection but deep admiration for the unbendable strength of its engineering.
Sitting in my driveway now is a 2000 CLK200 Avantgarde convertible that I’ve owned for six years. It’s travelled to France and back many times, sits outside in all weathers, gets used as the family hack and this week has just come back from its MOT with a flying pass and no advisories. The mileage may only be 66,000 and there are plenty of MB dealer stamps in the book but despite 18 years under its belt it still looks bright, shiny, rust-free and drives sweetly.
Apart from an exhaust box and the usual services it’s never let me down or needed anything remotely expensive. The simple little chain-driven supercharged engine is a gem that still spins silently and idles evenly while the supercharger gives it a decent clip of speed and it’s never returned less than 35mpg. As a neo-classic fourseater convertible for £2000 to £3000 it’s hard to think of anything that represents stronger value right now.
I really should keep it, but car space in the Willson house is always at a premium so the CLK will have to go. However, if you want a classy drop-top daily driver that’s cheap to run and easy to mend, look carefully at these first- and second-gen Merc CLKS convertibles. They’re at the very bottom of their value curve, so if you find a good low-miler you too could enjoy the heady taste of motoring for free.