Please talk me into buying this CLK430 Cab !

[mercGLowner]

It looks great, some say it looks as if it is riding a little high on the non standard AMG (assume replica) alloys. It looks fab, decent mileage, full history - no COMAND/XENONS or heated seats though. What do you experts think?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...

I want a good Merc CLK V8 and the budget is less then £9K,

[eldar]

Comand is OK, xenons are nice. Neither essential - a tomtom does a better job, xenons if you live in the country.

Don't really matter in a convertable, though. Looks a clean car....

[5 wh]

I once swapped a CLK 320 for a CLK 430(both cabs)and expected great things.

Unfortunately it was only a little quicker than the 320 but it was a lot thirstier.

[mercGLowner]

5 wh said:

I once swapped a CLK 320 for a CLK 430(both cabs)and expected great things.

Unfortunately it was only a little quicker than the 320 but it was a lot thirstier.

Must have been worth it for that V8 noise though!

[5 wh]

Even the exhaust note was a disappointment(even with the roof off).Maybe an aftermarket system could improve things though??

When I had my CLK 55 cab that had a nice(but muted)exhaust note.

[Pentoman]

Hmmm... the CLK320 cab left me a bit colder than I was expecting after a drive in one but perhaps with a 430 would come to life.

But like many things Mercedes it's probably something that grows on you in ownership rather than something that you immediately feel you absolutely must have. Can't see a V8 and convertible roof going down badly in any way.

Check for rust on arches and boot lock.

Go test drive; personally I'd hold on to one with better wheels and a better colour.

[GRIMAIG]

I have had a 430 for 18 months now, similar spec & colour. Over the past 15 years have always had Mercs, this,(if you can afford the petrol, 20 mpg), is the best to date. Lovely to drive, very much a cruiser, but when you give it some welly it responds beautifully. Make sure you allow for the possibility of changing the 16 sparkplugs !
Go for it !

[mister.t]

That looks like a great looking car In good condition too it seems, go for it

My old Form Tutor used to have a CLK430 with a Remus Exhaust, and it used to sound very very nice

[Callughan]

I had a CLK 430 few years back, it is wayyyyy faster than the 320 (almost 6 seconds quicker to a 100) although admittedly the difference is less on the convertible. The exhaust wakes up if driven hard and on a regular basis.

Generally speaking lots to go wrong and does, so you want to find one that has been serviced on sechedule and better yet has all the receipts. Buy on condition!

I had loads of trim issues, countless electronic issues and I spent thousands keeping it straight. But when it works, it's good for what it is. I would recommend buying a decent warranty too.

Regarding the one you have seen, never seen one without Xenons and the AMG alloys are not designed for that vehicle, even the AMG's intended for the W208 are 17inch. Officially they say ESP needs to be adjusted as does the suspension(for bigger sizes), especially if you drive like a loon.

Edited by Callughan on Tuesday 20th January 12:27

[Orb the Impaler]

Heated seats would be nice to have tbh.

Does nobody else think that this looks a bit expensive, too?

Otherwise looks a nice car.