Mercedes CLK Mileage - Does it Matter?

[silvertypes]

Mercedes CLK Mileage - Does it matter?

Looking for:-

CLk350 (Preferable) of CLK280
Petrol (I do 5k a year if that +want to avoid DPF costs etc)
Coupe or Conv
Auto
Ideally a late one - 2009
From a Dealer (Not brave enough for Private Sale & want to trade mine in)

My Car (Honda Accord 2.4 Type S Petrol Manual, has done 88K so not much

point in buying another car however nice if the mileage is almost the same

My target is a 2009 with about 50k on the clock / budget <£10K

Assuming the car is FSH from MB, Anyone got any advice on how many miles

is too high or even too few?

I'm finding cars with miles as low as 14k-25k 2006 platers mainly and

then cars which have been to the moon - 90k-120k+ Not a lot in between

I'm thinking cars with uber low miles won't have been driven much so

loads of things may have perished or seized up?

And the high milers are likely to need loads of bits replacing

Is say 70k on the clock too much if the history is good?

Thanks

[Matt UK]

It's just a number - my view is to judge every individual car on it's merit.

[AMG Merc]

Not as much as condition. I had one for 11-12 years from new - still had oe rear pads on it when sold (almost all motorway miles) and only changed battery at 11 years - basically bulletproof when looked after.

[silvertypes]

Matt UK said:

It's just a number - my view is to judge every individual car on it's merit.

Thx

[silvertypes]

AMG Merc said:

Not as much as condition. I had one for 11-12 years from new - still had oe rear pads on it when sold (almost all motorway miles) and only changed battery at 11 years - basically bulletproof when looked after.

Thx, Sounds Promising. Guess the other question is 88k on mine vs 70k on a CLK - it's not as low as I'd like but they are expensive cars so I'll have to pay more than my budget to get a 2009 low miles I think

[ZX10R NIN]

2009 CLK350 Sport 68k on the clock trying to find a 350 will be hard.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...


Don't discount the CLK500 Sport as they're bulletproof & this one is in the lower tax bracket.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

[silvertypes]

ZX10R NIN said:

2009 CLK350 Sport 68k on the clock trying to find a 350 will be hard.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...


Don't discount the CLK500 Sport as they're bulletproof & this one is in the lower tax bracket.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

Thanks for that you've commented before so I know you know your stuff!

I have been looking at that exact 350 Sport... really after a Sport too, not keen on the looks of Elegance or Avantgarde

Only thing putting me off it is the mileage & I think its had 4 owners

I know 68 is quite good for the year but even if its reliable & good history big bills must be likely in the next year or so as it creeps up to the magic 100k?

What age/miles Would you expect to have to replace original items like Exhaust, struts/shocks, ball joints etc? Any Gearbox issues likely at higher miles?

Radiators start coroding, Alloy wheels start leaking as they get older too

Can't imagine the CLK being more reliable than my Honda Accord Type-S and I had to spend £500 on a new exhaust last year with about 80k on the clock - I imagine the CLK Sport exhaust ain't cheap

I really want a CLK Sport and as u say good ones are hard to find but my car is 88k so not looking at anything higher miles than that

Please talk me out of buying the 350 :-)

My sensible head says if I look for a(ny) car with about 50k on, maybe a 2009 or later, I should get a good 5yrs without any high mileage / replacing worn out stuff costs to ching out for

starting at 70kish I may be ok for a year or so then I'm going to have to start spending I think...

[ZX10R NIN]

The mileage really isn't an issue it's a N/A lump so there really isn't anything to go wrong my 2005 CLK270 I had was still on it's OEM Exhaust when I sold it with 150k on the clock.

The biggest service bill will be the spark plug change because there are 12 of them stop getting hung up on the mileage look for loads of receipts 68k means the car hasn't even managed 10k a year.
Make sure the gearbox fluid has been changed every 40k & they'll see well past 180k.

Just buy it & enjoy it yes if something goes wrong it might cost more than your Honda but not a lot goes wrong with them you can't keep thinking what if.

Like all cars you should be looking to replace the bushes around 100k as you would on all cars they won't necessarily need replacing at this mileage but they'll be getting their alloys will last depending on how they've be previously treated but they won't corrode any more than your Honda.

The Radiator issue only affected early CLK55's.

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Tuesday 14th June 19:13

[anonymous-user]

Mileage may not necessarily matter on the engine front, but it absolutely does indicate there will be more wear to the suspension, engine and gearbox mounts, steering rack, alternator, everything really. My experience has been that most cars need a thorough suspension refresh around 100k if you care about it driving properly, and that includes cars that have done mostly motorway mileage.

Drive them and see how they feel, that's the best indication. I've driven more than a few 5/6 year old, low mileage, one owner from new cars that drive like a heap of st to know that!

FWIW, ex MIL has had a 2007 CLK convertible from new and it's done very few miles. It's been nothing but trouble, the roof is broken (AGAIN) at the moment too. It's not even very nice to drive.

[Blue Oval84]

If my dad's 2005 CLK270 is anything to go by then it will start developing expensive problems from about 30K onwards.

I'm sure he just got a bad one, but that was an appalling car, even the leather seats started peeling for no apparent reason.

[anonymous-user]

Blue Oval84 said:

If my dad's 2005 CLK270 is anything to go by then it will start developing expensive problems from about 30K onwards.

I'm sure he just got a bad one, but that was an appalling car, even the leather seats started peeling for no apparent reason.

I think it's more the case of the odd person getting a good one.

[ZX10R NIN]

Sounds like your dad got a bad one I bought mine with 70k on the clock the Leather wasn't showing signs of wear when I sold it but then again I looked after my car so Coilovers Poly Bushes etc were fitted.

[ZX10R NIN]

dme123 said:

I think it's more the case of the odd person getting a good one.

I've had a few & not had a bad one yet.

[ZX10R NIN]

dme123 said:

I think it's more the case of the odd person getting a good one.

I've had a few & not had a bad one yet, then again I've never had a convertible.

[silvertypes]

ZX10R NIN said:

The mileage really isn't an issue it's a N/A lump so there really isn't anything to go wrong my 2005 CLK270 I had was still on it's OEM Exhaust when I sold it with 150k on the clock.

The biggest service bill will be the spark plug change because there are 12 of them stop getting hung up on the mileage look for loads of receipts 68k means the car hasn't even managed 10k a year.
Make sure the gearbox fluid has been changed every 40k & they'll see well past 180k.

Just buy it & enjoy it yes if something goes wrong it might cost more than your Honda but not a lot goes wrong with them you can't keep thinking what if.

Like all cars you should be looking to replace the bushes around 100k as you would on all cars they won't necessarily need replacing at this mileage but they'll be getting their alloys will last depending on how they've be previously treated but they won't corrode any more than your Honda.

The Radiator issue only affected early CLK55's.

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Tuesday 14th June 19:13

Thanks. I was researching before but I'm ready to buy now so just want to pick the right one

I've seen this conv
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

Exactly what i was after money miles > £10K 2009 50k on clock (uncanny) but its a 280 and conv - which is nice but a coupe avoids any roof issues & the 350 is fast so probably more fun... i have seen some 350 convs maybe thats the best of both worlds but almost all the clks for sale seem down south - I'm hoping to buy more locally - the 350 is pretty close too

So 280conv 50k on clock vs 350coupe 68k - both full hostory, 280 1 owner, coupe 4

Decisions decisions :-)

[silvertypes]

dme123 said:

Mileage may not necessarily matter on the engine front, but it absolutely does indicate there will be more wear to the suspension, engine and gearbox mounts, steering rack, alternator, everything really. My experience has been that most cars need a thorough suspension refresh around 100k if you care about it driving properly, and that includes cars that have done mostly motorway mileage.

Drive them and see how they feel, that's the best indication. I've driven more than a few 5/6 year old, low mileage, one owner from new cars that drive like a heap of st to know that!

FWIW, ex MIL has had a 2007 CLK convertible from new and it's done very few miles. It's been nothing but trouble, the roof is broken (AGAIN) at the moment too. It's not even very nice to drive.

I'm no expert but that was what i was thinking, miles nearer 50 than 100k should avoid those costs for a while

[AJXX1]

I got a 2004 CLK 320 (facelift model) about 5 weeks ago to use as a daily runner.

It's been excellent given it has done over 120,000 miles.

There's a few issues with leather peeling on the rear headrests, but nothing that can't be sorted out.

Engine/drive is incredibly smooth and it have enough go to impress. Engine sounds surprisingly nice, especially at high RPM.

Only work it has needed is rear breaks changing.

It has a few niggles here and there as to be expected with a car from that age - mainly the famous clicking noise from behind the dash, but there's a DIY fix for that.

Overall I'm really happy with it.

[911Ads]

I have a '08 CLK 220 sport...it's just reached 145,000 (bought it at 90,000 2 years ago)- and it still feels great. I bought a 1 owner car with full MBSH and now my Mercedes specialist looks after it. I plan to run this car until it dies...I guess it's not worth much but it's nice to drive and still looks smart. I am sure a petrol one will be a lot more fun!

[ZX10R NIN]

silvertypes said:

Thanks. I was researching before but I'm ready to buy now so just want to pick the right one

I've seen this conv
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

Exactly what i was after money miles > £10K 2009 50k on clock (uncanny) but its a 280 and conv - which is nice but a coupe avoids any roof issues & the 350 is fast so probably more fun... i have seen some 350 convs maybe thats the best of both worlds but almost all the clks for sale seem down south - I'm hoping to buy more locally - the 350 is pretty close too

So 280conv 50k on clock vs 350coupe 68k - both full history, 280 1 owner, coupe 4

Decisions decisions :-)

I'd be taking the Coupe everytime (but that's just down to personal taste) I'd also pick the 350 over the 280 but it's down to you, test drive both & see which suits you best.

[silvertypes]

Thx for all the comments much appreciated