W209 CLK 500

[Martyn Cannon]

Seen one of these at a reasonable price £3495 on auto trader mileage is 85000 ish
Any feedback is this cheap? Looks in good order was thinking of popping over to take a look
2002

Lowered suspension !

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[LostKiwi]

That does sound good value to me, but then when you can get an SL for not much more... (Admittedly with bigger tendencies to destroy your wallet).

 

[Capra]

It's lowered, depending on how much will determine how it feels. I've driven cars that were lowered before and around here they are a nightmare.

 

[Wearsafoxhat]

It does look to be good value and nice and clean.
The background set my alarm bells off though.


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[Wighty]

It does look to be good value and nice and clean.
The background set my alarm bells off though.


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I had the same thoughts about the background

 

[Capra]

It does look to be good value and nice and clean.
The background set my alarm bells off though.


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Well spotted, personally, I would have been put off by the fact it had been lowered.

 

[Martyn Cannon]

It does look to be good value and nice and clean.
The background set my alarm bells off though.


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What have I missed on the background please


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[Blobcat]

Well spotted, personally, I would have been put off by the fact it had been lowered.

Me three

 

[Martyn Cannon]

Looks
Like it’s gone now anyway


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[Blobcat]

MOT history made interesting reading...

 

[Martyn Cannon]

MOT history made interesting reading...

Oh yes I did see that when I checked thought that was why it was low priced


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[John Laidlaw]

And the gypsy camp

 

[Martyn Cannon]

Think I will
Go for a SL 500 after looking at these start my looking around
Have really enjoyed
My 320 CLK Sport 1998 so will
Look to get something else my sons trying to Nick the CLK of me don’t think he would get insured on it


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[LostKiwi]

Think I will
Go for a SL 500 after looking at these start my looking around
Have really enjoyed
My 320 CLK Sport 1998 so will
Look to get something else my sons trying to Nick the CLK of me don’t think he would get insured on it


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To reduce the chance of big bills avoid the r230 V8 - they all have ABC and whilst a superb system when working they have the ability to drain wallets very quickly if not fixed properly or if neglected. The 350 has traditional coil springs and dampers so much cheaper to fix.
If you do opt for a V8 then check the history carefully. ABC fluid and filter should be changed every 2 years. A pump replacement should have an ABC flush and filter as part of the work. Leaking struts are £500 per corner.
All SLs are probe to boot leaks. Left unattended this will kill the PSE pump. There are excellent guides on the forum about rectifying these.
All SLs have SBC. The pump should be treated as a consumable items and if approaching 100k miles should be budgeted for as a replacement.
Almost all SLs rattle and creak when the roof is up. Gummi on the seals can alleviate this for a while.

This assumes an r230 of course...

If looking at the r129 things are simpler. Roof operation should be smooth and quiet. Rear plastic windows craze and crack. Cars built 1992 to 1995 can have engine wiring harness issues and throttle body issues.
R129s should always come with hard tops and both 129s and 230s should have wind deflectors - they were fitted as standard.

Rust can be an issue on both - especially rear arches or under the plastic sill covers.

 

[gramey]

Whilst if the right car came up at the right price I would seriously consider an R230 V8 that's a tall order given the possible pants down bend over experience they can give you.
So in the meantime I'm perfectly happy with my R230 SL350 (3.7) which although missing the V8 soundtrack doesn't give me sleepless nights but gives me 90+% of experience in real life driving.

 

[SH0X]

Ahh yes CLK500 also a good purchase.
They used to be about £2.5k though at their cheapest (reasonable miles)

IMO Needs AMG pack for styling to make the most of it.

I did consider these too. IMO a 4 seater SL500 alternative if you want to stay MERC and no ABC (you also have the CL500 but people seem to avoid that car Im not sure why???)

 

[John Laidlaw]

Ahh yes CLK500 also a good purchase.
They used to be about £2.5k though at their cheapest (reasonable miles)

IMO Needs AMG pack for styling to make the most of it.

I did consider these too. IMO a 4 seater SL500 alternative if you want to stay MERC and no ABC (you also have the CL500 but people seem to avoid that car Im not sure why???)

The CL500 is also ABC clad....

 

[SH0X]

The CL500 is also ABC clad....

Yes sorry I meant to say its also a 5.0 v8 option MERC

I always see these go for LOW LOW prices and seen some with collapsed suspension - if its the same workings as the SL I always wondered by people didnt try to save them more often. They have alot of presence about them. I think they have potential!