Thinking of getting a Convertible

[Daz wilde]

Right Folks im new to the forum so first of all Hello!!!!!



Im thinking of getting another convertible ive currently got a 318 2.0 BMW Convertible, but want to change it now. Im not too fussed about speed really just a nice drive so thought i'd try a Merc.



Ive been looking at getting a CLK 240 or 320 Convertible on a 03/04 plate but dont no much about em really.



Is there anything to look out for on these, any common faults?

Ive not test drove one yet so could do with knowing if the drive will **** all over my BM.



Any advice would be great!!!



Cheers



Daz



BM Piccy!

 

[television]

Hello and welcome, a late CLK on a 03-04 plate is no problem, though much better to go for after 04-04 as they have the Nano paint that is so much better.

Engine size is down to what you fancy

Your BM looks very nice though

 

[Daz wilde]

Cheers for getting back to us, think a 320 will sting me on insurance so was thinking a 240, had a look about and it seems im talking about 9k for a decent 04 plate 240.

So is there anything i should be looking out for??? Are they pretty reliable?

 

[television]

Cheers for getting back to us, think a 320 will sting me on insurance so was thinking a 240, had a look about and it seems im talking about 9k for a decent 04 plate 240.

So is there anything i should be looking out for??? Are they pretty reliable?

There are a lot of them around and we have never had many if any real faults on this forum, I cant ever recall any roof problems, well only one on a 2000 car

 

[Daz wilde]

I'll have to test drive a few and see me thinks...

 

[Speedmaster]

I suspect he probably means £19k

 

[Daz wilde]

Sorry i did mean 19k

 

[jon_harley]

£9K for a 3.5 year old car that cost at least £36K (with virtually no optional extras) sounds suspiciously cheap. 75% depreciation in a little over 3 years? That's way more than you'd expect, even with high mileage.

 

[David Nock]

Hello and welcome, a late CLK on a 03-04 plate is no problem, though much better to go for after 04-04 as they have the Nano paint that is so much better.

Engine size is down to what you fancy

Your BM looks very nice though

Just for advice to Daz, Malcolm, doesn't the Valeo radiator/ATF problem affect cars before 09/2003?
I saw this post as it was put up yesterday, but wasn't sure enough to answer.

 

[Speedmaster]

Would there be much realistic difference in fuel economy between the 240 and the 320?

 

[Daz wilde]

Its more of an insurance sting for me between the 240 amd 320 what kind of extras are the ones to opt for?

 

[David Nock]

Just for advice to Daz, Malcolm, doesn't the Valeo radiator/ATF problem affect cars before 09/2003?
I saw this post as it was put up yesterday, but wasn't sure enough to answer.

Daz, this doesn't seem to have been picked up so I will push out my own very unexpert advice. Check out cars (W209 -CLK ), made after September 2003, not before that date. Do a search on here for 'Valeo' or 'ATF Contamination' or 'Glycol' and you'll see what I mean.

 

[Speedmaster]

I personally would want parking sensors, heated seats and leather as a minimum spec. Upgraded wheels and command are nice also

 

[Daz wilde]

I personally would want parking sensors, heated seats and leather as a minimum spec. Upgraded wheels and command are nice also

Yeah think your spot on with those mate..

 

[Lordjellybelly]

This time last year I was also thinking what I was going to buy after I sold my TR6. Yes; a facelifted CLK 320 cab was top of my list after a few posts here. But then I started taking an interest in the W124 E320 and guess what....that`s what i bought. Sizewise it might have even more room than a CLK. Cachet value.....there`s not many around and it seems to command respect as a car and as "cherished" vehicle.......not quite a TR6 but......I didn`t need or want parking sensors, computers on board, steering wheels except to turn corners. I did want an electric roof, effortless cruising, traction and ABS, leather and heated seats and air/con. Pricewise I wasn`t too bothered but depreciation did bother me.....I didn`t want to tear up 2 or 3 grand a year so there you go.........enjoy your CLK.

 

[Daz wilde]

Ive been asking about and people keep trying to put me off a clk convertible.. sayin why change from your bm to a merc they are not as reliable as your bm...

Are they just trying to blag me or do mercs (clk's) have a tendancy to be un reliable?

 

[Brett]

I've had two W208 CLK Coupes, 1 W208 CLK Cabriolet and my current car, a W209 CLK Cabriolet. All have been extremely reliable with only the odd niggle here and there. You will not find the W209 handles as sharply as your BMW but it is a different car with a different image. You won't have anywhere near as many issues getting out at junctions in a CLK, for example.

It depends on what you are looking for, but the 240 is a tad sluggish IMHO. That said, if insurance is a big factor then you may need to put more sway on that. MPG won't be massively different between the 240 and 320 in everyday driving.

Whatever else you do, you MUST get parktronic - rear visibility is challenging when reversing! Other obvious options for resale in the future are COMAND, leather and auto. Personally, I also like Xenons, telephone prewire and heated seats.

Make sure the roof works without any strange noises - I had to replace a pair of plastic clips on my hinges...only I couldn't replace only the clips and had to replace the hinge as well. At £100 each plus fitting it wasn't cheap!

Above all else, enjoy!

 

[Daz wilde]

I've had two W208 CLK Coupes, 1 W208 CLK Cabriolet and my current car, a W209 CLK Cabriolet. All have been extremely reliable with only the odd niggle here and there. You will not find the W209 handles as sharply as your BMW but it is a different car with a different image. You won't have anywhere near as many issues getting out at junctions in a CLK, for example.

It depends on what you are looking for, but the 240 is a tad sluggish IMHO. That said, if insurance is a big factor then you may need to put more sway on that. MPG won't be massively different between the 240 and 320 in everyday driving.

Whatever else you do, you MUST get parktronic - rear visibility is challenging when reversing! Other obvious options for resale in the future are COMAND, leather and auto. Personally, I also like Xenons, telephone prewire and heated seats.

Make sure the roof works without any strange noises - I had to replace a pair of plastic clips on my hinges...only I couldn't replace only the clips and had to replace the hinge as well. At £100 each plus fitting it wasn't cheap!

Above all else, enjoy!

Cheers for the advice mate... so really they are just as reliable as a BMW..

Just i fancy a change now, but really want a nice smooth drive.

 

[Brett]

Cheers for the advice mate... so really they are just as reliable as a BMW..

Just i fancy a change now, but really want a nice smooth drive.

Can't claim they're as good as BMW as I have no real point of reference. All I can say is that my CLK's have been great and have had no major issues. Good luck!

 

[Geezer]

I love my W209 CLK Cabrio. Virtually faultless ( except that I can't get the mirrors to fold on lock! )