W208 / A208 CLK
Discussion
Hi, I'm considering getting a first-gen CLK as my next car. I think the once controversial looks have aged well and they seem so affordable (compared to, say a W/C124). I guess I'm here asking if they can be a good buy, or a nightmare and best avoided? Does anyone have experience of one? I'm aware they a renowned for rust, the electrics can be iffy, but assuming every button works and it's not dissolving in front of my eyes can they still provide a decent ownership experience?
I had a 320 for a few years. It was a good car, but the ABS started to play up. That was the onlynelectrical fault mine had and it was pretty ancient when I bought it (one of my periodic skint spells). All four of the wheel arches were corroded but never seemed to get any worse, and it was fine underneath, it passed several MOT's with no real bother (a ball joint I seem to recall).
A lady I know has one now that is black and utterly mint, though it's had new wings etc. I would have another, but bear in mind, they are not sporty to drive, but are typically Mercedes of the period.
A lady I know has one now that is black and utterly mint, though it's had new wings etc. I would have another, but bear in mind, they are not sporty to drive, but are typically Mercedes of the period.
silverback said:
Hi, I'm considering getting a first-gen CLK as my next car. I think the once controversial looks have aged well and they seem so affordable (compared to, say a W/C124). I guess I'm here asking if they can be a good buy, or a nightmare and best avoided? Does anyone have experience of one? I'm aware they a renowned for rust, the electrics can be iffy, but assuming every button works and it's not dissolving in front of my eyes can they still provide a decent ownership experience?
I bought a 2000 CLK320 Coupe when it was 3 years old. The second generation CLK had by then been introduced, so that helped my purchase price. I did have to wait about a year to find a non-black interior. I certainly prefer the body shape of the first-gen model.
Drove the car daily for 22 years. Serviced bi-annually by a main dealer.
Non routine faults;
Transmission oil seal leaked, which was revealed by erratic gear changes.
One of the cats rusted through.
One of the door mirrors ceased folding.
Pneumatic boot opening failed.
Rubber 'doughnut' drive shaft coupling replaced.
Wheel arch rust. The only holes though are forward of the wheel arch. The original wheel arch liner is not the right shape and allows mud to stick in one place behind the wings. I did some temporary repairs and used Hammerite silver paint, which was a surprisingly good match
Some front seat stitching recently came undone.
In other words, over 22 years just minor issues. Overall depreciation was only £600 per year.
The car behaved so well, that I stayed loyal to the marque and replaced it last year with an E Class.
I will have the wheel arch rust dealt with, then the car will be very good. Overall paintwork has survived really well and it drives perfectly. It has now joined my small car collection. The value is so low, that I chose to keep it rather than sell for peanuts.
Choose the V6 3.2 litre version, because the engine is so smooth and quiet.
As they became older, I think Brilliant Silver is a colour that remains looking smart.
Tyres were an interesting point.
I originally had the factory Pirelli tyres. Dreadful road noise.
Dunlop SportMax were better, but I eventually fitted what turned out to be much quieter tyres, Michelin Primacy 4. They transformed the car.
You obviously need to find one in good condition.
I drive a 430 daily. Also mint, very high spec, very low mileage and, over fours years, entirely trouble-free apart from an alarm fault, which was eventually an easy fix, but not before I'd inadvertently created two futher problems by fannying around.
I average 21 mpg, but can get 28 on the motorway.
ETA: 25 years old in January, and has never had a single MOT advisory.
I average 21 mpg, but can get 28 on the motorway.
ETA: 25 years old in January, and has never had a single MOT advisory.
I had a W124 E320. The wiring loom needed replacing, but not before it fried all six coil packs. And the multi-function steering column stalk caught fire.
I had a W209 CLK 320. The orthopaedic seat airbags packed up. Twice. A sensor fault preventied the car from going above 2nd gear, but that was only £2,000 to fix...
I had a W209 CLK 320. The orthopaedic seat airbags packed up. Twice. A sensor fault preventied the car from going above 2nd gear, but that was only £2,000 to fix...
Had a 2001 CLK55. It was about 5 years old when I bought it.
The power and sound were great (had the exhaust replaced by a fabricator). The electrics such as the electric seats and the stereo were not so great. I took it to a local dealer and their solution to get the headunit to talk to the CD changer again was a complete reinstallation (~£3k).
The rear wings started rusting (bubbles here and there) and the boot lock was also rusted so didn't work.
I guess you need to check thoroughly and test everything before buying it.
It's a shame, really, because otherwise it looked great in a subtle kind of way.
The power and sound were great (had the exhaust replaced by a fabricator). The electrics such as the electric seats and the stereo were not so great. I took it to a local dealer and their solution to get the headunit to talk to the CD changer again was a complete reinstallation (~£3k).
The rear wings started rusting (bubbles here and there) and the boot lock was also rusted so didn't work.
I guess you need to check thoroughly and test everything before buying it.
It's a shame, really, because otherwise it looked great in a subtle kind of way.
trevalvole said:
Doofus said:
I had a W124 E320. The wiring loom needed replacing, but not before it fried all six coil packs. And the multi-function steering column stalk caught fire.
That would have had a straight-six wouldn't it, whereas the first-gen CLK had the M112 V6.Gassing Station | Mercedes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff