CLK advice for newbie

[tintin]

I am looking at purchasing a 230 CLK coupe, probably 1997/8/9. I have been surprised to see that they are now within my budget - around £5k. The insurance quotes from Confused.com are very reasonable and even the Warranty Direct quote wasn't bad.

I have searched this forum and read the advice, and looked them up on HonestJohn.co.uk etc. to get an idea of any problems.

I don't think a face-lift model (Aug 1999+) will be within budget, in fact the one I have seen is a one owner 1998 230 CLK coupe elegance with 90k miles and full MBSH.

So, a couple of questions. What are the servicing intervals on this model? When will this car need the next major service? What will servicing cost?

Our main car is a 2002 Saab 9-5 estate, which we love, but we get it serviced at a specialist independant garage. Can anyone recommend an independant MB garage in the Manchester/north west area?

I have really enjoyed reading this forum - so friendly and helpful. Thanks for any ideas you may have to help me.

 

[television]

I am looking at purchasing a 230 CLK coupe, probably 1997/8/9. I have been surprised to see that they are now within my budget - around £5k. The insurance quotes from Confused.com are very reasonable and even the Warranty Direct quote wasn't bad.

I have searched this forum and read the advice, and looked them up on HonestJohn.co.uk etc. to get an idea of any problems.

I don't think a face-lift model (Aug 1999+) will be within budget, in fact the one I have seen is a one owner 1998 230 CLK coupe elegance with 90k miles and full MBSH.

So, a couple of questions. What are the servicing intervals on this model? When will this car need the next major service? What will servicing cost?

Our main car is a 2002 Saab 9-5 estate, which we love, but we get it serviced at a specialist independant garage. Can anyone recommend an independant MB garage in the Manchester/north west area?

I have really enjoyed reading this forum - so friendly and helpful. Thanks for any ideas you may have to help me.

I think that the bodywork and rust is the most important, do check the wheel arches. We also have a newish independent member here Wgriffiths in Warrarington he know his stuff.

The Saab 9-5 is a good car, but then so is the MB.

Welcome to the Forum

 

[tintin]

Thanks, Malcolm. Even if I don't purchase a CLK soon, I will be coming back to the forum to do more research - it really is a great resource and I'm impressed by how friendly and knowledgable everyone is.

A bit more research has thrown up two MB independants who are within a reasonable distance:

SPR Autos (Stockport)
Mercedes Tech (Warrington)

Anyone know these garages or can recommend them?

 

[tintin]

I'm shamelessly bumping this up to the top again! Come on, guys, is everyone away this week? Even if it's just "I love mine" or "It's not as good as a..." would be helpful. Comments on servicing and reliability are especially welcome.

 

[Balal]

OOOkay I can share my experience of CLK ... I bought mine couple of years back, with double the price its selling now... Lovely car inside and outside.

The problems I had with it was...
1: Supercharger cleaning by Merc Dealer at cost of over £600
2: after 6 month the oil accumulated there again, so dealer had to change the rubber valves in it, costing around £500.
3: usual MAF replacement.
4: Other things I changed in car includes exhaust, catalytic converter costing over £1000.
5: o and yes! the rust problem .. still havent fixed it but I am quoted around £600. ( Car got vandalised in sainsbury carpark, so hood and boot getting some paint work as well)
6: Did change brakepads and disks(but thats usual service item).
7: I did color code my car as well, so had to paint side skirt and front and rear bumper.
8: Ofcourse I had to change Alloys to make it look stunning.

So in short... I have spent quiet a lot of money on it, and thats the reason why I am not even selling it, atleast not another year.

The car looks good, drives well, reliable (I still like to believe it). I dont get it serviced by dealer anymore, buy original parts and take it to local indie.

Would I buy this car again!!!!!!! YES I would... the thing is you dont feel bad spending money on it

and would i recommend anyone buying it...YES ..without a doubt.

rust problem...and maybe a bit of other problems can happen to any car...maybe not the rust one..but this car pays you back in first 5 second of its ride ( I know! took this line from Jag advert )

If you like the car, buy it....small problems can occur to any car..

p.s. IF you thinking of getting warranty from warranty direct people...I would say DOOOOOONT even think about it... with all the problems I had with my car.. they only covered half price of MAF...and even argued with the garage guy about labor .. and none of the supercharger stuff was covered as well...<oh! the pain>

 

[Balal]

O and service interval is 10,000 miles and well! for peace of mind, I would say one should do main servicing when they get a car...you never know what porky pies the previous owner been telling you.

O and full merceds benz service history and mileage....well! £50 can take care of mileage and £25 for a book that shows car been serviced at dealer. SO not unless you call dealer and check if they have records of servicing...cannot trust the stamps...

O Dear!!! Seems I have serious trust issue

 

[A210AMG]

Hello,

Theres a merc specialist in Queensferry also, sorry don't know the name but probably worth a google.

Funny as my Brother has a 9-5 Aero Estate (daily car) and currently looking at an SLK 230 for weekends (around 1999)

Guess its the same engine?, goes quite well in the SLK.


Good luck finding one

 

[tintin]

Thanks Balal and A210. I was thinking of getting a Warranty Direct warranty if/when I buy one - bit scared about the cost of parts, I guess - but after your comments I will do more research on warranties. It sounds like you love your car regardless - it is great when just getting in your car gives you a buzz. We keep our cars a long time so I wouldn't object to spending a bit on it if I thought it was going to be reliable over the longer term.

A210 - we love our 9-5 but Saab have serious issues with sludge in the engines. Ours had 100k miles but full Saab SH, the sump drained and cleaned, and still the DI cassette, cat and plugs needed replacing within a couple of months of buying it - fortunately Saab UK paid as it is a design fault. 9-5's are bargains second hand if you can get a good one, and the Aero is very well-liked by Saab enthusiasts. They can really shift.

Thanks for the help guys.

 

[Mr Teddy Bear]

Hi Tintin,
I have a 230 CLK Sport Kompressor with 77kmiles on the clock. I picked it up
last June as a impulse buy. Fundementaly nothing has gone wrong. I bought from a reputable but non specialist motor trader. I had to change the engine oil again after they had given it an oil service~the garage had used wrong grade and spec oil. Since then all fluids have been changed apart from power stearing. You need to make sure that who ever works/services it is familar with Mercs otherwise they'll be guessing where the oil filter is!!
My engine is a 111975 ie 4 cyl' 2295 cc supercharged job. Using the correct engine oil meeting MB Sheet 229.1 spec minimum is vital IMO, to keep the supercharger correctly lubricated. Serviceing is according to the ASSYST Display in the dash, or every TWO Years max'.
What can I say mine has run like a dream especialy since the ATF has been replaced. Watch the rust around the wheel arches. I would possibly look for a 97 model or the previous coupe. If you haven't purchased yet u could try Cheshire Classic Benz, not so far from Manchester.

Teddy Bear

 

[pmimmy]

i want to get a 230 compressor , needs a new gearbox though, but for the price..............not bad

 

[jibcl500]

Tintin

Nice car the CLK, I look after a 2001 MY 320 for a chap in the village, I think its a great car but the paintwork lets it down, there seems to be a lot of rust on front and rear wheel arches. Stone chips that have never been repaired have now become horrible rust blisters. Other that that it is great.
Only things Ive had to fix on it was a failed air flow meter £139 inc Vat from Bosch center.
This CLK also has the AMG kit fitted which I think is very poor quality and very thin fibre glass, Ive had to do some repairs to the front bumper and spot lights due to 70 mph impact with pheasant.

Saab 9-5 great car, sister has the 2.3 LPT which I get to buy next May at a knock down price. Intention is to do some work on the engine and get it upto 300bhp.

Sludging on the 9-5 turbo engine is a common fault and SAAB have issued a letter to all dealers increasing the warranty to 7 years !!!! on all turbo engines.
There are several recalls at the moment on the 9-5, breather pipes are a recent one so make sure thats been done. Engine ECU is another.


jib

 

[Mr Teddy Bear]

want to get a 230 compressor , needs a new gearbox though, but for the price..............not bad
__________________
Upgrading from an MX5 to a CLK.

Hi I would cost that very carefully before purchase if I were you. Also chk the paint closely, if they keep wetting it every time u show up...........they're
hiding something!
My experience say's that rusty wheel arches is a forrunner of paint blisters etc to come. I suspect that owners have body/accident repairs carried out under their policy where the Insurance Company uses their tied-in bodyshop
not Merc-approved. I would colour match the paint against one on a Merc' Dealers Forecourt.................
You dont want both mechanical AND body problems that equals lemon!!

 

[tintin]

Thanks for the extra replies guys - sorry, Teddybear, I somehow missed your first reply. The cars at Cheshire Classic Benz always look in great condition, but a bit pricey. If only those big MB coupes did 30 mpg... they just look so great.

Unfortunately, all car changing plans have had to be put on hold at the moment - my husband has been applying for other jobs which may necessitate him swapping his Saab for something more economical and we are also thinking of a house move (we are going to look at a house tomorrow, in fact).

Still, I am continuing to research CLK's because I know I really want one - and believe me, although I love cars, there are really only a handful of cars that I would want to own as a daily driver car - and the CLK is still top of the list (or maybe 2nd after a Saab 900 turbo c1992, sadly discounted for safety reasons, ie no airbags etc).

I continue to read this site though - it is really helpful to build up a background knowledge about the marque. The SOC site is good but occasionally a bit smutty and sexist, although I am not prudish or easily offended - I find this and the other MB site very friendly and welcoming.

jib - we do love our 9-5 - just come back from Cornwall after a week of driving around in comfort. It is a shame reliability issues have dogged the 9-5 though because it is such a good car, and I still think the shape looks good. Best wishes to all.

 

[sheffy]

hi
new kid on the block here,

just thought i'd intro myself, proud owner of a clk 320 on a T-plate, love the car, the looks, the drive & u guessed loathe the RUST!!!! just about to investagate the warranty thing with the local merc main dealer, keep u posted. sheffy

 

[tintin]

Sheffy, I am jealous, that would be about the age I would be thinking of getting. If you have just bought the car I would be interested in hearing your impressions, especially if you are new to MB's.

Oh, the house we saw today was very nice - 200ft rear garden - but needs loads of work, electrics, pumbing. Nevermind.

 

[TimJim]

Hi All,

I echo the comments on this web site, i.e. seems very friendly, helpful & informative. I am new here and am picking up my new (new to me!) 2001 CLK 230 Elegance Kompressor later today - I cant wait! Please could someone direct me to a place I can get some figures on the car? i.e. bhp etc? Also, and I feel a bit dumb for asking, but what does the CLK mean/stand for? And whats the significance of the 'Kompressor' tag?

Appologies for the dumb questions but as a chinese philosopher once said, ask a foolish question once and you look a fool for 2 minutes. But dont ask at all, and remain a fool for ever!
Thanks
TimJim

 

[gring]

CLK means Cool Looking Kar

 

[jamesmc]

The problems I had with it was...
1: Supercharger cleaning by Merc Dealer at cost of over £600
2: after 6 month the oil accumulated there again, so dealer had to change the rubber valves in it, costing around £500.

.. and none of the supercharger stuff was covered as well...<oh! the pain>

I suspect items one an two are not quite what they seem.
I can only see one scenario when a supercharger would need cleaning internally (only the airway section) and 'rubber valves' (possibly incorrect terminology) need replacing somewhere.

The oil problem would probably be the lower part oil breather system blockage experienced by a few of us CLK owners. The problem really comes about when a couple of brass nozzles block. They are situated in the inlet manifold.

Detailed information (with images) can be found at: Here

The parts are cheap. The labour (if you cannot DIY) is about 4hrs.
So the Oil problem mentioned should not cost anywhere near as much as quoted.

I'm not saying this to pick bones out of the original post, but rather to help prospective owners appreciate that signs of oil in the inlet side of the system are not likely to be pocket emptying in nature other than the oil can, and will eventually, kill the MAF.

 

[FELLOW]

Me and my CLK

Hmmm. It may be worth the facelifdt model just for the gear box and gear selection...maybe someone with experience of the new ones could let us know.

I've a 1999 320 CLK no compressor V6 sound bought 2002 18k
worth about 5-8K

Crank shaft sensor
Fuel senders
Rust - 2 x re sprays by MB under w'
new window glass and front door straps
new windscreen this weekend
new brake server
new heater fan...water collects under the bulk head unless drainage holes kept leak free
lamp bulbs cheap and easy
plastic diffuser under neath

would be worth MB service for Mobilolife breakdown cover - they come out run diagnostics and do limited work at the road side ..build that in to the service and the price becomes more reasonable.... big jobs pass on to the recommended indies to bring down the hourly rate

rear seat release cable

hard to get the power down or best out of engine on twisty roads

excellent autoban cruiser.

performance from less than 320 will be left standing by mondeo man

parts easy to order from merc

good luck

 

[David Nock]

Hi All,

I echo the comments on this web site, i.e. seems very friendly, helpful & informative. I am new here and am picking up my new (new to me!) 2001 CLK 230 Elegance Kompressor later today - I cant wait! Please could someone direct me to a place I can get some figures on the car? i.e. bhp etc? Also, and I feel a bit dumb for asking, but what does the CLK mean/stand for? And whats the significance of the 'Kompressor' tag?

Appologies for the dumb questions but as a chinese philosopher once said, ask a foolish question once and you look a fool for 2 minutes. But dont ask at all, and remain a fool for ever!
Thanks
TimJim

Kompressor means it's got a Supercharger.
I think CL is German for Sports Tourer, CLK is Sports Tourer Light, or something like that.