Howdy, I'm new here.

[MrPyjamas]

Hi all,

I'm Dan, from West Yorkshire.. I just bought a 2002 CLK 500. I didn't do my due diligence though and ended up with something I can't justifiably repair. Anyway, I'm currently trying to get another so I'll be lurking around.

 

[dry run]

Welcome Sorry to hear of your misfortune What's the problem(s)?

 

[MrPyjamas]

Hey Dry run, thanks for the welcome.

The problems are fairly drastic unfortunately. I knew it had issues and I had budget to spend left over so I took a risk. Unfortunately I let myself.be pushed away from the RAC inspection and took it to a local garage who estimated about a grand for repairs. Unfortunately this wasn't the full picture.

I knew there was sealant in the coolant. And a previous owner had fit a manual switch to the cooling fan in the engine bay. Some varioo cosmetic issues and some accessibility issues (keyless entry failing on driver's side for example).

Anyway it appears the sealant is most likely masking a head gasket issue; in itself this isn't that much of an issue really. But it explains the fan mod done. But, and this is the kicker... To facilitate the fan mod, it turns out that the engine loom has been completely butchered. To the point that the cooling level sensors, washer jets and probably more just don't function. So on top of it likely needing the heads skimmed and reseated and whatever else might need doing, it needs a new full wiring loom fitted. Plus the cosmetic issues and a few other things, for me it's just not economical to repair. Parts, labour and not having the car for who knows how ever long it would take to fix, it's cheaper for me to source another (with full RAC inspection) and sell this one (honestly and candidly) to get anything I can back.

What's even worse is I've already lost about 3 grand on a car sale this summer. The one I had to sell in order to get this one as no one wanted to part ex "down" so all in all, I've had a pretty crappy year, automotively speaking.

*And breathe*

 

[John Laidlaw]

Welcome! Tale of woe which I hope will be replaced with a better tale on your next purchase!

 

[MrPyjamas]

Welcome! Tale of woe which I hope will be replaced with a better tale on your next purchase!

Thank you. I'm hoping so too. To be fair, the tale goes even deeper but I'll spare you that haha.

 

[Blobcat]

Hello and welcome

 

[MrPyjamas]

Hello and welcome

Thank you

 

[SmartAmg]

Welcome, Dan.

 

[MrPyjamas]

Welcome, Dan.

Thank you

 

[mioba]

Welcome to the forum MrPJs, unfortunate intro post. Could you net find a breaker car for most parts, ex whats needed for the HG.
If your capabale some bits you may be able to do yourself.
Those rad sealers a the worst thing even when something else in the circuit fails later on, it all needs taking aparts and cleaning.

The experience will keep you aware for the future.

 

[A.J.]

Hi Dan, welcome to the forum and hopefully a happier future MB is a good place to be so don't give up

 

[MrPyjamas]

Hi Dan, welcome to the forum and hopefully a happier future MB is a good place to be so don't give up

Thank you.

 

[MrPyjamas]

Welcome to the forum MrPJs, unfortunate intro post. Could you net find a breaker car for most parts, ex whats needed for the HG.
If your capabale some bits you may be able to do yourself.
Those rad sealers a the worst thing even when something else in the circuit fails later on, it all needs taking aparts and cleaning.

The experience will keep you aware for the future.

Thank you. I'm not capable unfortunately. I understand how some things works but when it comes.to actually doing them, I'm not the guy. Plus I don't have the facilities and timescales to manage it. And to be paying for the labour just isn't economical.

I've got my eye on another and have RAC going down next week.

My best hope is someone who is capable may want to do the work for themselves and purchase it from me. It's worth saving I think but not for me. I've put it on auto trader as is so we'll see if I get any interest. If I can recouperate some of my losses, it's better than nothing.

 

[mioba]

Could it be worth braking and sellling the parts one by one, will be worth more in parts, but that takes alot of effort your side taking bits apart and posting.

 

[MrPyjamas]

Could it be worth braking and sellling the parts one by one, will be worth more in parts, but that takes alot of effort your side taking bits apart and posting.

It would be worth it for someone but again, not me. I can't keep it on my driveway like that. Plus it's gravel so getting underneath is nigh on impossible. Anything longer than a quick Jack to take a wheel off becomes dangerous. I'll just have to keep it in tact until it can go somewhere. But I think if you take away labour costs, it is economically viable to repair it and save it as a project, so it's possible I might get lucky

 

[Andrew Crichton]

Hello & Welcome Dan

 

[davemercedes]

Hello and welcome, Dan. Let's hope the one you're after now works out okay!

 

[Wighty]

Welcome buddy , after that tale of woe I bet you wish you hadn’t got out of bed (too soon for the pyjama joke ? )

 

[MrPyjamas]

Welcome buddy , after that tale of woe I bet you wish you hadn’t got out of bed (too soon for the pyjama joke ? )

Haha. Don't worry. It sort of is a joke. I love coming home after work, locking the door and putting my PJs on. Social anxiety of going out etc

 

[Wighty]

Haha. Don't worry. It sort of is a joke. I love coming home after work, locking the door and putting my PJs on. Social anxiety of going out etc

I’m more of a birthday suit kind of guy