Thumping noise on '98 CLK320 & where & how often to

[simonsclk320]

Hello all. I bought my 1st Merc, a 98 clk320 about 6 months ago. So far so good - A cracking car that seems just run in at 90k! Couple of questions to ask though... if anyone can advise I'd be most appreciative !

1) Thumping noise on front suspension

It might be well be me adjusting to the tranquility of the merc driving experience (last car was an MGF which was about as refined as my Dyson vacuum), but I have noticed that the car makes a fair bit of noise from the front suspension when riding over the more bumpy roads in south London. I'm no mechanic, but it doesn't sound loud enough to warrant a panic trip to the garage.. However, compared with the overall refinement of the car as a whole, the suspension noise does seem to be a little louder than one might expect. Is this a common feature of the car or indicative of something wearing out... i.e. Should I be worrying?!


2) SERVICING - HOW OFTEN

The car spent the first few years of its life on the motorway and had 75k on the clock after 3 years. However, since I acquired it I will probably only doing 4-5K a year and most of it will be at a snail's pace in central London. Bad news for any car I know... I'm more than aware of the need to give the car a good run as often as possible, and do this at least once a week... My question is around servicing.... The computer is telling me I've got a good 8500 miles to go before the next service, but clearly it would be unwise to leave it 2-3 years between services, particularly now its getting on a bit. What would you guys advise? Yearly? Anything in particular to keep an eye on with regards to it's now low annual mileage?


3) SERVICING - WHERE

Can anyone recommend a good independent in south London? I am loathe to fork out at a main dealer unless I absolutely have to !

Many thanks

 

[sgregory124]

I wanted a CLK55 AMG myself but then i'm not made of money....lol Anyways, on to the bit of your post I can answer

I have a C36 AMG and have a similar noise which i've had for about 2 months. Before then it was a quiet as a mouse (despite being a rock hard ride).

Does your sound only happen over roads where your front wheels undulate at different times? (i.e one down while the other is going up?).

Thats where mine occurs, I had the lower ball joints replaced but the noise still happens. I'm due to have the anti-roll bushes changed next tuesday too but rather worryingly I was told by my garage that it may be a strut on its way out

I have a friend who had the exact same problem on a Y plate C230K coupe..., fortunately his was under warranty and ended up having all sorts changed :cry:

I guess i'm as much in the dark as you to be honest! lol

As for independents in the London area I think its George Fraser at Alperton just off the North Circular at Hangar Lane.....(picked up from another post).

Hope this is of some help....

 

[piestore]

clk

Hi

Bumping noise best bet bottom ball joints 50K ish, service every 10k or 2 years assyst should indicate

 

[jberks]

Just scrolling through. On the servicing question - I guess the car has assyst - in which case the mileage is only a guide and it will count down quicker over time. The service is due when the computer says it is. My E doing similar low mileage went 18 months between services.