Buying a 2003 CLK240 sat garaged for 4 years

[Dale Stevens]

What is rust like on these cars? I've heard the arches can be prone to rust, or was that a previous generation 240?

Also, the rippling on the rear nearside passenger area, could that be a sign of water ingress or just the way the leather is?...



Noticed the front nearside door card is the same, so maybe just happens to be the way the leather is?

 

[Blobcat]

What is rust like on these cars? I've heard the arches can be prone to rust, or was that a previous generation 240?

Also, the rippling on the rear nearside passenger area, could that be a sign of water ingress or just the way the leather is?...

View attachment 76946

Noticed the front nearside door card is the same, so maybe just happens to be the way the leather is?

View attachment 76947

The door cards are “ruched” leather, they’re made that way. No water leak there

 

[AnthonyUK]

They are prone to rust. Yours currently looks fine so I would be taking all the arch liners out, clearing anything trapped and treating with Dinitrol/Waxoyl etc.
Also in the inner doors and take the sill covers off.
Inside the front passenger side wheel well is a siren unit which will likely be leaking battery acid and need removing/replacing.

 

[sausage]

The door cards are “ruched” leather, they’re made that way. No water leak there

Apparently not the most sought after type of leather, but is often an upgrade on other marques. Not sure if it is an upgrade on a MB. I had ruched leather on another car, really liked it and found it harder wearing on the seats than the standard seat leather. (Yes, I had two similar cars, one with, one without).

The interior looks very tidy.

 

[Blobcat]

Apparently not the most sought after type of leather, but is often an upgrade on other marques. Not sure if it is an upgrade on a MB. I had ruched leather on another car, really liked it and found it harder wearing on the seats than the standard seat leather. (Yes, I had two similar cars, one with, one without).

The interior looks very tidy.

With MB if the door cards are ruched then the seats are real leather. Very popular end of the 90's and early 2000's on Mercedes

 

[daibevan]

I'd snap it up. Looks lovely.

 

[AnthonyUK]

I'm not 100% on this so it may be worth also checking if this model is affected by the Valeo radiator issue.
This engine (M112 2.6 V6) uses a shared engine radiator gearbox oil cooler. If coolant (glycol) leaks into the gearbox oil it will kill the gearbox.

At the current mileage it would be worth changing the fluid anyway and checking for glycol contamination.
My car is a similar age and just hit 90k so from experience it will likely require brake hoses at some point soon and you may as well change the brake fluid at this point.
Most other consumables are available from GSF/Euro car parts so pick them up when on offer.
Still 12 spark plugs and 8lts of oil adds up.
Brake parts are reasonable e.g. £200 for a full set of a decent quality such as Brembo.
The handbrake will likely need sorting out. It has shoes inside the rear disk
Oil changes are a breeze if you use a suction pump. The filter is at the front, top rhs of the engine.
Change the serpentine belt and keep a spare for what they cost.
Lemforder for suspension parts
Springs are very prone to breaking. Sachs are OEM and decent.

There are also some custom Android head units that fit straight in.

 

[ajlsl600]

We have the opportunity of buying a 2003 CLK240 cabriolet with 67k miles for £1,500. The owner is a relative of a work friend, and It has been sat in their garage unused since 2018 as they have multiple vehicles. The owner is getting it serviced and MOT'd and then I'll go and look at it. Previous MOT history is all good.

Cars don't like being sat unused, so what problems could be lurking with it being garaged for so long?

Aslo, which model is this car please?

View attachment 76914

If it gets a yra mot with little or no corrosion advisories u nicked it my w208 clk320
ran pretty faultlessly for 21 yrs.

 

[LostKiwi]

If it gets a yra mot with little or no corrosion advisories u nicked it my w208 clk320
ran pretty faultlessly for 21 yrs.

Should have kept it...

 

[LostKiwi]

As mentioned it should be pretty reliable.
The only issues really are rust on rear and front wings (that one looks fine from photos), crankshaft pulley can delaminate (look for it to wobble slightly) and crank position sensor failure is common (symptom is starts when cold, won't start when hot).

The 240 engine otherwise is absolutely bombproof and silky smooth if lacking in torque.

In my old E240 it ran to 168k miles without any issues but then the rust got to the body. Even at 168k miles it was smooth, refined, quiet and drove beautifully.


Frankly I'd jump at it.

 

[ajlsl600]

Should have kept it...

Prob thought ml 250 a better option.. Pretty wrong about that

 

[sausage]

Those rear handbrake assemblies as mentioned by AnthonyUK can rattle like angry babies when the assembly fails. It's a cheap and easy fix with a new fitting kit, I had mine done for about £100 (iirc) at a local indy.

 

[Capra]

For that price after service and MOT I'd snap it up.

 

[5w155t0ny]

Leaky air con might be an issues. Same with 'other' rubber seals that require fluids to keep them supple - not sure what that could turn into problem wise.
I think it is worth a punt if you like it and are prepared to spend if needed. Old cars do often require a little injection of cash to get them up to standard, but can often be worth it. I like the adage "Keep a few thousand ££ in your pocket for any unexpected costs".

Might be worth changing all fluids. I would.

Tyres might have been compromised due to sitting on the same bit of rubber so long.

Looks like a nice car in nice condition.

Although I would have to be suspicious of anyone with a wall that big and only one tiny window

Usually seen on places with signs beginning “HMP”

 

[Dale Stevens]

Well it has passed its MOT with no issues and is soon being serviced. Looks like we are having it

 

[mioba]

Good stuff a nice car for very little money.

 

[sausage]

Congratulations

 

[LostKiwi]

Absolute steal.
Well done.

Incidentally if you change your mind

 

[Not_Anumber]

you have got it for a good price. If something like that came up near me id snap it up as a weekend car.

 

[Dale Stevens]

Hope to be picking it up very soon, and we are in the process of advertising our current car.