Coming back to MB......

[DougE280]

One big bill too many, a couple of years ago, and in a weak moment I traded the old girl (E280 W124) in for (oh, the shame!) a Vau***ll Vec**a (sorry to swear). In truth, the Veccy's been both reliable and cheap to run. However, Mrs Doug has decreed that it's now time to change - and it must be a Mercedes Benz or nothing......
Had a look at a really nice C Class 2.2 CDi at my local dealer (and struck a deal). Later I picked up the wife from her shopping trip and took her to show her what I was about to sign for.
"Very nice", she said, "but why not treat yourself to that one....." pointing towards a cabrolet CLK, gleaming in the afternoon sun...
To cut a long story short - I have to do what I'm told, so we're off back tomorrow morning to buy this CLK230 which, whilst being the old model (up to 2002, I think), it was actually registered on an 03 plate.
I've been looking on the interweb for performance/economy/and other data, and drawn a blank. Hope someone here will help with data.
Am I doing the right thing? What are the snags and things to look-out for on this model (W208 I think).
Glad to be back on this forum.
Feeling better already.....
Doug

 

[television]

Welcome back Doug , yes we do have a few of those on the forum, hope that you get some answers later

 

[jamesmc]

Hi Doug

I own a W208 Cabriolet 1999, below is some factory data, delivery data and information I added on actual fuel consumption derived from a 600 odd mile trip ín southern Europe.
Hope this helps in some small way.

CLK 230 Kompressor Cabriolet
Model 208.447
VIN: WDB208447....... etc.

Engine
Engine: 111.975

Automatic Transmission
Type: AG Unit: 722.605

Capacity
For new box 7.5 litres (+0.5)
MB 236.10 ATF A001 989 2303...MB 236.10 001 989 2103
Shell ATF 3403-M 115

Fuel Consumption (13 May 2007)
117.6 Litres 1000km= 11.7L/100KM cruising at around 145km/h
24.143mpg over 621.4miles running at around 85-90mph.

VIN WDB208447........... etc.
Plant 64
Model CLK230
Chassis 208447............. etc.
Engine 111975...........
Transmission 722605......... etc.
Tyres
Primary PIRELLI
Lights
HELLA
Delivery date 08.04.99
Interior Leather anthracite (211)
Paint
040 Black (T) (? 01.01.1963)
Options
059 Aej.98/2 (? 19.07.1996)
260 Elimination of model designation on rear lid (? 01.05.1968)
283 Draft deflector (? 01.07.1989)
309 Cupholder (? 01.06.1995)
345 Rains sensor for windshield wipers (? 01.10.1993)
423 5 speed automatic transmission / nag (? 01.03.1994)
441 Steering column, electrically adjustable, W202 manually adjustable (? 01.07.1984)
533 Front and rear speakers - without radio (? 01.03.1994)
543 Sun visor with vanity mirror, illuminated, left and right (? 01.11.1978)
580 Air conditioner/Tempmatic (? 01.11.1982)
611 Courtesy lamps for front and rear doors (? 01.11.1978)
645 M+S tires (? 01.10.1963)
659 Light alloy wheels -5-holes (avantgarde design) (? 01.10.1994)
673 High-capacity battery (? 01.01.1964)
740 Folding top fabric9001 black (? 01.08.1972)
809 Change of year of model, last figure shows new model year
873 Seat heater for left and right front seats (? 01.02.1984)
923 Emission control d3-measures (? 16.12.1996)
955 Extension tube on the roof, front equipment package elegance (? 01.11.1991)
988 Ownership certificate and COC papers with EC model plate (? 01.06.1993)

If you can get hold of the VIN number try adding it into the Russian site here:

http://www.mbclub.ru/mb/vin/?lng=eng

It will give you similar information and option codes (when manufactured) as above.

 

[Brett]

Enjoyed mine - managed around 24mpg on average with it. Reasonable power delivery (won't set the world on fire), very smooth with the autobox. Usual Merc things apply i.e. leather etc. One think I would strongly suggest is that you try the roof a good few times before you leave the dealership. If they go wrong, they can be expensive to fix. A pair of plastic clips on the hinge broke on mine and they couldn't be replaced individually. Each hinge cost £94 + vat + fitting...

Other than that, lovely car - enjoy.

 

[jamesmc]

24Mpg ties in with my figures so I guess, as the car you are looking at has a healthy power unit that's what you'll get on that front.
Still, as I read somewhere earlier, if they were looking for economy they wouldn't be driving a car with 2.3ltr supercharged engine fitted.

 

[philharve]

24Mpg ties in with my figures ... if they were looking for economy they wouldn't be driving a car with 2.3ltr supercharged engine fitted.

Hi

24mpg from a supercharged 2.3L seems a little low to me. I regularly obtain 30mpg and I know 34mpg is possible with careful driving. Forty looks possible on a long run.

REGARDS

Phil

 

[Mr Teddy Bear]

Hi dougE280,
I think 24mpg is on the low side, although its down to how you drive, traffic density etc. If its got more than 40kmiles on the clock change the ATF & filter, if its not already been carried out. Also examine the paint work very closely for stone chips and the wheel arches. Establish exactly what sort of corrosion warranty is comming with the vehicle, because they do
rust. Apart from that a very nice car!

TB

 

[Ben Lovejoy]

24mpg is what I get from my SLK230 with a mix of city driving and fast open-road driving, using the full acceleration available.

 

[The German Flower Pot]

i too get tempted by the dark side (bmw 330 ci sport coupe) after the engine and other stuff went gugrle and cost me best part of £2k to fix, but i look out at my 2 cars and think id look decidedily average in a car that i see every day

i like the clk convertible too but would want a big fat engine in it

 

[DougE280]

....arrived....

Hi guys,
Well I "lost" the W208 that was the subject of this thread initially. I went back to buy it on the Sunday morning, but after running one kid to work, another to rugby, coffee with the missus.... and a trip to the skip, I didn't make it 'till after lunchtime - the sun had come out - and there was a couple sat in "my" CLK Convertible, about to take it for a test drive.
They bought it, of course, and thereafter a CLK Convertible it had to be...but which one?
Finally, after nearly two months and must be 1000 miles at least, I've "done the deed" and bought one today.
Like most things in life, the more I looked, the more I wanted.....and the price I'd have to pay naturally just kept going up and up. Having tried a "new shape" W209 one, I decided that was what it had to be (ensuring at least another £5k would be blown!!).
Anyway, less of the "ramble"....today I bought an early 2004 CLK320 and am delighted. "Lowish" spec - no parktronic, heated seats or e-foldy mirrors - reflected in the price, but it does have the rather splendid two tone grey leather with leccy memory seats both sides - and that silky smooth V6 which feels even quicker than the M104 24v in my old E280, despite the obvious extra weight of a convertible.
I like to think that I'm better off with the bigger engine rather than some of the gadgets.
I pick it up in a couple of weeks and am like a kid with Christmas approaching!!!
I'm having difficulty finding out technical data for this model. The current V6 engines are 280 and 350. Does anyone have the data for a 320? performance, economy, etc.
Do I need to do anything to care for the mohair roof? How do I clean it? Does it need anything (polish/sealer/whatever?) to keep it looking smart.
......and finally, should I change my log-in name?
Doug

 

[television]

Pleased that you have found a car, it sounds nice, re your name on the forum, if you change it you will loose all of your post counts, and that would be a shame.

You can add parking sensors if you wish at a later time, You can do a search for the road test of your car, there are many out there, its an all time great the V6 as is the V8

MB do a good hood kit for £25 but there are others out there, look forward to some pictures