Which CLK?

[dannyb311]

Hi guys

Im new to mercs. Basically I have always wanted one, but found that for whatever reason i was unable to...until now
I have upto 5k to spend, which by my research can get me a clk upto about 2000 -2001?

The question is which do i go for?
200?
230?
320?

The trouble is im new to this game, and dont know anyone that has had any of these models. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Also
I have been trying to find MPG info for the 230 and 330. To compare. Can any1 shed any light?

I have printed off a few topics from this forum about what to look for when i go to view, particulary the "clk engine care" topic which has some great tips from jiminessex. thanks for that

any help would be appreciated

Danny

 

[dannyb311]

aha!

finally found MPG advice

320
Fuel Consumption (Urban) 18 mpg
Fuel Consumption (ExtraUrban) 38.2 mpg
Fuel Consumption (Combined) 27.2 mpg
230
Fuel Consumption (Urban) 20.1 mpg
Fuel Consumption (ExtraUrban) 38.7 mpg
Fuel Consumption (Combined) 28.8 mpg

hardly any diff! would you guys say this is correct?

 

[colechelle]

I would have to go for the 320, beautiful engine! find the 4 pots always reving,

Advice on the 320, listen for a rattle from the center boxes, Cats rattle when there u/s

Full history if poss,mind has gone a blank now, lot of clk owners on here so some good tips will soon follow i would guess!!

 

[PeterCLK]

320 is the one to go for.
Do a search on here for valeo radiator problem.

 

[colechelle]

Didnt affect the 208s pete!

 

[bigasotonuk]

The 208 CLK was I believe built using the same chassis as the W202 C Class, I think the consumption figures are a bit optomistic for the 320, and i think you would be hard pushed to get those consumption figures from the 230k as well.
My personnal opinion over these engines is if its an auto you want the 320 all day long, (no manual variant available i believe) having driven both manual and auto versions of the 230K, I would go for a manual.
CLK you need to check for rust, check all the ignition and warning lights work as they should, uneven tyre wear on the front tyres, above all good documented history.
Spec wise the best you can get though most 320's are pretty much fully loaded.
Its a buyers market at the moment, have a good look around, don,t buy the first one you see.

 

[PeterCLK]

Didnt affect the 208s pete!

Oops sorry.

 

[blossom]

1999 clk v6 soft top greg.ross@wanadoo.fr

i have got a clk v6 soft top excell con fsh 60,000 miles for sale it is on french plates at the moment just been tested its rhd 4 new tyres dark blue with black power hood immac £8000 only

 

[Mark A]

For that sort of money you could have the V8 soundtrack from the 430.

Surprisingly good on fuel - I Average 24mpg.

 

[dannyb311]

yeah, i saw a gorgeous 430. Im not sure wether it is feasable or not regarding insurance and fuel. Will have to look into that

Thanks for the comments so far guys, really helping my search.
Can i ask.........what is the difference between the advantgarde's and the elegence's?

Also, the tiptronic gearing......just a toy? What models/year is that on?

And Finally the valeo rad issue, am i right in thinking that if i identify that my new car has a valeo rad then i need to replace it pronto? Or just stay clear of valeo rads?

Thanks

 

[Speedmaster]

I had a CLK430 Cabriolet and found it quite good on fuel, better than I expected anyway and makes a lovely noise!

 

[colechelle]

dont worry about the rad fault, didnt affect the 208, if you can find a 430 for your price then a lot of motor for your money, it will keep you smileing every time you drive it!!!

 

[dannyb311]

well i have provisionally brought one!!! depending on an inspection.
Please ignore the rubbish description that the seller has wrote. I have spoke to him and its got everything i need, inc full merc service history.
I won the auction but had pre-agreed with the chap that its only a deal after a thorough inspection.

Let me know what you think, if its as good as i believe i think i have a bargain

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320316750044&_trksid=p2761.l1259

 

[dannyb311]

hey,

any chance anyone with a clk or clk knowledge can take a look at the car in the above link and let me know if it seems ok?

 

[mbzclk]

Hi mate,

Dont know much about merc's / clk's.

But i have a 230k about 2 weeks now, and what a lovely car, i admit only 4pot, but when that supercharger kicks it sounds sweeeeet! im sure the 320 has a pure grunt, but i cant afford the cost of it etc. they usually come fully loaded. I remember seeing a V99 model on sale locally 54k one owner for like 3.5k dont know if its still on sale.

Try go pre march 01 so you dont need to worry about tax band worries.

230k better for insurance.

i have heard you need to worry about the 200k intake manifolds. but you need to ask someone else on here.

 

[NewMB]

Well actually, for tax, only cars after March 2006 are affected by the new rules.

My E55 reg 1/6 2003 is not affected and only costs £210.

 

[dannyb311]

Hi mate,

Dont know much about merc's / clk's.

But i have a 230k about 2 weeks now, and what a lovely car, i admit only 4pot, but when that supercharger kicks it sounds sweeeeet! im sure the 320 has a pure grunt, but i cant afford the cost of it etc. they usually come fully loaded. I remember seeing a V99 model on sale locally 54k one owner for like 3.5k dont know if its still on sale.

Try go pre march 01 so you dont need to worry about tax band worries.

230k better for insurance.

i have heard you need to worry about the 200k intake manifolds. but you need to ask someone else on here.

hi mate, Cheers for the advice. Glad to see you are enjoying your 230
I was quite shocked at how cheap my insurance quote was for a 2000 320
They said it would cost me £40 more a year than my current car (dare i say it) a 2000 hyundai coupe. Amazed really. I have been doing a bit of looking around, viewed a few. had a go in a 230 and 320. Then i saw a 320 2000 X reg 75000 miles on ebay. Spoke to the owner to check it had everything i needed, won the auction on the trust that if i dont like the car/find something wrong i can walk away. I go to inspect and drive it on sat, hopefully/fingers crossed driving it back from herts to sunny stoke
fingers crossed!! i am paying a mechanic to come with me by the way to check it out. :wink:

Danny, hopefully to be in the merc owners club on Sat

 

[arrows180]

Dont forget to do a hpi check if you have'nt already done one. Can never be sure, accident write off? stolen recovered? etc. Car might be fine but will affect the re-sale value. atb. Brian

 

[mbzclk]

if possible check with merc too they can verify the service history (fake books and stamps etc)

 

[dannyb311]

Dont forget to do a hpi check if you have'nt already done one. Can never be sure, accident write off? stolen recovered? etc. Car might be fine but will affect the re-sale value. atb. Brian

Hi brian

Yeah i did a HPI check, it all came back ok. I even hassled the seller for things like Vin number and V5 document id number and date so as to get a thorough check from hpi.
Its all good

I have been through the forum a hell of a lot to help with what to look for when i am viewing the vehicle. I have all the details on engines, is there anything else i should inspect/try in detail?