Mercedes CLK help / advice
Discussion
This might be a mid life crisis thing (turned 40 this year) but I have always wanted a Mercedes CLK, things have fallen into place so have started looking around, 2006 to 2008 seem to be within budget.
Have a budget of around £4k, anyone got any advice on what to look for etc I know rust is the biggest issue.
Engine wise would one of the V6's be better than the 200k
I only do around 3000 miles year so mpg is not a big worry
Have a budget of around £4k, anyone got any advice on what to look for etc I know rust is the biggest issue.
Engine wise would one of the V6's be better than the 200k
I only do around 3000 miles year so mpg is not a big worry
I own a 2006 CLK 320cdi. I've owned it from 67k and it's now on 152k, all driven in the last four years. The 320cdi is the V6 diesel and plenty quick for everyday driving. It can be chipped to 272BHp and the newer generations of the OM642 engine like the 350cdi run roughly about the same power. Economy is about 40-45mpg.
CLKs are nice cars, they're essentially a mishmash of the C Class and the E Class. Mine has had all of the usual things happen to it, such as the gearbox TCU fail (£1200, thanks very much), the turbo actuator fail, etc. I've generally kept on top of maintenance, refreshed the suspension and it's a nice place to be.
They're solid cars to drive, handle very well, and can sit four adults pretty comfortably. The rear seats fold down and the boot is pretty large - it can carry far more than it suggests and, carrying white goods aside, is a pretty good car to do a tip run in!
The 200 KOMPRESSOR is slow as balls and noisy. 13 seconds to 60!
Go for a 6 cylinder, they are much more befitting of the car and there is a little difference in the economy, especially with the mileage you do.
CLKs are nice cars, they're essentially a mishmash of the C Class and the E Class. Mine has had all of the usual things happen to it, such as the gearbox TCU fail (£1200, thanks very much), the turbo actuator fail, etc. I've generally kept on top of maintenance, refreshed the suspension and it's a nice place to be.
They're solid cars to drive, handle very well, and can sit four adults pretty comfortably. The rear seats fold down and the boot is pretty large - it can carry far more than it suggests and, carrying white goods aside, is a pretty good car to do a tip run in!
The 200 KOMPRESSOR is slow as balls and noisy. 13 seconds to 60!
Go for a 6 cylinder, they are much more befitting of the car and there is a little difference in the economy, especially with the mileage you do.
Edited by devnull on Sunday 26th November 21:52
I've had a few so if there's anything you'd like to know just ask.
Rust isn't an issue on W209 CLK's do you know what model you're interested in?
Early 350's can suffer balancer shaft issues which is an engine out £1500 job so be aware with that in mind I'd be more tempted to look at a 320 the 200 is ok but just a bit lacking.
The main issue is the is if you hear a clicking from behind the dash it's not expensive parts wise but is a dash out job, also the facelift started in 2004.
Here would be my picks:
2004 CLK500 Avantgarde this would be my pick only slightly (& I do mean slightly) worse on fuel but a more complete car the extra torque make this an effortless cruiser plus the sunroof is always worth seeking out.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
2006 CLK320 Avantgarde
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
2007 CLK280 Avantgarde Sport These are rare but you get the Sport model suspension & the OrthopedicSeats but not the bodykit the only downside is the £520 road tax for the 280/350 (unless it's a 55 plate) models.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
CLK280 Sport
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Rust isn't an issue on W209 CLK's do you know what model you're interested in?
Early 350's can suffer balancer shaft issues which is an engine out £1500 job so be aware with that in mind I'd be more tempted to look at a 320 the 200 is ok but just a bit lacking.
The main issue is the is if you hear a clicking from behind the dash it's not expensive parts wise but is a dash out job, also the facelift started in 2004.
Here would be my picks:
2004 CLK500 Avantgarde this would be my pick only slightly (& I do mean slightly) worse on fuel but a more complete car the extra torque make this an effortless cruiser plus the sunroof is always worth seeking out.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
2006 CLK320 Avantgarde
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
2007 CLK280 Avantgarde Sport These are rare but you get the Sport model suspension & the OrthopedicSeats but not the bodykit the only downside is the £520 road tax for the 280/350 (unless it's a 55 plate) models.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
CLK280 Sport
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
I had an 04 CLK500 Avantgarde a few years ago. What a car. With 306bhp and a wave of torque that never ended, it was seriously quick in a straight line, albeit a little “Mercedes-ish in the corners”. In 3 years, I put 80k on it, averaged 27mpg and had no faults other than 2 cats failing - it sounded epic when I cut them out (and still passed the emissions test!). The only expensive service was a spark plug service as there are 16 of them.
I would have another in a heartbeat.
I would have another in a heartbeat.
I had an 04 CLK500 Avantgarde a few years ago. What a car. With 306bhp and a wave of torque that never ended, it was seriously quick in a straight line, albeit a little “Mercedes-ish in the corners”. In 3 years, I put 80k on it, averaged 27mpg and had no faults other than 2 cats failing - it sounded epic when I cut them out (and still passed the emissions test!). The only expensive service was a spark plug service as there are 16 of them.
I would have another in a heartbeat.
I would have another in a heartbeat.
Understand you're looking for a later-vintage CLK, but in case you're interested I've had my W208 CLK 320 (petrol) for 5 years and done about 50,000 miles in it (a couple of years ago I sold it, instantly regretted it, and managed to buy it back a few months later). Absolutely nothing major has gone wrong, the only expenses apart from a battery and standard service parts (serviced it myself with no difficulty at all and service parts prices I've found to be very reasonable) have been a window regulator motor (20 quid used) and a 50p carbon-brush to solder into the heater blower. It's averaged around 30mpg, a bit thirsty in town but have got up to 37 on the motorway. Very comfortable for long journeys, I did Oslo to Edinburgh in 2 days without even a hint of backache. Having previously owned 2 SLK's with the 4-pot Kompressor engine I'ld definitely recommend the V6 instead, it's way more refined and suited to motorway cruising, and a non-supercharged 2-litre version which I've also previously owned was very underpowered. It's definitely more of a cruiser than a sporty car. Had a couple of small rust bubbles on the arches which I nipped in the bud in time, is something to watch out for on these cars though given the car's lived outdoors in pretty harsh weather I'ld say its rustproofing is decent, underside is still solid as a rock. Alarm also has a tendency to incessantly go off on ferries.
I'd reccomend them.
I have an 09 CLK 350 petrol convertible, run out model so has most of the toys. Feels more solid than my 63 plate CLS350CDI, which was always back in the garage with some niggling complaint. The 06 onward mercs which were galvanized seem to be the sweet spot for the marque.
I did a bit of research and, as said above, if you are going for a 6 pot or 8 pot, ask for the engine number and check it online to make sure it is later than the range that had the balancer shaft issues.
Issues I've had with mine have been the thermostat, a roof relay and a clip breaking on the handbrake cable that caused it to rub on the propshaft - this makes a sound that appears to be coming from behind the dashboard vents and is a common problem. Standard stereo is a bit wanting, which is mainly due to odd speaker positioning - both front and rear speakers are in the door, I think the coupe might have an additional two in the parcel shelf though. Door cards are easy to remove for speaker replacement and as it is a common mod there are fitting kits for components available.
Head unit (COMAND) is showing its age so I would reccomend replacing it, it has bluetooth connectivity but only if you buy an adaptor, also the navigation is ancient, it works out cheaper to get an aftermarket double din unit. Again easy to fit and steering wheel controls are available.
Other points - mine has ventilated seats but I wouldn't discount those that do not have that option as it is barely noticeable. What is nice with the higher spec ones is the nappa grade leather (look for the perforations), a friend has a 53 plate CLK320 with the standard leather and it is noticeably not as nice. His coupe however feels more solid as a whole compared to the cabriolet, which is not that much of a surprise.
Paid top money for mine (11k) but am hoping to keep it until over 100k, I like mercs and prefer the CLK to the e class cab (basically same car underneath) and the latest c/e convertibles. Also keeps me out of being tied to finance.
Hope my experiences help, Robin.
I have an 09 CLK 350 petrol convertible, run out model so has most of the toys. Feels more solid than my 63 plate CLS350CDI, which was always back in the garage with some niggling complaint. The 06 onward mercs which were galvanized seem to be the sweet spot for the marque.
I did a bit of research and, as said above, if you are going for a 6 pot or 8 pot, ask for the engine number and check it online to make sure it is later than the range that had the balancer shaft issues.
Issues I've had with mine have been the thermostat, a roof relay and a clip breaking on the handbrake cable that caused it to rub on the propshaft - this makes a sound that appears to be coming from behind the dashboard vents and is a common problem. Standard stereo is a bit wanting, which is mainly due to odd speaker positioning - both front and rear speakers are in the door, I think the coupe might have an additional two in the parcel shelf though. Door cards are easy to remove for speaker replacement and as it is a common mod there are fitting kits for components available.
Head unit (COMAND) is showing its age so I would reccomend replacing it, it has bluetooth connectivity but only if you buy an adaptor, also the navigation is ancient, it works out cheaper to get an aftermarket double din unit. Again easy to fit and steering wheel controls are available.
Other points - mine has ventilated seats but I wouldn't discount those that do not have that option as it is barely noticeable. What is nice with the higher spec ones is the nappa grade leather (look for the perforations), a friend has a 53 plate CLK320 with the standard leather and it is noticeably not as nice. His coupe however feels more solid as a whole compared to the cabriolet, which is not that much of a surprise.
Paid top money for mine (11k) but am hoping to keep it until over 100k, I like mercs and prefer the CLK to the e class cab (basically same car underneath) and the latest c/e convertibles. Also keeps me out of being tied to finance.
Hope my experiences help, Robin.
FerdiZ28 said:
The 06 onward mercs which were galvanized seem to be the sweet spot for the marque.
Pretty sure from my research that 04 onwards CLKs were the ones to go for as they were galvanised, they made the change in late '03. I've certainly never seen a rusty 04 onwards CLK but plenty of 03s!Also a late 320 petrol V6 is a better option than an early 350 V6 going by what I've read online!
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