CLK or not?

Matthew Edwards

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SL55
Hello.

We are looking at a CLK convertible at around the £7k mark, has to be a petrol.

We visited our local Merc dealer today who offered, assuming we get one with a full Merc history, a free 'health check' on the car. A nice touch I thought. They also said there was nothing to worry about when getting one.

We are not too worried about fuel, more worried about mileage and service history. 6000 miles a year tops.

Is there anything we need to look out for?

I'm aware there are different monikers for engines, W ect ect. I've no clue about that so please use 'newbie speak' if you can.

A 350 or the next smaller engine seem most suitable but what else should we look for?

Many thanks for your time and wisdom.
 

Wighty

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Sunny Essex
Your Mercedes
W211/E320cdi/2009 and CLK200k 2009
Hi , I have a clk200 Kompressor convertible which is a lovely car , very comfortable as it is the avantgarde , not the sport , so 17 inch wheels which are pretty good on our roads , I did test drive a sport model with 18 wheels but found the ride too hard (but that's me ) .
On my model the timing chain can be a costly replacement . Google M271 engine for more info on the chain info .
I would also say make sure that the gearbox has had its 37500 mile ATF and filter change as being important
 

sonic

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Staffordshire
Your Mercedes
E350CDI, SLC250d, FJR 1300
Had two CLK's a W208 200K & a W209 270CDI, both great cars did over 115K in both of them.The first one almost nothing went wrong. The second I had to replace the front suspension bushes, & a rear shock absorber.
In 2012 I was looking for a late CLK but they were all silly prices. The E & C Coupe boots are smaller then the CLK, so I bought a 9 month old E350CDI demonstrator. Another great car.
 

GlosRichCLK

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Gloucestershire
Your Mercedes
2019 W177 A180 SE auto, 2012 W212 E350 CDi Sport saloon, 2001 CLK 230 K Cabriolet A208
From what I've read the V6 engines are more reliable than the 4 cylinder kompressor units.

The 240 and 320 V6 are better than the later 350 V6.

Buy on service history and condition. Low mileage does not necessarily mean the car is well maintained. Look for cars with good records\bills, quality tyres all round and no kerbed wheels.

Also check the roof works faultlessly, and no damage on the canvas, as they are £500 + labour to replace.
 
B

brick10

Guest
Hi welcome to the forum. I have had five CLKs and had no problem at all, if you are looking at CLKs with the 272 engine make sure you buy one from 2008 onwards as the earlier ones had timeing gear problems. If you buy one 2005 or before they had the 112 engine which is bullet proof, although a bit old. I have a 2008 CLK convertible and had no problems at all (fingers crossed).
Good luck with your search.
 

LostKiwi

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Midlands / Charente-Maritime
Your Mercedes
'93 500SL-32, '01 W210 Estate E240 (RIP), 02 R230 SL500, 04 Smart Roadster Coupe, 11 R350CDi
Definitely get the V6 in preference to the 4 cylinder - far smoother and more reliable as well.
GlosRichCLK got it bang on with the V6s.
As with all MBs, check all the electrics work, operate the roof several times to ensure it operates smoothly and with out error and if all good enjoy!
 

MercHand

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Your Mercedes
CLK
I own an 18 year old w208 CLK320 and it has been very reliable. I've owned the car for 8 years and know I'll get another 8 years out of it easily.

Could be a car for life, this one. :)
 

ajlsl600

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france
Your Mercedes
clk3202001,sl6002003 with everything regrettably sold ,A class 170cdi auto. NG/TF1800 ML250
i have the w208 avanteguarde, been the best motor ive had as said with basic diy they are pretty bullet proof mine is 320 auto and still on origional exhaust from 2001. only drama was blown maf and regulator after batery change? i just learnt to put things on,load when changing batt next time and did so a month ago without issue. dont know about newer model w209? body style not for me but prob as good .mine is still looking good and worth b all so i just keep as spare shopping car now.
 

GlosRichCLK

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Location
Gloucestershire
Your Mercedes
2019 W177 A180 SE auto, 2012 W212 E350 CDi Sport saloon, 2001 CLK 230 K Cabriolet A208
Only problem with the W208 is rust, the W209 is better in this respect, but I have seen some early W209s with rusty arches still.
 

Mark A

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Aberdeen
Your Mercedes
58 ML-320CDI.
Some lovely V8's out there too 430/500/55. I loved my 208 430 Convertible and fuel economy was't too bad (high 20's).
 

mercedes13156

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Location
West Lothian
Your Mercedes
CLK 200 Cabrio and a Ford Kuga
We've got a 2003/04 A209 convertible CLK. It's got the 1800 supercharged petrol engine and it's now in just over 115,000 miles. It's a superb car and is really fast for 163BHP. That's just short of the 240V6 and just more than the 220CDi. It has never refused to start in the three years we've had it. It is without doubt, the smoothest car we've driven and is an absolute delight to go out in.

Everything still works as it should and most importantly the roof does exactly what it's told. We have had occasional issues with the roof refusing to close, but there are two latches on the top surface of the screen and beside them are small hinged flaps. There is a microswitch under each and it's wrapped in a plastic cover. You need to push a finger into the apertures (both at the same time and push hard) until you feel a soft click on each and the roof will close when to operate it for another few months. I've also made sure that these and the other roof microswitches in the boot and in the roof storage area are cleaned regularly with non drying switch cleaner. IMG_0297.JPG

The original wheels are rubbish and are shedding sheets of paint at the moment. These will be replaced in the spring and the suspension currently sounds like it's all coming to bits. That's the bushes on the anti roll bars which are easily and cheaply replaced.

Frankly, we've spent only a nominal amount on it and look forward to the next few years. We love it!
 

flowrider

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Your Mercedes
SL500 (R230)
^^ That's a lovely car and a great colour. CLK's are a favourite of mine. A 63 is on my wish list.
A CLK63 is a lovely car. I looked at buying one several months back, at the time a 2007 was about £16k but they appear to have increased in price now looking on Autotrader.
 

MalcQV

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May 4, 2017
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Location
Manchester
Your Mercedes
Mercedes CLA200
2004 240 CLK for about 6 months. 138k
I paid a pittance for it and it has little history. I liked the colour and always fancied a CLK. I might even replace it next year with a newer CLK. I am not a fan of the new C Class coupe. It looks a little plain.

20171006_181438.jpg
Faults:-
No A/C (leak somewhere)
Front headlamp washers have ceased working.
Fold out mirror button is intermittently working.

Otherwise it is pretty damn perfect.
 

Sasha94

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Location
Bangor, North Wales
Your Mercedes
2003 CLK55 AMG
Excellent choice of course, you won’t go far wrong with a CLK; but why just 6 cylinders?

7788373A-1111-43DA-BC4E-0F4B0F11BC81.jpeg

That’s limitation right there! V8, no substitutes ;)

5E83E28B-4F62-4282-84A9-49BF391C1B0A.jpeg

A CLK500 convertible would fall nicely in your budget :)
 

MercHand

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Your Mercedes
CLK
Some really nice CLK's posted on this thread.

I love both generations of the CLK.
Reliable, Quick, Practical and Great to look at.

Just like their owners. :)
 

mercedes13156

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Location
West Lothian
Your Mercedes
CLK 200 Cabrio and a Ford Kuga
2004 240 CLK for about 6 months. 138k
I paid a pittance for it and it has little history. I liked the colour and always fancied a CLK. I might even replace it next year with a newer CLK. I am not a fan of the new C Class coupe. It looks a little plain.

View attachment 39603
Faults:-
No A/C (leak somewhere)
Front headlamp washers have ceased working.
Fold out mirror button is intermittently working.

Otherwise it is pretty damn perfect.

I agree. The new Mercs, (almost all of them appear just a little bit plain). All you have to do is look at a W203 or 209 front end from head on to realise what a beautiful flowing design job that was. Just the front end mind. You see it even more when you have one in a car park in a line with Fords, Nissans, Vauxhalls, BMWs, Audis, etc.
 

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