Looking at buying a CLK...What do you think

[SteveyJ]

Hi there all
Just looking at getting a CLK 230K and just wanted some info on it, does it have specific times to change and belts, being timing or charger belts?
Does it need a charger rebuild at a perticular date or mileage?

Any other info you think is worth knowing then please let us know.

Also most seem to be a auto/tip. I'm looking at manuals, anything I should know as why there is't many around ? Really didn't get on with my tip box in my old audi

Thanks Steve

 

[alexspurs61]

There'll be loads more detail but what I can tell you is:

No timing belts: duplex chain, lasting to 150,000 and beyond. Rattle a bit so plenty of warning before letting go and thrashing about.

Poly V belts last to about 80,000 on four pot models.

Accepted wisdom is that the auto is the one to go for, in terms of driving experience and re-sale. A great 'box all round. If you can even find a manual they're just not seen as 'suiting' the car and generally perceived to be not great in their own right.

Corrections may flood in, but this is my understanding

 

[jamesmc]

I've not driven a manual version of the car but can vouch for the auto as being well matched to the car.

With an auto box if the mileage is over say 80k miles you may want to invest in a transmission filter and oil change.. not a MB service item as such, but from what I have read a worthwhile expense if you are considering longer term ownership.

Don't seem to hear too much about the ´Chargers' failing during normal every day use although I did read some horror stories on a US site... but that was people messing around trying to increase the output by swapping out pulley's and spinning them up beyond their designed limit.

 

[Mr Teddy Bear]

ALL the above buy one less than 8 years old fm Oct 98 onwards with a full dealer service history and then check the paint work in detail, whl arches bottoms of doors I might even try to check with a dealer regarding any recorded paint rework.
Either that or;
a] buy new
b] buy pre 96( OK not a CLK)

Teddy Bear

 

[Brett]

I ran a W208 CLK230 Kompressor for 2.5 years and 60 miles and it was one of the "rare" manuals. Mine was a June 2000 model which had the new 6 speed box in it. It was a bit notchy but other than that was fine. The clutch pedal suited me ok but my missus found it a little offset and that tended to make it difficult for her to find a comfortable driving position over long journeys. The only other thing I remember was it was intially difficult to master hill starts with the hand release footbrake - getting your timing right was the hardest part.

 

[Alfie]

Hi there all
Just looking at getting a CLK 230K and just wanted some info on it, does it have specific times to change and belts, being timing or charger belts?
Does it need a charger rebuild at a perticular date or mileage?

Any other info you think is worth knowing then please let us know.

Also most seem to be a auto/tip. I'm looking at manuals, anything I should know as why there is't many around ? Really didn't get on with my tip box in my old audi

Thanks Steve

I ran a W208 CLK 320 cabriolet for a couple of years. Great car.

The V6 was so smooth and effortless compared to the four cylinder models and only marginally worse on fuel.

Go for a post August 1999 build car as these are facelifted and have a host more features such as steering wheel controls and indicators in the mirrors.

Mine was a 2002 model and I loved it. Very reliable, fast and fun.

 

[David Nock]

I ran a W208 CLK230 Kompressor for 2.5 years and 60 miles and it was one of the "rare" manuals. Mine was a June 2000 model which had the new 6 speed box in it. It was a bit notchy but other than that was fine. The clutch pedal suited me ok but my missus found it a little offset and that tended to make it difficult for her to find a comfortable driving position over long journeys. The only other thing I remember was it was intially difficult to master hill starts with the hand release footbrake - getting your timing right was the hardest part.

That's the trouble with Merc manuals, the foot operated parking brake. You have to be like Fred Astair! Why do Merc Do it! They must know it's universally hated!
Tip Autobox is fine.

 

[Brett]

That's the trouble with Merc manuals, the foot operated parking brake. You have to be like Fred Astair! Why do Merc Do it! They must know it's universally hated!
Tip Autobox is fine.

Ah! That explains why I struggled to master the clutch - I have two left feet!

 

[jamesmc]

You have to wonder though... two feet and four pedals!

 

[bigasotonuk]

Hi,
I know mines a c class 230k (same engine) but having driven both auto and a manual version i personnally think the engine is best suited to a manual version I.M.H.O. more economical too, but the pedals are off set and a bit close together and took me some time to get use too but i do have large feet I get over 30 MPG on a run.

 

[SteveyJ]

Cheers guys,
I'll keep looking for a manual then as there doesn't seem to be any major problems with them, and hopefully get one soon and start enjoying it

 

[JEZ.S320L]

You have to wonder though... two feet and four pedals!

How on EARTH do you do a clean hill start - when stopped at lights/in heavy traffic, without slipping the clutch..!!??

It's an auto for me EVERY time..!!

 

[rf065]

That's the trouble with Merc manuals, the foot operated parking brake. You have to be like Fred Astair! Why do Merc Do it! They must know it's universally hated!
Tip Autobox is fine.

Nearly every hire car I've rented in the USA has had a foot operated parking brake, not one of them has been a MB. Oldsmobile, Dodge, Chevy, Buick, Chrysler etc, so they cannot be universally hated, maybe only in the UK? Having said that, manual gearboxes in the USA are few and far between, so the foot operated parking brake does not seem to be a problem over there.

Russ

 

[bigasotonuk]

Hi,
Took some getting use to, but hill starts are easy now no problem.

 

[JEZ.S320L]

Hi,
Took some getting use to, but hill starts are easy now no problem.

Would LOVE to see your feet (2) juggling with the pedals (4) whilst doing a real hill-start (e.g. Glasgow - where its VERY steep in the City Centre - and LOTS of traffic lights).

Any chance of a video (I'll share the £250 with you!!) I can just imagine it:

Harry Hill: " and before the break............oh dear!............WHAT HAPPENS NEXT"??? LOL :Oops: :lol:

 

[rf065]

Would LOVE to see your feet (2) juggling with the pedals (4) whilst doing a real hill-start (e.g. Glasgow - where its VERY steep in the City Centre - and LOTS of traffic lights).

Any chance of a video (I'll share the £250 with you!!) I can just imagine it:

Harry Hill: " and before the break............oh dear!............WHAT HAPPENS NEXT"??? LOL :Oops: :lol:

And on the way back down, you can re-enact the car chase scene from Bullit, especially if you have no brakes.

Russ

 

[JEZ.S320L]

And on the way back down, you can re-enact the car chase scene from Bullit, especially if you have no brakes.

Russ

Backwards............ to the sound of:

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh ssssssssssssssssssssshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii.....................................................

 

[jamesmc]

Yes dear... I know it's manual, there are four pedals and your dreamy car instructor told you there would only ever be three, but you'll get the hang of it eventually... honest!

Husband gets out of the new manual MB, walks off and wishes that he has bought an automatic.

 

[Brett]

Would LOVE to see your feet (2) juggling with the pedals (4) whilst doing a real hill-start (e.g. Glasgow - where its VERY steep in the City Centre - and LOTS of traffic lights).

Indeed - I used to visit a customer there on a regular basis and had a few heart stopping moments when trying to pull out of parking spaces on the steeper streets. Why is it that you always have a brand new Aston Martin parked behind you in these circumstances?

 

[JEZ.S320L]

Indeed - I used to visit a customer there on a regular basis and had a few heart stopping moments when trying to pull out of parking spaces on the steeper streets. Why is it that you always have a brand new Aston Martin parked behind you in these circumstances?

I know the feeling.

Yes, there are a lot of expensive cars in Glasgow - Ferrari, Masserati, Aston Martin - even the odd McLaren, are all well represented. An AWFUL lot of 4x4's as well.