CLK Convertible questions 230 k 320 etc

[GialloEvoII]

Ok here go's,
We are looking to purchase a 2000-2003 CLK convertible ( silver of course), I am undecided about engine size,Would prefer the 320, do they do one as a kompressor, is it much better, how would this compare to the 230 and 230 kompressor , What faults do i need to look for ?Would prefer auto, are they all tiptronic?Are all the Hoods fully automatic , lower the windows etc.

What extra's should i look for Xenons etc.

the specs on these cars dose vary , but what are the major ones between avantguard and elegence.

Ok thats all for now, thanks in advance...

 

[jon_harley]

The 230K was a 2.3 litre 4 cylinder supercharged engine, the 320 was a V6 and is much smoother and noticeably more powerful (but thirstier). There was never a kompressor 320. The CLK320 was only ever made with a tiptronic auto box, not sure about the 230.

The hoods are all electric and take about 20 seconds including window operation, and you can also separately lower/raise all four windows with the hood button if you want. Xenons are a good option, and the luxury climate control and heated seats are good for top-down driving in colder weather. I find the parktronic also pretty essential.

Elegance has walnut trim, Avantgarde has aluminium trim, lowered suspension and sportier alloys.

The CLK was facelifted in 2003 so if you can stretch to it, a post-facelift one should depreciate less I guess. The most obvious cosmetic change was the design of the front and rear light clusters.

 

[Blobcat]

Hi & Welcome,
As per above, although the 230K is not that much more fuel efficient than the 320. Rust is an issue on the older cars so a newer one is the better choice. There have been a few issues with the roof switches, pls have a search on the forum.

 

[Alfie]

The 230K was a 2.3 litre 4 cylinder supercharged engine, the 320 was a V6 and is much smoother and noticeably more powerful (but thirstier). There was never a kompressor 320. The CLK320 was only ever made with a tiptronic auto box, not sure about the 230.

The hoods are all electric and take about 20 seconds including window operation, and you can also separately lower/raise all four windows with the hood button if you want. Xenons are a good option, and the luxury climate control and heated seats are good for top-down driving in colder weather. I find the parktronic also pretty essential.

Elegance has walnut trim, Avantgarde has aluminium trim, lowered suspension and sportier alloys.

The CLK was facelifted in 2003 so if you can stretch to it, a post-facelift one should depreciate less I guess. The most obvious cosmetic change was the design of the front and rear light clusters.

The W208 CLK was facelifted in august 1999. Pre facelifted CLK 320's were not tiptronic! Go for a post 2001 model as the rust issue was sorted by then. The 320 is a lot smoother than th 230K and only marginally less economical. I average 24mpg from mine which is mostly urban driving. The facelifted cars are characterised by the indicators in the wing mirrors and multi function steering wheel. these are in my opinion far better than the pre-facelifted cars.

Go for one with as many options as you can afford. Parktronic being the most useful as rear vision is not great in any CLK. COMAND can be retrofitted easily and fairly reasonably priced too. Climate is great as are heated seats. Go for as new a car with as low miles as you can find. There are some w208's around which are still under manufacturers warranty (mine included) which is worth having. All 320's are auto's

Mine's for sale if you are interested. Its a 2002 CLK 320 cabriolet, COMAND, Parktronic, Heated seats, rain sensor, climate control, CD changer, 2005 CLK wheels, Manufacturers warranty, quartz blue with grey leather, blue roof, folding electic mirrors, IPOD connector, drivers memory seat, full MB service history and only 35,000 miles. Spotless. Next service due in 9,500 miles.

 

[GialloEvoII]

Thanks for the replies, We have not looked at one as yet, i guess that is the task for today,So it sounds like the 320 with parking sensors, Looking at prices i dont think we will stretch to a new shape .i have found a 2003 , but it has 58000 miles on it , but its a sensible price ,Do the 320 's have a major service due at 60000, i geuss they are chain driven. I will do some research!

 

[GialloEvoII]

Alfie , your not to far from me , Can you send me the details of your car thanks, And some pictures, is it for sale autotrader etc

 

[Alfie]

Alfie , your not to far from me , Can you send me the details of your car thanks, And some pictures, is it for sale autotrader etc

I have not yet advertsied the car but was planning on doing this next week.

The car is a CLK 320 elegance auto (tiptronic) cabriolet in quartz blue, blue hood and orion grey leather interior. Fittted extras include; Rain sensor wiper, COMAND with genuine 2006 TMC - Michelin disk and remote control, CD Changer, Heated seats, electric seats with drivers seat memory, full climate control, Parktronic, heated electric folding mirrors, IPOD port in glove box, 2005 CLK wheels, MOT January (with a guarantee of passing it), Tax till September 2007, Full Mercedes service history, Mercedes Benz warranty until April 2007 (renewable), unmarked body work, no rust whatsoever, 35,000 miles. This car cost £43,000 when new!

Picture can be seen here;

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/showpost.php?p=145596&postcount=2

I'm looking for £18,750 for it as I've been offered £18,250 as part exchange.

Let me know if you are interested before I advertise it.

 

[Brett]

I'm looking for £18,750 for it as I've been offered £18,250 as part exchange.

Let me know if you are interested before I advertise it.

That's good going Alfie :mrgreen: . The best offer on my 03/52 plate back in April was £18k as a trade-in. Mine was a Final Edition model with everything including AMG alloys but bar the rain sensor with 33k on the clock.

 

[GialloEvoII]

Well things have changed ever so slightly,I have been informed that it MUST be silver.Th e car is for the wife,and i will not be driving it very often so i am not allowed an opinion on this one!

So i have trawled the net and the prices are all over the place ,People are asking silly money for w plate ones with 60000 miles on, but i have found and done a deal in principle,02/52 car silver blue hood,grey and dark blue(black maybe) trim 17" amg alloys , 320 Avantguard autotip,it has heated seats as extras not sure what else.

I have only seen pics ,28000 Miles fmbsh.£17300 Private sale.

I also looked for the nearest dealer to me and found a black s plate slk 85000 miles on it to look at , The dealer gave us the keys and we had a drive.I made it clear that i would not by this one as it was not a good example.

To be honest i didn't like it ,But as mentioned earlier i wont be driving it , but the thing that i did notice was it creaked alot , the seats mostly , is this normal?or was it the miles it had covered,and maybe it had been owned by a couple of err Bigger people....

Thanks for all the replies, I will probably have more questions .....

 

[television]

Many cars have seats that creak, that is easy to deal with.

Malcolm

 

[GialloEvoII]

So i might be looking at the same problem in the 28000 mile one.The car has had four owners ,Which seems a lot for its age.....

 

[Alfie]

So i might be looking at the same problem in the 28000 mile one.The car has had four owners ,Which seems a lot for its age.....

It does seem a lot. You would be the fifth then! Might cause you some difficulties when you come to sell, if you sell that is.

I love my CLK and am only selling it to make way for something else I'm sure you will have a lot of fun with yours. They still turn heads and are one of the most stylish shaped cars ever produced, especially the CLK coupe.

 

[tingeyg]

Just a line to tell you I have a CLK 320 Cabriolet, its a dream, and I average 34mpg, not all motorway, thats over the last 13K, just cruising around enjoying the drive, I drive it at 50-70mph. Go for the higher profile tyres, 16", whilst it doesn't turn on a sixpence, still good though, it is as smooth as it can be, and makes the car classy. PS, I know what I am talking about, done the 328, 330, M3, Scobby Prodrive, XJR. The 320 is hard to beat, it does what it says on the tin. PPS, I am fussy 'B' as well, and this car is great. Retro fitted COMAND, makes the car easily sellable when I am ready to upgrade. If you find a better car, let me know

 

[mrbriggs]

How do u get rid of the creaky seats then?

 

[Uncle Benz]

Don't know about creaky, but the drivers seat in my old CLK was very saggy when I bought it. You can buy- quite cheaply- from the dealer, a new seat base cushion. The cover is unbelievably easy to remove and refit, and it makes a world of difference!!

Do look out for rust. Around the boot lock and rear arches were the first to bubble on mine.

 

[jon_harley]

Do look out for rust. Around the boot lock and rear arches were the first to bubble on mine.

You do see CLKs with rusty boot locks, but only pre-2003-facelift ones, at that point they just did away with the boot lock and put it on central locking only, end of problem

 

[television]

I can look up the creaky seats if anyone is interesed.

Malcolm

 

[Balal]

I can look up the creaky seats if anyone is interesed.

Malcolm

Please Malcolm! that would be great help.

I have problem with my clk seat (mostly passenger) creaking as well!