CLK 01/51 - What to check when collecting

[MBDevotee]

Hi All,

New to forum so look after me!

Always dreamed of owning a Merc CLK - and now my wonderful Wife-to-be has bought one, for herself, but mainly for me to use as she has another car - I know I'm lucky!

So - 01/51 CLK 320 Avantguard with Comand, leather, memory, heated seats etc etc....

So what should I be looking for when I go to pick it up to make sure it's ok.

I have heard that the 320 engine is basically very good but has got the propensity to misfire. I also understand that i am likely to be due for a plug change at 80,000m but other than that, what are the major weakness's that I should check for?

Also, fully kitted up (doesn't have climatronic or Parktronic but that seems to be the only things missing) 01/51 with 50k on the clock - what would everyone think was a good price??

Thanks all

 

[television]

Just as a welcome to the forum and hello, and you are not far from me, I am in Lyme Regis.

 

[Seeker_UK]

Assuming it's a 208, rust is a possibility.

Check the usual places: wheel arches, around the boot lock.

Also check for suspension wear - pretty much good advice for any 8 year old car really.

Check aircon blows ice cold and you've got the COMAND map DVD.

Good car - a nice and refined cruiser.

Don't worry about the lack of parktronic, a good aftermarket kit for £150 will sort that - you've got the most expensive option already (COMAND).

 

[jberks]

Hi and welcome to the club.
I'd say you're a bit high on the plug change - normally 60k rather than 80 but it should be fine until 80k. The misfire thing can be true but nothing a new set of leads can't sort (unless its a coil pack but thats for a different discussion). I tended to find leads last around 3 years before the first signs of deterioration but most people don't notice.
Gearbox oil change is due if its not been done yet.
Other than that, make sure everything is working and enjoy it

 

[MBDevotee]

Thanks

I was actually told that the Plugs are due every 40k - so assuming they were done at 40k that was where I got the 80k from.

Interesting you say may be 60k - so that means they may NOT have been done at 40k, so they may be due sooner than I thought still not too bad.

Next question then....

I have run my last 5 cars on LPG - It's great, 44.6ppl and no real loss of power or economy.... I also know a few people who have run on LPG with this engine and Merc even honour the warranty!

Question is:- Has anyone experience of running a 320 on LPG, what conversion have they got, and any thoughts on which is best? I have driven a Prins converted 320 and that was superb, however the Prins conversion is over £2000 - an OMVL conversion is only £1600 - but will it be any good? It was ok on my last Jeep Grand Cherokee, but what will it be like on the Merc?

Thanks

Grant

 

[jberks]

I was actually told that the Plugs are due every 40k - so assuming they were done at 40k that was where I got the 80k from.

Interesting you say may be 60k - so that means they may NOT have been done at 40k, so they may be due sooner than I thought still not too bad.

My 2000 E240 was basically the same engine and that was done at 60k - which is what I'm going on. It should be noted down in the service book anyway.
40k is the new gearbox oil change interval. They were sealed for life when new and the intervals have been slowly introduced over recent years. Many slip under the radar so yours may not have been done.

 

[naxos jim]

CLK electric seats

They sometimes dont go all the way back. There is a trick to fix this something about holding the switch in the forward position for 15 seconds or so.(someone will know) Plus The dash lights and the pixils in the speedo area
can cause problems.Keep the front wheel alignment right or you will go through front tyres quicker than a 747.
I had a 2002 clk320 up to 150k on the clock and that was the only faults I had.
Go For It.

 

[MBDevotee]

Any ideas what a good price would be for this car - I know what I'm paying so I'm not sure I want to know - but an idea whether peeps think it's worth more or less than I'm paying would be good - perhaps a prize for who get's the closest????? (not sure how that would work actually!)

Cheers