CLK Owners

[scousetechie]

You may have read a thread I posted some weeks ago about replacing my written off C200 sport with a C280.

Well the situation is that I can't find one but the other half said, in a moment of blinding logic "We have a 4WD truck for towing the horses so why do we need a 4 door saloon or estate. I like the CLK!"

I didn't need much persuasion in that so I started looking. What I would like to know from you guys is: 230K, 320, 420? Also what should I look for regarding faults etc.

I should add that I am looking for a car that is about 6 to 8 years old, not the present model (Sorry but I don't know the model number)

TIA

 

[television]

The CLK then would be a 208,, you must check for body rust, that is the biggest killer on these cars

 

[scousetechie]

Thank you Malcolm as always.

Do you think a 208 would be a good buy?

Other half also likes Jags (As do I) Sorry heretical talk here!

 

[SQ_W211]

I have CLK230 W208 and bought it last year on 2001 model with every extra for very reasonable price and very low mileage. I would definately recommend it. It is such a comfortable car.

as Malc advsied, look for rust and also look out for radiator and make sure it doesnt say Valeo on top of it as they are known to have issues. Also look for full history and you should be able to pick up tidy example in elegance or Avantgarde on 2000/2001 or 2002 model for around £5K now. Try to stay below 100K mileage but as far as it has been serviced regularly, you shouldnt have any issues.

I have 230K which has 196 bhp but you should also look at 320 as it has 225bhp which makes all the difference and its not that much heavier on fuel.

Alternatively you could go for 2002/2003 W209 model (newer model) and find urself a tidy deisel car with 270CDI. Deisel will cost you more but it will be just as good and alot better on economy. Make sure you seen both shapes as most people do not like W209 as its not for everyones taste.

Any questions, do ask and someone from here will help

 

[PeterCLK]

I think you should take into account your probable mileage - if it's high go for a diesel but if it's low a petrol will be more economical.
Not sure if the valeo was a problem on W208 - was it only fitted to the 209's?
Someone will advise.

 

[Mark A]

Valeo issues wereon the 209 not 208.

Is it a soft top or hard top you are after. Could be worth looking at the V8's - fuel econ isn't too bad.

 

[scousetechie]

Thanks for the advice guys. Yes it's a W208 that I'm after, I don't really like the W209 for some reason.

Pleased to see that fuel consumption is not a great deal between all the engine sizes, however I think that a 320 will be the one I go for as they seem more plentiful, but if a good 420 comes up at the right price then I won't turn my nose up

 

[television]

Thanks for the advice guys. Yes it's a W208 that I'm after, I don't really like the W209 for some reason.

Pleased to see that fuel consumption is not a great deal between all the engine sizes, however I think that a 320 will be the one I go for as they seem more plentiful, but if a good 420 comes up at the right price then I won't turn my nose up

Sounds OK to me the 320 is a good lump, and so is the 420

 

[Blobcat]

I would look at the 320 as it has higher performance but not much more running costs that the 230K. The 230K was a good trade off for the business user however the 320 was the better car and being bought less on a budget should have more toys. The 420 or 500 or 55 will have ven more toys but higher running costs.

 

[harp1963]

I have a 2000 CLK. Rust seems to appear every other month in different areas. Had all the wheel arches repaired and also the sill under the panel below the doors. The car is a rust prone piece of junk. Never ever will I buy Mercedes again. Good riddance to the car and goodbuy to the £32500 I paid for it.

 

[jamesmc]

I have a 2000 CLK. Rust seems to appear every other month in different areas. Had all the wheel arches repaired and also the sill under the panel below the doors. The car is a rust prone piece of junk. Never ever will I buy Mercedes again. Good riddance to the car and goodbuy to the £32500 I paid for it.

A fair enough reaction to a car that cost that much money 9 years ago and rusts as much as the owner quotes above! Not good enough for any manufacturer.. let alone Mercedes. The point here is, the car should not need rust sorting out under warranty or goodwill. Rust should simply not rear it's ugly head with the way modern technology can handle such things these days. It's inexcusable.

My CLK doesn't have any signs of bubbling rust (from the inside out) and I doubt if it ever will now it's located down here. It sure does show some signs of having lived in Germany and the UK for many years bit will live out it's years in a sedentary, dry, salt free and pleasant way for the rest of it's years... except when my devils horns come out from time to time

 

[scousetechie]

Hmmmmm, the Jag seems more and more tempting. Thank you all for your thoughts.

 

[3rab9]

clk 320

i bought a clk 320 avantgarde 2001 ,
all i can say is take one for a spin and you will be hooked
mine has the amg kit on and exhaust it sounds great and goes superb !!!
also lowered an inch with sport springs so it drives like it was made too, not too soft not too hard a real drivers car plus 18 " amg alloys 225/40/18 dunlop sport maxx tyres drives like its on rails
around 18 mpg round town and up to 33 mpg on a long run ( 55 to 60 mph)
no faults to date apart from fuse blowing on seat motor
hope this helps
mark