2001 CLK 230k Cab Advice

[mikejb]

Hi Guys,

Im off to test drive a CLK cab tommorrow and am looking for some advice. As the title says, its a 2001 (51) 230k cab with 40k on the clock. Im only 21 so am thinking for insurance purposes to go for a 230 rather than 320. Is there much difference in fuel costs between the two models? Also, roughly how much would a standard yearly service set me back? Anything else i should be looking out for when checking the car out?

Thanks in advance,

Mike

[markmullen]

Servicing is variable depending on how the car is driven, expect an A service (the smaller) to be around £220, a B service (the larger) will be around £440 from an MB dealer.

If you want to drop me a line with the VIN (chassis number which will start WDB or WDC) I will run it through the Mercedes system and see what the original build spec was, this will also tell if it is a UK spec car.

Best of luck.

[mikejb]

Thanks very much for the info Mark. My dad works in finance and has access to the CAP and Experion systems so i can check it that way. Appreciate the offer though! Any thoughs on the fuel costs between the 230k and the 320k and is it worth the extra to make the step up to the 3.2?

[rob_j]

I ran a 320clk for quite a while. I think the 320 is far better than the 230k. If I remember correctly the insurance groups were the same & I thought fuel economy was better on the 320 than 230.

I found servicing costs on it were horrific & it chewed tyres like nobodies business. The bills rarely came in below 1k. My current GT3 seems to be cheaper to run.

having said all that I really liked the car, had it from new, kept for 6 years & 60k miles & it was a great drive