W208 CLK Any use?
Discussion
I have a 2001 430 that I bought last year. It’s not a convertible but I'm guessing much of the body/running gear will be the same.
You've already mentioned rust so I suppose you know to look under the arches and around the headlights as that's where it usually starts.
My windows didn't shut properly when I bought mine, all the way down the back edge there were visible air gaps where the window was bowing out. Symptoms were awful wind noise at anything above 50. It was quite a simple fix though by adjusting the stoppers underneath the doors.
The LCDs on the dash often start to fail - on the clock and gear indicator. Again it looks bad but is a simple fix by replacing the ribbons.
The interior on mine seems to have had quite a hard life, there is some rubbing on the leather side panels and the steering wheel is practically suede now. (it's now on 90 odd thousand)
I have read reports of vague steering but these are usually cured with alignment and a new steering damper (Costs pennies and is literally two bolts).
Other than that though it's been very good. Gearbox is strong and kicks down well and the engine is a thumper - when I was looking I was told that the 320 was fine too but avoid the 4 cylinder cars! Mileage shouldn't be an issue. If you look around there are CLKs with 250,000 plus on them!
Overall I'd say go for it. If looks in good order and has a reasonable service history, at that price, you shouldn't go far wrong for a bit of cheap roofless fun with a bit of (aging!) class thrown in.
Good luck!
You've already mentioned rust so I suppose you know to look under the arches and around the headlights as that's where it usually starts.
My windows didn't shut properly when I bought mine, all the way down the back edge there were visible air gaps where the window was bowing out. Symptoms were awful wind noise at anything above 50. It was quite a simple fix though by adjusting the stoppers underneath the doors.
The LCDs on the dash often start to fail - on the clock and gear indicator. Again it looks bad but is a simple fix by replacing the ribbons.
The interior on mine seems to have had quite a hard life, there is some rubbing on the leather side panels and the steering wheel is practically suede now. (it's now on 90 odd thousand)
I have read reports of vague steering but these are usually cured with alignment and a new steering damper (Costs pennies and is literally two bolts).
Other than that though it's been very good. Gearbox is strong and kicks down well and the engine is a thumper - when I was looking I was told that the 320 was fine too but avoid the 4 cylinder cars! Mileage shouldn't be an issue. If you look around there are CLKs with 250,000 plus on them!
Overall I'd say go for it. If looks in good order and has a reasonable service history, at that price, you shouldn't go far wrong for a bit of cheap roofless fun with a bit of (aging!) class thrown in.
Good luck!
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