First Time Buying Advice???

[SRC1990]

Hi guys, new to this forum and MB. Looking to join the club and have my eyes on a nice looking CLK 270 (2005). I've read up on them abit and they seem pretty good. But what do you guys think/ what should I look for?
Is it reliable? (electrical,engine,trans)
Is it ecomical? (I've read about people getting nearly 50MPG!)

I wouldn't say I'm a boy racer (avg around 50-60mph to work) when I drive but every now an then I like to give it some.

I've currently got an Audi A3 Tdi but looking for something 'special'
What do you think??

 

[The Pan Man]

I was an Audi man with a lot of my company cars, 80 100 A6 A6 Avant, The last one was 2000 since then I've been in MB's 2 Estates & 2 Saloons I had a few months out in a BMW 530i and it was OK as a car but as soon as I had bought it I was looking and MB's again I only kept the BMW for as long as I did to appease the wife. There was nothing wrong with the BMW but the day I picked up the current MB I collected the wife to go shopping and the first words she said when she got in was "I never liked that BMW" There is another post of mine somewhere as I have said this before.

Now my best advice is this, Decide what you want in a motor car, Petrol or Diesel 2 doors or 4 or and estate, Most important of all decide what options you must have and work your searches around that. If there is anything for sale by forum members you are more or less guarenteed a good buy.

Hop this helps somewhat.

 

[television]

There are quite a few recent threads on buying a CLK, a search should give some results.

 

[S.Speed]

I am a big fan of the 270 Cdi..
I have had 2 of them in a C class.
On a motorway run at 70 - 75 I usually got 53mpg..
There are a few mods I would advise that you have done by a competant indy (NOT an MB dealership!!!!).. (Indy = independant Mercedes machanic).

1. Have the EGR shunt fitted to disable the Exhaust Gas Recirculation.. The engine will breath much better and will be inherently better for it (reliable). I did this mod to both of my 270's..

2. Have the swirl flaps removed and the mod done. I never actually got around to this but if I ever owned another 270 then I certainly would do it.
After some mileage the swirl flaps can break off and cause damage via being sucked into the engine.

These 2 things may sound like a big deal but in reality you are future proofing your engine..

3. The 5 speed gearbox is a peach and very reliable BUT I would have the ATF and filter changed for peace of mind..
The ATF and filter should ideally be changed every 40k miles.

Please dont be put off by this advise.. The engine is a peach and I would definitely have another..
I have a CLK myself and wanted one with the 270 Diesel but at the time of my searching the mileages were astronomical !

Lastly you may hear some tales of "Black Death".. I never suffered this on either of my cars but there are some people who have..
Its basically when an injector doesnt seat properly in the head and diesel blows past it onto the engine.. If a fix isnt done sooner rather than later then the top of the engine gets caked in black tar which is very difficult to remove (and expensive)..

Others will elaborate on the symptoms of Black Death..

DO NOT BE PUT OFF !!!

 

[MBDevotee]

Lastly you may hear some tales of "Black Death".. I never suffered this on either of my cars but there are some people who have..
Its basically when an injector doesnt seat properly in the head and diesel blows past it onto the engine.. If a fix isnt done sooner rather than later then the top of the engine gets caked in black tar which is very difficult to remove (and expensive)..

Others will elaborate on the symptoms of Black Death..

DO NOT BE PUT OFF !!!

Oh do be put off dear reader - be put off greatly.....

I have CLK270CDi and it's been the most unreliable piece of junk I have ever owned.....

I am in the process of trying to get it put right to a sufficient standard to sell it - but I wouldn't sell it to anyone on this forum that's for sure!

Black Death has appeared many times, getting around my 5th Injector sorted now. High pressure fuel pump went, oil leaks, you name it!

I had the W208 (Previous model CLK320 petrol) and that car was an absolute dream, so reliable it was fantastic.

Forget 50mpg - I average 38 - 40 overall. 50+ is doable on long trips - if you get on the motorway with a hot engine and reset the computer it reads well over 55mpg cruising at legal speeds. But, overall in last 3000m I have only averaged 39mpg and I don't drive fast I don't think.

Unless you do a massive mileage, get the petrol version, far more reliable - and if you do do a bigger mileage get the petrol and put LPG on it - I did on the old CLK and got the equivalent of 50+ to the gallon but smoother, faster, quieter, no turbo lag and a creamy lovely V6