Clk with chrome wheel arches?

xtriple

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 15, 2011
Messages
138
Reaction score
9
Location
Torquay Devon
Your Mercedes
208 Convertible 320. Vauxhall Astra estate (yuck!) Jeep Cherokee 4.0.
Right, I am prepared to be roasted here, but hear me out... I have '99 CLK 320. It has blobs of rust round three of the four wheelarches, really, as is to be expected. The car cost £1800 and I have spent a bit on it getting it all working properly so now my mind turns to the rust. I shall ask a local bodyshop how much to repair and paint properly (and the bumpers) but, I thought a cheap alternative would be the chrome arch kits available for £60 ish. I have to admit, I am not a fan of them but wondered if they would suit a CLK. Also, I could deal with the rust blebs, treat, paint and then pour Waxoyl inside them and then put these arches over the top which should protect them.

The car is Metallic Black Opal so quite dark, any thoughts on if this would spoil the car or maybe, improve it?

I know what I think, but I'm asking you oh wise ones :)
 

towat

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 5, 2016
Messages
112
Reaction score
44
Location
West Midlands
Your Mercedes
W208 CLK 320
I Also have a 99 208 320 Covertible, bought it 18 months ago and spent £1000 on new wings and arches, I know I won't get that money back when I sell it but plan to keep it for a few years anyway so what the hey. I have since done a lot of suspension work myself and from poking around underneath I think it would be fairly easy to replace the front wings yourself, they cost about £140 each, then get a bodyshop to sort out the rear arches and give it a cheap respray.

Regarding your actual question I also briefly considered chrome arches but rejected them on the basis that they look a bit naff.
 
OP
xtriple

xtriple

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 15, 2011
Messages
138
Reaction score
9
Location
Torquay Devon
Your Mercedes
208 Convertible 320. Vauxhall Astra estate (yuck!) Jeep Cherokee 4.0.
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #3
I Also have a 99 208 320 Covertible, bought it 18 months ago and spent £1000 on new wings and arches, I know I won't get that money back when I sell it but plan to keep it for a few years anyway so what the hey. I have since done a lot of suspension work myself and from poking around underneath I think it would be fairly easy to replace the front wings yourself, they cost about £140 each, then get a bodyshop to sort out the rear arches and give it a cheap respray.

Regarding your actual question I also briefly considered chrome arches but rejected them on the basis that they look a bit naff.

They do indeed. I thnk I will go the re-spray route, just trying to save money as a tad broke at the moment!
 

John Laidlaw

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 15, 2013
Messages
26,373
Reaction score
9,163
Location
Wirral
Your Mercedes
Land Rover Discovery 4
I also think they look naff, but if it’s budget driven then do what you have to. Not sure about the treatment then pouring waxoyl inside to be honest. Can’t you get these wheel arches in Matt black ? Just a thought
 

A.J.

Senior Member
Joined
May 31, 2015
Messages
21,258
Reaction score
9,581
Location
Norwich. UK
Your Mercedes
UnMerc - 2020 VW Polo 2.0t GTi Plus, DSG. Flash Red, Traditional VW GTi Tartan seat trim.
Likewise ^^^ if you don't mind me saying, they do look a bit naff, almost pikey. :(
 

towat

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 5, 2016
Messages
112
Reaction score
44
Location
West Midlands
Your Mercedes
W208 CLK 320
They do indeed. I thnk I will go the re-spray route, just trying to save money as a tad broke at the moment!

They could be alright as a temporary stop gap solution to tide you over, just don't forget the furry dice and sun visor
 

towat

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 5, 2016
Messages
112
Reaction score
44
Location
West Midlands
Your Mercedes
W208 CLK 320
I also think they look naff, but if it’s budget driven then do what you have to. Not sure about the treatment then pouring waxoyl inside to be honest. Can’t you get these wheel arches in Matt black ? Just a thought

Good idea in theory you could spray them any colour.
 

AnthonyUK

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 17, 2018
Messages
1,285
Reaction score
935
Location
Alton, Hants
Your Mercedes
C240 estate 2002
I have a similar issue on my S203. I have a quote from a local bodyshop which came in at over £1500 for four wings.

This pic is indicative of the others so pretty minor I assumed.
I'll probably do it myself as I didn't pay that for the car but will get another quote.

42036172194_b6d6db92c9_z.jpg
 
Last edited:

malcolm E53 AMG

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 21, 2005
Messages
6,993
Reaction score
4,596
Ironically I’ve just seen a CLK thus equipped and it looked terrible, the car was spotlessly clean which made it look even worse. You might get away with spraying them body colour but needs must if not I guess
 

LostKiwi

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 25, 2006
Messages
31,328
Reaction score
21,575
Location
Midlands / Charente-Maritime
Your Mercedes
'93 500SL-32, '01 W210 Estate E240 (RIP), 02 R230 SL500, 04 Smart Roadster Coupe, 11 R350CDi
Any MB with chrome wheel arches just looks wrong.
 
OP
xtriple

xtriple

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 15, 2011
Messages
138
Reaction score
9
Location
Torquay Devon
Your Mercedes
208 Convertible 320. Vauxhall Astra estate (yuck!) Jeep Cherokee 4.0.
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #12
It seems the concensus is: 'NO!' I do agree, just hate rust and broke... but I rang my favourite, very good body man yesterday, he is coming to see it on Thursday?Friday and is keen to do the job. Just down to cost now. It's a nice car, probably worth it, but I do need to watch the pennies just now.
 

Andy.M

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 20, 2012
Messages
903
Reaction score
133
Location
Rochester Kent
Your Mercedes
2014 GLA250 Premium Plus, Night, AMG Exclusive Leather, Driving Assistance Packs COMAND DAB HK Audio
Never mind that. liking your profile pic ! :)
 

GlosRichCLK

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 18, 2017
Messages
279
Reaction score
74
Location
Gloucestershire
Your Mercedes
2019 W177 A180 SE auto, 2012 W212 E350 CDi Sport saloon, 2001 CLK 230 K Cabriolet A208
Yep as said the chrome arches look naff, and are only usually fitted to hide the rust.

In my opinion, I would watch how much you spend on the car, as the newer W209 cabriolets are a much better car, and not a lot more expensive. I've seen some of the big petrol models, 240, 380, 320 etc with sensible miles, going for between £2 -3k, so is it worth spending too much on your W208?

Yes some W209s are rusty, but they are generally better than the W208.

I cant see you getting much change out of £1k for a decent job.
 
OP
xtriple

xtriple

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 15, 2011
Messages
138
Reaction score
9
Location
Torquay Devon
Your Mercedes
208 Convertible 320. Vauxhall Astra estate (yuck!) Jeep Cherokee 4.0.
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #15
Yep as said the chrome arches look naff, and are only usually fitted to hide the rust.

In my opinion, I would watch how much you spend on the car, as the newer W209 cabriolets are a much better car, and not a lot more expensive. I've seen some of the big petrol models, 240, 380, 320 etc with sensible miles, going for between £2 -3k, so is it worth spending too much on your W208?

Yes some W209s are rusty, but they are generally better than the W208.

I cant see you getting much change out of £1k for a decent job.

You have to recall that down here in Devon we have a micro-climate all of our own when it comes to car prices! Anything half decent is always hundreds/thousands more than the same car in the Midlands/elsewhere. It is VERY annoying. I paid £1800 for mine and given that it is in pretty good condition, seems fair for round here. None of the rust is bad, just bubbles on the drivers side rear wheel arch which are the worst bit. If I could truly do 'not caring' I would still be driving around in a decent looking MB convertible, the problem comes from the fact that I know...

I know that ultimately the car is not worth a lot, but I really quite like it and so my desire to convertible on a budget has sort of flown away! I need the four seats (dogs in the back) so there really is not a lot of options out there unless I get a SAAB or Volvo version... I'd rather carry on with the MB! I may keep it long term and wait until it's a classic and worth 'Millions' before selling it or upgrading :) I do tend to fall in love with stuff and then spend way more than the item is worth on 'restoring' them. I'm just as bad with bikes and watches!
 

GlosRichCLK

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 18, 2017
Messages
279
Reaction score
74
Location
Gloucestershire
Your Mercedes
2019 W177 A180 SE auto, 2012 W212 E350 CDi Sport saloon, 2001 CLK 230 K Cabriolet A208
Devon's not exactly outer Mongolia is it?...lol
Even if you could manage to get up to Bristol, I'm sure you could find a w209 cabriolet for a good price.
Unless your car is in excellent condition and low miles it's never going to be a classic worth a lot.
I'd recommend running it for a few months before investing too much, in case it has mechanical issues to fix first.
 

Rob Turner

New Member
Joined
Jun 14, 2018
Messages
4
Reaction score
2
Your Mercedes
clk 320
Right, I am prepared to be roasted here, but hear me out... I have '99 CLK 320. It has blobs of rust round three of the four wheelarches, really, as is to be expected. The car cost £1800 and I have spent a bit on it getting it all working properly so now my mind turns to the rust. I shall ask a local bodyshop how much to repair and paint properly (and the bumpers) but, I thought a cheap alternative would be the chrome arch kits available for £60 ish. I have to admit, I am not a fan of them but wondered if they would suit a CLK. Also, I could deal with the rust blebs, treat, paint and then pour Waxoyl inside them and then put these arches over the top which should protect them.

The car is Metallic Black Opal so quite dark, any thoughts on if this would spoil the car or maybe, improve it?

I know what I think, but I'm asking you oh wise ones :)
Use Buzzweld on them. I did the wife's Spitfire bulkhead and am happy to recommend it.
 

Attachments

  • green bulkhed buzzweld.jpg
    green bulkhed buzzweld.jpg
    212.8 KB · Views: 24
OP
xtriple

xtriple

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 15, 2011
Messages
138
Reaction score
9
Location
Torquay Devon
Your Mercedes
208 Convertible 320. Vauxhall Astra estate (yuck!) Jeep Cherokee 4.0.
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #18
Just had the guy I used for my last car(s) round. Just set up on his own and is VERY good. Both sides and the bonnet, £1050 after a substantial discount. I know the car is probably not worth it but, it will make it pretty much perfect. So middle of next month should see it looking properly pretty :)
 

towat

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 5, 2016
Messages
112
Reaction score
44
Location
West Midlands
Your Mercedes
W208 CLK 320
Just had the guy I used for my last car(s) round. Just set up on his own and is VERY good. Both sides and the bonnet, £1050 after a substantial discount. I know the car is probably not worth it but, it will make it pretty much perfect. So middle of next month should see it looking properly pretty :)

Agreed, I did the same with mine, you can't always be governed by resale value, rather if you will get your monies worth from the car over a period of years, not saying that the W208 is a classic but how many future classics have been scrapped over the years because they were "not worth repairing" I know I've owned a few that I wish I still had. Also I don't like the shape of the W209 as much especially the convertible.
 


www.W140.co.uk&www.r129.co
Specialist in parts for W140 and R129 Mercedes-Benz models.
Top Bottom