C180 Owner Wanting To Upgrade To Clk

[JONRW]

Hi all,

I've been a member for nearly a year now, since I bought my first Mercedes, W202 1994 C180 and have used this site for help, so first of all I'd just like to say thank you for the help in the past.

My Mercedes has been a gem, it surprises me nearly everytime I drive it, when you put your foot down it makes a wicked ROAR and heads turn, I love it.

But.....

I was at Gatwick Airport the other week and whilst waiting a CLK 430 went past.... WOW.... what a machine, it sounded like a jet. I now want one.

Another but....affording one ! (Fuel isn't a problem, company pays all fuel)

I'll soon have £5K cash plus the W202 (guessing at £1500) to trade in.

Couple of questions...

Does anyone have experience in the drive of the CLK's they can share with me please.

Does anyone suggest where I should look to find my 'new' car, other than autotrader !?!

Many thanks to all..... JON

 

[Blobcat]

Thats the problem there is always something nicer and when you see it / drive it you have to have it and can justify anything to the management...

I think there is a CLK430 owner on the forum and there are a few other CLK owners around. If it is a W208 CLK your interested in then it is based on the W202 chassis that you are used to - albeit with one hell of an engine in the front

Google, autotrader, exchange & mart and MB are not bad places to start the search.

 

[jberks]

As Blobbcat says, there may be A 430 owner on here. Thats the issue, they are comparatively rare and to be honest, at that price, I suspect if you could find one at all (none on autotrader) you'd be looking at something with a few expensive problems.
Your budget is certainly at the low end for such a machine so my advice is don't. (remember the Top gear Porsche for £1500 or supercar for £10k). These were expensive machines and as they are rare, many parts will be harder to come by. Experienced mechanics harder to fine and you could end up with a nightmare on your hands.
However, a 230k is very possible. Much cheaper to maintain and sort and a lot of fun with the howl from the upercharger to boot. Certainly a different animal to your C180 but similar enough to have the same running and maintenance costs.

 

[Blobcat]

Or the CLK 320 which is almost as economical as the 230 and is a V6

 

[JONRW]

Happy days, I did think the 430 clk was going to be out, considering the maintenance required, but if a 230 or a 320 is 'just as good' (kinda), it'll do for me.

I was thinking the 200 clk would be not a big enough step up, so the 230 or the 320 will be what I'll be looking for, nice one - thanks for advice.

Thats good news too that the clk is based on the C class chassis, so I guess it'll be like home from home, just with a different look and power - fantastic.

I'm excited already !

 

[Speedmaster]

I have a CLK430 Cabriolet, so if you have any questions about the 430, please ask.

 

[Smeagol]

I have a 320, having had a C180 previously. I am sure that you would find the 320 a quantum leap in performance from the 180!

Budget wise, you will be have to look around to find one for £6.5k without huge mileage but you might be lucky.

Great cars, and very practical; 4 seats; reasonable boot; 30+ mpg possible.