Mercedes-Benz CLK350 Elegance - Bottom of the Barrel
Discussion
J4CKO said:
mwstewart said:
devnull said:
Has the circular area on the dashboard that has the dash vent wheels started to go sticky? Mine has (2006) and it lets the interior down a bit.
Yes, it did that. I removed the transparent sticky coating with https://www.autoglym.com/interior-cleanerAlternatively you can use: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09LVT2LCG/ref=cm_sw_r...
cat sticky > /dev/null
mwstewart said:
devnull said:
Has the circular area on the dashboard that has the dash vent wheels started to go sticky? Mine has (2006) and it lets the interior down a bit.
Yes, it did that. I removed the transparent sticky coating with https://www.autoglym.com/interior-cleanerAlternatively you can use: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09LVT2LCG/ref=cm_sw_r...
cat sticky > /dev/null
thanks!Im at a bit of a weird place with my CLK (320cdi). Its a lovely car, as attested to on this thread, but it at the point where it needs at least a new set of front wheel bearings, suspension refresh all round and a couple of alloy refurbs. But its on 160k, is worth nothing and will soon start costing me £9 a pop thanks to the the Bristol CAZ.
Edited by devnull on Wednesday 13th April 09:59
trevalvole said:
mwstewart said:
Well, I'd likely be interested if you wanted to sell it as is i.e. a bit of a project. I haven't tried the V6 diesel.
Are you and your family buying up all the W209 CLKs so you can control the supply and hence the price, like de beers do with diamonds?
I had noticed a slightly hard edge to the ride quality at the rear end, and I diagnosed worn cross axis joints located on the outboard side of the lower arms. A pair of Lemforder joints was a very reasonable £27.04 from Autodoc.
The joints were the original parts and had made themselves quite at home in rear uprights. I used heat to expand the upright and a mallet and appropriately sized socket to drift them out - the threaded bar and socket approach wouldn't move them. I carefully drifed in the new joints whilst the upright was still hot
All in all it wasn't a bad job requiring a little under two hours.
The joints were the original parts and had made themselves quite at home in rear uprights. I used heat to expand the upright and a mallet and appropriately sized socket to drift them out - the threaded bar and socket approach wouldn't move them. I carefully drifed in the new joints whilst the upright was still hot
All in all it wasn't a bad job requiring a little under two hours.
I've bought another CLK. I make no secret of the fact that I really like these things, though the thread title is apt as this car is of a similar status! I decided that I would like the Sport body kit on the Thulite 350, and after a quick browse of eBay I saw that people were asking up to £750 for the front bumper alone. Now, CLKs are at absolute rock bottom at the moment: aside from the few low mileage examples left, they are at peak - or should that be trough - undesirability and value, but there is a complete disconnect between used parts prices and values. I decided that it would make more sense to buy a cheap car.
I found a 280 Sport advertised as spares or repairs. I spoke to the owner who mentioned engine issues, and that the cam sensors were recently replaced but they didn't cure the issue. I offered £1,100 explaining that it's most likely a terminal engine issue due to a worn balancer shaft gear. The price was agreed and so I went on what I thought would be a jolly via the train network, to collect the car. The train journey reminded me why I own a car.
The car got me home just as the seller said that it would. The engine issue manifested itself as a near complete lack of power, however - curiously - turning off the ignition and back on again cured it temporarily, so surely the balancer shaft issue was not at play. Aside from this engine problem and a squeaking O/S/F top mount, the car drove really well.
Condition Review
So what do we have? Well, the previous owner has spent a fair amount of money on recent maintenance
New water pump and tensioner
New Battery
New shock absorbers, ARB links, both arms, and F &R discs, calipers, and pads
Bonus: LPG conversion
Non bonus: LPG installation using self tappers through the (galvanised) floorpan! This kind of thing is why I don't like third parties 'installing' anything on my cars.
Issue Diagnosis
I'd removed the battery which cleared many of the codes including a misfire, but the active codes that came back immediately are as follows:
P0521 relates to a common issue with the variable length & geometry inlet manifold: inlet tract length is adjusted by some plastic actuators, and the plastic link rods have a habit of snapping. This is a simple if time consuming fix using a repair kit that costs around £45.
The coil open circuit was more interesting. There was a recent invoice for six new coils. Upon investigation I immediately noted that the coils looked like generic Chinese parts, and the wires to cylinder 6 were visible.
The exposed wires suggested a more fundamental problem, but I replaced the cylinder six coil with a genuine, used part that I had in stock, and to my surprise that cured the issue. The car now drove like a dream:
My Dad also has a CLK and he's always like the navy blue hood, so I removed this to swap with him:
I'm currently evaluating the rest of the car to decide if it's worth saving.
I found a 280 Sport advertised as spares or repairs. I spoke to the owner who mentioned engine issues, and that the cam sensors were recently replaced but they didn't cure the issue. I offered £1,100 explaining that it's most likely a terminal engine issue due to a worn balancer shaft gear. The price was agreed and so I went on what I thought would be a jolly via the train network, to collect the car. The train journey reminded me why I own a car.
The car got me home just as the seller said that it would. The engine issue manifested itself as a near complete lack of power, however - curiously - turning off the ignition and back on again cured it temporarily, so surely the balancer shaft issue was not at play. Aside from this engine problem and a squeaking O/S/F top mount, the car drove really well.
Condition Review
So what do we have? Well, the previous owner has spent a fair amount of money on recent maintenance
New water pump and tensioner
New Battery
New shock absorbers, ARB links, both arms, and F &R discs, calipers, and pads
Bonus: LPG conversion
Non bonus: LPG installation using self tappers through the (galvanised) floorpan! This kind of thing is why I don't like third parties 'installing' anything on my cars.
Issue Diagnosis
I'd removed the battery which cleared many of the codes including a misfire, but the active codes that came back immediately are as follows:
P0521 relates to a common issue with the variable length & geometry inlet manifold: inlet tract length is adjusted by some plastic actuators, and the plastic link rods have a habit of snapping. This is a simple if time consuming fix using a repair kit that costs around £45.
The coil open circuit was more interesting. There was a recent invoice for six new coils. Upon investigation I immediately noted that the coils looked like generic Chinese parts, and the wires to cylinder 6 were visible.
The exposed wires suggested a more fundamental problem, but I replaced the cylinder six coil with a genuine, used part that I had in stock, and to my surprise that cured the issue. The car now drove like a dream:
My Dad also has a CLK and he's always like the navy blue hood, so I removed this to swap with him:
I'm currently evaluating the rest of the car to decide if it's worth saving.
Shnozz said:
Reminds me of my old one that went to the scrapyard in the sky after losing power and found to have stretched its timing chain. Beautiful looking thing.
I probably would have bought yours - it looked very nice. Was it a 200 Kompressor? I've read about timing chain issues on that engine.Sheepshanks said:
Blimey - if he had a garage do that work he must have spent a couple of £K.
You are right, there's a lot work. I have the invoices.Max M4X WW said:
I love that you like these so much, as I do really want one, but that photo of the coil pack area of the engine instantly puts me off 
Oh, the snakes nest of rubber hoses is part of the LPG system. If you would like a good one of these - unlike the cars in this thread which are a bit of a folly - then look at 57 plate onwards V6s: the balance shaft issue was resolved and the early 7G gearbox issues mostly ironed out. Check the VIN online to confirm that the engine is out of the affected range.The 5.0 V8 is available in a facelift, and they are reliable.
mwstewart said:
Max M4X WW said:
I love that you like these so much, as I do really want one, but that photo of the coil pack area of the engine instantly puts me off
Oh, the snakes nest of rubber hoses is part of the LPG system. If you would like a good one of these - unlike the cars in this thread which are a bit of a folly - then look at 57 plate onwards V6s: the balance shaft issue was resolved and the early 7G gearbox issues mostly ironed out. Check the VIN online to confirm that the engine is out of the affected range.The 5.0 V8 is available in a facelift, and they are reliable.
Otherwise, there are not many around that are not black, and I'd want a convertible as I have too many other cars - this would differentiate it.
Cool, have missed your detailed postings and fascination with the old CLK, ours has gone but it still gets mentioned what a lovely old thing it was.
I am busy ruining my ST into a more track oriented theme, some monstrous brakes being fitted tomorrow, 330 mm on a fiesta ! Was looking at Jag XJs as a potential daily but a CLK might be a much cheaper alternative.
I am busy ruining my ST into a more track oriented theme, some monstrous brakes being fitted tomorrow, 330 mm on a fiesta ! Was looking at Jag XJs as a potential daily but a CLK might be a much cheaper alternative.
I too joined the clk fold last year.
Another 280, chosen because of the colour. Drives really well, 2 owner full history. Some spec weirdness, electric drivers seat but didn't notice the manual passenger seat until I was home.
Replaced brakes
Rear springs and the A/C condenser, tumultuous rain this winter breached the hood. Reproofed and all good.
This replaced an R129 SL, additional rear seat space required.
Another 280, chosen because of the colour. Drives really well, 2 owner full history. Some spec weirdness, electric drivers seat but didn't notice the manual passenger seat until I was home.
Replaced brakes
Rear springs and the A/C condenser, tumultuous rain this winter breached the hood. Reproofed and all good.
This replaced an R129 SL, additional rear seat space required.
Edited by PositronicRay on Saturday 27th April 09:21
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