Mercedes-Benz CLK350 Elegance - Bottom of the Barrel
Discussion
Service & Tyres
Cost: £253.43
The car has FSH but I had my man service it for peace of mind.
Air filter £13.04
Mann HU718/5x Oil Filter £10.39
10L Genuine Mercedes Benz 5W30 C Class Engine Oil MB229.51 Fully Synthetic £45 (eBay bargain)
Service cost £50
The rear tyres were low when I bought it and they lasted 5k. I replaced them with 6mm part worn Continentals at £120 + £15 fitting.
Cost: £253.43
The car has FSH but I had my man service it for peace of mind.
Air filter £13.04
Mann HU718/5x Oil Filter £10.39
10L Genuine Mercedes Benz 5W30 C Class Engine Oil MB229.51 Fully Synthetic £45 (eBay bargain)
Service cost £50
The rear tyres were low when I bought it and they lasted 5k. I replaced them with 6mm part worn Continentals at £120 + £15 fitting.
Non-Sport Suspension
Cost £520.48
Mercedes go into great detail with their spring and damper combinations - more so than any other manufacturer that I have experience with. The various options in the car are assigned with points, and the points tally for a car corresponds to a particular setup at the front & rear. Furthermore, there are three categories of suspension components: non-sport, sport, and high ground clearance, and two markets: US and RoW. My research showed that the US market suspension components were the softest of all i.e. the US sport was softer than the RoW sport, and likewise the US non-sport was softer than the RoW non-sport. The categories and markets generally apply to the hardware e.g. ARBs or shocks, but the spring rates can and do vary widely from car-to-car, and can be considered spec agnostic.
I decided to change the suspension to make the ride more compliant, which was really an indulgence; there was no absolutely need to do it only I'm quite fussy about suspension.
My spring rate research table is below:
http://www.mwstewart.co.uk/images/cars/Mercedes-Be...
There's little choice at the rear and my car already had blue/blue/blue, so I kept that. At the front I went for red/red/white as a balance between ride height and spring rate.
On to the rest of the suspension and I found that the sport suspension has different ARBs, bump stops, shock absorbers, and front drop links. I found a pair of new US market non-sport front shocks on eBay for less than half the discounted price I could get at the dealer, which was quite fortuitous.
I picked up a pair of low mileage rear US market non-sport shocks from eBay.com. I also went with US market spec non-sport F&R ARBs - the available options are below:
Front
20mm | US market non-sport (M12 drop link fastening) | A2033234265
21mm | RoW non-sport / US market sport (M12 drop link fastening) | A2033234365
22mm | RoW Sport (M14 drop link fastening) | A2033234465
Rear
14mm | US market non-sport | A2033261365
15mm | RoW non-sport / US market sport | A2033261465
16mm | RoW Sport | A2033261565
These are a reasonable price from the dealer and come with the bushes which are moulded to the ARB in an effort to reduce noise.
Dampers and ARBs.
I had my man fit everything and I am pleased with the result; objective met. I also learnt something from all of this: next time I would take a hybrid approach with the dampers and ARBs by retaining the RoW sport ARBs but go down further on the spring rates; I find the sharper turn-in of the thicker ARB is an acceptable trade-off for the slightly choppier ride over very uneven surfaces, but overall this could be trimmed by even lower spring rates (many are available). The only compromise is a higher ride height and the non-sport front damper drop link attachments would need drilling out from M12 to M14. This would be a very minor optimisation so I likely won't do it
I run CLK tyre pressures at 30psi front and rear as I find this provides the optimum tread wear and comfort.
Cost £520.48
- Front bump stop & dust cover | non-sport | A2033200744 (Lemforder £32.24)
- Front struts | US non-sport | A2033206530 (eBay OEM 300138 £80)
- Front drop links | non-sport | A2033202889 (Meyle HD £32.95)
- Front anti-roll bar | US non-sport | A2033234265 (OEM £65)
- Rear drop links (Meyle HD £29.95)
- Rear struts | US non-sport | A2093260300 (eBay OEM £105.34)
- Rear anti-roll bar | US non-sport | A2033261365 (OEM £65)
- Fitting £110
Mercedes go into great detail with their spring and damper combinations - more so than any other manufacturer that I have experience with. The various options in the car are assigned with points, and the points tally for a car corresponds to a particular setup at the front & rear. Furthermore, there are three categories of suspension components: non-sport, sport, and high ground clearance, and two markets: US and RoW. My research showed that the US market suspension components were the softest of all i.e. the US sport was softer than the RoW sport, and likewise the US non-sport was softer than the RoW non-sport. The categories and markets generally apply to the hardware e.g. ARBs or shocks, but the spring rates can and do vary widely from car-to-car, and can be considered spec agnostic.
I decided to change the suspension to make the ride more compliant, which was really an indulgence; there was no absolutely need to do it only I'm quite fussy about suspension.
My spring rate research table is below:
http://www.mwstewart.co.uk/images/cars/Mercedes-Be...
There's little choice at the rear and my car already had blue/blue/blue, so I kept that. At the front I went for red/red/white as a balance between ride height and spring rate.
On to the rest of the suspension and I found that the sport suspension has different ARBs, bump stops, shock absorbers, and front drop links. I found a pair of new US market non-sport front shocks on eBay for less than half the discounted price I could get at the dealer, which was quite fortuitous.
I picked up a pair of low mileage rear US market non-sport shocks from eBay.com. I also went with US market spec non-sport F&R ARBs - the available options are below:
Front
20mm | US market non-sport (M12 drop link fastening) | A2033234265
21mm | RoW non-sport / US market sport (M12 drop link fastening) | A2033234365
22mm | RoW Sport (M14 drop link fastening) | A2033234465
Rear
14mm | US market non-sport | A2033261365
15mm | RoW non-sport / US market sport | A2033261465
16mm | RoW Sport | A2033261565
These are a reasonable price from the dealer and come with the bushes which are moulded to the ARB in an effort to reduce noise.
Dampers and ARBs.
I had my man fit everything and I am pleased with the result; objective met. I also learnt something from all of this: next time I would take a hybrid approach with the dampers and ARBs by retaining the RoW sport ARBs but go down further on the spring rates; I find the sharper turn-in of the thicker ARB is an acceptable trade-off for the slightly choppier ride over very uneven surfaces, but overall this could be trimmed by even lower spring rates (many are available). The only compromise is a higher ride height and the non-sport front damper drop link attachments would need drilling out from M12 to M14. This would be a very minor optimisation so I likely won't do it
I run CLK tyre pressures at 30psi front and rear as I find this provides the optimum tread wear and comfort.
Completed
Well, as they say, that's a wrap. I'm about to reach 11k miles in my ownership, and in my view at this mileage I've already had my value out of the car. I expect to get another 5-7k of life out of it. It isn't a mint car by any means, but it's presentable and I've grown very fond of it - actually more so than the CLK63 which is really a bit too much engine for the road. This car is comfortable, looks great, has a very nice interior, and the steering, brakes, gearbox, and engine are all very pleasing to use.
I've spent some time considering what what to do with the car once the engine signals its impending death - at which point I'll stop driving it in order to leave the engine in a repairable state, rather than ruining it entirely. I've measured up for the M275 V12 biturbo engine but that doesn't fit, and based on my CLK63 experience that would be overkill anyway, so I'll do one of three things:
1) Keep this car as a spare parts car for another CLK, and a donor for the rare options;
2) Convert to a V8;
3) Use the engine from the next CLK (lower mileage car) to repair this one, and convert the next CLK to a full-spec V8.
Either way, I can make use of all parts that I've fitted to this one.
Until next time...
Well, as they say, that's a wrap. I'm about to reach 11k miles in my ownership, and in my view at this mileage I've already had my value out of the car. I expect to get another 5-7k of life out of it. It isn't a mint car by any means, but it's presentable and I've grown very fond of it - actually more so than the CLK63 which is really a bit too much engine for the road. This car is comfortable, looks great, has a very nice interior, and the steering, brakes, gearbox, and engine are all very pleasing to use.
I've spent some time considering what what to do with the car once the engine signals its impending death - at which point I'll stop driving it in order to leave the engine in a repairable state, rather than ruining it entirely. I've measured up for the M275 V12 biturbo engine but that doesn't fit, and based on my CLK63 experience that would be overkill anyway, so I'll do one of three things:
1) Keep this car as a spare parts car for another CLK, and a donor for the rare options;
2) Convert to a V8;
3) Use the engine from the next CLK (lower mileage car) to repair this one, and convert the next CLK to a full-spec V8.
Either way, I can make use of all parts that I've fitted to this one.
Until next time...
I think it Is a great looking car and I admire your attention to detail. Personally (I appreciate these things are entirely subjective), I prefer this colour scheme to all others and like the Elegance specification: to add extra ride comfort to that specification seem to me very sensible and desirable. It is rare in any event that even very fast progress on the road calls for "sports"-type suspension, especially if carrying a passenger.
Why not simply repair the engine?
Why not simply repair the engine?
dirtbiker said:
Always a joy to read these threads so I'm sad that this one is coming to an end! Thanks for sharing!
Most welcome.r129sl said:
I think it Is a great looking car and I admire your attention to detail. Personally (I appreciate these things are entirely subjective), I prefer this colour scheme to all others and like the Elegance specification: to add extra ride comfort to that specification seem to me very sensible and desirable. It is rare in any event that even very fast progress on the road calls for "sports"-type suspension, especially if carrying a passenger.
Why not simply repair the engine?
Thank you - we share the same opinion. The engine question is a good one. The repair is an engine out job that involves quite a bit of additional labour, and it isn't a job that I'd have the enthusiasm to do given my other ongoing projects so it would be down to my trusted mechanic to take on the work. The total cost is somewhere around £1500 which is half way towards a V8 conversion. Second hand V6 engines are around £2k(!) Why not simply repair the engine?
I'd really like a M273 V8 CLK coupe but they are the rarest of all save for the DTM versions - Elegance spec cars are like unicorns. I'm in the process of looking for a low mileage car whilst they are still reasonably plentiful, as my plan is to store it for whenever this car gives up - I like Mercedes cars but the later models don't do a lot for me. If a good 5.5 comes up then that's fine, but it's more likely to be another V6 hence my seemingly illogical options - mind you, not a lot I do with cars makes a great deal of sense, but nevertheless I do enjoy myself
ChrisCh86 said:
Why is the engine about to go boom?
Surely after all the time you've committed to this car it's worth fixing any issues that arise rather than selling on?
I explain in the first post but in summary it's a common fault and the car was a bargain basement buy because of it. I don't plan to sell the car.Surely after all the time you've committed to this car it's worth fixing any issues that arise rather than selling on?
mwstewart said:
The repair is an engine out job that involves quite a bit of additional labour, and it isn't a job that I'd have the enthusiasm to do given my other ongoing projects so it would be down to my trusted mechanic to take on the work. The total cost is somewhere around £1500 which is half way towards a V8 conversion. Second hand V6 engines are around £2k(!)
I'm sure you've looked into this more than I have, but when I was considering buying a car with an M272 engine, I found the following from https://forums.mbclub.co.uk/threads/the-complete-m... that indicates that there were three different levels of problem depending on the engine number:engines up to #2729..30 468933 -- this when the gear is the problem
engines up to #2729..30 759427 -- this when the adjustment solenoids are the problem
engines up to #2729..30 895140 -- this when the adjustment solenoids leak oil
trevalvole said:
I'm sure you've looked into this more than I have, but when I was considering buying a car with an M272 engine, I found the following from https://forums.mbclub.co.uk/threads/the-complete-m... that indicates that there were three different levels of problem depending on the engine number:
engines up to #2729..30 468933 -- this when the gear is the problem
engines up to #2729..30 759427 -- this when the adjustment solenoids are the problem
engines up to #2729..30 895140 -- this when the adjustment solenoids leak oil
Thank you very much for that. This car being an 06 is well in to the gear problem - the engine number starting with a 3. I used the Mercedes medic website to learn about the issue and check, but the thread that you quoted from is a good summary.engines up to #2729..30 468933 -- this when the gear is the problem
engines up to #2729..30 759427 -- this when the adjustment solenoids are the problem
engines up to #2729..30 895140 -- this when the adjustment solenoids leak oil
Max M4X WW said:
Wow, how did I miss this one?! I need an 'mwstewart new thread notification button'.
Anyway, great transformation on the car but it does seem a shame to do all of the work with a ticking time clock attached to it!
Hoping you hang onto it and keep it going.
Thanks Max. I only just spotted your post. Anyway, great transformation on the car but it does seem a shame to do all of the work with a ticking time clock attached to it!
Hoping you hang onto it and keep it going.
This happenend last week thanks to a 5" deep pothole:
A new wheel costs £173 inc. VAT from MB. I've submitted a claim to the council.
No other problems to report - it just keeps going. It had the second service in my ownership before Christmas, and the engine still sounds good.
The front & rear suspension arms are past their best, ditto the rear ball joints - one per side located in the upright (A 220 352 02 27). I think that what I'll do is buy a new set for the Designo car, and have its cast-offs (33k miles) fitted to the this car.
With the suspension work completed I've no reason to suspect that the car won't pass its MOT in April.
A new wheel costs £173 inc. VAT from MB. I've submitted a claim to the council.
No other problems to report - it just keeps going. It had the second service in my ownership before Christmas, and the engine still sounds good.
The front & rear suspension arms are past their best, ditto the rear ball joints - one per side located in the upright (A 220 352 02 27). I think that what I'll do is buy a new set for the Designo car, and have its cast-offs (33k miles) fitted to the this car.
With the suspension work completed I've no reason to suspect that the car won't pass its MOT in April.
In other CLK related news my Dad has a Tellurite Silver sport cabriolet. Tellurite is silver with a blue pearl. The car has a red leather interior, which makes a nice change from black, but next to Tellurite it looks garish.He likes the interior in my Cubanite car, but again it doesn't suit Tellurite.
Dad's second favourite is the very rare Cappuccino option, and as luck would have it I found for sale a RHD Cappuccino cabriolet interior with heated, manual seats: his exact spec. My brother and I & our wives bought it for his Christmas present.
A few weeks ago I fitted it for him. It was quite straight forward, the only point of note being the rear headrests: we the trick with those is to replace the covers leaving the rest of the assembly/internal headrest support alone.
Fitted. Much better.
Dad ordered a Furniture Clinic airbrush kit, which we used to strip off the existing red from his steering wheel, gearknob, and gaitor, and then refinish in Cappuccino.
Dad's second favourite is the very rare Cappuccino option, and as luck would have it I found for sale a RHD Cappuccino cabriolet interior with heated, manual seats: his exact spec. My brother and I & our wives bought it for his Christmas present.
A few weeks ago I fitted it for him. It was quite straight forward, the only point of note being the rear headrests: we the trick with those is to replace the covers leaving the rest of the assembly/internal headrest support alone.
Fitted. Much better.
Dad ordered a Furniture Clinic airbrush kit, which we used to strip off the existing red from his steering wheel, gearknob, and gaitor, and then refinish in Cappuccino.
Looking good and that is some nice work carried out. What was it you used to clean the leather seats? My grey ones need a proper clean and reading your post has reminded to get it done.
Been a big fan of the 209's since they came out and usually have one lurking about somewhere within the current line up. Currently got an A209 320 Elegance with the facelift dash. I chose the 320 as it's a great engine and the Elegance model as the Avantgarde/Sport suspension is usually a bit crashy on what's left of our roads. Although the Sport kit and wheels do make them look nice.
Personally I think they're one of the best looking cars of that era which Merc done and they do look pretty cool with all the windows (and roof down on the A's).
I've been after a 500 "A" for a while and while prices are a lot higher than recent years, it's something that I'll be quite happy to get in the right spec. Just a shame they never done the V8 with the supercharger - that would be my ideal car. I'm easily pleased
Been a big fan of the 209's since they came out and usually have one lurking about somewhere within the current line up. Currently got an A209 320 Elegance with the facelift dash. I chose the 320 as it's a great engine and the Elegance model as the Avantgarde/Sport suspension is usually a bit crashy on what's left of our roads. Although the Sport kit and wheels do make them look nice.
Personally I think they're one of the best looking cars of that era which Merc done and they do look pretty cool with all the windows (and roof down on the A's).
I've been after a 500 "A" for a while and while prices are a lot higher than recent years, it's something that I'll be quite happy to get in the right spec. Just a shame they never done the V8 with the supercharger - that would be my ideal car. I'm easily pleased
Thanks chaps. I agree: I think that the 209 is a beautiful car, inside and out.
The M112, M113, and 5G combinations are generally bomb-proof. I also like the V8s, and in terms of running cost there really isn't anything in it, but the 350 removes much of the temptation to travel everywhere at warp speed An M113 5.0 facelift coupe with the 7G 'box would be my pick - I keep my eye out.
Regarding the M113K there are converted 208's out there, so I'm sure that it's possible in the 209
The M112, M113, and 5G combinations are generally bomb-proof. I also like the V8s, and in terms of running cost there really isn't anything in it, but the 350 removes much of the temptation to travel everywhere at warp speed
An M113 5.0 facelift coupe with the 7G 'box would be my pick - I keep my eye out.Regarding the M113K there are converted 208's out there, so I'm sure that it's possible in the 209
Surely a CLK 500 wit the M273 is the one to have ?
We bought a cheap 209 CLK 200D in Sept, my son wanted out of his Golf R as prices were high so managed six months and 6000 miles and got more than he paid back despite the car using a bit of oil and him not being all that enamoured with it.
So, sketchy seller and one slightly tired CLK that came with new tyres, brakes and a big bill for a recent service and a few other bits. All its needed was a Thermostat fitted by my dad and my son (£23) and a window switch, which not sure has been fitted yet. Passed the MOT with a couple of minor advisory items we will attend to over the summer.
Its drags its carcass up and down to Scotland every few weeks and does 45 to the gallon or thereabouts, its not fast but its not painful either. Its very comfy and he doesn't worry about leaving it. It rides really nicely though not keen on hustling it, above all it fells like a proper Mercedes despite being relatively small and having a weedy diesel engine. Wha impressed me was when looking under it, no surface rust, some road gunk but it wasnt leaking at all bu nothing was corroding which at 105k miles and 17 years old is pretty good going for one that hasn't had that much care.
See loads with much more mileage so I think with a bit of maintenance it could soldier on indefinitely, have to say for 2 grand, I am very impressed and quite taken with it, used it for a month, complete antithesis to my modified Fiesta ST which is like an agitated Jack Russell.
We bought a cheap 209 CLK 200D in Sept, my son wanted out of his Golf R as prices were high so managed six months and 6000 miles and got more than he paid back despite the car using a bit of oil and him not being all that enamoured with it.
So, sketchy seller and one slightly tired CLK that came with new tyres, brakes and a big bill for a recent service and a few other bits. All its needed was a Thermostat fitted by my dad and my son (£23) and a window switch, which not sure has been fitted yet. Passed the MOT with a couple of minor advisory items we will attend to over the summer.
Its drags its carcass up and down to Scotland every few weeks and does 45 to the gallon or thereabouts, its not fast but its not painful either. Its very comfy and he doesn't worry about leaving it. It rides really nicely though not keen on hustling it, above all it fells like a proper Mercedes despite being relatively small and having a weedy diesel engine. Wha impressed me was when looking under it, no surface rust, some road gunk but it wasnt leaking at all bu nothing was corroding which at 105k miles and 17 years old is pretty good going for one that hasn't had that much care.
See loads with much more mileage so I think with a bit of maintenance it could soldier on indefinitely, have to say for 2 grand, I am very impressed and quite taken with it, used it for a month, complete antithesis to my modified Fiesta ST which is like an agitated Jack Russell.
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