Clk 430

[gworilla]

I have had my car for nearly a year now and I must confess that is one of THE best cars that I have ever had the pleasure to own (and I've had a few). I am SOOOO glad that I waited and got the V8 as this is beauty of an engine and is effortless. Yes the fuel economy isnt great but I didnt buy it for it's frugality. The leather looks, feels and smells like new, the bodywork is exceptional and the only thing I have done is to have the AMG alloys refurbished, replace the crank sensor and have the B service done with an auto-box fluid/ filter change.

I was toying with the idea of an ECU re-map but I think that I will just upgrade to a 55 when the time is right!!

 

[Speedmaster]

I remember my CLK430 Cab well. They really are the bargains of the CLK range

 

[philsx]

Hi -yes I have to agree, the 430 is a beautiful car and a lovely drive - just love that gorgeous exhaust burble! Only had my 430 cabrio for a couple of months but really looking forward to warmer weather when I can get the top down more often. It's a one owner 37k 2000 car with AMG kit and absolutely all the options, and in beautiful condition - though having read all the horror stories here about the rust problems I have to admit to being a tad concerned about how the bodywork will last. It's stunning and flawless at the moment, but has anyone any good tips for how best to keep it that way? (I guess keeping it in a garage is a good start ...

 

[busby20]

Hi -yes I have to agree, the 430 is a beautiful car and a lovely drive - just love that gorgeous exhaust burble! Only had my 430 cabrio for a couple of months but really looking forward to warmer weather when I can get the top down more often. It's a one owner 37k 2000 car with AMG kit and absolutely all the options, and in beautiful condition - though having read all the horror stories here about the rust problems I have to admit to being a tad concerned about how the bodywork will last. It's stunning and flawless at the moment, but has anyone any good tips for how best to keep it that way? (I guess keeping it in a garage is a good start ...

Move to Southern Spain!!

 

[television]

Number one clean out the lip just under the 4 wheel arches, they will be full of wet mud, get a tin of spray WAXOIL £10 and dose the inside of the 4 wings.

It sprays 10 times easier when warmed up

 

[Ellsy Tanners]

Dont over rev it until fully warmed up. They can get a bit tappy when thrashed from cold to often, regular oil changes of course.

 

[johno2004]

Re Cleaning Mud from arch lips

Malcome you say about cleaning the mud from behind the lips on wheel arch,
What a job !! you cannot get the jet wash in there and cannot get brush in as not enough clearance from tyres and the skin from under my finger nails is no more from scraping out.

Cannot seem to get them clean enough this way to warrant putting the spray you mention, have you got a good solution to cleaning them an easy way ?

Johno

 

[davidsl500]

The easy way is to take the wheels off ! (no, I'm not kidding!)

Alternatively, just jack up each side in turn and you should get enough clearance that way.

 

[television]

Use your tooth brush handle after you have got the arch really wet, and the plastic will not harm the paint, or if you are too fussy to use your tooth brush, buy an iced lolly and use the round end of the stick.

As David says, easier with the wheel off

With all of that caked mud it is the perfect recipe for rust

 

[johno2004]

Steam cleaner

Regarding the cleanig of the lip on wheel arches, I have a little Halfords hand held steam cleaner which has various nozzles which would enable me to blast the caked mud out with.

However is this likely to harm paintwork if to hot.

Anyone tried this before or is it a big no no!!!

 

[Aussie Nick]

Dont use the steamer at all or use it but take great care. It will take paint off

 

[television]

As Assie when its wet it come out easily

 

[Aussie Nick]

How bad is the consumption on the 430 . Is it a common problem that the digital display for gear selection on instrument cluster often fails or is this a sign of something more sinister?

 

[Aussie Nick]

Before this thread disappears. I was wondering if anyone could supply any answers to my queries on my last post in this thread.

 

[bigasotonuk]

Hi,
My C43 AMG (w202) has the same engine fitted albeit more powerful (CLK=275 BHP, C43 AMG=306 BHP).
On a run upto 30ish to the gallon, around town less than 20 to scared to work out a more accurate figure.
No gear indication on dash on 202 as its illuminated at the the gear shift.
If this is a problem i would say it was across the range not just restricted to the 430.

 

[Speedmaster]

A lot of them have a problem with the dashboard display and the pixels failing. The clock on my one never worked and spoke to dealer about fixing it but sounded total nightmare and expensive, so did not bother. One friend has one and cant see some of the computer dispay and another's clock is unclear.

I found the 430 no thirstier than the SL320 R129, in fact wondering if the 430 was more economical.
Costs much less to fill up the clk than the sl

 

[philsx]

CLK430 MPG and Dashboard Pixels

I do a mainly cross country A and B road 15 mile each way commute and I get about 21 mpg ... taking it easy. Best I've had so far is 25 on a longer run ... but not yet tried a long motorway trip.

Coincidentally to the last posts I'm due to get the car back tomorrow after having the pixel problem fixed under warranty by the (non franchised) garage I bought it from. Amazingly they've achieved this by taking it to the local stealership and having the entire pod replaced! Not the cheapest option - but I'm not complaining!

 

[Aussie Nick]

The cost of the new instrument cluster here is approx $2000 Aus (1000 UK). How does this compare?. Some of these can be repaired . SOME ONLY.

 

[philsx]

Cluster Replacement

That's the same figure as I've heard for a replacement instrument pod, though I can't say what the actual cost to the garage was in my case. I believe that the repair done by wedging the ribbon contacts can be done for about £100 ish, though you normally have to take the car to the repairer who is based north of London.