Mission Impossible: Stylish 4 Seat Coupe/Conv for £7.5KIsh?

[silvertypes]

Drool

http://coupeandcabriolet.co.uk/cl500/4588563104

[silvertypes]

ZX10R NIN said:

Lol I'd pick the CLK over that generation CL nice example though, before you buy a Convertible test drive it & the Coupe as it's not as nice a drive as the Coupe in my opinion, also the convertible only comes in petrol.

Convertible options:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

Thx will bear that in mind re: CLK Coupe / Conv

Out of interest why would you take the CLK over the CL? If I went for a Coupe I reckon the CL looks the dogs...

New the CL was megabucks so I'm assuming it's like buying a loaded S-Class & takes the bills to a new level should anything need doing - or is that a wrong assumption?

[silvertypes]

ZX10R NIN said:

That CL has the ABC air suspension which is a straight 1-1.5k bill also the bushes at the bottom of the legs go & that's another expensive job £250.00 per leg to be refurbed plus you lose your car for a week when I looked at these I wasn't put off by this but preferred the interior of the SL so I decided to buy the SL instead.

That backs up what I thought then - expensive if they go wrong (CL)

Should I win the Lottery though... the top of the range new CL's are pure filth! ...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

You're SL looks awesome - way out of my price range... but awesome nevertheless

[silvertypes]

ZX10R NIN said:

Yes the CL63 BiTurbos are awesome things I've put off buying my one until next year now that I've bought the 55 AMG luckily my dad has a CL63 BiTurbo 654bhp at the crank after a map & H pipe on the exhaust

Nice...

I've been driving myself insane reading reviews & I'm coming to the conclusion that pick any car & there will be a forum with 50% saying don't touch with a bargepole & 50% that it is the best car money could buy - so I may as well buy a) what I like & b) what i think I can afford

Currently I'm thinking I wouldn't tire of seeing a Merc on the drive & in the right colour & spec a CLK can look pretty awesome so it's top of my list.

I AM still nervous about how it will cope in winter (especially living on a hill) being rear wheel drive, when I have found front wheel drive (not with winter tyres) hard work some years - but that aside...

Also agree the diesel looks best all rounder. Some say its a bit noisy - especially when booting it - don't really want it to sound like a taxi so it's a tie between that & the 350 Petrol though may be a bit too expensive for a nice one - we'll see

[silvertypes]

ZX10R NIN said:

The 320 doesn't sound like a taxi, they don't really have a sound as such but they can:

<iframe width="640" height="390" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lkqyYxg6u4E" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I'd still pick the CDI but the 350 is still a good a car, there will always be good & bad experiences with all cars. I've always bought the car I want & that suits my budget after that just do all the checks & get the best car for the cash.

Here are the best Two of Diesel/Petrols IMO
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

If you want one get one you'll be happy.

Thx for that - Diesel sounds pretty throaty ...

All 4 look good choices, about the right miles budget, spec etc - think the 'sport' really does look the best!

When I'm ready just got to find one locally that floats my boat / fits my budget. Either the 320CDI, the 350 or the 500 Petrol Sport depending on my approach to risk / financial suicide... The 500 is still tempting! Coupe or Conv not sure

Probably too pricey but this looks pretty close to perfect spec - low miles Sport, FSH with 1 owner. HAd a Silver car for pushing 10yrs - nice to have a change Black or seen a nice mettalic blue wld be cool

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

[silvertypes]

Alfa GTV said:

I own a 2005 '55' Merc CLK 350 sport, 7G-Tronic, great car and currently for sale

Uncanny!

How do find the 350? Good / bad points (if any) what made you go for that model?

[silvertypes]

ZX10R NIN said:

That one seems okay but check the road tax on that one as most 350 Sports from 06 onwards are £485.00 Per Year & if I was going to pay that I'd buy this 388bhp one:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

These are the best ones out here at the moment:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

Convertible:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

Just over budget but super low miles:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

Yeah I would like to keep it under £300 Tax if poss

I know u get a better deal private but I'll probably go for a garage/trader (but not main dealer) when I do it so I can part X. Surprisingly few Merc Specialists I Can find in or near Derby... Benz Bavarion have a nice CDI but its £9K & they sell Ferraris & Lambos so cant see their maintenance costs being cheap

There are some nice spec CLK Sports about the right budget on Autotrader with the right spec / history etc but not loads - seems very few locally at all so may have to wait for the right one

Over £9k but this looks mint & fully loaded

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

[silvertypes]

ZX10R NIN said:

Don't be afraid to travel to buy the best one you can find trade,(I flew to Aberdeen to pick up the 55AMG)the best thing is to find a good garage to take care of it once you've bought it.

Also if I was spending 9k+ on one I'd be buying this:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

Hello again... Still hoovering up CLK info on the web - Sadly still finding loads of potential issues... Check this lot!

- Coupe > windows not sealing properly?
- stepper motor fault
- make sure you have the Behr radiator vs. the Valeo. fluid contamination makes the tranny go boom.

- 5Speed Better than 7Speed

"I'd stay away from he 2005 CLK500 because it was the first year for the 722.9 7-speed transmission. Early productions of that transmissionwere much more problematic than current models. I'd look for a 2004 CLK500, as that would have the 722.6 5-speed transmission which is much more reliable"

"The 5 speed box is a lot more durable and reliable than the 7 speed which is far more complex and has a lot more parts to go wrong. The early 7 speeds were not good at all."

"From what I understand that 1st year, 2005 (i believe) 7 speed tranny is unreliable, the kinks were not worked out untill the next year. "

- TONS of 2005 CLK500 Transmission problems
http://mbworld.org/forums/clk-class-w209/110918-cl...

Radiator
- make sure you have the Behr radiator vs. the Valeo. fluid contamination makes the tranny go boom.

One CLK 5.0 CLK500 guy said:-

I've replaced under warranty:
AC Stepper Motor
Rear Seal
Valve Gaskets
Transmission Plug (harness going into the tranny leaks oil)
Seat Warmer
3rd Brake light
Engine Motor Mounts
Tranny Mounts
Seat belt Mechanism (that pulls the seatbelt back in)
Removed that damn "SOS Malfunction" indicator
Various Suspension bushings
Headlight Xenon ballast
Windshield wiper adjustment
Sunroof adjustment

SO.... I'm still interested but can't believe how many issues there seem to be

I'm specifically looking at this car at the moment

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

Not the colour / spec I want exactly but low miles...

Thoughts on this car?

[silvertypes]

ZX10R NIN said:

Lol if you go back through the thread I showed you this one. The Radiator issue is well known most have been changed but check.

The Gearboxes only have problems if you don't change the fluid & filter always knock that off of the price never had the other problems, sounds like he bought a dog.

Here's what I have bought over the last 7 & a bit years.

One Alternator, one pair of wheel bearings & servicing.

That's on Five CLK's Three of which I still own.

It seems like a good one go & have a look at it, the seven speed is desirable.

Quite probably... Sorry... I reckon I've looked at every CLK for sale online in the UK!

I prefer your list to his :-)

Might have to go through the pain of getting an insurance quote... & if it's not too bad go & take a look, although its 130+ miles away so want to be sure - thx again for the input

[silvertypes]

Emeye said:

E92 325i Coupe? MIne has been pretty reliable.

Thx for the suggestion

Wonder if the Merc vs BMW argument has ever been settled? Which would probably be the most reliable? Seems to change so much every few years...

Latest reliability figures for 2015 & what a surprise Honda crowned the most reliable car for ninth time!! no wonder I'm nervous about changing car

BMW? 28th
Merc? 32nd

You'd have thought expensive Prestige cars would be at the top no?

[silvertypes]

ZX10R NIN said:

With regards to reliability I used to batter my old 55 at track days & on hard drives & it just ran with regular servicing.

Having had a proper look at the photos that CLK is in need of a Paint refresh just to bring it upto scratch (most good detailers can sort this) also the discs have been changed as it doesn't seem to have the cross drilled ones.

It has the more desirable digital climate control but all in all it seems like a good one plus you've got a 6 month warranty.

As you know I recently purchased my 2003 CLK 55AMG what it needed was:

Paint Refresh
Headlamp Refresh
Gearbox Service
Air Con Recharge
Wheels Refurbishing
New Tyres

What it's getting is following:

Penske Coilovers
Poly Bushes
SL55 AMG Discs
SL55 AMG Calipers (ebay)
Performance Friction Pads
Brabus Rear Anti Roll Bar
Vertini Concave Alloys on Order (Machined from blanks to my offset) 9x19 Front 10x19 Rear
Quaife Diff with a longer Final Drive so it's reving at around 2000 rpm in top
Kleeman downpipes & an X-pipe standard rear box (On order from Germany)
Baffled Sump
7 Speed Box (Trying to locate one) Weistec Shift Software
Steering Wheel With The Paddles On

I'll probably finish it towards the end of the year, just go for it you won't look back.

Thx for that. I tried to get an Insurance quote today but ran out of time - will try tomorrow - I am severely tempted!

I'll just be happy if it's reliable & I can afford decent regular maintenance - upgrades like you're doing would be nice but out of my price range I suspect. Checked the Vertini Concave Alloys & they look AMAZING - nice set of wheels does put the tin hat on it...

[silvertypes]

This is also the same price £7K...

Looks nicer being a sport with the AMG kit & in black... & it's a convertible - but it won't have the grunt of the V8 & I've heard the 500 & the 320 are the best Petrol engines to go for

http://www.gr8prestigecars.co.uk/used-cars/mercede...

[silvertypes]

And this on Ebay at £6K looks nicer but no warranty as private sale

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2004-MERCEDES-CLK-500-CL...

[silvertypes]

ZX10R NIN said:

The car you've listed isn't a sport model & has no AMG kit on are you sure you posted the right advert?

Sorry it was late! But it does look nice in black & a conv

[silvertypes]

ZX10R NIN said:

So did you get a decent quote?

Yes! Amazingly £300-£350 Approx - pretty good i thought. For me the time I have spent researching has proved a point - insurance & even tax wont be a barrier to getting something pretty cool...when i have enough cash saved up

For financial reasons I think I am chickening out 'for now' - I just wont have enough of a slush fund in case anything expensive happens & there's a fair chance it would & the cost of MB parts is not the same as the cost of Honda parts

Doesn't help that my car is THE Most reliable car in the last decade according to warranty direct!!
The 100 most reliable cars of the last decade
http://www.gizmag.com/the-100-most-reliable-cars-o...

- noticed the seller of that CLK500 has put it up £1k too!

For now I'm getting a twin pipe stainless steel exhaust made for my car (due for replacing) & may splash out on some new alloys but once I've got the funds I know what I'm looking for...

I want it to look like this :-

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

Not keen on paying £500 tax tho so maybe a CLK500 that looks like that if i cld find one

thx for all your help!