Mercedes-Benz CLK430 - Yes they did make one ;)
Discussion
So recently my wife has got a new job. This means she goes from a self funded 20,000 miles per annum in a 2014 Hyundai IX35, to me selling the Hyundai from under her and letting her drive my track Cooper S (which I really also ought to write a thread about) whilst we look for an Audi A4 cabriolet to do 2500 miles per year in (darned if I'm tieing up £15k/£20k in a car to do so few miles 
). Obviously this means I was looking at cars on eBay, autotrader and of course here. Which is why I ended up in the bargain barge thread, which is how I saw fellow PH member Greenarrow was selling his CLK430, which is not an A4, or a cabriolet. Being here, as we are, im sure you'll understand that I had to buy it. Even though it was 200 miles away. So now we're all clear on why (who wouldn't want a v8 CLK!).
So I booked an afternoon off work and got on a train.
For the record, trains are dull but the novel '40 Acres' is not - very like 'early Grisham'.
Nice train station at the other end.
Greenarrow very generously met me at the station for a check over of the car (he also provided many photos and a full description via email/phone) - as I said to him on the phone 'if i come to Bournemouth on a train, I'm not coming to look at it, im buying it!'
So after exchanging some cash, I came home again. Needless to say a far more enjoyable journey back than there!
So why a 430 CLK? Truthfully I regretted selling my CE
So replacing it seemed a sensible idea - I kind of internally queried myself 'what would you change if you could about the CE?' Being a good PH'er the answer was of course POWAHHHH! so I thought I'd try a V8. I also like the fact it's a little rare and I feel okay 'leaving it in places' in a way I simply don't about my 911.
First impressions? It's fast, fun and frugal (pick the lie). And it's got under my skin - far faster than most cars! There's a few jobs to do to get it to my A+ preferred condition level (I like to spend all my money making the car perfect for the next owner...), but that's part of the fun! I'll update the thread if anyone give a rats ass with more pictures and an outline of the jobs as they're ticked off.
). Obviously this means I was looking at cars on eBay, autotrader and of course here. Which is why I ended up in the bargain barge thread, which is how I saw fellow PH member Greenarrow was selling his CLK430, which is not an A4, or a cabriolet. Being here, as we are, im sure you'll understand that I had to buy it. Even though it was 200 miles away. So now we're all clear on why (who wouldn't want a v8 CLK!).So I booked an afternoon off work and got on a train.
For the record, trains are dull but the novel '40 Acres' is not - very like 'early Grisham'.
Nice train station at the other end.
Greenarrow very generously met me at the station for a check over of the car (he also provided many photos and a full description via email/phone) - as I said to him on the phone 'if i come to Bournemouth on a train, I'm not coming to look at it, im buying it!'
So after exchanging some cash, I came home again. Needless to say a far more enjoyable journey back than there!
So why a 430 CLK? Truthfully I regretted selling my CE
So replacing it seemed a sensible idea - I kind of internally queried myself 'what would you change if you could about the CE?' Being a good PH'er the answer was of course POWAHHHH!
so I thought I'd try a V8. I also like the fact it's a little rare and I feel okay 'leaving it in places' in a way I simply don't about my 911.First impressions? It's fast, fun and frugal (pick the lie). And it's got under my skin - far faster than most cars! There's a few jobs to do to get it to my A+ preferred condition level (I like to spend all my money making the car perfect for the next owner...), but that's part of the fun! I'll update the thread if anyone give a rats ass
with more pictures and an outline of the jobs as they're ticked off.TurboHatchback said:
I owned that before Greenarrow, it is a very nice car. I thought the ride and handling balance was really excellent, the only thing I didn't like about it was the seats weren't really designed for me. They are a very overlooked car in my opinion, criminally undervalued.
If you'd like any more info about how I acquired it and what work I did to it then just ask.
He did mention that! Sure, any info you have feel free to post or PM me, thanks! If you'd like any more info about how I acquired it and what work I did to it then just ask.
si_xsi said:
Nice, my old man had the 230k version of this, same colour. A very comfortable cruiser, does yours have the air inflating seats?
Any rust? Look forward to the updates.
It does not have any rust! Surprising, but true Any rust? Look forward to the updates.
As my question is 'what are the air inflating seats?' I'm going to guess mine hasn't got them... C70R said:
You're not missing much. The seats are much more focused on comfort than support, even with the extra adjustment.
Mind me asking what you paid? (To help me gauge my price)
A little bit less than double the 'shed' budget - which for a nice clean, plenty of history, sub 100k example seemed pretty fair.Mind me asking what you paid? (To help me gauge my price)
kapiteinlangzaam said:
Whats the deal with the 430? Is it a sleeved/de-tuned 500, or is it a completely different engine?
It's an M113 but assembled by Mercedes, not AMG with a bit less power - so effectively a cut price C43 in a party frock https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_M113...
C70R said:
Thanks for the clarification. People are oddly guarded about how much they pay for their cars on PH, as if it's some sort of huge conspiracy. It's certainly not gauche to talk about spending a couple of grand on an old Merc.
£1950 is strong money for a coupe, but there are so few non-rusty ones about that it's almost impossible to gauge a 'norm'.
Some of the convertibles are being advertised (no idea if they are selling) for ridiculous money. There's one on Ebay with 40k fewer miles than mine and less spec being advertised at more than twice the price!!
The big aspect as you say is 'non-rusty' which it is - it also has piles of history and is overall in very good condition for the year - there are a few jobs to do, but that's part of the fun to me - and many of them would not even be done by most, I just like to get my cars into as good a condition as possible.£1950 is strong money for a coupe, but there are so few non-rusty ones about that it's almost impossible to gauge a 'norm'.
Some of the convertibles are being advertised (no idea if they are selling) for ridiculous money. There's one on Ebay with 40k fewer miles than mine and less spec being advertised at more than twice the price!!
Prices on W208s are also literally all over the shop - from £500 for a rusty 230K with torn seats all the way to £5k for a 100k 430 Cab, so I guess it's all a 'what are you happy to pay on a given day' scenario.
Well, as someone asked for more pictures, and I stated I'd bore everyone with my updates - here are both! To kick off with here is a few more pictures for the 'large old Mercedes photo enthusiasts' amongst you.
So to the jobs. So far the following have been identified:
Drivers seat doesn't move forward when you pull the 'rear access' lever (comfort access I believe Mercedes named it)
A few 'central London stylee' parking dints - nothing major, but certainly in need of a can we/can't we with the local uberdentmasterman
The tint is warped in the rear screen - it's a very subtle tint, and has obviously been on a long time - I'm torn (no pun intended) between straight removal or removal / replacement
Aircon, compressor works, car makes vaguely appropriate noises and lights, it then attempts to coax the air into a new condition via strong words and enthusiasm. But seemingly very little refrigerant.
Paint marks on boot - probably bird poo that has been left on too long before washing off.
The windscreen wiper has been cleverly designed to leave a small 1" smear in line with my eyes. I feel it's a deliberate affront.
So the plan is to work my way through these whilst (probably) finding more!
First off the immobile drivers seat. A quick google suggests that the seat motors can 'lose their location' an automotive vodka binge if you will. So the reset procedure of 'hold forward button to end of track, keep holding for 10 seconds, press back button til the end of track, keep pressing for ten seconds, hold forward button til end of track and hold for ten seconds' was employed. At this point the seat wouldn't move at all. A truly excellent surprise. After much swearing and wondering if I knew anyone that was sub 4ft to drive it to a garage it turns out that pulling the handle to return the seat to the normal position makes it all work normally. So one job down!
Air con was next, a pressure test reveals a very slight pressure loss but a seemingly healthy compressor and condenser so the plan is to introduce dye and refrigerant and see how long it works for and where/if it leaks from - the expert seemed to think it could well be 'dried up seals' I assume he doesn't mean the cute sea life, but he's suggested I run the car (and the AC) for the next few weeks before we investigate further.
As its hot, that's seems enough tinkering for one day, so I'm going to go out for a drive now instead
So to the jobs. So far the following have been identified:
Drivers seat doesn't move forward when you pull the 'rear access' lever (comfort access I believe Mercedes named it)
A few 'central London stylee' parking dints - nothing major, but certainly in need of a can we/can't we with the local uberdentmasterman
The tint is warped in the rear screen - it's a very subtle tint, and has obviously been on a long time - I'm torn (no pun intended) between straight removal or removal / replacement
Aircon, compressor works, car makes vaguely appropriate noises and lights, it then attempts to coax the air into a new condition via strong words and enthusiasm. But seemingly very little refrigerant.
Paint marks on boot - probably bird poo that has been left on too long before washing off.
The windscreen wiper has been cleverly designed to leave a small 1" smear in line with my eyes. I feel it's a deliberate affront.
So the plan is to work my way through these whilst (probably) finding more!
First off the immobile drivers seat. A quick google suggests that the seat motors can 'lose their location' an automotive vodka binge if you will. So the reset procedure of 'hold forward button to end of track, keep holding for 10 seconds, press back button til the end of track, keep pressing for ten seconds, hold forward button til end of track and hold for ten seconds' was employed. At this point the seat wouldn't move at all. A truly excellent surprise. After much swearing and wondering if I knew anyone that was sub 4ft to drive it to a garage it turns out that pulling the handle to return the seat to the normal position makes it all work normally. So one job down!
Air con was next, a pressure test reveals a very slight pressure loss but a seemingly healthy compressor and condenser so the plan is to introduce dye and refrigerant and see how long it works for and where/if it leaks from - the expert seemed to think it could well be 'dried up seals' I assume he doesn't mean the cute sea life, but he's suggested I run the car (and the AC) for the next few weeks before we investigate further.
As its hot, that's seems enough tinkering for one day, so I'm going to go out for a drive now instead
RickJD said:
Hello, I’ve just recently purchased one of these myself and come across your topic. It’s been a while since your last post so just wondering if you still have the car? Cheers Rick
Sadly not! I had a big move a couple of years ago (to another country), so was forced to sell off all my car's in the UK...If you've any questions about them, feel free to post and I'll try and answer if I can!
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