Winter shed....Merc CLK 320....any good?

[theironduke]

Like the look of these and being modern they must be quite safe as a daily, though it would be a weekend hack only. MPG can't be too bad? bearing in mind i'm used to 16 urban.....

Rust, ad states some....can it kill them? don't mind tatty though

Seems a lot of car for a bag.....potential smoker goodness?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MERCEDES-CLK-320-V6-Adva...

[fandango_c]

I've just sold an SLK 320 of the same age after about 2 years of owning it. MPG was around 28mpg.

Both of the rear aches had rusted thorough and there was also a patch by one of the headlights - a local body shop thought that they could sort it out for approx £400.

[theironduke]

fandango_c said:

I've just sold an SLK 320 of the same age after about 2 years of owning it. MPG was around 28mpg.

Both of the rear aches had rusted thorough and there was also a patch by one of the headlights - a local body shop thought that they could sort it out for approx £400.

Was that 28 "round town" as such?

Also whats the drive like? adequate power? decent 'box?

Any reliability issues?

[essexplumber]

I like that.

[fandango_c]

theironduke said:

Was that 28 "round town" as such?

Also whats the drive like? adequate power? decent 'box?

Any reliability issues?

28 was around town and an 8 mile commute with occasional longer trips.

I had a manual gearbox which was OK. The engine has a lot of low down torque which I liked. I could drive round one gear higher than I can in my Z4M.

The only reliability issue was that the electric drivers seat adjustments sometimes didn't work.

I would have another SLK or CLK with the 320 engine. It's just a shame that Mercedes from around 2000 rust so much.

[morgrp]

Rot boxes - also the 320 V6 has known engine issues you should be aware of too - do your homework before taking the plunge as parts are expensive

[PaperCut]

Too much to go wrong IMO. Electric niggles, autobox, wiper etc, etc. Could be fine but a 12 year old, £1k car from the era that MB would rather everyone forgets. Are you a betting man?

[theironduke]

PaperCut said:

Too much to go wrong IMO. Electric niggles, autobox, wiper etc, etc. Could be fine but a 12 year old, £1k car from the era that MB would rather everyone forgets. Are you a betting man?

Currently got a 18 year old XJR and before that had a cheapo Chimaera....and a Merc SEC and Porsche 928 before that, amongst other delights...

Gluten for punishment! A baby Merc doesn't scare me!.....

For 1k....you pays your money I know!

[theironduke]

PaperCut said:

Too much to go wrong IMO. Electric niggles, autobox, wiper etc, etc. Could be fine but a 12 year old, £1k car from the era that MB would rather everyone forgets. Are you a betting man?

Given my car history.....i've yet to be put off by such trifles

[daemon]

Having experience of C's and E's of this genre, the surface rust on the wings most likely isnt, therefore budget for fitting new ones which isnt going to be cheap.

[theironduke]

daemon said:

Having experience of C's and E's of this genre, the surface rust on the wings most likely isnt, therefore budget for fitting new ones which isnt going to be cheap.

Thats a bugger, don't mind tatty but not that bad! You expect it of 70's and 80's stuff but it's really dissapointing on a Merc of this age. I know they rot but didn't realise it was that bad!

Just a bit smitten by the idea of a modern (ish) pillarless coupe. I think they are quite pretty little cars.

Edited- They're not pillarless are they?

Edited by theironduke on Sunday 25th November 17:46

[theironduke]

Pretty in black

[daemon]

theironduke said:

daemon said:

Having experience of C's and E's of this genre, the surface rust on the wings most likely isnt, therefore budget for fitting new ones which isnt going to be cheap.

Thats a bugger, don't mind tatty but not that bad! You expect it of 70's and 80's stuff but it's really dissapointing on a Merc of this age. I know they rot but didn't realise it was that bad!

Just a bit smitten by the idea of a modern (ish) pillarless coupe. I think they are quite pretty little cars.

Edited- They're not pillarless are they?

Edited by theironduke on Sunday 25th November 17:46

The wings go an E's and C's of around that year, so i'd expect what he says hes seeing is not what hes actually seeing. ie, he says its bubbles of surface rust, but its rot through from the inside. 3 series are very prone to it too, so its not just a merc thing. Once you put a grinder to them they just fall into holes.