Advice on CLK 230k 2002

[Jon Stead]

Hello everybody

anyone know anything bad about the 2002 year CLK 230K

Seen a relatively low mileage one that is really enticing me. Are thye known to suffer from the Valeo radiator problem?

2002 02 Reg MERCEDES-BENZ CLK 230K Avantgarde Tip

 

[television]

Yes they do have the Valeo problem, not if a Behr rad is fitted, the label will say.
Check for rust carefully around the rear wheel arches.

To check to see if any glycol troubles, listen carefully when pulling lightly in top for any humming or droning at around 1600 to 2000 rpm

 

[Jon Stead]

Clutching at straws here but is it possible for anybody to tell from this picture if this car has the dreaded Valeo radiator?

 

[television]

It did not apply to the 208, and yours must be a 208 as there is no 230k in the 209 range of cars so all clear

 

[Jon Stead]

It did not apply to the 208, and yours must be a 208 as there is no 230k in the 209 range of cars so all clear

That's good news indeed - thanks for that! So apart from the normal things I really only need to worry about rust and especially round the wheel arches.

I've seen two, of similar specification, age, mileage and price, but one is silver and the other Azurite(sp) blue, both look stunning on their advert photos.

I really want to go and view them. I don't mind buying the "old" shape for less money, because as I've mentioned earlier, I work away a lot and for at least six months of the year the car will just be sitting waiting for me to come home and enjoy it.

I've had dark cars before and I know how hard they are to keep clean, but when they are clean they look a million dollars, in my opinion, but I guess the typical Mercedes colour is silver - Silver Arrows and all that.

Decisions, decisions, decisions, decisions. I suppose at the end of the day the decision will be made for me if I see the "right" car!

 

[television]

Good luck, you are in no hurry so you can wait for the right car, I did though it did not do me much good, but I love it really

 

[Mark A]

I've had dark cars before and I know how hard they are to keep clean, but when they are clean they look a million dollars, in my opinion, but I guess the typical Mercedes colour is silver - Silver Arrows and all that.

The Azurite blue is very nice in the sunlight, and not too bad to keep clean. I don't have to wash the Azurite Blue CLK any more than I wash the wife's Silver ML. Don't worry about what colour is easiest to keep clean - go with your heart not your head.

 

[Cole@MBS]

Check its had a blocker plug fitted to the cam sensor, i would pull a few engine loom plugs apart and check there oil free, that model/age is prone for having looms replaced!!

 

[television]

Check its had a blocker plug fitted to the cam sensor, i would pull a few engine loom plugs apart and check there oil free, that model/age is prone for having looms replaced!!

And at £435 for the loom that makes good sense

 

[Jon Stead]

Well I've finally bit the bullet and bought a silver, one owner, full MB dealer history, bright silver 320 CLK with 80 thousand miles. It's beautiful apart from a bit of wear on the driver's door capping where the previous owner rested his arm. (Strange because of all the cars I've looked at this is the only one to show this wear).

Anyway I got it today and it's just gorgeous!

 

[television]

So pleased that you have found one that you like.

Can you post a picture of the door capping

 

[Jon Stead]

Here is the worn door capping and the interior handle has clear tape on it for some reason.

I also noticed today that the centre arm rest is also showing signs of wear - must be from the previous owner's sweat or aftershave or something!

I was thinking of getting them reupholstered but do you think these items are available at reasonable cost?

 

[jamesmc]

Actually my CLK has the same issue on the drivers door cap. I put it down to some kind of skin cream or similar. I feel oil doesn't react too well with that type of material.

It's Something I need to fix. Is it a single strip, or does it form part of the whole door card?

 

[television]

The door card is all in one lump, and nothing sold separately, other than the handle.

Those marks (dents) could have been made by a dog left in the car, or an arm braclet.

The door handle can be replaced, these things are cover in a vinyl without any backing, the are heat shrunk / stretched and often do not last long with sharp fingers or sweaty hands, also a problem on the 129 late cars.

You could remove the door card and lift the top rail covering, but it is moulded foam underneath, and I do not know if the surface could be raise or filled.

I can give anyone the info for removing the door cards

http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb2.as...GA=722.607&CT=F&cat=45Y&SID=72&SGR=200&SGN=06

 

[Jon Stead]

I've been to see a professional car upholsterer today and he thinks the vinyl has been cleaned with a solvent and degraded the vinyl. He thinks he can recover the door card caps in a contrasting material but I need to give him the cards.

Malcolm could you tell me how to remove the door cards and the central armrest so that I can take these pieces fro recovering?

BTW the car gets better every time I drive it as I get used to it more!