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

[Alfa GTV]

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

[ZX10R NIN]

silvertypes said:

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...

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...

[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...

[ZX10R NIN]

silvertypes said:

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...

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...

[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?

[ZX10R NIN]

silvertypes said:

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?

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.

[Emeye]

E92 325i Coupe? MIne has been pretty reliable.

[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?

[ZX10R NIN]

silvertypes said:

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?

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.

[Emeye]

silvertypes said:

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?

You can get a bit hung up on reliability - a lot of issues on newer cars are caused by very complex electrical systems. I would suggest if a car starts, runs and does not leave you stranded then it is pretty reliable.

My wife has a Honda FRV 2.0 which is great and has been well looked after, but there is still a disconcerting sound from somewhere under the bonnet when it rains - if you look on Honest John every model of car has some issue or other.

It always surprises me when car reviews talk about build quality in new cars, when what they really mean is perceived interior quality. Skodas/VWS/Seats and Audis all share many components under the skin.

I chose my E92 325i deliberately with the pre-facelift 2.5 straight 6 instead of the later detuned 3.0 325i as the N52 is more reliable. My research suggested the 3.0l is more economical but the injectors are high pressure and therefore more prone to fail. It also helped that the 2.5 prefacelift models are cheaper!

[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...

[ZX10R NIN]

silvertypes said:

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...

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

[ZX10R NIN]

silvertypes said:

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...

listed this one to the guy has spent money maintaining this one & as long as he has the bills to prove it then it seems like a good one, he hasn't listed having the gearbox fluid changed I also know 6.5k buys if which would leave you 1.5k to put towards your own warranty Tax etc

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Saturday 23 May 00:19

[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

[ZX10R NIN]

No problem, glad you like the Vertini alloys the pictures don't do them justice.

Here are two of the best of each model IMO with less than 80k on the clock:


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

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

V6
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MERCEDES-CLK-350-CONVERT...


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


http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

A set of vertinis on my SL55

[ZX10R NIN]

So did you get a decent quote?